Back in September, we went back to Lake Ohrid, Macedonia with our friends. It's only a two and a half hour trip, but it's a back and forth, windy road! One of the families we went with had children that were very susceptible to car sickness, so we excepted to stop at least once. What we didn't count on, was Asher being the first one to get sick, and not having any the right things needed to clean up. Fortunately, our more experienced friends were there to help us out :)
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| Asher getting fully changed on the side of the road while mom cleans up the vomit covered back seat of the car. |
I think we stopped three or four times, and each car had at least one child throw up. We had a radio in each car, so of course we had a good time making fun of each other on the ride there.
But we made it! And of course the first thing we did once we got there? Fill those emptied out tummies with ice cream!! Parent of the year awards all around :)
After being satisfied by ice cream, we headed down the road towards the lake.
Our sweet little boy. He has gotten so big!
When it was lunch time, we picked a place next to this church courtyard where the kids could play while we ordered and waited for food.
Climbing and jumping on marble pillars that have been around for a millenia - what more could a boy want?!
Before Sean came along and helped Asher jump from the one rock to the other in the above picture, he did it all by himself right as both parents ran over, ready to rush him to the hospital after breaking a limb on the marble landing area. But he stuck the landing! This kid is seriously coordinated and reckless - a dangerous combination!
What a cutie!
Hanging out with our friends...
We attempted to get a family picture... Asher wasn't having it :)
After we got back from the trip, our friend posted this picture of us on facebook, and this is what they said:
"These are the Whalens, whom we invite on vacations with us to ensure we aren't the only uncultured family whose love of history is only slightly overshadowed by their pragmatism as parents visiting the attractions that day. Exhibit one: changing a poopy diaper on the ruins of a 13th century UNESCO site. We are kindred spirits."
What can we say? When you gotta change him, you gotta change him!
When lunch was over we walked the boardwalk and took a stroll around the lake.
We stopped at a rocky beach where the boys had the time of their lives as they threw rocks into the water (and occasionally at each other, mostly inadvertently). The pictures say it all :)
Asher has some ups. You can see the rock at the top middle of the photo, and Asher is a good foot in the air as he throws it... baseball? basketball? volleyball? We will now begin the non-binding poll for which sport he should master.
And of course I had to take pictures of the beautiful sites surrounding us.
It was a gorgeous day too, so that helped :)
Relaxing at the waterfront...
We told Asher not to walk in the water... He's a really good listener :)
The troublesome trio - these boys have such fun together! We are going to miss them so much after Albania, when we all go our different ways :(
And then Tom told Asher to dip his head in the water... And he listened - he doesn't listen when we tell him to eat his vegetables or not scream about "trucks" in church, but when someone tells you to do something that Mom and Dad don't want, he is the first in line.
We had a great time!
One last attempt at a family picture - It went a little better than the first attempt :)
And of course, we had to get some gelatto before we left :)
