Our Ten Year Anniversary

So! Big weekend! Jim and I celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary on Friday. Thank you very much to all of the well-wishers who sent positive thoughts our way! 

With the help of our generous family of babysitters, we slipped away to the Sea Spray Inn in Ocean Grove. We have always enjoyed checking out the B&Bs and Inns in OG during our visits on Chocolate Lovers Weekend... and figured it would be a great place to set up home base as we explored some new (adult!) dining options in nearby Asbury Park and in Ocean Grove.

These three pictures were taken at Watermark, where happy hour lasts until 7!

 A gorgeous night in Asbury Park.

 The city always has something going on... this weekend it was a Tattoo Convention.
Yes, we actually considered getting tattoos to commemorate our years together. But (probably smartly) did not go through with it ;)

 Instead, we did this:

 And this:

 

The one on the left is supposed to look like me holding the kite-chain behind me :)

Dinner was at Langosta Lounge in AP and Sea Grass in OG (pic on left was from the latter). Good food, good times... there's something about everyone being on vacation at the beach that lends to a great vibe.

Oh! Speaking of good vibes, the Beach Boys were in town, too! Playing at the Great Auditorium! And because the building has no air conditioning, they actually open the large windows on the sides, which makes for a great opportunity to sit on the lawn nearby and listen to the tunes.

The tiny glowing part in the background, past the tent houses, is the stage.

Great Auditorium In Ocean Grove from Sheryl K. on Vimeo.

Back at the Sea Spray, we really enjoyed having time to chat and read, without interruption, and while breathing in that sweet, sweet ocean air. Each morning we were treated to a delicious fresh breakfast (3 courses!) on the front porch. Niiiice. Our room was appropriate for the Victorian theme, sporting views of both Fletcher Lake (the southern boundary of OG) and the ocean. 

And the sun deck was a great spot to take this photo:

Taking time to relax, refresh, and joke around with the person you love is absolutely essential. I'm glad we did this, and look forward to doing more memorable trips with my love in the future. :}{:

Christmas In July, 2013

 

Yay! It's Christmas! Well, kinda...
Every year, around July 25th, the folks in Point Pleasant celebrate Christmas... because why not?
There are decorations, Christmas music plays, and characters walk around looking like gingerbread men and such. You can even get your picture taken on the beach with a Santa in swim trunks!
Before we went to Point to join in the festivities, we spent the afternoon in Avon. Highlights below:

"Make a goofy face, Mama!"

 

Above, Trenton's treasures

 

Little man LOVES to jump over the waves with his daddy. A perfect night to do so, as the tide was in and very tame, shallow...

 

Dad's 60th on Lake Hopatcong

My dad turned 60 this past June. In honor of this special birthday, the whole family joined him on a fishing/swimming trip at Lake Hopatcong. We rented a pontoon boat and absolutely loved it!

 

There was plenty of room for everyone to spread out, fish, eat...

 Although the tubes occasionally got in the way.

 

We were so happy to have such a gorgeous day! This trip was originally scheduled for closer to his actual birthday, but the weather was horrible on that day. Luckily, we were able to switch dates with no problem.

 

Both boys caught fish. Sunnies, but still fish.

Trenton's Sunny Catch from Sheryl K. on Vimeo.

 EVERYONE was in the water. It was so warm! And clear! The boys LOVED jumping off the deck, swimming around, and climbing back up the ladder. Wearing life vests helped, as you could easily float around on the surface.

 

Boys loved driving the boat. What a responsibility! 

Jim even had a dragonfly land on his fingertip!

After a great dinner at the Jefferson House (we docked the boat right up to it!), we returned the boat around 7:30PM that night. Nine hours out on the boat! We were all nice & tan & tired afterwards. 

A very memorable birthday for Pop Pop!

Goodbye, Good Truck

 

Jim and I decided that it was time to try to sell the truck. There were a few more things that were starting to go wrong with it... and neither of us wanted to spend the time or energy to get them fixed.

This Explorer was a gift from my family, given to me just after graduating from college. It parallel parked in Massachusetts, drove out and back to Illinois countless times, took me to the hospital during both labors, and generally had all the bells and whistles that one could ask for.

Ollie asked if I could take a picture of him hugging the truck goodbye. :(

Although we'll miss it, we are now very happy with our new Honda Pilot. Reason enough: the thing has waaay better gas mileage than the Explorer. And nothing is leaking. And the boys can put down the back windows-- something Oliver has never gotten the opportunity to do in his life, and believe me, it is his new favorite thing to do. It can schlep us to the beach, around town, and even fit up to 8 people (carpool!) It has a sweet stereo system, and the Bluetooth hooks right up to the phone when you are inside. It is so quiet when you turn it on, we actually forget that it is on.

I do miss my moon roof and my keyless entry and my ability to throw whatever I wanted to into the truck, not caring if it made a mark. The boys are on a strict water allowance and I haven't decided how we'll do/if we'll do food yet.

But we'll keep it.
Will insert pic here soon :)

Evening in Avon, 100+

 This is the outside temp according to my truck... 101...102...103.... and a very blurry 104!