Next up was a trip out to our cousin's house to celebrate Sammy's birthday. They have an amazing pool and are just a 15 minute drive from OC, so it was a great way to spend the afternoon.
There was a long line for face painting, so I ended up filling the requests for 2 scary snakes. I won't be going professional anytime soon, but I'd say it was still a respectable showing.
The pinata was like nothing I've ever seen before. Mainly because Mom decided to hold it and let the kids gather round in a ravenous candy-rage. You go girl.
When we got back to the house we hit up the boardwalk to ride the rides. Here are the older boys with Dad on the ferris wheel:
Dean, as usual, played the part of angel-baby in the front of the stroller:
Cha is finally old enough to go on the rides and he eased his way into it:
Thumbs up after the twisting boat ride:
I wouldn't say the same for the Scream Machine:
On the walk back Cole asked to get his picture taken with this random cow. He either had to go to the bathroom or was imitating Michael Jackson, either way I thought I'd share for posterity's sake.
Let the adventures continue!!
Tuesday, August 02, 2011
Vacay Day 2
Day 2 of vacay started out like the first. We hit the beach as early as possible and watched the kids wreak havoc on ourselves and everyone around us. Best part for me: I went out to the water with Ry and he said, "When I'm here nothing can bother me." My man found his happy place.
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!!
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!!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Art Is Subjective
While we were in New York, Phil and I snuck away to this great antique store down the road from our friend's house. We were casually walking around...doing our own thing...enjoying the quiet.
At one point I stumbled upon a painting. It had a tag that said "Elephant Art" and the signature said "Bozie - Lincoln Park Zoo - 1990." I immediately googled Bozie, and discovered that she's an Asian elephant who paints on canvas to help keep her occupied while in captivity.
I called Phil over to show him - just because I thought it was hilarious. We laughed and I moved on to look at other things.
Only when I turned around, Phil was still standing in front of the painting. Head slightly cocked to the side, he was taking it all in and I thought to myself, "I'm now the owner of Elephant Art."
And here she is hanging in the house. Well done, Bozie.
At one point I stumbled upon a painting. It had a tag that said "Elephant Art" and the signature said "Bozie - Lincoln Park Zoo - 1990." I immediately googled Bozie, and discovered that she's an Asian elephant who paints on canvas to help keep her occupied while in captivity.
I called Phil over to show him - just because I thought it was hilarious. We laughed and I moved on to look at other things.
Only when I turned around, Phil was still standing in front of the painting. Head slightly cocked to the side, he was taking it all in and I thought to myself, "I'm now the owner of Elephant Art."
And here she is hanging in the house. Well done, Bozie.
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.
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.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Happy Birthday. And Grossness.
We had a joint birthday party for our youngest guys and Phil's friend from The Big Bug Show came out to wow the crowd.
I think that the kids both loved it and were horrified by it at the same time - as evidenced from this picture below.
Part of the show had the kids eating bugs - a few ate the larvae worms and Ry ate a chocolate-covered cricket. Um, ew.
Although she's dressed like a princess, she's eating a worm. Now that's my kind of princess.
At the end of the day we asked our friends to take a family picture. I wouldn't say that we're in full compliance, but we're getting there.
I think that the kids both loved it and were horrified by it at the same time - as evidenced from this picture below.
Part of the show had the kids eating bugs - a few ate the larvae worms and Ry ate a chocolate-covered cricket. Um, ew.
Although she's dressed like a princess, she's eating a worm. Now that's my kind of princess.
My two-year-old chowing down on the cake (bug-free)...
And my almost-one-year-old living the dream in Icingville.
At the end of the day we asked our friends to take a family picture. I wouldn't say that we're in full compliance, but we're getting there.
Happy birthday to my youngest babies! P.S. Please stop growing up so fast.
Monday, July 18, 2011
13th Annual Outing
Every July the Kerpers gather up in beautiful (aka rustic) Northern PA for a family reunion (even though we pretty much see each other all the time anyway...it's just a good excuse to get away).
This year was the 13th annual "Kerper Outing" (named after the outhouse in the woods) and our first experience up there with the 4 kids. We had to stop about 2 hours into the 3 1/2 hour trip to run laps. Seriously.
When we arrived we realized that our cousins had set up a tent the size of our first floor at home (it had a bedroom). Our 5 person tent paled in comparison.
The first morning was dewy and cool - perfect conditions for going salamander hunting. The little critters were out and about and we saw tons of lizards and a few snakes too (ew).
Dean, on the other hand...not so into by the wildlife. Kids are so hard to impress these days.
That afternoon the kids were looking for entertainment, so we fired up the hose and filled some water balloons. The grown ups soon realized that there was a sling shot, so we knocked the kids out of the way so we could have our own fun.
In the midst of all this excitement, Charlie fell onto the pole of The Palace (our cousin's tent) and ended up looking like Nelly for the rest of the trip.
Once the kids got the taste of the hunt, it was off to the mud hole to dive for salamanders. I don't need to tell you how this ended up - use your imagination then multiply that mess by 5.
The fam recently got this hauler / tree-cutting-down-thinger and Eric took some of the crew for a ride. He ended up needing to chop something down in the middle of the path and the kids marveled at his burly manliness (with their hands over their ears).
Here's a picture of the kids (minus the 2 baby munchkins who were inside napping). Just a few years ago we were hanging out with GG trying to kick the keg...now we're chasing after kids and diving into mud puddles.
At least there was still a keg!
This year was the 13th annual "Kerper Outing" (named after the outhouse in the woods) and our first experience up there with the 4 kids. We had to stop about 2 hours into the 3 1/2 hour trip to run laps. Seriously.
When we arrived we realized that our cousins had set up a tent the size of our first floor at home (it had a bedroom). Our 5 person tent paled in comparison.
The first morning was dewy and cool - perfect conditions for going salamander hunting. The little critters were out and about and we saw tons of lizards and a few snakes too (ew).
Dean, on the other hand...not so into by the wildlife. Kids are so hard to impress these days.
That afternoon the kids were looking for entertainment, so we fired up the hose and filled some water balloons. The grown ups soon realized that there was a sling shot, so we knocked the kids out of the way so we could have our own fun.
In the midst of all this excitement, Charlie fell onto the pole of The Palace (our cousin's tent) and ended up looking like Nelly for the rest of the trip.
Once the kids got the taste of the hunt, it was off to the mud hole to dive for salamanders. I don't need to tell you how this ended up - use your imagination then multiply that mess by 5.
The fam recently got this hauler / tree-cutting-down-thinger and Eric took some of the crew for a ride. He ended up needing to chop something down in the middle of the path and the kids marveled at his burly manliness (with their hands over their ears).
Here's a picture of the kids (minus the 2 baby munchkins who were inside napping). Just a few years ago we were hanging out with GG trying to kick the keg...now we're chasing after kids and diving into mud puddles.
At least there was still a keg!
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