Capturing the Kerrys: Ithaca

Better late than never, right? Our annual summer trip to Ithaca was just what our little family needed....especially since we got time to see our "big" family while we were there. On top of it, Max got to attend his youngest brother Brian's (aka Uncle B) bachelor party and I was able to make Mallorie's shower. This are the occasions that being far away with two kids usually makes impossible, but not this year.

We were also thrilled that our second year at this cottage on the east side of Cayuga Lake was much better than last...I didn't spend the first day of our rental cleaning for two reasons: 1) the new owners gutted the place and put in a completely new kitchen, bath and flooring throughout and 2) my wonderful mother-in-law, Patti and father-in-law Bill, rented the week before us and had the place all ready for our arrival, down to the sheets, dinner and beer. We were so grateful to come in a day early, settle in and get ready for the weekend's fun. We also extended our stay by a day due to the 4th being on a Friday. WE are SO glad we did. Lot's to show off from this trip, so we'll let the pics do the work.

Hope you all have had time to relax and recalibrate like we did.

Love Court, Max, Ryan + Elise

Elise's first ride on a big kid swing at our favorite spot, Stewart park.

Uncle Kevin was able to stop by the night before he left for a short visit and we were so glad he did!

Elise was enamored with her cousin Trevor, 10 months. She kept calling him "My Baby."

Elise grew hair this week. She even has some curls. Three of them.

At noon the sun was intense so we made a lunching fort. It was a hit.

Art!

Searching for beach glass. Our new favorite pass-time.

Grandpa and Elise exploring the dock. It's actually a double decker and an awesome place to shoot off, and watch fireworks (but not at the same time :)

Elise finally got to the point that the ducks did not terrify her.

Bathing beauty.

Ryan got brave this year jumping off the lower dock. His swimming has gotten lots better.

Max and Uncle B enjoying some Giordano's sausage sandwiches.

Ryan and Aunt Malorie having some cuddle time in the hammock.

Elise and Uncle B comparing haircuts.

Ryan and I discovered this hidden waterfall right across from our cottage. Three days later it was flowing during a flash flood!

Boy Explorer.

The flood. The waves were huge and ended up washing out some retention walls.

It was amazing to watch.

Little Miss in mid run wearing her "bracelet" (aka, my pony tail holder.)

Max's high school buddy, Craig, was in town with his fiance Jamie. Their family lives six cottages down so we spent a ton of time with them. They were wonderful to Ryan and took him on the kayak and wave runner.

Grandma got us hooked on collecting beach glass. We have a huge collection thanks to the neighbors who let us comb their beach. More on them later.

Pure sweetness.

The neighbors loaned us this wagon and the kids favorite activity was playing luge down the big hill. Ryan loved making Elise laugh almost as much as she enjoyed riding!

Uncle Billy (aka "Charlie"....who knows why) spending some quality time together.

Max was happy to be the grill master. The best part of the cottage is the constant flow of friends and family while we're there. People just show up...even when neighbors have people over that turn out to know our family...and when I say that, I mean, EVERY neighbor that had visitors knew our family. Small town living with the Kerry / Ettinger clan!

Ewok?

Elise and Nana looking pretty on 4th of July.

Breaking it down.

Grandpa and Elise.

Sweet boys.

How can you not love that smile.

Max and Ryan on the 4th with the flares lit (all the beach front properties light flares during fireworks.)

Ryan caught 6 fish during our stay. He got really good at casting and pulling the slack.
And Elise had fun watching.

Best buddies.

Watching the fireworks intently. Elise was NOT thrilled.

Uncle Billy, Max and Ryan at dusk.

Beach walking.

When Max went to his brother's bachelor party, the kids and I had homemade pedicures...yes, even Ryan...but it was Spartan Green.

Elise's buttoned-nose profile at dusk.

One of my favorite memories of the summer was laying with Ryan and playing "Would you Rather"...we had some of the best conversations...even at 6:30 in the morning.

Just one of the amazing sunsets we enjoyed on Cayuga Lake.

I wasn't thinking and got Elise a cone, rather than a bowl.

At one point she was squishing it like modeling clay between her fingers.

Ryan was more respectable with his ice cream.

On the 3rd, our plumbing stopped working.The sewer contractor just had a pacemaker placed, so that left Max to do his digging. It wasn't 10 minutes before Skooze—the 89 year old next door neighbor—was over to watch the progress. His wife, Flo (who calls him Skooze), is 85 and they live there full time. They're amazing. And entertaining.