A NY Wedding + ComiCon

I flew solo to NY for my cousin's wedding last weekend! No kids were allowed and Mason is in the heart of busy season at work, so I took myself on a little trip and met up with my parents. The mask mandate was just lifted in airports and on airplanes, but I was not alone in masking up the whole time. It was nice to fly right out of Columbia! My layover in Chicago was short and upon arriving at the Albany airport I got a Lyft and was on to the hotel in Schenectady. It was such a nice touch to be greeted with a goody bag! I grabbed a Snickers and then went out in search of lunch.

On my cousin's recommendation, I went to Ambition Cafe. Loved the decor - Betty Boop watched me eat.

I got the Ambition Sandwich which was phenomenal.

Jay Street is home to Ambition and lots of other local stores. My folks and I walked up and down several times each day popping in to stores when it struck our fancy.

The Welcome Dinner was at Johnny's Italian Restaurant that evening and it was great to see all the Yapchanyks again! Our whole family only took up 2 tables - haha!

Dessert! These were shared and not all for me ;)

Anastasia and Dan's wedding was the next evening at a venue right next to the hotel. Here is Aunt Carolyn being walked down the aisle by her boys, Pete and Jeff.

Anastasia and her dad, Dave.

All dressed up!

Mom and her brother.

Anastasia and Dan's first dance. 

Anastasia and I.

Uncle Dave and I.

The next morning, after breakfast at the hotel and a walk around the Farmer's Market, Mom and I enjoyed chatting in the sun at a nearby park.

After Dad's nap, we drove over to the riverfront on the recommendation of a shop owner. We found both the park and the river underwhelming, but this old cannon was fun!

That same weekend was ComiCon in Kansas City and Little Miss Hannah - The Mushroom Girl - went with a friend. They had a blast walking around looking at all the costumes and visiting booths. I am forever grateful to good friends who take her on adventures when we're not available!!

 

Easter + Art + Science Camp

There was a stray dog in our neighborhood that we thought belonged to the folks at the end of the block. It didn't end up being such an easy reunion, but we were happy that she went from being this scared girl...

...to this happy one in no time at all once she was safely in our backyard. We got to spend the morning with her and ended up finding her ecstatic owner!

Hannah chose to do an essay on Michael Jackson for to "bio bottle" report at school. Also she got glasses for real...these are not props.

Hannah's ceramic weaving piece was chosen to be in the fiber show at the Columbia Art League downtown! I can't wait to hang it on our wall at home!!

Easter eggs extravaganza! This year it was a mix of traditional Ukrainian eggs with the hot wax and paint pens.

Bunny cookies were made.

Rue tries to tell Zane were the last 2 real eggs are hidden, but he just won't listen!

Hannah continues to be involved in the Moderna study for child vaccines and received her booster shot the other day. She's had no side effects besides a sore arm. So, so proud of this brave girl!

Zane went on an overnight science camp trip with his 6th grade class. The kids got to fish, canoe, hike, do archery, and learn to cook on the campfire before bedding down for the night in their sleeping bags in the canvas tents. The first day's weather was sunny and phenomenal but the storms, rain, and colder temperatures rolled in overnight to cause a bit of havoc the next morning. There's no sense in having 100 kids wet and cold for most of the day so they all packed up early and spent the rest of the day eating pizza and watching movies in the media center. It was odd because it was only in the 50s on the day he got back but he had a nasty sunburn from the day before. The stories were entertaining and it sounds like a good time was had, lessons were learned, and new friends were made.