Home. Family. They go together.

 I was in some places that felt a lot like home, recently.

We arrived in Rochester on Thursday evening, the 28th of June, in time for a late grill dinner with Dad and my Aunts! Also present, briefly, were Emily and Sam, my cousins, whom I have not seen for several years. All these people! Under one roof! And there was more to come: late in the night my brother, Buddy, arrived, with his son, Aiden. Aiden, aged going on 4, is someone I haven't seen but once in his life, and he was 6 weeks old at the time. So, this visit has been a long time coming.
 
 It was bliss getting to know my nephew! Finally!

Isn't he adorable??

 Here he is with Dad, meeting the dog:

 

 

 

 

 Miles wasn't too sure about all these people at first.

On Friday, after a long breakfast with the aunts and cousins, 

Dad and Buddy, Jon and I, drove, with kids in tow, up to walk around

our old campgrounds on Lake Ontario. If you don't know,

I was only here about 3 weeks out of every single summer of my entire life.

That's all. But we haven't all been here as a family in.... maybe going on 

10 years? 

Needless to say, it was a great joy to me to be back.

And to introduce my daughter to a place that is in my bones & blood.

 Hanging out on Grandma & Grandpa's old porch.

 Miles and Aiden took a stroll together...

 And bonded over mutual admiration of a pinwheel.

 We found the time to hit up the old train playground!

 Uncle Buddy was a mite smaller last time he sat in this engine.

 Amazing how much joy little kids can get from a stationary playground train! Miles had a whole story worked out in which we were traveling to the farmer's market.

Soaking it in. Notice my Lighthouse Christian Camp polo. I'm an LCC homegirl.

We even had time to spend at least an hour indulging probably the #1 most favored camp activity of all:  Throwing stones into the lake.

 As you can see, it was not a particularly favorable day for swimming. After a good storm, the mud and seaweed takes a while to settle back down. No matter. I love all Lake Ontario's moods.

 Aiden LOVED throwing rocks. It was all he wanted to do. Miles was equally enthusiastic about the sport. Upon being told we had to go soon, Miles informed Jon that he wanted us "to leave (him) here and go without (him)."

 Adele was thrilled by all the textures she got to experience.

 She stared at the lake and laughed at it as if it was a live thing capering around.

Silly.

I paid homage to a couple of girls that used to throw rocks here, years ago. Leah & Lissa logged a lot of hours in this spot.

Miles was very pleased to discover one could write on rocks, with other rocks.

 We didn't have time to visit the lighthouse this time, but we did acknowledge it. We will come again.

 It was just getting to evening or sparkle water time, when we had to go.

 We did pack up a small bucket of stones, some colored, some flat (for water coloring) for souvenirs.

 Back home, the cousins continued to get to know each other.

Miles and Aiden were best mates at Grandma Revell's 90th birthday party.

Uncle Buddy hides from paparazzi.

Adele's admirer couldn't stop kissing her. It's entirely understandable, of course.

 This birthday party was rather like a family reunion. I hope to acquire more photos to share, but our enthusiasm for taking pictures was limited since we had to pacify the kids through a 3 hour wait after we arrived! There was a MASSIVE jam at the border and poor Gran was stuck there within a couple of miles of us for hours. In the partyhouse, a lot of family members got caught up, and Gran did eventually arrive to be celebrated and gifted and served cake, and she was able to meet Aiden and Adele for the very first time!

We spent Sunday at the Rochester Museum of Play. This place is a must-visit if you are in town with kids! But more on that, later.

 This trip was so special. It was long overdue, and since Uncle Buddy very kindly took an extra day off work, it wasn't overly rushed, either.

We even had time for one more dinner with Dad before Jon and I left on Tuesday morning. We went to a diner and got Real Italian Food. I miss Italians!!

And Dad and Miles got in one more horsey ride. They have a special Marching Song they sing together.  

Oh that the almost 11 hour drive could be less of an ordeal! We can't wait to be back.