My long weekend =)

So for the long weekend, a few members of my family decided to spend some time where the older generations grew up ... Western PA =)

The weekend is complete with the cross-state train ride, visiting the summertime hangout Kennywood, having a 4th of July picnic, and welcoming new life into the family. My mom, dad, sister, and I (along with my uncle) spent the day at the local amusement park, Kennywood. The day was filled with stories of days gone by, lots of screaming, and laughing til our sides hurt. The park is an awesome mix of historical wooden coasters and shining new metal loops. One of the rides (that my dad labeled an "old fogy ride") told the history and evolution of the park. We didn't really hear all of it, but what we did hear went along nicely with the childhood memories my parents told.

The park had and still has community and nationality days throughout the summer. Entire communities come out to the park and enjoy the day together. On the nationality days, the park is filled with Russians or Italians or any other of the many nationalities that embody the area. It's a family-friendly park through and through -- something for everyone and a place to go where you're bound to see someone you know.

I even have some of my own memories there. Kennywood has a different feel than the super commercialized parks like Hershey Park or Six Flags. It's the people's park, for locals rather than a tourist destination, or at least that is the feel I got today. I reminisced of my own days-gone-by, and made new memories with my family that I'll remember for a while.

One of those moments I'll remember for a while is when my sister faced her fear of roller coasters. Our second ride of the day was a new coaster called "Sky Rocket." It was fast and twisty and a lot of fun ... the first time. Jana was FREAKING out in line. My uncle had to drag her through the gate to convince her to go. She fake-cried the whole way through, but ended up loving it. Between she and my dad, they rode just about every coaster ride in the place ... multiple times. She was my riding buddy and I spent most of the day laughing with her and at her. She even decided to do Sky Rocket a second time. She improved as the day went on, I got worse. The repeat of the Sky Rocket put me over the edge. I was done after that one.

It was a great day. I love hanging with family and hearing old stories. I am wiped out tonight, but it was sooo worth it! Tomorrow brings the Strip District (get your mind out of the gutter! It's like little Italy in New York, only this is in Pittsburgh) and a 4th of July picnic with my Dad's side of the family. My cousin just had the cutest little boy who will be making his first appearance at a family gathering. It will be a great day to celebrate life and freedom, a wonderful piece of a fantastic weekend.