Days in Valley Forge

Valley Forge has become one of our favorite places to go when we need a beautiful day outside. They just have such peaceful and well kept grounds, we really love it there. This was one of the first times we took our bikes for a ride around the loop. I thought I'd be pretty set to tackle those hills after all the spin classes I'd been to, but holy cow, nothing prepares you for those real climbs. It was hard, but still a lot of fun. The kids did pretty well for the most part, but I think flying around those corners really freaked Jayda out. Quite a few times during the bike ride Jayda would scream "turn around! pleeeease, turn around!" No amount of convincing would make her believe that turning around would actually take longer then just finishing the loop. It was really funny, especially now!

After the ride we went to Zwahlehn's, an adorable ice cream shop a few minutes away from Valley Forge. They have really good ice cream and candy. It was a great way to top off a day of bike riding!

Food, Water, and Sand!

After having gone to the Smorgasbord with my family, I knew that we weren't going to be able to wait very long before we went back. It was very important that Glenn experienced the magic! And since we had already tried their dinner, we figured we go for breakfast. Not wanting to mess around, we dropped Skyler off with a friend (thanks Kelly!) so that we could concentrate on our total and unforgivable gorging. Oh my gosh, the food at that place is so good! I suggest not eating for at least three days before going so that you can get your money's worth, which we did, as well as a hefty food coma for days afterward!

We had another playgroup at Houston Park, which has these cool fountains for the kids to play in. Jordan, who is one of the cutest people I know, came up with the idea to do a little picnic starring The Caterpillar as the theme. We showed up a bit late, but still got to enjoy the fun food and the cute Caterpillar cupcakes. Jayda had a total blast in the water. Skyler, who still has a total fear of moving water, did not. Either way, it was a great playgroup that once again provided great naps later in the afternoon!
Skyler, staying a safe distance from all that water nonsense!

So cute!

It didn't take long before we got itch'n to go back to the shore. We thought it would be fun to try something other then Atlantic City and Ocean City, so we went to Stone Harbor, which is really close to Cape May. It took a bit longer to get there, but I thought it was totally worth it. The city was so fun, and the beaches were beautiful, and a bit less crowded. That, combined with good company made for a great day. We ended up staying until the life guards basically kicked people out of the water!
I love her blonde beach hair!

I could not believe how aggressive these seagulls were there. Several of us lost our sandwiches to these buggers. They'd swoop down and take bites right out of our hands!

This was how much of the beach we had to ourselves toward the end up the day, nice!

And we couldn't help but splurge at this stand of absolute beauty. The corn ended up not being that great, but we got some white nectarines that were so sweet, I'd drive another two hours for more!

I love summer!

more catch'n up to do

I probably don't stand a chance of getting caught up before I take off for the summer, but this is my feeble attempt. I figure better late then never, eh!

We went to the zoo a few weeks ago, which I don't feel that we've taken advantage of near enough. The kids always have such a good time there and it's a great way to get outside and walk around.

Skyler was SO funny at the petting zoo. He didn't want to pet the goats, he wanted to snuggle with them and sit on them. This is him getting ready to get comfortable on one now. I mean, they do look pretty comfy, right?
My blue eyed babe and her...gorilla.

A few weeks ago we went to playgroup at our favorite park. Jordan brought some of her tee-ball stuff, which Jayda really enjoyed. Perhaps I have a little baseball player on my hands.

This is picture was taken right before Glenn used his bulging bisceps to spin that sucker, propelling about four kids off at one. It's no wonder you don't see very many merry-go-rounds anymore.

For the Fourth of July (I told you I was behind!), we spent the day at a fun barbecue with friends. We were there for quite a long time eating great food, and either playing in, or watching a baseball game. Skyler had a hard time watching Glenn enjoy the game without him, so Glenn spent quite a bit of time in the outfield holding him. We knew we had a good time at the barbeque because when we got home, both of our kids walked through the door and straight into bed for a nice long nap, it didn't take long for us to follow suit either, aaaaah!

This is how Skyler holds a bat, there were no ifs, ands or buts about it, believe me, I tried.

The baseball players, what a great looking bunch!

We went back and forth for a while as far as what we were going to do that night for the fourth. Fireworks show? Fireworks with friends? Stay home and stare at each other? We finally decided that we should lay low, and just did sparklers out on the balcony. It ended up being a lot of fun, and the kids really enjoyed it.

It took all night long for Skyler to get brave enough to hold one of these. He spent most of the night hiding behind that big green case behind Jayda.

Hands off ladies, he's mine!

The view from our balcony, not too shabby.

Trying to coax Skyler out from behind the case. I'm hoping that the magic of my amazing cloud pants can help me, snort.

This is our chubby monkey responding to our summer shinanigans thus far!

Catching up, Because I'm so Dang Behind!

Before we even started dental school, we knew that we were going to get an entire two months of summer back east that we had to take advantage of to the very fullest. So ever since the day that Glenn took his last final, we have been having so much fun playing! And because of that, I've completely let the blog go, so a lot of this stuff is kind of old, but I didn't want to leave it out of my book!

A while back we had a fun day with the Millers at the aquarium. Our kids get along so well, especially Jayda and Claira who are so cute together. Such a fun family to spend time with, and the aquarium is still very cool!
I had to put this picture in because I think it's hilarious that we're trying to take a family picture while Skyler walks away. He's got his own plans!

Jayda, Skyler, Claira, Ben and Alissa.

So cute, Claira is bent down to get on the same level as Jayda. What a sweetheart!

We're still trying to figure out how I managed to look taller then Alissa. We're the exact same height, which isn't that common for us. It's nice to have a friend that I can look in the eye!

We've been making quite a few trips to our pool. Last year Skyler could not get enough of the pool and Jayda was a total chicken. This year, Jayda is all over the pool, jumping in and holding her breath under water, while Skyler clings to the top of your head like a monkey if you even try to take him in the water. He's actually gotten a lot better as the summer goes on, and it does ease my mind a bit knowing that he's not going to try to dive, headfirst into the deep end just yet!

And I have to give credit to the swimming lessons that Jayda received at the YMCA for helping her get so brave. She can really get around in the water now and she would like to make it clear that she can do it "all by myself!"

One of the things Glenn and I love most about date night is the chance to go out and try new places to eat! Sometimes we get really lucky, and sometimes we totally strike out. A few weeks ago we hit gold after discovering Fat Jack's BBQ, a little whole in the wall about a half hour away. We both got a huge basket of ribs, chicken, brisket and pork, with two sides each, and cornbread that literally melts in your mouth. It was so good and only cost up ten bucks after getting a gift certificate from Restaurant.com.


We also had our first day at the shore the day after Glenn finished school to celebrate! After all of our trips to the shore, I'm having a hard time imagining a life without a beach nearby! Besides the wind, the weather was great and the kids had a lot of fun. Skyler is also getting a little braver with the waves, but the first few visits to the shore he was terrified of them. It was pretty funny to watch him get really close to the water and then run for his life when it got closer to him!



Okay, my eyes are starting to blur, so I will do more catching up later! I hope everyone is having a good summer so far!

Six Years

Look at us, so sweet, so young, so unsuspecting! Ah, marriage.

Six years ago today Glenn and I made one of the biggest and most life altering decisions of our young lives and tied the knot. And since then we have been through a lot together: moving, school, several jobs, two beautiful children, illnesses, graduations, amazing vacations, friends, bitter disappointments, and euphoric triumphs. And even with all of that, we have only scratched the surface of all the things we have yet to see and do together. I honestly believe that I married my best friend, and the years have only made us closer.

I am so happy for the six years I've had with you Glenn, and I can't wait to continue celebrating our anniversaries together! I love you so much!