Week 35

August 22
Day 2 on Block Island. The forecast was rain and wind. BUT for me, it was still vacation. No mouths to feed, no bums to wipe, and plenty of time for a luxury I can't usually afford...to read in peace and quiet.(not my favorite selection)

August 23

Another day of rain and wind. Lisa had the right idea!

August 24

Another day of rain and high winds. Another book.

I highly recommend this one. However, you need to do it when you are prepared and in a place to SOB.

August 25

A break in the weather afforded us the chance to enjoy a dinner overlooking the ocean in honor of my in-laws 37th anniversary.

August 26

Finally a beach day.

Then watch the sunset.

Then go to dinner with my man overlooking the marina.

August 27

Back to the beach for an incredible day before getting on the ferry to head home.

After picking the kids up, Trev fell asleep and Nathanael was fooling around pretending to be lip-locked with him.August 28

Our 5th and final wedding of the season! Armando is C4's drum teacher from church and Jenn is on the praise team and a fellow cast member in productions. My favorite part of the day was when they were exchanging vows and Armando sweetly began to personalize his to her and repeated them in Spanish. It was so romantic! My second favorite moment was their first dance...a smokin' hot salsa number.

Week 34

August 15

Our last day at the Cape with friends, Bob & Jules. Church, breakfast, reading on the back deck. Ahhhhh...

August 16

Madison completed her 3rd sewing class at JoAnn, Etc. summer camp. We had a great experience and would recommend it. She made a quilted purse, a pillowcase, and a drawstring backpack.

August 17

Rocco loves his...well, you know.

August 18

No picture, but I got this cute video. Rocco still LOVES his car. He's hilarious. In, out. Open, shut. One hand on the wheel, one arm out the window.

August 19

No picture...yikes!

August 20

We went to see Juliet and Allison's riding demonstration. They did great! Juliet won 'Most Improved Rider' and Allie got 'Best Groomer'. Allie's horse was small than a large dog.

This picture of Al makes me laugh. If you look closely, she's making her 'chlick' sound to make the horse go.

Then we loaded up the car to drop kids off at my Dad's for the week. He always takes them the week that we go to Block Island. They spoil them rotten and plans all kinds of day-trip adventures. What a deal! Dad and Christina love it, the kids love it, and we love it. Everyone wins! Can you see the kids?

The kids got to slip-n-slide when we got there.

August 21

Heading to Block for our 8th year. We got on the ferry early and were on the beach for a gorgeous beach day by 10:00am.

Stranded On An Island

It's our 4th day on Block Island. It's our 3rd day of rain and high winds. No ferries have run now for two days and there is NO milk or bread (or Double Stuff Oreos) on the island to buy! BUT the good news...the very, very good news is that we have not lost power. Thank God! Optimistic that tomorrow will bring more mild weather.

Blustery on the Block

We wouldn't believe it except that we are here. Block Island: 67 degrees and hurricane-like winds and weather on August 23rd. Seriously? The good news? It's still vacation. No one has asked me for anything. I didn't change any diapers today. We're not on the boat. And I've gotten some good reading in. This can't last forever and we're hoping to get a couple good days by the end of the week. Crazy!

Week 33

August 8

I took Madison and Mom to see a local theater's production of "Annie". Our friend Heather was in the ensemble. Madison decided to wear her Hallelujah Night costume from 3 years ago. Many people in the audience complimented her look. We all enjoyed the show!

Later in the evening we went for a family bike ride to the park.

Rocco carried the basketball for us both ways.

August 9

I babysat Gabby and Gigi so that Jon and Annie could go to the Yankees game. Madison flipped the back set of van backwards and the kids spent over an hour playing in it.

Apparently someone got a hold of my camera.
August 10

I changed Rocco and he surprised me when I was done. Without any training or encouragement, he picked up the dirty diaper, toddled over to the trash, and threw it away. And so begins the inevitable stage of looking for anything that's missing in the trash!

August 11

Sean slept over with Nathanael. The kids spent the morning setting up a cart of random McD's toys, ice cream, and pictures they colored to sell at the end of the driveway. The problem: we live at the end of a cul-de-sac on a street with 8 houses....NO traffic. Nevertheless...they set up shop. After about an hour they came in bored and discouraged. About 4 minutes later I see the mail truck rounding the circle and screamed, "You guys are missing your only customer of the day!"

That sweet lady bought and ice cream sandwich and two of their drawings!

Rockstar rocks!

August 12

My sister Bethany and her kids came over to work on some more LobsterFest '10 details.

August 13

Our view from our spot on the beach at Cape Cod. In the distance...Martha's Vineyard.

August 14

Our 4th annual trip to the Cape with neighbors and great friends, Bob and Jules. Her brother was generous to extend an invitation on his 37' Sea Ray. We dropped anchor in a harbor on Martha's Vineyard and enjoyed an exquisite boat lunch, swimming, and many laughs!
The back yard at sunset.

Week 32--continued

August 4
A camping tradition...a day trip to Whale's Tale Water Park. This is the 4th year we've gone, but the first year we've done it just our family, without friends. This is the perfect trip for our fam...fun for all ages, safe family environment. I'm trying to coordinate a big 'cousins' excursion for next summer. We spent a lot of time at this brand new part of the park. Shipwreck Yard would have kept us busy for an entire day but it's just one of the many great rides.
Accidental picture, but makes me laugh:
Trevor was so brave on the slides.




Sweet brotherly love. C4 spent the last hour doing whatever Trevor wanted to do. And after a long day, our traditional dinner at The Common Man.
August 5
Another day of camping with my beautiful kids.
Trevor DID NOT like the mascots. For the 1st three days we only saw Boo Boo, so Trevor all bravely said, "I just want to hug Cindy." Well we finally saw her and it took ALL of his courage to get this close for a picture.August 6

We packed up the camper and then did the pool, minigolf, and lunch at the snack shack before snapping our yearly photo in front of the sign and heading home. This is our first photo without Gunner and it makes me sad. He loved camping and we missed having him there.

August 7

Andrea's surprise 30th birthday party. She was surprised, the day was beautiful, and the kids had a blast!

Rocco kisses Baby Gigi
Madison hangs with two hockey wives.
Nathanael played whiffle ball for 2.5 hours.