Her own style

Crazies!

The high life

Piper is away, so I get to play with her toys in the bathtub, and I get the bathtub all to myself!  Her feet can't touch me!  No one's feet are touching me!

 Sometimes I get distracted by the bubbles...

This is my bubble mustache.

This is my bubble beard.

I'll be honest, it's a good day.

And then there were three

Dan, Teagan and I left NJ today; Piper will stay an additional week and a half with her cousins, aunt and Oma.  It is odd to suddenly be without a member of our clan.  But we made it back safely, and it's definitely very calm with only one child!  We forgot what that was like ;)

 

Playin' in the pool

A daily activity during our summer vaca in New Jersey.  Usually happened in the afternoon, followed by resting, dinner, and walking for ice cream.  Then the adults would chit chat for a bit, before hitting the bed ourselves to prepare for another day of family R&R.

We've had some awesome times in that pool!

 

Besties, a second generation

My best friend since I was three is Paula.  This is Paula's daughter Nina and Piper.  They get along like peanut butter and jelly, even though they only see each other about once a year.

A beachy evening: Firsts

This was Teagan's first trip to the ocean.  As we descended the boardwalk stairs down toward the beach, she looked up and focused in on where the water meets the sky.  She said "That is an AMAZING pool!"  Too true, Teags.  An amazing pool indeed.

Teagan Mac touches her first ocean wave with a little support from Auntie Chris.

A beachy evening: Sandcastles

 

A beachy evening: Oh captain my captain

 

Finding luxury at Finding Dory

Today we went to see Finding Dory!  We brought Nina with us and we all loved the movie.  The night before, we'd been looking up show times and grousing about the exorbitant price of the tickets.  Once we arrived at the theater we had a better understanding of the ticket price inflation.  Reclining seats.  Big reclining seats with cup holders.  So.  Comfortable.  I dare say it was worth it. 

But, I'm still glad to be able to have the cheaper option available back in MN :)

Beach day

Today while Teagan, Oma and I played at the pool, the older girls went to the beach with Dan and Chris.  Everyone had a great vacation day!

This is how we do it

 

Don't worry - we burn off these calories each day before we eat them each night.

Inaugural ice cream expedition

We're in NJ!  We got in this evening and sat through some shore-bound rush hour traffic, but we made it! 

We didn't have time for the pool or beach, but after dinner we did have time for our traditional ice cream pilgrimage to Scoops.  This involves at least a few adults and every kid who is still awake walking to the ice cream parlor, loading up cones or cups, and then walking back home.  Catching lightening bugs, playing tag, etc., depending on the mood.  Some good conversations are always had, and it's just nice to be out in the Jersey shore night.

 

It's good to be home.