Whew. Another fun filled weekend.

Friday night Mark and I went for a jog right after work. I actually did a 3, 5 and 10 minute jog. (10 all at once, a small feat for some but HUGE deal for me!) Felt great. Getting somewhere, little by little!

After that, we headed out with about 27 of my co-workers to see Ms. Renita in Amen Sister at the Paul Robeson Theater. Loved it! We have a few group shots including ones with the cast, director and playwright, but you will have to wait since I forgot my camera at home. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? Sister Esther’s gonna scold me!!!

Ended the night checking out Faherty’s on Elmwood to meet up with another co-worker friend Jen. The one who now lives in San Fran. Very good to see her and meet Nick. Must buy them a round when we come to San Fran late Fall. (Thanks for the save!)

SATURDAY was an early morning, after a late night.

Met Lil Brother and Family for pancakes somewhere in the Southtowns at way too early in the morning.

And then headed to Chautauqua County for the Clymer Tulip Festival!

Mark gave us the tour of his hometown, where he grew up, where he played Spiderman, his first classroom all the little details. 😉 For some reason my niece had it in her head that we were headed to the “Crab Parade.” We have no idea where she came up with this, but man was she excited to go there! “JennyMark ready to go to the crab parade! Let’s go!” Perhaps she heard the word Craft? No idea, but she knew exactly what crabs were “real big ones that go like this (pinching movement with hands.) ” Um…..no crabs at the Tulip Festival, (except for this sign available at the restaurant.) But we still had a great time.

We met up with Mark’s Mom and Dad, who know everyone, everyone in town.

And also Mark’s niece and nephew Angie and David and their wee new one Abby.

Acted like tourists.

Saw a few tractors.

Had fun at the petting zoo.

Watched the Tulip Festival *Crazy for Klompen* Dancers

Saw *Future Lil Brother*

And the new Clymer Babies in antique buggies!

Also we taught my niece how to get candy by waving real pretty.

Even mama got a free present! Perfect small town day of fun. After the Crab Parade my niece went to my Step-Grandparents farm to see the Dairy Cows. And then to Aunt Carroll’s house and played in the pond and picked herbs. And then got ice cream at Sullivan’s. What a super long packed filled of simple life fun!

Mark and I stayed in Clymer a little longer and had dinner with the family at the restaurant. (Only one in town you know.) And then loaded up the truck with homemade elderberry pie and banana nut bread and drove around the countryside a bit longer before making it back to Buffalo. A bit later than expected, but after getting home a quick fresh up in place…we headed back out the door this time to Niagara County: Lockopuerto for Peter’s graduation party. Missed out on the full pig. But TONS of CRAB was available!

But made it in PERFECT time to enjoy the stone fireplace as well as the many dips (of the food variety) made by the lovely Jen 14221. Mark was able to speak Portuguese with Peter’s family and many beers were had. Congrats Peter! Much fun.