Our Summer Vacation

We enjoyed a wonderful summer vacation! The first leg of our trip was to Wildwood NJ. My dad went there as a kid, I went there and now Elizabeth is enjoying it just as much. We stayed at a new place which was fancy by Wildwood standards. Janet and her family were in the room next door and we shared a room with Grammy and Poppie. While all of the activities were lots of fun, I think the time Elizabeth spent with her Grammy and Pop was the best. That is what she talks about most which is cool because you can jump in any waves or ride any rides but doing with your grandparents is special.

Here is our first 5 days in pictures

Having lunch on the Cape May Lewis Ferry. Wildwood here we come!!

Grammy, Pop and E on the Tram Car

Daddy and E on the bumper cars. She so wanted to drive.

Fun with cousins, Domi and Gabe

She enjoyed the beach, especially jumping the waves with "Gammy"

Refused a nap in the hotel and then collapsed for an hour on top of me at the beach.

Lots of good food was had. She loves "Cabs"

and rides with Grammy was a hit.

All in all, a great extended family vacation. I am thankful that the good lord blessed us with the opportunity.

It's All About the Bears

We had a wonderful camping trip on just about the hottest weekend of the trip. With our great friends, Jamey, Nelson and Anna, we headed to Jellystone Campground at Natural Bridge. We had a fantastic time! Here is our trip in pictures, in no particular order.



Playing along the banks of the James River


We went to the VA Safari Park. We took the wagon ride and then our car. It was great except for the heatstroke we all just about had the my bit on the a$$ from an out of control ostrich!

Anna is not sure what she is so excited about yet.

The Llama had a nice snack out of the back seat!

Dropping food into a bison's mouth

Forcing E to try and feed the gentle llama

She is not so sure about being eye to eye with this buck.

Sam feeds the doe!

Elizabeth was brave enough to touch the pigs. She really liked the baby pigs.

E and Anna with the Yogi who doesn't more. He seems so much safer!

After the pledge is done the bears go back to their home for a rest.

Lizzy was trying to be brave. Afterall, it was BooBoo's birthday.

E and Miss Jamey enjoying hanging out at the campsite.

Jamey and Nelson, our camping buddies (and everything else buddies too!)

Best Friends!

Elizabeth really enjoyed the lake this year. Wearing her vest has brought her a new sense of confidence that she never had before. She will actually let go and let the vest do the work although she can really kick those little legs and get to where she wants to go. She has even gotten brave in the last few weeks and is willing, almost eager, to put her face under!

Went to the zoo and E got to ride the Elephant with Baba!

She was pretty brave feeding the deer.

Here is how you know everyone had a great time!!!

We will be back next summer!!!

Rites of Spring

Strawberry picking is a wonderful rite of springtime. We found a local farmer's market that had a hay ride out to the strawberry fields. Strawberry picking was a first for Elizabeth so it was fun to watch her search the plants for the perfect specimen. It was just hard to get it in the box instead of in her mouth, which was encouraged by the farm owners.

We walked away with five pounds of strawberries. Red mouths, red-stained shirts and a tradition started!

One for the bowl, one for the mouth, one for the bowl, one for the mouth

Toothless Grins

My friend Leslie's little girl Fin and Elizabeth currently have matching toothless grins! Fin's happened recently in Disney World by the mere fact that she is 6 while Elizabeth's happened a 2 years ago because of a hard marble floor at the mall. Nonetheless, they are as cute as they can be with their matching smiles. Leslie was right when she said we couldn't pass up the opportunity to get some great pictures of the girls. They had a fun time posing and getting silly with the camera and the photographer. I think she did a great job capturing the spirit of both girls as well as their special friendship.