Weekend in Pittsburgh

**this is a long post, sorry... but we had a great weekend!**

Well, Nate is at the National Youth Ministry Conference in Columbus, so I thought, what better time to take the kids and head to my sister Katy's place in Pittsburgh. Her birthday was last weekend, so we thought it would be fun to go hang out. We took off Friday at 5:00 hoping to get to Pittsburgh before 8 and maybe stop at IKEA before we head to Katy's place. She had to work until 9:30... well, Mr. Garmin (the GPS) took me the short LONG way!! A trip that allowed us to go through 3 states in 5 minutes, which the kids thought was amazing in and of itself! We ended up pulling in at Katy's workplace at about 8:30 - 8:45!! So we did a little shopping at Pier 1 before they closed, hit Wal-Mart (because I needed a few essentials I forgot to pack... imagine that!) then took off for Katy's house. The kids were so excited, that they didn't go to sleep until around 11 or later. The entire drive into Pittsburgh, once we hit the "city" Drew was on the edge of his seat with excitement. It was really kinda funny to watch him. Then when we passed Heinz Field, I thought he was going to faint! So cute.

Saturday morning, we got up and Katy and Toby made us pancakes! Toby loves to stir!
After breakfast, we headed out to the Pittsburgh Children's Museum. I had checked the place out online, but was even more impressed with it. The kids had a blast! Here are just a few of the things we did....

Toby doing some silk Screening! Shelly, you would have been impressed!


Toby was so into his painting (he made at least 3 beautiful portraits) he wouldn't even look away from his easel to get his photo taken!
Here, Taylor, Toby, Aunt Katy and her friend Amanda do some Ink press artwork...
And here's Toby making paper!
The kids really loved Water World. They got to put on crocs and raincoats and go crazy. I rolled up Toby's pant legs, but he still managed to get soaked. Luckily, I planned ahead and had back up pants in the backpack!
On our trip to Pittsburgh, the kids watched the movie "BIG" with Tom Hanks. We all about flipped out when we saw Madame Zelda at the Museum... guess what Drew wished for? And he was very disappointed when he was still 7 when he woke up this morning...
As you can see, we finally broke down and got Taylor a cell phone. She's been very busy texting all her friends. I'm thinking it's going to be a good tool to keep her room clean?!?
In the "Garage" section, the kids got to use different tools. Toby and Drew were using files to file down wood, I INSISTED on the safety goggles, partially because they were getting pretty wild with the tools, and partially because they were so darn cute on them!
Here the kids are in the "Attic" section. Going down the FAST slide! They really liked it and did it several times. But they had to walk through the gravity room get to it.
Here is the Gravity room. It was on an angle, and was nearly impossible to walk in. Toby kept running into the wall. He kept falling down to the left. It was actually kinda comical!
Mr. Rogers Neighborhood was a big hit for the kids. Here they sit on his front porch.
And Toby and I are watching as Trolly comes by!
Toby would hardly leave the "castle" and was still talking about it this morning as we were leaving. He wanted to go back to the castle. He liked the Land of Make Believe!
Here is Drew on the Trolly... can you tell he's in Pittsburgh. Of course, he didn't stand out at all. About every other person you saw was completely decked out in Steelers attire!
So after the Museum, we went to IKEA for a while. I bought several things for around the house! I LOVE that place!! I could easily fill a U-Haul, like so many people do when they are there! Then we went to dinner to celebrate Aunt Katy's birthday. I talked her into Damon's...YUM!! We had a nice meal, and the kids were very well behaved, considering the long day they had had!

Sunday morning, we had to hit the road fairly early. I was hoping to make it back for Lydia's funeral service and Taylor had play practice at 2PM. (we didn't make it into town until after 2, so sadly, I missed the service. But I was with them in spirit and continue to pray for the Miyashita's)

But before we left, Aunt Katy wanted to take us to Mt. Washington to look out over the city. Great idea... bad time of year! It was beautiful, but freezing. The kids had winter jackets, but they needed several layers and a few hats and several pair of gloves!! It was just very windy. We did manage to get a few photos!

Here are Taylor and Drew, with Heinz Field in the background!
And here is a photo of the kids and I with the Pittsburgh skyline behind us!
Since it was so cold, we decided to head down closer to Heinz Field so Drew could get some photos! He was SO EXCITED!!! Can you tell?
And here is Taylor in front of the stadium!
Drew didn't want to leave! He kept running back to the gate and begging for someone to let him in!
And a final photo of the kids with Art Rooney. Drew is thanking him for the great season! I don't think he had a clue who he was until we explained it, but he wanted to thank him!