Family Time

I wouldn't say this was our best vacation. To be honest it was hard. Owen woke up Sunday morning with a deep cough. By Tuesday he had a very high fever which continued on and off through Friday. Mason finally started coughing on Thursday and has been sick all weekend. Owen was such a trooper, he never complained and tried to keep the pace. He slept a TON, Mason didn't sleep well at all. We finally packed it in on Friday and came home. We were sad to go, but it was time.
The boys loved being with so much family. Normally our group of 20+ stays in 2 houses. My immediate family in a seperate house from my mom's cousins. For various reasons our numbers have dwindled so we decided to try 1 house. It allowed EJ and I to hang out with everyone after the kids were in bed. This wasn't possible in past years. Plus we had lots of extra help. Mom graciously took Mason for walks in the morning. For some reason he was up at 6 a.m. almost every morning.
Without sounding too negative, here are some highlights in no particular order:

1. Catching up with family
2. Yummy fancy dinners (each family took a turn)
3. Double date with my cousins David & Heather
4. A long, quiet soak in jacuzzi tub with a good book (we scored the master suite)
5. Laying out in the sun
6. Dunkin Do-nuts, just the 4 of us
7. A game of Putt Putt
8. Laughing so hard as my husband ran and rolled down a giant sand dune
9. Watching multiple fireworks displays from our deck
10. Cooking meal with Lissa and EJ

A little music

Playing Games

Playing with Cousins

Mason made up for lost sleep by the pool...

and the beach

Finally by Friday
Owen was feeling well enough for a little Putt Putt Golf

The Putt Putt was super fancy.
We rode on a train to the first hole.

4th of July

We traveled down to Kill Devil Hills, NC on the 4th of July for my families annual Beach Week. I thought I would reintroduce the boys to my extended family with a "warning". Just so they knew what they were getting into. I made 4th of July rocket shirts that said "I make a lot of noise." By the end of the week their early morning noise was considered preferable to the middle of the night noise coming from the 7 "20 somethings" and their friends they meet on the beach. I guess we have a lot to look forward too :)

We drove back last night and are glad to have a full weekend to recover.
I never thought I'd need recovering from vacation until I had small children.

Thanks Mim

EJ came home from his trip with gifts from Mim.
They loved them. Thanks Mim!

They loved the pillowcases too.

James Robert Fuller

James R. Fuller
11.7.1921 - 6.27.2009

EJ's "Dad Dad" passed away Saturday night. I mentioned on Wed. that EJ was in PA. He drove up on Tues. for a morning service on Wed. I was very sad to miss the service.

EJ really enjoyed the time he had with his cousins, aunts, uncles and family friends. He is thankful for the memories and stories they were each able to share.

I just love this picture. Mimi and Dad Dad traveled all over the world together and always had such wonderful photos and stories to share. Their house was beautifully decorated with memorabilia and artwork they collected on their trips. They even took EJ to London after he graduated from college.

Thankfully we had the opportunity to see Dad Dad the week before on our return trip from Avalon. We will miss him very much.

Dinner at the Pool

I took the kids to the pool tonight for dinner and a late swim. Owen took his 3rd nap of the week (i hope he is not getting sick) so I knew he'd be up later than usual. EJ had to drive to PA yesterday and isn't returning until late tonight.

We had a blast. The water was warmer than usual. Owen is becoming quite a fish. His swim lessons aren't until mid July. I am glad I waited b/c he is much more comfortable in the water now.


Mason decided he wanted to learn how to "spit" out cherry seeds. I think he was just thrilled I was letting him spit. It made a huge mess, but a little pool water cleaned him right off.