Annual Great Adventure Trip

Well hello, crazy cats. Take a peek at us from out of Granny's House window, whydontcha.
I've titled this post "Annual Great Adventure Trip" because that's pretty much how often we go.
We live, literally, 20 minutes away from the place. EVERYONE around here gets season tickets. However, we also live 20 minutes away from the ocean.
Which one do you think I'd rather pick, 99% of the time? ;)
However, we have very sweet friends who had very good coupons... and I also like coupons...
And the kids like rides:

It was wicked, wicked hot. We went from noon to six, which was really asking for it. The kids alternated between wilting and getting wet at the little sprayground. Below, we wait on line for the sky ride. I did not realize it, but you cannot have more than four people on the ride at a time... and it was me and four boys... believe it or not, the three big kids did juuuust fine on the ride by themselves. (Of course, I gave the strictest of warnings to Trenton NOT to stand up during the entire trip... ;)

As much as I don't like going to Great Adventure (crowds, lots of walking, waiting in line, blah I could be a the beach, etc.), the smile on the face above is a darn good reason to go at least once a year ;)

Canoeing at the Reservoir

 This morning we took out a canoe on the Manasquan Reservoir. Although we've been visiting the reservoir for years now, we've never actually been out ON it. Jim brought his parents' canoe back to our place (and is currently building a rack to store it on, as it is about 17 feet long) and we couldn't wait to use it.
Above, we spotted a heron walking along one of the shores. We watched as it totally SPEARED a fish with its beak and carried it around in its mouth... the fish was so large, we didn't think he'd be able to swallow it!

Heron at the Manasquan Reservoir from Sheryl K. on Vimeo.

We are really enjoying eating seasonally. Above, Oliver devours some cherries. We've also had local peaches from the supermarket. But at home, we're all about our own garden: tomatoes, peppers, basil (fantastic lunch right there)... I made my own pickles which are AWESOME... We got cabbage and potatoes from the CSA this week, with which I made this delicious & hearty dinner (Grenadian nutmeg, too!).

Trenton put together the Lego spaceship you see behind his knee one afternoon last week. I taught and they attended VBS at our church each morning... we were all exhausted in the afternoons... but T kept himself busy (while I napped!) by following the directions and making this creation! Great job, buddy!

Birthday Dinners

The plan had been to take my dad to dinner at Wharfside in Point Pleasant just after his birthday back in June... but I think someone got sick, so we had to reschedule. The idea was that we'd have dinner and then enjoy the show-- The B Street Band was performing that night! After finding another night when we all could get together, it had now turned into a late birthday dinner for Pop Pop and an early celebration for Grandma. What we didn't realize, was that the performance would be outside. And, of course, we had some wicked weather... and the band was cancelled.
But we didn't let that stop us from getting a seafood dinner!
We ended up at Klein's in Belmar. Their menu is HUGE and we all got fantastic dishes. Jim couldn't stop talking about the blackened mako shark he had; Dad enjoyed an entire lobster; Mom and I had a broiled seafood platter; and the boys both ate sushi. It is their new 'kids meal'. I love that they don't beg us for chickennuggetsfriedwhatever ;)
After dessert at Strollo's, we were sufficiently stuffed.
Happy Birthday, everyone!

NJ State Sandcastle Contest-- Belmar

 Saaweeet beans! Free Slurpees at this year's Sandcastle Competition!!!
The truck was handing them out like hotcakes. It was about 98 degrees at 10AM!

 Although we spent most of our time in the water (because it was so darn hot), we got to take some pics of our favorite castles this year. Above, someone puts the finishing touches on a birthday cake. Below, the most awesomest-castle (in the boys' opinion): Angry Birds! And it was interactive!

See video:

Angry Birds Sandcastle from Sheryl K. on Vimeo.

I liked this one with the turtle race ;)
We all love trying out the free drinks, playing the Frisbee toss (T got two in in a row!), and cooling off in the ocean.

Bradley Beach's Lifeguard Competition

 This has become a yearly tradition for us... we get Fins and then head out to the Cliff Ave. beach in Bradley to watch the lifeguard competition. Lifeguards from ten local beaches compete in swimming relays, running, boating, and boarding.

Although I thought we'd be rooting for Avon, the boys were excited to cheer for the home team... Bradley was #10.

They had to swim/row/board out to these flags and come back.

The waves were wicked rough... the guard above was yelling "Right arm!" to tell the (backwards) rowers to move over a bit...

There were several boats that capsized... lots of water in them... but the lifeguards were great about minimizing the damage and getting the boats out of the water safely.

 

 This is called "Shake and Bake". Basically, you wet yourself, then roll in the sand... then wet yourself again. The boys learned it from other kids on the beach... Great! Let's just say you can get sand in EVERY CREVICE of your body if you choose to Shake and Bake ;)

 And what night would be complete without a little Strollo's?
The boys are really into the Root Beer and Lemon flavors... my new fav is Mango with Vanilla soft serve. Yum!

So Call Him! (Maybe)

So Call Him! (Maybe) from Sheryl K. on Vimeo.

Or, you might consider calling this guy:

Or, you could just watch these folks... havin' fun... GO TEAM USA!

Playdates with Friends

Another reason why I love summer: we have the time to do day-trips to visit people who also have time off in the summer! Last week, we visited Kim, Bobby, & baby Ben for a pool playdate. (He was so happy before this picture was taken, and was such a great baby the whole time!) Bobby is an awesome big brother ;)

 

The boys LOVED hanging out at and jumping into her pool! 

And this week, we drove to North Branch Park to spend some time with A.J. (and Kim, below), Samantha (above, and Amy), and Melissa and Cate (had to borrow a picture, because I didn't take one that day! doh!) Trenton could not get enough of baby Sam-- he loves to coo to her, and make her smile-- and hold her! It is so great to meet up with our friends -- kids and adults!

 And we were able to meet up with Robyn and her boys for a nice Saturday morning in Avon! Above, T and Nick spent a lot of time playing in the surf and looking for crabs. Below, Ollie and Anthony dig and bury, dig and bury...

Let's Go Mets!

Not a bad first half of the season, for a team that was predicted by many to be in last place!
Looking forward to an All Star Game this week... and next year's game at Citi Field!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

King of the Slip & Slide

Independence Day, 2012

 And so THIS is how we will begin the recap of the 4th of July party this year ;)
Niiiice sangria up there... didja get to have some? Also made a peach basil one. It did not come out as intended. But my kind friends drank it up anyway. The best was the peach lemonade. Although labor-intensive, TOTALLY appropriate for a summer get-together.

Oliver actually spelled that out. BY HIMSELF. Pretty good!

Despite earlier predictions of thunderstorms all day, we ended up with perfectly HOT temperatures & sunny skies! And sweaty kids!

 Jim manned the grill all afternoon. I believe he changed clothes twice.
The Bubba Burgers were a hit. HA!

 Evidence that kids are getting older: Graham (above) and Kendall (below).

 Lotsa cornhole playing, of course.
We got smart this year-- we set up a few things in the front yard, and a few things in the back yard, including another tent and more tables and chairs. I think there were at least 50 people who came throughout the day and evening.
Below, the kids engage in their first egg toss! It was interesting-- some tears were shed when the eggs cracked!

 But no tears here! I will say, each year, more adults participate... I think they are just trying to make the hostess happy (it works!)

 Snapped the pic below a bit late... Jeremy actually fell right over this stump-- but still preserved the egg!

This year's winning egg (thrown by Mina and Jason) was allowed a respite in the house before being thrown out by the cleanup crew at the end of the night. (Jim did a slam-bangin' job of cleaning up-- thanks, babe!)

Very nice group shot!

 Alex and Oliver, Maya and Trenton...

I have to say, we had a BLAST this year at the party. (Although not this kind of blast ;)

Thank you all for coming-- the dishes you brought were delicious! And thank you, thank you to the rain for holding off!