Saturday, July 20, 2013

We're going to the beach, we're going to the beach


In the middle of June my family and the Fergies went to Ocean City, New Jersey.  We were excited about it for 6 months.  It is a tradition and the only time that all of us get to be together for the whole week...which never seems long enough.  We truly missed Gabe and only were able to see Tim for half of the trip but hope in two years we will all be there together.  Ethan had everyone chanting "we're going to the beach, we're going to the beach" and he truly enjoyed the beach...even though it was a bit cold since it was June.  The nice part was that there were hardly any tourists!

Cute Ethan

It was quite windy and everyone on the beach had trouble with their umbrellas...I think this is Rico and Michael wrestling with their umbrella.

A lot of the men played golf...what athletes!

One night we played mini-golf on the Boardwalk at the Congo Falls.  We all played each other but I couldn't tell you who won...probably Erin.

Leah, Graham and Tim....look at Graham's form, nice!

Me and Gram in her new Ocean City hoodie.

This was the house we shared.  It was our favorite place we stayed in because it was 3 houses from the beach/boardwalk.  One of our favorite things to do this year was ride bicycles around town.

Jeremy and I celebrated our two year anniversary while we were there.  It has gone by so fast and we never would have predicted we would be living in Paris!

We went to Cape May for dinner at this very romantic bed and breakfast from the turn of the century.  We ate on the porch and had a very fancy and delicious meal.  

Cute husband in his southern France linen attire.



Cape May is lined with Bed and Breakfasts and Victorian mansions, also a gazebo and this church-turned-theater.  It reminds me of River City, Iowa from "The Music Man."


It was so nice to have Michael join us for the first time this year...Kerri was in heaven!

We also had cute Owen with us. Becky is such a good and patient mom with her little boy.  Isn't he precious? (I straight-up stole these pics from her facebook page, they were better than my pictures!)






We had a fudge-tasting contest.  Every family was assigned a fudge shop and we brought them all together and had a vote. The Fudge Kitchen won by the majority!


Artistic shot of the Ferris Wheel and Music Pier on the Boardwalk courtesy of mother.

We celebrated Gram's birthday at the beach with Kerri, Michael, Jeremy and I.  We took her to this new Hula Grill place and ran into Mom and Dad.  It was delicious and everyone ate there at least one more time that week.

What we do best...shop!


Our wiffle ball game, my team lost by a TREMENDOUS amount, I won't even admit the score.

The cutest people on the beach!

Dad

Gram and I

Beasley

Gator Michael

Rico

We took a few more beach pics but swore they wouldn't make it to an online status...only family photo albums.  :)  Some other highlights included getting donuts at Browns, finding Ocean City t-shirts and hoodies, Tim and Graham jumping into the water one chilly evening, the longest talk at church ever by a frenchman, the slumber party in Dwight and Janine's room and just being together.  Comment and add more family!  See you in two OCNJ!

Friday, July 19, 2013

Four Score and Seven Years Ago...


we went on a road trip to Gettysburg.  It has been a tradition in my family to go to Ocean City, NJ for vacation since I was born.  We went almost every year growing up and now try to go every two years with our family and the Fergies.  This year, Jeremy and I flew into Pittsburgh and drove with my parents to the beach but stopped in Gettysburg for the night since Jeremy has never been and really wanted to go.  We had a good time and my dad as a personal tour guide.


My dad's favorite stop on the way to Gettysburg

This is a candy shop/elephant paraphernalia/ garden....an obvious combination!  My dad takes his students here to run amok and get a sugar high before Gettysburg.




My mom did some pretty great poses on this little road trip...!






A few miles down the road we came to Gettysburg.  We watched a movie and saw the diorama of the Civil War and then went to some of the sights.







The Pennsylvania Monument...the best one, of course!
Our friend Abe




We climbed to the top of this to get a good view, it was actually a little frightening since it was all open.










We ate at the inn where the Gettysburg movie people would eat after a day of filming.  There was this cute little wall with birdhouses outside of the restaurant.







My Birthday @ the Pirate Game

In June, Jeremy and I went back to Pittsburgh to meet my family for Beach Week.  While we were there we went to a Pirate game to celebrate my birthday...it was my birthday wish!  We all met at Erin and Rico's house and had a mini-cake (because we wanted to save room for ballpark food!)  Then we took the Trolley over to PNC park.  The Pirates record was really fantastic this year, but the night we were there they didn't score a single run...it was Jeremy's first MLB game...and we ran into Graham!






Erin made these clocks for me....so freaking thoughtful.... of the times in Paris, Pittsburgh and SLC.  Kerri got me the Southern Living Farmers Market cookbook and a pomegranate tool and my mom bought me new pajamas....it was so nice!


Not to be irreverent but Michael seems to have someone looking over his shoulder....definitely NOT a photo bomber  :) 

Jeremy and his excellent picture-taking skills!






A beautiful night for baseball!

Rude photo-bombers



Could he be any cuter?



The whole gang...or in my case gang(ster)