Sharkey Family =): Our SECOND East Coast Trip! (Part I)

We had such a fabulous time on our First East Coast trip, Madeleine and I just had to go back for more fun! ;>

The Tiny Traveller and I started the festivities in Western NY, where my Mom & Rich (Mimi & PopPop) picked us up from the airport at MIDNIGHT!! :O We didn't get home until 3am... now THAT'S love!!! :) I think next trip we might have to consider shelling out the really big bucks for a more decent time...
Anyway, after a day lounging around playing with PopPop,

getting fed by Mimi,

& "petting" Annie (Big Sister Bobby enjoyed her time off, but poor Annie had no such luck...),

we decided it was time for Madeleine to experience a Western New York institution... PUMPKINVILLE!!! =)

I think this (Sharkey) expression leaves no doubt as to Madeleine's feelings about Pumpkinville. :P

However, the DOG (Minya), had a wonderful time! :P

Minya enjoyed terrorizing the caged animals:
bunnies

chickens & goats

(The turkeys taught Minya a lesson, though: they let her get close, then pecked her nose! It's quite unfortunate that I missed capturing that funny moment, and wisely, Minya could not be persuaded into doing a "Fox-5 reenactment". Oh, well.)

Madeleine got more into Pumpkinville when we went to the corn shed with all the brightly colored Indian Corn (I'm sure it was due to a feeling of oneness with her ancestors! ;>

...AND of course, something she could finally sink her teeth into! :P

Lucky for Maddie that she perked up because we were THIS close to taking her on the Nightmare Hay Ride

Hey, it's free for kids under 3 :O, what a great idea; free nightmares for a year!! :P

But I digress... back to Pumpkinville. This was my favorite Pumpkinville photo-op as a child! =)
Maddie must REALLY have not wanted to go on that hay ride, because she actually smiled and posed for this! :P

And of course, finding the perfect carving pumpkin.

Here's Madeleine (after a long nap!) playing with her Maddie-size corn from Pumpkinville. :) Good Times.

Next, we went to visit my Dad (Madeleine's Gampy)

and of course, we went back to the Motherhouse

to visit all the nuns who prayed for Madeleine and me for so long! =)

This is Sr. Mary Lawrence who usually takes my Dad around, making introductions. Unfortunately, she fell and is working on getting better. Please remember her in your thoughts/prayers. =)