Hershey Park, PA!

We're Ready! The weekend before Halloween, we took a trip to Hershey, PA. What a fun time! The kids dressed up, we rode ride, went trick or treating, made our own chocolate bar and just had a fun time!

YAY Rides!!! Our kids had never been to an amusement park. This was their first experience and they loved it. Meggin wanted to go on the "bigger" rides with her brothers, but she's just too little. She still had fun. Mommy had a little bit of a hard time going 'round and 'round, however. The boys favorite was the hopper and the airplanes...what a fun time!

At Chocolate World, we were able to "go to the factory" to design and watch our own chocolate bars made, how fun! The hairnets are our best look!

We were also able to attend a breakfast with the Characters. The kids thought it was great. Meggin kept yelling at the KitKat bar, "hey big guy, come over here!" She loved it.

Our Family

We recently had some family photos taken, here's a peak of the Winans' family :)

The day to day

Everyone has a day to day life, here are a few images of ours lately.

Alex and Meggin hanging out at the counter...we are here a lot...eating, etc.

Mommy making peanut butter sandwiches...this happens A LOT! Meggin at her storytime class. She loves this class at the library and asks me everyday if it's storytime now.
Meggin and Nik at the pet store. We needed some stuff for the fish. They love to shop there, the little carts are just the kids' size.

The most recent weekly activity is Karate. Nik started a month or so ago and goes twice a week. He is earning his first yellow strip here.

More to come...

Rhinebeck Aerodome

We decided to head up to Rhinebeck, NY before school started. I know what you're thinking, isn't that where Chelsea Clinton got married? Yes, but that's not why we made the treck. There is a great little Aerodome and museum full of airplanes of the WWI and WWII era. We went for the air show, but only got a ground show due to the wind conditions. It was still a great time!
The kids got to sit in the cockpit of one of the planes. Meggin looks the part, don't you think? She just needs a scarf!

The family!

Waiting for the show to start.

They have a fashion show of the times. Nik decided to get dressed up. We were a little late, so he got a vest and then put some kid's hat on. That's him not looking :) He had fun and it was fun watching him go out with all the other people.

First Days of School!

Alex had his first day of first grade this month! He loves first grade, especially recess! He's starting to read really well, which is a load off of mama at bedtime...he reads to Nik and Meggin.This also happened on the first day of school, or maybe the second...trying to get everyone out the door with a bowl of cereal milk spilled all over is a challenge. We did make it to the bus on time!
A week later, Nik had his first day of school at Dogwood. He is a Goldfinch this year...the 4 year old class. He loves it so far and is making new friends already.

The person I most admire

Yvonne Black Stark, my grandmother is the person I admire most. She is the strongest, most gracious, loving, intelligent person I know and I would like to be more like her.

I love you grandma! Meggin loves you too, grandma great!

Lake Anna and more

In July, we were able to go on a family vacation. We went to Lake Anna, Virginia and enjoyed a lake house. The weather was fantastic, the company was fabulous (Laura, Colby and family) and the water was warm.

We were lucky to spend the 4th of July at the Lake and watch fireworks from the back yard. Here are the kids wearing some patriotic outfits!

Battles on the beach and hanging out by the lake. What a fun Vacation!

Fishing, more fishing, and more fishing (thanks daddy...uncle Dave). Rides in the canoe were very fun, Meggin loved the boat.

On the way home we visited Antietam, what an experience for all. There was a reenactment of the soldiers marching and firing their weapons.



Day trips to Mount Vernon and Fredricksburg, very good experience.
A dear friend, Christanne, and her kiddos were able to come and stay with us the last couple of days. It was a treat!


The Girls! Meggin and Annika were inseparable the entire week. Annika was great with Meggin, helping to keep her from getting into trouble and Meggin loved all the attention. Thanks Annika!

What a memorable trip!