Summer Wrap Up

Wow what a summer! Now that fall is officially here, my brother's wedding is over, Madison is back in school and I am officially unemployed (but looking) I've decided to take the time to edit our 700+ photos. Doing so has made me realize just how much fun we have had this summer as a family and given me proof that there has been good reason for my blog neglect. We have thrown a bridal shower, celebrated a very special first birthday, gone on the best vacation ever to Lake Powell, Utah, taught a certain someone learn to ride a two wheeler (with training wheels but they'll be off soon), gone fishing, to the circus and so much more! Here are just a few of my favorites that I wanted to share with you. Enjoy!

Next up for this very busy family of four? Apple picking in upstate New York, finally getting to meet new baby Jude and training for a marathon (yeah seriously a marathon and no that isn't a metaphor for something else). Stay tuned!

Pictures Are Worth 1,00 Words!

I have not been keeping up with my blogging as much as I would like and I apologize for that. It seems like it has been ages since I posted anything of significance. The truth is between my blog layout crisis, my digital camera dilemma and the lack of time to research what new one I want, keeping up with the girls and Stella's recent boycott of sleep past 8:00p.m. I just haven't been feeling it. In case I don't make it back with some interesting material before Labor Day weekend is over here is a recap of our summer. It made me realize what a low key summer (short of Stella's arrival) that we have actually had. Enjoy!

Summer is officially here!!!!

I was just reading the latest post over at Adventures in Babywearing and it was about all of the songs that remind Stephanie of summer. Naturally I started thinking of all my summer time favs. so sorry if I'm totally copying but I felt the need to share my summer time favs. too!

• Music= Sublime, O.A.R., Bob Marley, just about any kind of reggae
• Food= clams, steamers, lobster (can you tell I grew up near the beach?), Italian water ice, Kohr's Orange and Vanilla swirl ice cream, corn on the cob, fresh grown tomatoes. The list could go on. I guess I should eat breakfast!
• Smells= salty air form the ocean being blown inland, Coppertone, the funky probably carcinogenic smell of the planks on the boardwalk, sausage, peppers and onion being cooked on the boardwalk
• Good books
• Watching the bennies cruise the beach trying to look like they fit in with their giant coolers, flops w/ socks and sunburns (think John Candy Summer Rental)
• Life guards hooking up with badge checkers (oops did I just give away TMI about my high school days?)
• Crazy thunder storms that seem to blow in from nowhere
• Kayak races in the lagoon
• Crabbing
• Taking the boat out to catch some local fluke
• Bike Rides
• Mini Golf

I'm sure there are so many more but I'm at a loss for now. So now that summer has officially begun HAPPY SUMMER!

Not Exactly Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous but....

we got a pool! Can you tell I'm psyched. On our way home from the beach this weekend Madison asked us for a pool. We had intentions of buying a little kiddy pool but when we got to B.J.'s (like Costco) they were out of the $30 one that I had planned on purchasing. Justin being the impulse shopper that he is found a 15 ft x 3 ft pool for a killer deal. Of course we bought it. It will be great to be able to cool off in the privacy of my own backyard instead of going to the beach constantly or to Justin's grandparent's house. We have been considering a much larger scale pool that will last more than a season or two but kept deciding against. Neither one of us really wanted the responsibility of caring for a pool, the constant anxiety of Madison sneaking out on her own and we can't get an in ground pool because the previous owners of our home had one but did not collapse and fill it in properly so it would cost major bucks for us to do it. We still have to care for this bad boy and have put locks that Madison can't reach on all the doors and gates for safety. Even with the locks we are both constantly paranoid but I'm sure everything will be fine. Needless to say we didn't really think this through but I still think we will be happy with our decision in the long run. If I'm babbling I apologize. Madison is running around like a nut with her dad because she is very excited about the "surprise ride" we are taking her on tomorrow. It is actually Sesame Place but just in case something falls through we don't want to tell her yet plus I think her reaction of learning where we are going once we get there will be priceless. Anyway here are a few pics of us setting up the tiny pool!

Dad helping to unfold the pool.

It'll fill up faster if I hold the hose!

I think I can see the bottom through the clear part of my raft!

Oh, I should mention that the pool is actually filled up now and really is 3 feet deep. It just got too late Sunday night for pics by the time it was filled. I'll be sure to take more once it is actually warm enough to go in. I was standing in the puddles at the point when Madison had on her swimmies and was riding the raft trying to smooth out the wrinkles. She swore she wasn't cold but my ankles were actually cramping the way they do when you stick you feet in the ocean for the first time of the season!