Florida Vacay - Day 1. This Post May Be A Little Deep But I'm Feeling Sappy.

We just got back from 6 amazing days in Florida.  Amazing not just because of the beautiful sunny weather every day, or the pool 10 feet from the house (well, that was pretty amazing), or the cocktails that kept appearing in my hands, or the theme parks that are totally worth the gazillion dollars in entrance fees.

Amazing because I learned a lot from our family about how to enjoy life.  It may have been the buzz from the daquiris, but there was a lot of love and laughter in that house.

The older 2 boys had to share an air mattress and it was getting a little territorial.  Luckily I found a gigantic stuffed animal tucked away in Lissy's closet that broke up the turf war for the remainder of the trip.

I feel like this quote sums up what I have kicking around in my head:


What most people need to learn in life is how to love people and use things instead of using people and loving things.

When we develop a love for things in our lives instead of for life itself we truly miss the point of life. Remember that material things may be able to satisfy your appetite for a short while, but love will satisfy appetites for lifetimes. Learn how to love people for who they are and use things around you as water to a plant, only to create growth and beauty, not to create and maintain life.

Vacay Day 3

Day 3 began at the Cape May County Zoo. It was super-extreme-ultra-hottness, but we gave it a quick go since it's free and they have new baby snow leopards and an albino alligator. Score!



Hitting the beach was a must after the hot zoo...Ry went boogie boarding and "face planted" in a big wave - Phil somehow managed to capture the moment.


When we got to the boardwalk we attempted our annual boys-on-a-bench-on-the-beach photo. It was sunny...maybe not the best time to do it...but we managed to get a few good pics.


Here's Cole on the ferris wheel:


Phil & the boys on the log floom:


Riding the "Superman":


On the walk back the skies looked a little ominous. Needless to say we scooped up the kids and ran home before the lightning started.


We finished the first Harry Potter book and stopped pre-storm to get the second one. Ry wasted no time diving in...then he flipped to the end to read the last chapter. This is something I do almost every time I read a book...looks like he inherited Phil's dashing good looks and my impatience. Sorry Ry!

Vacay Day One

The fresh salt air, the sand between my toes, the cool ocean breeze...wait snap me back to reality. Kids eating sand, no time for naps, begging for money to buy boardwalk toys, dripping ice cream everywhere...ahhh, vacation!!!

Day one on the beach was packed and thankfully at least one of the four boys loves being in the water.


Charlie...not so much into the waves. He chose to drag his chair over to the people sitting next to us. I know it's early but I think he's trying to join another family.



So random...we were in the water and Phil said, "Hey there's our old neighbors!" Such a great surprise to see them...needless to say they were a little shocked to see how our family has changed since we left our house behind.


They were kind enough to snap this pic of the crew before quickly running away from us...life's a beach baby!!

In A New York State Of Mind

The good news: We had an incredible weekend visiting with our friends in upstate NY. The bad news (for them): It was Hall Of Fame Induction weekend at Cooperstown (right near their house) so all hotels were sold out...which meant the Kerpers descended on their peaceful little home in full force. Sorry guys!! Love you!

We were somewhat looking forward to the 4-5 hour drive. We figured with everyone sleeping we'd actually be able to talk. We realized about 3 hours in that sleep was nowhere in sight and the car had an opposite effect on Charlie, who was singing and screaming for most of the ride.



The first night we piled everyone into strollers and wagons and walked down to watch the mighty Oneonta Outlaws. We ate fast-melting popsicles and Ryan heckled the crowds by screaming that the Phillies rule. Gulp.





Saturday morning we kicked off the day blueberry picking. I think we ate more than we bought, but we still managed to pick enough to make 3 pies.






After the picking we went to Grandma Jeanne & Grandpa Paul's farm. The boys got to feed the sheep, make the pies, and go riding on the 4 x 4s...pretty cool stuff for the "city kids."




After quick naps we made a run to the local pool. The water was amazing and we were literally the only people there. Bonus!


The last thing on the agenda was a drive-in movie. It was the first time I'd been to one and it was pretty cool (despite the bees that attacked Jim and me). The boys had fun too lying in the grass, watching the movie and trying to pick out the constellations.


On the final day we packed up the car and left our poor friends to bask in the quiet of their destroyed house. Here's a picture of the twins before we left.



Thanks so much Aunt Mel, Uncle Jim & Graham! We had a ball and can't wait to do it again. Hope you didn't feel like this while we were visiting...xoxo.

It's Summer Time Summer Time Sum-Sum-Summertime

After a long, cold, snowy, windy, dark winter…the sun is out and the pool is open. I feel like my life is so much easier now that the kids can get outside and drain their energy.



Ry conquered the slide last year, and this year it was Cole’s turn. He was so proud of himself that he asked to show off his muscles in front of the ladder on the way out of the pool.

The next day when I dropped him off at school, he ran to the art table to draw a picture of his slide experience. He handed me the paper, and before I could look at it he snatched it back and ran back to the table. He pulled out a red crayon and said, “I forgot my smile.” Adorable.

The Low Down

I was clearing out the pictures on my phone when I realized - there are a ton of pics I haven't posted for the 1 or 2 loyal people who read this blog. So here's a treat just for you!

We were in Target the other day and Cole got himself all jazzed up. I actually like most of the things he picked out...he's like my little accessories apprentice

Whenever I had an ultrasound of Dean he always had his hand over his face, exactly like this. So weird to see those ultrasound pics translated into real life

Bathtime mohawks

Whenever I see a face like this and a body moving at full speed, I know that either (a) Someone will soon be crying (b) Something spilled (c) Something broke, or (d) All of the above


Cole loves his swim lessons. Thumbs up for the pool at the Y...thumbs down for the haircut

Showing off his "beautiful hair" (clearly better than the pic above)

Snug as a bug in a rug

Dean had surgery a few weeks ago (he's doing really well - thanks for all your thoughts). I'm such a sucker for a baby in a hospital gown

Sammie has a new-found love for Ryan

Best part of the night...snuggle time with Grammy

Ry discovered the Star Wars section at the library (i.e. Heaven)

Do not be fooled by this angelic face. He is schooled in the art of deception

Ry had a dentist appointment the other day and came home BEGGING to floss his teeth. I figured I would document the moment so I could show it to him during his hygeine rebellion in the teenage years

So there you have it, a glimpse into the last few months as seen through the lens of my iPhone. I realize now that I've conditioned the kids to getting their picture taken - the other day I took out my phone to check an email and Charlie said, "CHEESE!"