The kids and I are in NY, spending a few days with Jen, Frank, and Nate. It's been a fun and crazy few days! It all started Sunday, when the G's picked up Addie from MarMar and PopPop's and brought her to their house, where Alden and I met them. The kids played on the trampoline, drove Nate's truck, and ate watermelon. Monday morning, everyone got up and dined on Dunkin Donuts (and healthy eggs and banana's, too). Once ready, we all headed to the famous Bronx Zoo!


Driving Miss Addie


VERY excited about his donut


Enjoying her donut!

Nate enjoying his donut!

At the Zoo- in time for the Sea Lion feeding!

Addie "up high" to see over the heads of the other people!

Turtle Addie

Turtle Alden

My, what BIG ears you have!

Addie feeding a goat- Alden wanted NOTHING to do with this...

Addie's favorite- the Bug Carousel

Alden's first time on a carousal- and he clutched Jen the entire time!

Addie watching a butterfly in the butterfly garden

Truer words were never said....

Alden LOVED being this close to the gorilla and would have gladly stayed there all day if we had let him! (the gorilla is the black blob in the bottom left- he is laying right next to Alden!)

On the monorail

The kids were enthralled- we saw some great animals up super close!

The polar bear is Nate's favorite- and Addie and Alden loved him, too!

Yes, the tiger was that close!

July 4th Part 2

After our "parade", Alden came home and took a fantastic nap! He woke-up as Al arrived home from work, and we headed to Chincoteague Island to hang out with some friends who were staying there. It was so good to meet up with the P family- their son, Liam is 1 year older than Addie and their daughter Merris, is 1 month younger than Alden. Alden had a blast with both of them! Since the traffic was crazy we just hung out at their rental house, ate some amazing burgers, and then stopped at our favorite- Pony Tails- where Alden had his first taste of the BEST salt water taffy. He didn't make it for fireworks- since they started at 10pm, we headed home around 7:30pm. Al and I watched the DC fireworks- on TV. It was a fantastic day!

Hanging out on the porch

Stuffing his face with his favorite- watermelon

Liam "catching" Alden- they LOVED this game!

Merris keeping an eye on Alden playing with the kitchen

One of our favorite places on Chincoteague Island- the old owners had kids in the youth group that Al worked with the summer he lived there. They sell the BEST salt water taffy you have ever eaten!

Alden showing us his first taste- he is a huge fan!

5 seconds after we started our hour drive home- it was wonderful!

July 4th "Parade"

July 4th dawned beautifully- a cool breeze and a sunny sky- perfect conditions for the Millsboro Town July 4th Parade! A group of friends arranged to meet at a specific street corner "in town" so our kids could play and enjoy the parade together. The Christmas Parade had been pretty good, so we were all excited to hear some patriotic music, see some fire trucks, possibly some boats on trailers all decorated, such typical parade "stuff."

The kids had a blast together- 7 kids under the age of 3- playing in a little grassy area- the parents had fun chatting together. We took pictures and had a nice time waiting for the parade to start. 30 min late, the parade finally started! We were all excited!!

The "parade" started out well- a group of JROTC cadets carrying flags and 3 kids dressed like colonials. Then the rest of it consisted of about 5 families, all decked out in red, white and blue, pulling wagons, all decked out in red, white, and blue crepe paper, balloons and bows. That's it. No music. Nothing motorized. No flag twirlers. No old men riding their Harley's! It lasted a grand total of possibly 2 min. Thank goodness the kids liked seeing the balloons and the BIG dog that was walking with his family. It was so lame, I can't even call it a parade- it needs to be renamed, "Patriotic Walk Down Main Street." At least I know I can see good fireworks on TV tonight....

Alden VERY excited about the motorcycle that drove by as we waited.


The kids playing on the steps of the building where we waited



Me and my boy! Poor Al had to work....


The parade- it just about ALL fits in this 1 shot....

The boys, watching the wagons go by- can you tell they are not impressed?

Weekend with the Z's and P's

This weekend, my dear sister Rebecca, her wonderful husband Thomas, and their friend Juergen, arrived in NYC! The kids and I drove to NY early on Friday so we could have fun with MarMar and PopPop. The kids had a blast playing in the freezing pool, chasing bubbles from the bubble machine, and eating. With all that action, they fell fast asleep- just in time for Dad and I to leave to go and get them from the airport. Even though their flight was delayed an hour (and the airport said they had landed on time- don't believe everything you see in writing....), it was a joyful reunion. We had a great, NY, breakfast Saturday morning- bagels!! We played at the park- Addie's new Austrian doll, "Jess" needed to go swing- Wii was a big hit with the guys, and the pool was a hit with the kids and girls. Dinner was a great NY pizza with dessert, Jones Beach Ice Cream- yum! Sunday, Alden and I headed home and Addie stayed to spend a week with MarMar and PopPop.

Fun in the pool- the Z's were over the Atlantic at this point....

Addie is a PopPop Girl

Alden is a MarMar boy

BUBBLES!!

Here they come!!


Reading German books- it didn't take long for them to warm-up to Aunty Becca


"Jess" swinging at Daddy's Park (where Al played baseball as a kid)

The boys playing Wii

More time with PopPop

Jones Beach Board Walk Ice Cream- yummy!

Riding back in style

More pics to come with the Z's when we meet back up with at Ians' wedding!!

9 Glorious Years

It's hard to imagine, but Al and I have been married for 9 years- together for 11! Man, that makes me feel old!! It's been an amazing 9 years and I look forward to many more!

Thanks to kind friends, we were able to actually celebrate our anniversary not once but twice, with one of the occasions, being ALONE!!

On Monday night, our good friends April and James, offered to watch the kids so Al and I could go out to eat. It was wonderful- no need to get a high chair, no need to decide if what you really wanted to eat, would be eaten by one of the kids, no need to cut-up food, no need to clean-up our area before we left. And the BEST part- we had ADULT conversations that were uninterrupted!! Our dinner, at Dogfish (yes, the restaurant associated with the famous beer) was yummy, and in true Delaware fashion, we got rained on- thank goodness they have big umbrellas for the outside tables! Once it cleared, we decided to stroll the boardwalk in Rehoboth. No sooner where we on the boardwalk, then the heaven's opened again- so we tucked into a cute little coffee shop we had noticed before, but never had an excuse to try. We had coffee and an amazing piece of chocolate cake.

It was fantastic to spend time together. Thanks James and April for not just watching our kids, but feeding and putting them to bed- we are so blessed to have such great friends!

On Wednesday, the actual DAY of our anniversary, Al had to work all day. A good friend of mine from college happened to be in town, so we met up at Dewey Beach and had fun watching the kids play in the sand and catching-up. Al arrived home from work with 20 long-stem, red roses and an amazing card. He continues to show his love for me not just on "big" days, but every day- which I LOVE. We had a yummy dinner- his favorite- and special times with the kids. Addie was very curious about "Ama-ver-ser-rees"- and is adamant that she was in my tummy when we got married AND that she was our flower girl. We don't argue with her- she's only 3 and to argue with her is to open a WHOLE can of worms that I don't want to touch right now....

So, it's been a glorious 9 years. I love Al more and differently then when I married him. Still, he's kind, compassionate, patient, thoughtful, and has the best sense of humor! Together we have weathered some serious ups and downs- but with God as our Captain, we will always be safe. I love you Al and look forward to many, many, more anniversaries with you. Yes, I STILL want to go on a cruise for our 10 year....

Us- taken by Addie- not bad since she's only 3!

On our strolling through Rehoboth, we found this store- and they sell the CUTEST bows!!

Me and my gang with my college friend, Erin

The yummy dinner I made Al

The BEAUTIFUL roses Al gave me- what I gave him, well, I won't share with you....

Guys Camping Trip/ Girls Fun in Richmond

Over Father's Day Weekend, our family had some great fun with old friends. Al went camping with a great group of guys he went to college with. It is a fantastic tradition that we are excited to be a part of every year! While he is spending quality time with quality guys, the kids and I get to have fun in Richmond! Every time we go, it is more fun to see Addie and Alden interact and play with Hannah, play at our old stomping grounds, and just know your way around without having to get directions.

There are no pictures of the guys camping- no one took a camera.... BUT to make up for it, I took a ton!

Friday night, I was able to go to the hospital and see a dear friend who had just had a sweet baby that night- what a sweet time that was- but no pictures.... Saturday morning, Karen, Hannah, the kids and I all went to Stony Point to play in the fountains (the kids played, Karen and I supervised). Brittany and baby Ava stopped by and we enjoyed that very much! After loooooong naps, we headed to Mike's Mom's pool and ate and swam there- that's was a blast, thanks for having us Gramma Wasch! Sunday morning, we had Dunkin Donuts- which wasn't there when we lived there..... And then played at Hugeunot Park. Once home, the guys arrived back and we had a yummy Father's Day cookout, allowing Mike to try out his new grill. To try and avoid "Beach Traffic" we hit the road by noon. We had a fantastic time- the kids and I, with Karen and Baby Hannah-thanks for all the fun! Al had a great time with all his old buddies.

Side Note: On the way home, I had a kidney infection flare-up. I've had one once before and it is NOT fun. Thankfully we were able to drop the kids off at a friend's house and then spent 4 hours in the ER all to be sent home with a prescription.

WARNING- Strange "Prize"- UPDATED!!!

Recently, Al helped a rather eccentric artistic lady out with some free, damaged tile- she wanted to make mosaics. To show her appreciation, she offered to make him "something." What did he like? He said surfing- and this is what he was given a few weeks later....

It's not bad and will fit in nicely with our beach themed bathroom, with a few modifications.....
I'm not sure what about Al made the lady feel that his Surf Shack would fly the National Pot Day flag, or why she thought he needed a topless lady meandering by. Needless to say, I plan on making a few "changes"- making the flag say 624 (our anniversary) and giving the woman a top.

It's interesting and has been the "talk" of Lowes for the few weeks it took Admin to decide that he could actually take it home. It just goes to show that you NEVER know what kind of people shop at Lowes....

UPDATED!!! Here are the pics of what is now hanging in our 1/2 bathroom... It just took a few minutes of using fabric "puff" paint (sorry you true artists out there, but it looks cool and gives it "texture") and I think it looks pretty spiffy!