Reunion

"Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose."

The day after we came home from the beach was our Family Reunion, from my Dad's side of the family.  It is so hard to get everyone together. We took Cole, Carter, Chloe and Cali with us.  Christopher, Troy and Bethany were at Messiah's soccer camp and Jen and Jake were waiting for the arrival of the baby.  We had a good time visiting with aunts, uncles and cousins.  Our family is getting smaller in one way and larger in another, if that makes sense.  Older ones are leaving us but new ones are being born almost every year.

We all have so many good memories of when we were growing up.  Grandma and Grandpa would always have a Christmas Eve party for the whole gang, and that was alot of people under one roof.  I remember of going to my Uncles farm and riding the horses. Every summer we went to the beach with  aunts, uncles and cousins.  My one aunt always made sticky buns to share.  The men caught flounder and the ladies cooked it, among other things, and had a big family picnic.  Lots of weddings, bridal showers and baby showers go along with the memories.  We will continue to make memories.

It was raining so I didn't get many pictures.

Stone Harbor 2

"Praise the sea, on shore remain."

As always, I took so many pictures.  It is so hard to decide which ones to post.  I recommend this beach to everyone.  It is so close to everything and only 8 miles from the boardwalk at Wildwood.  The shops in the small town were great.  They weren't the junk shops that you see on the boardward.  There was an Irish store that I went to several time and bought earrings.  The only thing that was a little disappointing is the fact that there were no shells to collect on the beach.  That is one of my favorite things to do.  I love walking the beach in the morning and evening to collect shells.  But, I would go there again in a hearts beat!

Stone Harbor

"Why do we love the sea?  It is because it has some potent power to make us think things that we like."

Last week were on vacation at Stone Harbor, NJ with Troy, Bethany, Camryn and Bethany's parents.  I have never been there before.  It was beautiful!  Such clean beaches and towns  It is definitely a family place.  Camryn was in a Baby Parade, but for the most part, we just relaxed and had fun.  Camryn just loved it!  She was the best baby and enjoyed running around the beach chasing the sea gulls.

More Baby Pictures

"Twinkle, twinkle little boy, how you fill my heart with joy."

#8

"A Miracle has come to be with this addition to our Family Tree. . . . Welcome Jack"
Our 8th grandchild, 4th grandson, was born Sunday July 25th at 6:44PM.  He weighs 8 pounds 10 ounces and is 20 1/2 inches long.  We saw him today and he is just precious.  I could have held him all day.  He was wide awake and looking all  around.  Unfortunately, the older 2 were not excited to meet him.  They looked at him, but that was about it. 

A lot has been going on in their house.  My daughter-in-law developed kidney stones and has been very ill for the past week.  She was so glad to have the baby early, so now it's onto getting rid of the stones.  The kids have had a few different people helping out and things just aren't the same for them.  Things will be just fine when everything returns to normal, except for the fact that they will be EXTRA busy!

You Hot, MamMam?

"Don't knock the weather; nine-tenths of the people couldn't start a conversation if it didn't change once in a while."

This little guy was really trying to keep me cool on a very hot day.  He kept coming up on the deck with water to pour on my feet.  It felt so good, when he actually got the water ON my feet!   Isn't he just PRECIOUS?!!

BB In The Pool

"A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken."

The boys always like to play basketball in the pool.  They sometimes get into squabbles over it, but generally have a good time.  Neither one of them are a very good shot.  Good thing they like wrestling instead!

Camryn Day

"Angels have no philosophy but love."

We love it when it's soccer camp time.  With both Troy and Bethany coaching at Messiah College, they are always involved in the camps.  That means they need a baby sitter.  We got there around 7:45 AM, Camryn just had her breakfast and was still in her jammies.  We were playing with her, but of course, PopPop can't stay awake very long.  She just couldn't understand why he wasn't paying any attention to her.  She kept looking at him and then at me, like wondering, "What is wrong with him?"  He let out a snore and it scared her. She came running to me with her arms up to be held.  It was so funny, but she should try sleeping with Pop sometime, it goes on ALL NIGHT LONG!!  To make up for it, he gave her his watch to play with.

Where'd That Squirrel Go?

"Lots of people talk to animals. . . Not very many listen, though. . . That's the problem."

These two love chasing the squirrels.  They are always looking for bunnies, butterflies, birds and squirrels.   Somehow, they never seem to catch any!

This Is The Life

" A granddaughter is a day brighter and a heart warmer."

Cali only likes the pool when the water is very warm.  She must be related to me!  On this day, the pool water was 85 degrees.  She loved it and stayed in until her skin was wrinkled. She cracks me up when she floats around.  She tells the boys "no splashing, I'm floating." 

My SweetPea

"Perfumes are feelings of flowers."

My great-niece, Bella, came swimming last week.  She also loved playing in the sandbox and looking at the gold fish in our little pond.  I so wish she would come more often!

Pop, I'm Hungry

"Hunger:  One of the few cravings that cannot be appeased with another solution."

When at ball games, the girls always know who to ask for food when they are hungry!  Anyway, what's a ball game without a hotdog and frenchfries!!  Cali wanted to go along, but she didn't want to give up her chair.

Soccer Camp

"The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain."

The boys had soccer camp at Messiah this week.  Two of my great-nephews from Long Island, NY came to go along with Cole and Carter.  We decided to go there today and watch their games.  Well, it really poured this morning so they were indoors and didn't get their ball skill groups done.  Instead of playing their games this afternoon, they did their skill groups.  I didn't get good pictures, like I wanted to, but here are a few.

Little Model

"I like my money right where I can see it - hanging in my closet."

Here she is modeling a dress we got her for next year.  It was too long, but she loved it.  That is, until it got caught under her feet when she was trying to stand.  She looked at me with those big blue eyes, just pleading for help.  So we moved on to the next outfit!  She actually did a great job of trying on things.

Gym-Bucks

"When women are depressed, they eat or go shopping.  Men invade another country.  It's a whole different way of thinking."

It was time to redeem gym-bucks today, so Bethany and I went shopping for Camryn.  I try to take turns buying the little ones clothing and it was Camryn's turn today.  She loves to get new clothing.  PopPop stayed with her while we were gone.  When we got back, she had just gotten up from her morning nap.  She greeted Mommy with a huge smile. We put the bag of clothing on the floor and let her do her thing.  She loves getting new clothes and was enjoying looking at them and tossing them all over.  The tops had a monkey on them and she started her monkey sounds!

A New Great- Nephew

"Babies are such a nice way to start people."

We have a new great-nephew.  He was born last week and his name is River.  I held him tonight for a long time.  He is so precious.  I just LOVE babies!!

Zoo Continued

The kids were so good at the zoo.  They especially liked posing on the fake animals.  I think the "Enchiladas" favorite thing of the day was the MUD PUDDLES!  Typical boy!!  My "Dumpling" had to have her shoes off when we got to the car.  "My feet are wet."  Typical girl!

Rainy Day At The Zoo

"An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language."

We had such fun at the zoo on Saturday, even though there were intermittent showers.  My "Enchilada" wasn't thrilled with all the animals, but my "Dumpling" just walked right up to them and never even winced.  The only thing she wasn't too sure about, was the big goose who wanted her food.  She kept track of her brother's petfood and would give it to him when needed.  He did ride the pony while she selected to ride the carousel.  When I took her for a potty break I asked her about riding the pony.  She told me no, that she wanted to ride the carousel.  I told her there wasnt one and she said "Oh yes there is, just around the corner."  AND THERE WAS!!  She picks up on EVERYTHING!