Mother's Day at the Beach

Jennifer at 37 weeks.

A beautiful mother on a beautiful beach.

Happy Mother's Day!It only took us two hours to get to the beach Friday so some of us took a quick trip to the beach. This is a path (beautiful in itself) that took us to the water.Not sure what we were thinking taking the stroller but our soldier with two tours in the sand just slung the baby, stroller and all on his back, no problem.The wind was a bit strong.The kids didn't mind the wind.

Tom doesn't like the water but he's never far behind and usually with a grandkid.Shawn loves the water as does his son but it took alot to keep up with the big boy.Ella's happiness and excitement was contagious. It even got Aunt Nenni running around.Back at the house, Proud PaPa with his two little red heads.

Then our first meal was cooking out hot dogs.Meals together! It never gets old!On Sunday we went to the boardwalk.We all wince when we see Tom pick up one of the kids let alone lift one up on his shoulders but life won't stop for pain so he just goes on.This was how we had lunch on the boardwalk. Nothing like "fair food".Big girls want to be held by their Mommy's sometime too.The boys holding hands. They really like each other. I can't wait to see then grow as friends.At the end of the boardwalk were rides for the kids. I can't wait to share some of these pictures when we do their HS graduation photo collage. It'll be here before we know it. Shawn won a few games with Jack too.

They even got a kick out of watching each other ride.

Our big girl couldn't get enough!!

This was way faster than the picture shows. We wouldn't let Wyatt go but Jack loved it!Look at these cousins. This is all the present I will ever need.

STILL EATING !

Poor Tom, I just keep him going and then he passes out.With PaPa sleeping on the couch Ella kept on going and we just played game after game.

My birthday is May 10th. I was born on Mother's Day. Tom has always made sure that I get a fair deal though and created what the kids started calling the "worship Mom week end" I don't need or want gifts anymore (of course they don't listen, Thanks for the gifts too!) The best gift is us all being together. I couldn't be happier.

A Visit Camping with Wyatt

We started our week end early Friday taking our time driving to Ohio and then spending the evening with my brothers and their wifes relaxing outside with some grilled sandwiches and beer. I guess I should have taken some pictures but they all think I'm just a little out there for even having a blog. Twenty years from now they'll wish they had one to look back on too LOL I don't know if it's really camping when you're in a cabin (trailer with fake logs on the outside) but we did rough it with no tv or internet access.
Michele wanted me to take this picture of Wyatt in the "picinic" basket because she has one of her at another Jellystone Park as a toddler standing in it.

Charlie had to work Saturday so we picked Wyatt up and gave Michele a free afternoon. After breakfast at Waffle House we went over to the Akron Zoo. It was a great day for being outside.

Up close and personal with the penguins.

This was a small zoo and there were very few people and we really got close to the animals that were out.

He loved feeding the goats. Mommy & Daddy thought he might be scared.

PaPa tried carrying him on his shoulders for a while but even his little 23 pound, 16 month old body was heavy after a short while.

I carried him for a while too, He couldn't see much from the stroller.

A small deer came right up to him in the stroller but then these little girls pushed their way in.

I wish you could see the bats in here, very cool.

On the way out he got a jungle hat.

Then we went to the mall to have a late lunch and walk around a little. He realized that if he banged his cup on the table he could get milk to spray out of the top and he thought it was HYSTERICAL.

Then he had to ride the carousel. He was a little hesitant but started giggling when it started and of course PaPa was there to make sure everything was ok.

When Mommy said good bye for the day she told Wyatt to make sure we bought him a cookie as big as his head, we got him THREE.
of course it had to have chocolate in it

Then we met Mommy & Daddy at the campground. He loves taking off PaPa's hat. Not sure what makes him laugh so much but I do love to hear that giggle.

Then the men went out to hunt and gather our food and did an excellent job but forgot plates, forks and CUPS for my Zinfandel. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

He DID have some cheese and fruit to go along with those goldfish. He loves cheese, my mom used to call my kids "cheese monsters" because we went through so much when we would visit.

Uncle Tim (Tom's brother) stopped by for a quick visit and a delivery of paper plates, cups and forks. Wyatt thought he was funny too. He would rub Uncle Tim's bald head and then touch his own hair and laugh. Tom loved it because he is the older brother and still has all his hair.

Tired boy, look at those eyes!

He fell asleep in the bottom bunk before 8 O'clock and stayed there all night (except for that little episode at 4:30 when he fell out)

Tom did a great job getting the fire started. I LOVE a fire.

We were supposse to have storms all week end but besides a couple of sprinkles and some over night rain it was beautiful.

He is so easy going. His mom put him in this chair and he just sat there.

Sunday morning we met Tom's dad & stepmother at church and then we went to breakfast. He remembered what that cup did yesterday so he started laughing all over again.

Daddy making him give Mommy a kiss. Looks like Great Grandma thinks it's pretty funny too. They have been a great support for Charlie and Michele.

Proud Great Grandpap

Then we went to see their new house and Wyatt had to get a nap in on the way.

Michele 14 weeks pregnant. Isn't she cute!

Thanks for letting us steal your little man for awhile!

Our Little Laughing Man

My Parent's Honeymoon

My parents were married in 1953 and celebrated their 50th anniversary the year before my mother died. They loved each other and rarely argued but no one could deny that they did pick on each other a good amount. LOL
It warms my heart to look at these pictures and peek into their early love. I don't know much about their young love except that his sister, my Aunt Syl, was friends with my mother and asked her to write to my father who was stationed in Korea as an Army truck mechanic. They were both the baby of the family and were raised by single mothers. He was raised on the wrong side of the tracks by an older mother and some alcoholic siblings. He considered himself a tough guy. She was raised by a hard working Catholic mother with the help of two older brothers, three aunts and some very loving nuns. To think without these two young people falling in love we wouldn't even exist.
These pictures were taken on their honeymoon at a cottage in the Pocono Mountains in PA.