Trip to Williamsburg

We travelled down to Williamsburg at the end of June for a little vacation. We stopped on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and walked out on the pier for a little stretch and potty break. The kids enjoyed seeing the boats, watching the people catch fish, and figuring out the whole bridge/tunnel thing.

We spent the afternoon of that first day just hanging out at the pool and playground at the condo. The next day, we went to Busch Gardens. These horses are massive, let me just tell ya!

Jon became fascinated with the map and walked around all day checking it out.

Jake, Popsy, and Jon on the big cargo net

Lizzie on the ladybug ride. Andy tried to ride with her, but the ride operator said, "um, sir, you're too big to ride this!" What ever gave you that idea? The knees up to his nose???? He was just trying to be a good daddy.

The boys "flying"

Liz and Mommom on the flying dragons

A barrel of monkeys?

The next day, we walked around Colonial Williamsburg. The kids enjoyed this little stop where they got to try out some old-fashioned games and toys

We found this cute little spot with the fallen log over a stream. Evey boys' dream, right? Both the boys kept their balance and walked across, and so kindly posed for this sweet picture. By the way, the arm around his brother's shoulder was not my idea. There's that sweet Jonathan emerging again.


Half a day walking around Colonial Williamsburg was about enough for three little kids (and probably Mommy and Daddy, too!!), so we spent the afternoon at the pool. Here's Liz floating in her little tube. She LOVES the water!


The time we were in Williamsburg just so happened to be the same time our friends, the Gebharts, were down there. We had a blast walking around Busch Gardens with them. Anna and Jake were walking all around holding hands, saying "come on, let's go ride Big Bad Wolf! Sit by me!" and stuff like that. It was cute. Donald, Popsy, Andy and I all rode the BIG roller coasters, too! They were so fun! We had a blast! The second day, we had Gebharts over for dinner at Mom and Popsy's timeshare where we were staying. The kids put on a little show for us after dessert. It was cute.

Such a fun little getaway!

Sweet Jon

July 1st, Andy and I stayed up late watching a movie. We went up to bed around 11:30 and there was a fierce thunderstorm going on outside. Andy checked on the kids, as usual, but Jon was awake this time, worried about his family being out in the storm.

Jon: "Is all five of us in the house, Daddy?"
Andy: "Yeah, buddy."
Jon: "Oh good. I can sleep now."

A Visit from Gramma

We were thrilled to have my mom come to visit us the first week in June. It rained constantly while she was here, which was kind of a bummer, but it gave us lots of time to just hang out and play together (I think she needed a nice long nap when she got back home to NY!). Mom and Jon playing "bicycle built for two"
Mom helping Lizzie bounce on the hippy hop. Lizzie was belly laughing! It was so cute!

A future piano player??? I would love it!

We took mom up to Jersey on Sunday so that she could spend the rest of her time with my grandparents and my sister, Jenn, and her boys. We always enjoy visiting with Gram and Pop down on the farm! Here's Liz and I with Pop.

Four generations: Gram, Mom, Me and Liz (or as Gram always calls her, "Elizabeth"...not a big fan of "Lizzie" ;-) Loves the girl, not the nickname!!!)

Gramma holding Lizzie in front of the old barn.

We took a walk all around the farm: saw the barn, the sheds, tractors, milking parlor, corn crib, fields, and old railroad bed (where Jake found a five foot long snake skin...that was the end of that walk ;-) )

I'm so thankful to have a picture of me and my kids with my mom and grandparents.

We had a great time with you, ma! Come again soon! We love you and miss you already!

We Have a Graduate!

From Kindergarten, that is!!! Though he looks more like he's ready to go to the beach than a commencement ceremony, it is, indeed, Jake's graduation.

Here he is with his teacher, Mrs. DayAnd walking into the cafeteria at the beginning of the ceremony

My handsome nephews, Darnel and David, stepmom Kaycee, and Andy's mom all made the trek down. Thanks guys! It means a lot that you all were there!

Lizzie in her pretty dress with Mommom

Jon and Jake posing in front of the palm trees

Mommom Kaycee brought down a little gift for Jake

Okay, the bear says class of '09...in the pamphlet they handed out at the ceremony, Caesar Rodney Class of.....2021!!!!!! Yikes! Isn't that crazy? Congratulations, Jake. What a milestone, you graduated from kindergarten ;-)

Actually, we're very proud of Jake. This is what his teacher wrote on his report card:

"Wow! What an interesting young man Jake is! I have thoroughly enjoyed having him in my class and watching as he inspired his classmates in their learning. He is a quiet leader and although he is totally unaware, others follow in his positive approach to life. He is a very strong reader and writer with exceptional comprehension skills. I have learned so much from him as well and will truly miss him next year as he moves on to first grade. Best of luck and have a wonderful, safe summer!"

Good job, bud. Mommy and Daddy are very proud of you!

Kristen's Shower

The lovely bride-to-be: Andy's sister, Kristen
The morning of the shower, Jon and Lizzie riding on the horse...the same toy that was Andy's when he was a kid! Pretty neat, huh?

Lizzie (out of her pjs), Andy and Aunt Jane (Andy's great aunt)

Liz walking with Popsy, hand-in-hand

Popsy, Liz and Grandmom Merkle

We did a really nice brunch for Kristen's shower and it all turned out great! It was fun to see all the ladies that came (also fun to meet Chris's mom who came down from New Hampshire!) and Kristen and Chris got loads of beautiful gifts, too!

Signs that Summer is Approaching

Jake's kindergarten class took a field trip to the beach! I was lucky enough to go and we had a blast! I wish we got to go on field trips like that when I was a kid!!! What fun!Jake's all the way on the right in the green swim trunks, playing in the sand with his classmates

Jake's bud, Brandon with his mom and his sister. Jake and Brandon have a ton in common. They both love to read, both love K'nex and building stuff, both like rocks and planets, both bright kids and good kids. It's been fun to watch their relationship develop throughout the year. I hope they remain friends throughout school.

Brandon's sister, Natalie and Jake, touching a horseshoe crab!!! How exciting!

Though this is not local corn, it was delicious and Lizzie's first corn-on-the-cob! She loved it as you can tell!

Time to turn the sprinkler system on...and what fun would it be to have all that water squirting around and not play in it? Jon is obviously having a blast! What a riot!

Strawberries!!!

A few weeks ago, we all went to Fifer Orchards in little Wyoming, DE (just outside of Dover) to pick nice fresh strawberries! YUMMY!