Back in the saddle

Just livin' the life here, but doing exactly what? Take a peek.

I found Lucy, posed perfectly in this chair, while Charlie snapped photos of here and her baby, with their pretend camera. He was even saying "smile".

Jeff loves him some spanish lessons.

You should hear him!

It goes from pretty good sounding spanish, to sometimes border line chinese.

I'm proud of this little burrito, just wishing he'd whip out a few more phrases now and then.

If you're looking for Lucy and Charlie, check behind the couch.

Henry has not found their stash of toys they don't want him into yet,

but when he does....oh trouble!

Ok. You try living without something for 18 Months, and see how you cope!

Me, it was my beloved CAFE RIO!

I know, ya'll who have one are just thinking, its good, we get it. But let me tell you,

it was not just good....

oh melt in my mouth never eaten so fast GOOD!!

Crazy that the only 2 STATES they have stores in on the East Coast are Maryland and VA!

Oh blessed day!

You can bet that I gobbled up ONE WHOLE SALAD,

(which I'm not sure if I've ever even done that. )

Loved loved loved it. AND they're building one right by us! Thank you Cafe R!!

So, Charlie had a little incident at the neighbors home, which forced him to walk home with out his pants on.

Unfortunately for him, the shoes he wore over there were the purple princess ones,

which made for the perfect picture opt.

We had ourselves a little firework show to celebrate Pioneer Day.

Please take a look at Lucys face.

Poor girl I think will be scared of smoke/steam/fire for her entire life.

Um, yes, those are my kids.

And this is what Henry did on my lap. THE. WHOLE. TIME.

We had a birthday party to go to.

It was NOT a costume party.

Nor was it a dress up party.

However, Charlie went as Peter Pan, and Lucy as a dance.

Honestly its so rare for my kids to play in dress ups, that I seize the day when they do.

Snuck in some time to catch up on some reading.

Still a favorite past time for all of them.

Can I just tell you what a hunk Chars is?

Hes still so sweet, tender and like the song "Old man River"

but we do worry about his confidence and his own self esteem. Thoughts?

We just don't want him to get lost in the mix, and then have it be to late to remedey.

It only took us 7 years to replace our Ice Cream maker!!

We got one for our wedding, from the Rix, thank you very much, but soon after let a friend borrow it, and it was returned broken....

SO.....here it is, the maiden voyage of the new ice cream maker!

Just pretending that they're flying to Utah.

(wonder where they came up with that....)

(actually that implied we are coming, and we're not. I just meant they hear that word a lot)

I love you Craigslist.

Posted 3 baby things on there, SOLD for 40 bucks.

Turned right around and bought ourselfs a second bike trailer, for 35 bucks!

Boughta bam boughta boom.

8 States in 8 DAYS

Virginia: Starting Location

through: Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

We planned a 10 day camping trip, up the East Coast, through some of New England.

Although these pictures don't come close in explaining the things we saw, adventures we had, or memories we made, perhaps they'll give you a glimpse into the great time that was spent!

I wish I was lying when I say the kids did FANTASTIC in the car.

They read books, sang, made neclaces, ate, sang, ate, slept, told stories....They were just super troopers.

First stop, once past the New Jersey Turnpike, (every bit as congested as you've heard of) MYSTIC Connecticut. Whatever you've seen or heard about New England, came true on our trip, especially after spending the night in Mystic. It was a charming little town, with all the charm. Draw bridges, sail boats, Ice Cream shops. One of my favorite places on earth!

Welcome to Newport, RI.

Among other things, we took a boat cruise around some of the famous homes that surround this area.

The money people have is just astounding, but I can guarantee if I had that type of money, I'd buy a second home up in a heart beat.

We also took a sail over toMarthas Vineyard. This island proved to be every bit as charming as I'd heard. Plus, was home to the most fantastic, detailed cottages, USA's first mary-go-round and beaches.

Check this out! Our very own Charlie was the winner of the gold ring. While riding the mary-go-round, the riders are suppose to collect rings, and whoever gets the ONE gold ring gets a free ride. Way to go Chars.

The trip was not with out tears, but lucky for Hank, he won't remember a thing!

Our great camp site!

The kids kept busy with cars, turns on the red chair, stacking the pine needles, and making friends with other campers. One of our favorite nights was enjoyed an invitation for a beer and fire with some fellow campers (or in our case, flavored water)! They were there for 2 weeks, from Quebec, had kids around the same ages, and we really enjoyed our time with them

After days at the beach, Martha's Vineyard, swimming at the camp site we set sail for P town, otherwise know as Province Town, the last town on the very cape of Cape cod.

It was quite the cultural shock, as P Town is know for its appeal to Gays. We certainly we out numbered, but loved the sea smell, views of the water, and our first bowl of Clam Chowda!

Rise and shine campers!!! Camping for Jeff was a bit more difficult then he'd anticipated, being that the kids required laying with every night, and woke up nice and early. However early, this one took the cake, 5:30 am. complete with poop in the panties, we made our way as fast as we could out to breakfast.

Dare I say this was my favorite day? Mayflower beach inDennis Ri. At first glance, this beach was no ordinary place. But due to limited parking, and the crowds, we knew there had to be something special.

Sure enough, around 11:00 am the tide starts going out, and you're left with little inlets of 6" deep water, or soft, water soaked sand.

It was a DREAM beach, ideal for children, crab hunders, or anyone hoping to enjoy the sun.

Soon after our Cannon Cameras battery ran out, we made our way to Plymoth Plantation. We got great in site from native indians, and the english men.

We also jumped aboard the MayflowerII, that was an exact replica, that once sailed across to the Americas. It was a fantastic display and tour. ( The candy shop as well was a favorite)

Ok, maybe I was joking when I said my favorite place, because Boston Ma. may take the cake! We were blown away at the cities cleanliness, child friendly activities and obvious historical attractions. Boston had some of our favorite highlights. Frog Pond, the down town market, Charles street, and the Freedom Trail. The kids were troopers as we followed the 3 plus mile walk, taking us through historical land marks and homes.

Our final day began with breakfast out for Charlie and me, and early morning swim for Luce, Jeff and Hank in Boston, a quick tour of Yale Univ. and ended with a Seafood Feast, fit for any king, in Hagerstown, Md. Some of the trips highlights were (or low lights) cruising past traffic, on the opposite side, and only getting stuck at the New Jersey Turnpike, Getting stuck under the Marriott parking garage, (with our roof top carrier), Lucy pooping her pants for the FIRST time, EVER, record flooding rains, as we tried to sleep in our tent, eating rice, pasta and corn for one nights dinner, Lucy and Charlie going to the bathroom, in our car (in various "containers") because we simply could not afford to stop. (that sounded scarier then it really was, and for the sake that I'm sure my mom is already cringing, I'll spare the details, but I can assure it was nothing to traumatizing, waking up what seemed like earlier and earlier each morning....

Jeff said, "I don't even want to think about the next vacation" and the next day, I said " whens our trip to the beach? "

We'll see where we head next, but for now will enjoy looking at our pictures of this adventure.