New York- August 2011

This year our annual New York trip was 10 days! Usually my dad and Jeff travel home earlier than my mom and me... but this year, with three kids under 5, we were able to work it out so the men could stay and we wouldn't be outnumbered on the way home. I'm so blessed to have such a hands-on hubby and dad... and that's really an understatement! 

Take off on the flight there was WONDERFUL! Both babies were asleep in minutes and at one point we all fell asleep. I woke up to find this... My mom and dad sleeping, J in Grandma's arms and Logan curled up next to Grandpa... Jeff and Ryan asleep behind them. It was such an answer to prayers to have them all get some rest!

Arriving at my Grandma's house! Having her house to call home for the week is such a blessing to us! Thanks Grandma for all the groceries and the help with the kids all week! You are amazing!

Serious conversation between Ryan and Great Grandma,
I'm sure!

Ryan and Ali

An attempt to get Precious (the dog) in a picture

Ali was the biggest help... she just loves all three boys so much!

And here's my son with a stroller again. At one point he had it filled with rocks, but pushing it around the driveway was definitely a favorite thing for the week!

Some of the ladies

The first day we went to see my mom's Aunt Mary. It was quite a drive out east, but it was so nice to see her and introduce her to J baby. What a gift she is to our family.

Afterwards, we took a trip out to a place my grandparents used to take me and my brother when we stayed with them as kids... Flo's Luncheonette! The BEST BLT I've ever had and just as tasty as I remembered! So nice to share those memories and now make them with my boys!

It was a tight squeeze making our way around for the 10 days... quite often 3 carseats on one row in a car. This is what we got to see a lot of having J and Ryan so close to each other! Foot in face... and J laughed and smiled each time!

One time they actually fell asleep holding hands.... LOVE!

Thankful for the borrowed booster seat. This kid is almost 5 and still enjoys his daily nap!

This is what happens when we go visit family... the kids open presents! We came back with an additional suitcase thanks to the generosity and love of all of our family... that and the fact that all three boys celebrate birthdays within two months of each other, so they took that chance to pass out birthday presents while we were there!

Family Barbeque

Mom with Uncle Jimmy and James

This kid and cupcakes!

In these two, take a look at Ryan's ear! We found out on day one that he is highly allergic to mosquito bites... the first night, they fell in love with his ear and cheek and it took three days of benadryl and topical cream to get the elephant ear to go away! Awfully sad, but at least we know now!

Maureen with Gerard and James

Have I said how much I love this woman! So glad we got a couple of great pictures together this year!

James and Logan, talking about something very important I'm sure. I have to put this in here for documentation purposes, but James may have given me the best compliment ever regarding Logan after they chatted a bit... he said that he is extremely smart, but even more, he really has something to offer with his great personality and the way he socializes. I thought that was very sweet for a young man to have that to say about his little cousin!

Nothing says summer barbeque like fresh, juicy watermelon!!!

James and Grandma

Saturday was our big beach day... such wonderful weather and fabulous ocean day! It was so great to get to see how much Logan has grown since last year and get to introduce J to the east coast!

I took Ryan in a little deeper than I might should have... and we got trampled! No worries though, he's the toughest kid I know!

J really loved Caitlin... she was so amazing with him!

Beach Bum

Why are two adults raking sand? Because my uncle buried a 5 dollar bill and marked it with an X for Logan to find treasure... yeah, easier said than done! Let's just say it took awhile and then we just hid another $1 and found it instead. If I remember correctly, the $5 was never found! Genius, huh?!?!

Celebrating my aunt and uncle's 25th Anniversary! What a wonderful family they have and we are so thankful for their cabana and them allowing us to crash it a couple times during our visit!

Nap time at the beach... sweet babies!

We spent Sunday with my dad's family

The annual cousin photo... missing my brother and Ethan

Sarah holding Emma(16mo), Zachary holding J(13mo), Edmund, Gavin, Logan, Me holding Ryan, Lucas holding James(16mo)

James (16mo) and Ryan (24mo)

This kid is the sweetest thing... and a spitting image of his daddy!

This is what I'm used to! :-)

Logan, getting down on his level!

Ryan saying "sorry" for hurting his cousin... she is a precious little peanut!

My dad and Emma

Ryan sporting a very sweet hat!

My boys would love a playroom big enough to fit this toy... so much fun!

If you haven't heard yet, I now sell Thirty-One Gifts. Well, my aunt loves to host a good party and getting free stuff isn't so bad either, so she was so gracious to open her house to friends and family and help me get my business started. It was a great business launch and I am so very thankful for her help in getting me started! Thanks to all who came and all who purchased.