How bout them cowgirls...Boys aren't they something..Sure are some proud girls and you can't tell 'em nothing...

Emma horseback riding with the girl scouts....her mom Betty, is the leader of Em's troop and does an amazing job with the girls. Not only have they learned and earned many, many badges, she manages to find all kind of "fun" activities, including horseback riding, encampments, and will be doing an Eco tour on one of the local boat lines.

Well, here is a bit of mish mash that has taken place since we arrived home. Our lives our rather BORING right now, as we are working to get settled back in to NY life and it has rained EVERY day but one since we have been home..... :-(

The family, on the other hand has been celebrating lots of accomplishments. Below (left) is our niece Sarah Karpel, who graduated top of her class from NYU. We are all so proud of you Sarah!!

Here is Janna making her entrance to the OFA Senior prom. Janna will graduate this year and heading for college where she will study nursing. Janna is also an honor student.

Here is our little Emma getting her first set of highlights (Grandma took her for a day of "spoiling")....

Here she and "Pop" share their last "Grandparents' Breakfast". Pop and I have attended this event for the last 6 years giving us perfect attendance!! Both the principal and Emma's teacher approached us and told us what a lovely granddaughter we have and complimented her on her maturity this year. You go Emma.....

We set the motor home up on a lot in Swan Bay this year, where we also have a dock. This has worked out very well....especially with the amount of rain we have been getting. Salt is working on the island during the day and returning to the motor home most nights. It has been much more convenient for me to get to the stores and conduct business this year.

Today is the opening statements on the Casey Anthony trial....I am sure it is going to be a battle with myself to restrict the amount of time I spend in front of the TV.

I've been everywhere man...I've been everywhere!

After many sad goodbyes to friends and neighbors, Salt and I took off and headed back to our summer home on Grindstone Island nestled in the Thousand Island region of the St. Lawrence River. We actually ended up leaving a few days later than planned as we needed a part for the generator in the motor home.

Our first stop was at this KOA in Yemassee, SC. Although a bit overpriced, it was one of the neatest KOAs we have stopped at.

Beautifully landscaped....

This amazing "gourmet" coffee bar and wine shop.....

We REALLY enjoyed the pool, as it was still 91 degrees when we stopped for the evening!!

Here is something you don't see often....it is actually still functional.

Amidst the camp sites, and cottages, they have two old trolley cars made into hotel rooms....very cool!!

They say when you're old you're a child again....

Gene and Ruth have never been to "Downtown Disney" so last Sunday we hopped in the car and took a ride to Orlando so they could check it out. I wanted to post this picture on Face book and tell my kids it was the new cycle Pop gave me for mother's day. I changed my mind because I was afraid they might believe it and have a heart attack....
the crazy birds outside the Rain Forest Cafe....

The flowers throughout the park were amazing....

Hey....I think Ruth and I got our dates mixed up....I should definitely be with the tall one!!

The new statue at the Lego store....

Here in the moment while you're laughing with me...don't you wish we could just freeze time.

All of our friends are starting to leave for their summer homes. Terry and Sue are back in Colorado getting ready to list and sell their home and make a permanent move to Florida.

Gene and Ruth who will be leaving the same day we will invited us out for a last fling on their boat and a chance to watch the last shuttle launch from the water. The boat ride was perfect, but the launch was cancelled due to thermo problems. Boy I have some wicked bad swimmers hair in this picture. We have been in the pool so much this last couple of weeks, it never looks great!!

The captain and first mate....

Salt enjoying the last ride of the season down the Dora Canal.....

We never get tired of watching the beautiful Florida wildlife.....

Ninjas are deadly and silent...They're also unspeakably violent....

Betty wanted to do one farmer's market before heading back north. We were up early Thursday morning ready to go but Emma was having no part of ..."shopping". We told her we would only be gone a short time so if she wanted she could stay home. She is 11 so she is certainly old enough to stay alone for a short period of time. When we got home she met us at the door with her face made up and a Ninja pose. Betty asked her what on earth she was doing....she replied "In case I had to protect myself, I wanted the bad guys to be scared". What a kid!!

Look out lad, a mermaid be waiting for you....

Our last full day was a trip to Weeki Wachee Springs and the mermaid show, animal show and boat ride.
Greeting us at the gate was this fellow, who seems to pretty much think he can roam wherever he pleases....

Emma loved the mermaid show....she is now practicing to be a mermaid!!

The animal show.....

Snakes....my favorite....NOT!!!

Yep....a future mermaid.

Beach baby, beach baby...there on the sand...

Tuesday we headed back to Orlando and the Disney beach Typhoon Lagoon. Since it was 92 degrees, it was definitely a good decision. Here the wave is just starting to roar in....

Emma and Betty enjoying life on the Lazy River .....

And of course "Pop"

Here is Emma waiting for the Typhoon and insisting she is far enough back.....

NOT.....she tumbled few times, lost he goggles and being the drama queen she is, I am sure by time she gets back to Clayton, that wave will be bigger than the tsunami in Japan.....

Cuz when it comes to saving this amazing place....the answer is black and white....

Emma's choice of amusement parks this visit was Sea World. It actually worked out very well, as they had a special where if you paid for one day, you could return for a second day within a year. This allows us back in during Christmas when they will have the Polar Express and all the fabulous decorations. We will also see the new show which opened today and brought back Tilikum....the first appearance since last year's tragedy.

I love this picture of Grandpa and granddaughter strolling the park.....
Salt, Emma and Betty.....

Emma and the flamingos....

Emma or Salt have never been big roller coaster fans but Emma wanted to do Return to Atlantisand talked her "Pop" into going on with us. Emma started up the first steep grade and says..."oh man, I think I just might be in trouble".... She didn't want to go back on Monday, but said by Christmas she would be ready.....

The Sea Lions and Otter show....a favorite!

This girl is like the BEST trainer....

The mime....probably my favorite part of the show. Funny, funny guy!

The amazing acrobats....

Enjoying lunch and loving her "whale dish" full of cookies.....

Emma got right into the Shamu chant.....

Great show....as always!

God Bless America.....

Betty and Emma arrived in Florida on Saturday afternoon. Her plan was to stop at a motel Friday evening, but being "Spring Break"....she could not find a motel. Thy pulled off into a rest stop and along with about 30 other cars, took a short nap. She ended coming straight through.

Since she needed some rest, we didn't plan anything to exciting for Sunday. Pop took Emma to the pool we did Ruby Tuesday for dinner and then went to Karaoke at the club. We were SO proud of Emma.....she took the mike and sang God Bless America. She had the crowd on their feet, hats off and hands on hearts.

Check out what bed she ended up in.....she comes into our bedroom and says, "I can't sleep cuz Mom is snoring....Pop, you sleep with mom and I will sleep with Grandma".....uh, I don't think so Em. Pop did however, give in and went out and slept on the couch so she could cuddle with Grandma. He is such a great grandfather!!

Pop and Em enjoying the pool....after leaving in snow flurries, cold and wind, this 86 degree pool was a hit!!!!

Who was having more fun???

Emma's Easter basket....started out with a small basket and by time she got here grew to a clothes basket....

I finally got my little house with a picket fence....LOL