Our Easter weekend started on Friday, April 2. I had off school starting Friday until the following Friday (originally supposed to be off school both Fridays, but needed a "snow" make up day). Jenn had adjusted her work schedule to have off from Friday until the following Wednesday. So we headed up to PA to visit family.
My family has rented cabins at Prince Gallitzen State Park (central PA) since my brother has been in college at PSU. It has become a kind of tradition for us and Dan Lilly's family to rent cabins there. It took a hiatus last year but was renewed this year with a big turn out. While Nate, my grandparents, Jenn's brother Brad, and Heather's boyfriend couldn't come, we still had a large group- Me, Jenn, Heather, my dad, my mom, Jenn's dad, Jenn's mom, Dan, Tamara, Gwen, Jerry, Nick, and Dan/Gwen's mom. Leo came as well, but he was kept under the radar as there were signs posted all over the campground that pets were not allowed and if you saw someone with a pet, you should report them immediately. He stayed indoors with his bark collar on until the night came and he could sneak outside undetected.
So Friday Jenn and I made the 9 hour drive up to Prince Gallitzen. When we arrived, we were treated to some hobo sandwiches prepared by Dan and Tamara and we perfected the toasting of bunny peeps to use in s'mores (delicious).
Saturday was our Easter celebrations day. We started with a great Easter breakfast prepared by my mom- egg casserole and friendship bread. Then we all lined up on the porch for the yearly Easter Egg Hunt. Having been unbeaten the past few years of the hunt, there was a lot of pressure on me to retain the title. Jenn was determined to strip me of it, but was not aggressive enough through the game and I won by a staggering 4 eggs, including finding the prize egg! Then we had the annual (minus last year) plane flight. After many practice runs to perfect the number of turns needed of the propeller to get the maximum flight time and accounting for the wind turbulence trying to push our planes off course, we lined up on the porch again for the showdown. This time Heather took the crown, but at least it was still a Smith.
Next was the Easter feast. Instead of the traditional ham, my mom made us hamballs, which I feel are just as good, if not better. We also had cheesy potatoes, salad, and rolls. For dessert, Jenn made 2 cakes. A carrot cake, and (since I will not eat carrot cake) a chocolate cake that she masterfully shaped into a bunny. They were both a hit, although Dan was a bit confused as to whether the carrot cake was shaped as a carrot or if the bunny cake was made from bunnies...
Jenn's bunny cake (not made of bunnies)
The group after the Easter feast
After gorging ourselves full of food, we hit the road in the Pilot (all 7 of us fit) and went target shooting. Jenn showed a natural ability to shoot things, going 8/9 or 9/9 in shooting cans in a row. I don't think she'll ever hunt as she would feel too bad shooting an animal, but she does have a gift. We had the yearly shooting contest in which my Dad took home the prize. There was some controversy to the test of "accuracy" as the gun was not properly sighted in and there was a distracting camera noise from the later named victor as he unsportsmanly distracted/heightened the nerves of his competitors.
The natural sharp-shooter
The day ended with Jenn's parents coming in for the night. We cooked burgers, dogs, and brats over the fire, played some ladder ball, talked while relaxing at the fire, and played Apples to Apples before hitting the sack. Suspiciously, both Jenn and her mom Karen were the winners to Apples to Apples. It seemed as though they always chose each other's answers. It reminded me of a Taboo game between the two of them when the clue was "handsome man" and immediately Jenn shouted "Richard Gere!". It can be a bit scary how similarly they think sometimes.
Moving on, the following day we found our Easter baskets, packed up, and then went on a nice easy hike. Leo finally was able to enjoy the outdoors during the day as we walked on the trail away from all the cabins and law enforcement.
Relaxing after the hike
When it was time to go, Jenn and I decided to make a detour and visit PSU. I was curious to see how it had changed and wanted to see the new creamery (which is what Jenn was most excited about) and get some Uncle Chen's. It was only an hour out of the way, so we went and walked around, enjoying the day and reminiscing about "the good old days" before the weight of having a job and being married weighed me down. We went to McClanahans, the HUB, the Lion Shrine, the College of Education, Uncle Chen's, and the creamery. Unfortunately, it was closed because of Easter so we didn't get any of the ice cream which almost broke Jenn's heart. But we did peek inside the new building and it looks really nice inside. Finally, with our leftover Uncle Chen's in hand, we went back to our car and headed to Pittsburgh.
Ahhh...the good old days
On Monday, Jenn, my mom, and I decided to go downtown to see the Pirates home opener. Unfortunately, Jenn and I had to run a 13 mile run, so we were a little late getting downtown. We arrived just as the game was starting, but found out that they only had 1 ticket remaining for the game. Disappointing, but we'll just have to try again sometime over the summer. Instead, we walked around Pittsburgh a bit. We took a stroll down the river walk and then went into Point State Park where they are doing a lot of construction. When we got back to my parents' house, my friend Drew stopped over for a cookout and we learned that he and his wife Brie just bought a new house! They have not closed yet, but we are looking forward to seeing it when we return to PA for the Pittsburgh Marathon.
While it was only a long weekend, it was well worth the trip and we look forward (kind of) to returning on May 1st for the marathon!
Me and my wife across the river from the Bucco's first win!
Me and my mom in Point State Park
Leo on the way home. He
loves sleeping with his head resting on a pillow and this was the only way he could get it to rest.
Jenn and I at Erwin's lookout high up on the mountain
