Family Reunion in NJ

This weekend we traveled to NJ for a family reunion.  Each year my mom's family has an August party to bring the family together and to celebrate my Grandmother's birthday.   My mom is one of 6 children so I have lot's of cousins.  My cousins all have children and most of us have 2 or more kids.  

We usually travel down on Saturday morning, attend the party on Sunday and then stay until Monday morning.  This year we needed to leave on Sunday night because George started back at work today.  Here are some pictures.  I'll post more once my parents share their photos with me!

Relaxing in the hotel with Grandma

George had to be "on-line" for a football draft

Goofing around

Second cousins in the pool

Got to the Decks!

I finally made it to Poco's for dinner with my family. We headed down to Portsmouth tonight to have dinner on the decks. It was a great evening - sunny with a nice ocean breeze. The kids enjoyed themselves and I enjoyed one, yes only one, Blue Moon Margarita.

After dinner we went to the Mall for back-to-school shopping. We had great luck at Old Navy but then spent way too much money on school supplies at Staples. School supplies have gone high-end now and are far too fashionable. But maybe my parents felt that way when I wanted the good ol' Mead Trapper Keeper. When I was Jacob's age, I also think I spent a small fortune on stickers -Lisa Frank, Mrs. Grossman, etc. My sister and I had hundreds of stickers and would venture out each weekend to buy more. But I digress, here is a picture of the great dinner on the decks.



And for those of who you also grew up in the 80's, here are some memories:

The famous Lisa Frank unicorn sticker, the "must-have" Trapper Keeper, and one of the thousands of Mrs. Grossman stickers!

Mr. Mom or House Husband?

My husband is making me look bad this summer. Today he baked cookies with the kids. And, unlike the cookies I make, the kids loved them! Imagine that! While I am somewhat complaining it is pretty cool to see him wearing an oven mitt and using the spatula. Benny enjoyed licking the mixing bowl and wooden spoon.


You have to love a man with an oven mitt and spatula!


Chew with your mouth closed Benny!


That's better but look at all those crumbs...


Using the cooling racks too...pitter patter goes my heart

1 Photo Interview

Katie, of the Betts-Levine Family Blog, challenged us with a new blogging game. Here are the rules:

It is called The 1 Photo Interview. Unlike past games where the answers were written, you must answer each of the following questions with 1 photo (and 1 photo only). The catch is you cannot include a caption on any of your photos unless a commenter requests one. And here I go:

1. Where do you live?2. What color are your eyes?
3. What does your mailbox look like?

==Coming Soon===

It is dark out!

4. What is one part of your daily routine?
5. Who is one of your favorite people? 6. What comforts you?
7. What are you doing tonight?8. What time is it?
9. Who are you talking to?10. What are you thinking?

A Cheery Blaze...

Last night we had a little camp fire action in our backyard fire pit and enjoyed some S'mores. It was a beautiful night - a full moon, stars in the sky and a tons of hungry mosquitoes! We had to get the 98% Deet out to ward off the pesky bugs.


George tending to the fire.


How peaceful...


And with the flash.


Jacob relaxing.


Benny and a S'more!


Putting on the Deet!


It takes supplies to enjoy the fire pit!


Uncle Colin enjoying the evening

Survival of the Fittest

We've had a few run-ins with insects and animals this last week.  

George and the Bees - The first incident involved George and a bee's nest.  Earlier in the week I was dead-heading some of the potted plants on my front stoop when I noticed a few bees buzzing around.  A moment later a couple of bees landed on me.  I screamed and ran away. Luckily that sent the bees on their way.  I noticed the retreating bees flew into a small hole under the front step.  I alerted George to the situation.  (Killing stinging insects falls under George's household responsibilities.)

George went out there a few hours later armed with his super-powered Raid spray.  He was about 10 feet away from the steps when the bees got after him.  Sure enough one stung him.  He later sprayed the heck out of that nest and made them pay.  I still count myself lucky that none of the bees stung me especially since they got after George so quickly.

Bees Vs. Hummingbirds - The bees are also bothering the humming birds.  Even though my hummingbird feeder says it is bee proof it has been attracting bees.  The bees then get after the hummingbirds and try to scare them away from the feeder.  I have been trying to help out the hummingbirds by swatting the bees and throwing water at them.  I am not sure I should be doing this and I am just biding my time until I get stung.  I did mention to George that I was fully prepared to take in and help rehab any hummingbirds that were injured by the bees!  

Chipmunk Vs. Swimming Pool - It was a great day for the pool today and we spent most of the day outside.  At one point I noticed a couple of chipmunks chasing each other in the driveway.  They then ran under the fence and into the pool area and then...one jumped right into the pool.  George was inside so I had to rescue the chipmunk.  Fortunately he did not mind being caught in the net and I released him on the lawn.  I don't know what the chipmunk was thinking - lucky for us (and the chipmunk) we were there because I don't think the chipmunk would have lasted long in the pool.

Benny, Banana Bread and a Box

Today's post is all about Benny. Last weekend we bought a carpet cleaner. Benny enjoyed playing with the box. After a few minutes though I had to take the box away because the boys were getting a bit out of control.

Today, during the now daily rainstorms we get, Benny and I made some banana bread.

Here are some pictures.

He looks very comfortable in there.


Benny getting out of the box after Jacob released him.


All is well.


Getting ready to smash the bananas!


Look at him go!


The finished product - okay, we made banana muffins...not bread!