Pitty Party

Papa is ordering a new computer as I type... And it is not a minute too soon, Mama is about to pull her last (gray) hair out! I was unable to watch all the videos pre-post, so hopefully they are somewhat enjoyable. That's all I'll say about the un-timeliness of this post...

What better way to spend your 7th birthday than living it up with the whole fam-damnly in Pittsburgh, right? So that's just what we did!

Aunt Jenn's clan drove over the mountain & into the city Friday night to stake our claim @ the most awesomest Hilton E.V.E.R! Saturday morning we all met up at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium for a chilly romp with the animals. The zoo animals, not the related animals...

The lioness watched on as her life companion confused baby Norah forever. Rather than *roaring* like the Lion King, the Pittsburgh-bred lions made more of a Tim-the-toolman-Taylor-type grunting every time the Tiger down below barked. Craziness!



Granny & Grampy arrived at the zoo just as baby Charlotte was sitting down for a snack and the older kiddos broke loose in the Kids Kingdom. The KK was empty when the munchkins first started playing, but before long it was like a zoo!

Papa and Alexander had a blast on the huge metal sliding board; while Ethan & Sarah sped down the super-fast tube slide!




Right when the Kids' Kingdom was getting a little too crazy, Grandma noticed the Sea Lion show beginning and scooped up the boys to take a gander. Before Granny made her way to the front of the crowd, Alexander scooted between everyone's knees & plastered his face to the glass. He was fascinated by the spinning & barking sea creatures. Thank goodness Grandma was able to wrestle him back, or I think the Pittsburgh Zoo might have had to hire a new trainer!

After all the Sea Lion fun, the little guy was ready for a nap, so Grandpa carried him the rest of the way through the zoo & aquarium. Alexander LOVED the height advantage & enjoyed pointing out all of the zoo creatures the shorties couldn't see.


Before the little Nature Boy wore himself out with the Sea Lions & Sliding Boards, he & Papa kind of lost themselves at the zoo. While the rest of us ran excitedly from one exhibit to the next, my boys took in each exhibit slowly. Papa pointed out each feather & took the time to name each animal (hopefully in English AND Russian!). Oh, I just love those boys!

I'm also a big fan of Mr. Ethan and his cute little bear hugs!

After the zoo, the kiddos all took a nap in the car as Uncle Mike took the scenic route back to Joe's Crab Shack in Robinson. Mama & Papa used to enjoy the Joe's in BR; of course, who wouldn't love a restaurant that's adopted a crazy stray chicken that's moved in under their deck?

And after some milk shakes & a romp in the gravel pit, the Smith-girls' krewes love it too!

As we left Joe's, Sarah pulled on a random waitresses apron & excitedly told her that we were going to a hotel. Then she proceeded to tell everyone in the parking lot & even used the ashtray as a makeshift microphone to make sure the whole world knew we were on our way to the hotel pool.

Our little Hunter S. Thompson was also pretty excited about our swanky hotel. He wasn't, however, to sure about the hot tub...




Did I mention how fabulous the hotel Aunt Jenn booked for us was? Cause it was. Each and every evening, from 5:30-7:30pm the hotel has a Manager's Reception. I can't believe it took Mama 32 years to be introduced to the Manager's Reception, read free wine, beer, mixed drinks, Diet Coke, pizza, snacks, pasta salad, etc. And we had the best breakfast ever with made-to-order omelets and more Diet Coke on tap! And don't even get me started on the sweet suites...

Anyway, back to Ethan's birthday party. It was like the hotel was throwing him a party, since they paid for all the alcohol & snacks, but of course Aunt Jenn brought her own cake!



Before Uncle Mike & Grandma knew the full wonder of the Manager's Reception, they ordered some Vocelli's Pizza & Quaker Steak & Lube wings. The kiddos had a little picnic on their king-sized bed. Did I mention how adorable those little pirates are?

Grandma wasn't sure how much longer her oldest grandson was going to keep hugging her, so she insisted on some pictures to document the goodtimes...

The entrance to our favorite hotel had a Steelers/Penguins fish pond to keep our little fisherman busy.

Unfortunately, Ethan's birthday weekend went way, way too fast! Alexander, Papa & I had such a wonderful time with everyone. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family to spend the weekend with!

We love you all!