The Remains of Summer Thru My Lens Continued . . .

Yesterday was the first day of school and even though the calendar says we're still a few weeks away from the official start of fall, I already feel like summer is becoming a distant memory.  The temperatures have been pretty mild for New York.  The humidity has been pretty tolerable most days.  We've even had the air conditioning off and the windows open a couple of days.  We are not a family that tolerates the heat very well so it's been an absolute pleasure!!  : )

Roses in Harlem, New York City.

The Farmer's Almanac says that New York as well as other parts of the northeast are in for a winter with above average temps and above average amounts of snow.  We'll just have to wait and see if they're right and deal with it when the time comes.  I have to be honest and say I love the idea of being snowed in.  Especially when my husband doesn't have to work.  : )  Our next house has to have a fireplace.  There's nothing cozier then sitting in front of a fireplace while there's snow falling outside!!

A disco ball at the Dutchess County Fair.  I was sooooo tempted to buy this!!!  : )

Daisies in my garden earlier this summer.

We made some great memories this summer. A trip to Lake George, NY.  A trip to Wildwood Crest, NJ.  Several day trips and time spent with friends.  I'm so looking forward to fall.  The leaves, the cool, crisp air, the gorgeous autumn skies.  And, of course, Halloween!!!  My favorite holiday!!!!  My daughter has already put in her order for another princess costume.  : )

My friend Susan's newest addition to her family.  His name is "Bacon." I assure you he will not be eaten though!!!  : )

Many blessings for a beautiful day ~ Wendy

A Day at the Beach . . .

This was our last week with Jakhai (our "adopted" son that we have been so incredibly blessed to have met thru the Fresh Air Fund).  He has been with us for almost the entire month of July.  Due to work schedules and cutting back on spending, this is our summer of "staycations" and mini trips.

Jakhai and Brendan.

 At the top of their list of "things to do" while Jakhai was here was a day at the beach.  So we added another friend to the mix, loaded up the car and headed off to Point Pleasant, NJ. 

Brendan and our neighbor, Julian.

This was my first time going to Point Pleasant.  It's only an hour and a half away from where we live in New York.  A straight shot up the Garden State Parkway.  You do have to pay to get on the beach but, other then gas, if you pack your own food and drinks it's a very inexpensive way to spend a  perfect day.  : )

Just a wee bit tacky, don't ya think??

Megan thinks so!!!  : )

Meg was not very thrilled with the water.  I think the waves scared her.  Jim was trying to talk her into putting her feet in but, as you can tell by the look on her face, she wanted nothing to do with that!!

 However, she loved the sand and even took some time to do some beach yoga!!

Daddy brushing sand out of her eyes.

I fell in love with this beach umbrella!!!!!!!!

You can't blog about the beach without including a photo of a seagull now, can you??  This guy stood in front of me for almost an hour.  I swear he just wanted me to take his picture because as soon as I did he flew away!!  LOL!!

 After the beach we headed back into town to find a place to eat dinner and found Spike's Restaurant. It was a great little place for inexpensive seafood and sandy feet. 

 After dinner, we wandered outside and found the most beautiful inlet filled with light from the sunset.  This kind of light is so perfect for taking photos. 

A drawbridge in the "up" position.

 I was finally able to take some photos of the boys all together.

And a very happy little girl, too!!

  A perfect ending to a perfect day!!!


Many blessings for a happy Saturday ~ Wendy

Wordless Wednesday . . .

Many blessings ~ Wendy

Boardwalk Memories . . .

We had such a wonderful vacation this year and the kids really loved the boardwalk. We go to one in Wildwood, NJ. There are so many photo ops!!! Next year, I hope to have my new camera lens so I can get some shots of the kids on the rides. Megan will be big enough for some of them and you'll get to see my biggest kid of all ~ my husband!! : )


Many blessings ~ Wendy

Fun in the Sun . . .

I'll be back in a week!! We're off to Wildwood Crest, NJ!!


Many blessings ~ Wendy

Lots of Fun in Very Little Sun . . .

It's hard to believe how quickly our week at the beach came and went this year. We all had a great time catching up with friends and family, some of which we hadn't seen since last year's reunion at the beach.

For the last couple of years Eileen and Bob (the two in polka dots) have become the "cruise directors" of our beach reunion. There are no words to describe what an incredible job they've done!! They're pictured with our DJ that we hire every year for our annual BBQ. We run 50/50's all weekend to offset the cost and it really makes the BBQ such a great time. Everyone dances and we even sing karaoke.

We've pretty much taken over the motel where we stay but for the few non-family members that are staying there we are more than happy to let them join us. There are several families that have even decided to book the same week every year just so they can be at the beach the same time as us because we're such a fun group!! : )

This year's theme for the BBQ was polka dots. Don't you just love the socks!!

My sister Cindy and nephew Tristan at the polka dot BBQ.

Megan wearing her polka dots.

The picture above is of the sign that is hung the day of the BBQ. The day has been dedicated to my first husband, John. For those of you that aren't familiar with the story, John passed away almost six years ago very suddenly at the age of 40. He LOVED to BBQ and helped cook for everyone at the BBQ every year before he passed. We also have "Pat's Derby" and "Walter's Duck Race." These were named for two other beloved family members who have passed in the last several years.

This year was very different for me. Traveling to a sunny location with an infant who is too young to wear sunscreen makes it very difficult to spend any time at the beach or even at poolside so lots of my time was spent in our motel room.

Who got more sun? My nephew or my foot?!? He even wore sunscreen every day!!

I know that probably sounds like a bummer to lots of people but, truth be told, I'm not much of a sun person. The temperature was also in the 90's most of the time and mixed with high humidity. With that said, Meggie and I didn't have such a bad time hanging together indoors. PLUS they had the Bravo channel on the television. I caught up on all of my favorite reality shows that I've become addicted to in a BIG way since I've been spending so much time on the couch nursing a baby. I think I have the slowest nurser in breastfeeding history!! so it's nothing for me to sit and feed her for an hour.

Besides . . . how could anybody mind spending oodles of time with this pretty baby girl?!!?

Many blessings ~ Wendy