Jared, Ella and I planned to spend the day with Jamie and the kids. When we arrived Jamie asked if we wanted to go on an adventure. We all climbed into her 12-passenger van and it was off the Camden Waterfront. What a gorgeous day with lower temps and humidity, a sky filled with fluffy white clouds, eight delighted children and a (round about) 😉 trek to the city. There was a mad dash to catch the ferry that shuttled us across the Delaware River.
From the ferry we could see on the Jersey banks, the Battleship New Jersey, The RCA building, Campbell’s Field, The Ben Franklin Bridge, the New Jersey State Aquarium and the Camden Children’s Garden. On the Philly side we saw Penn’s Landing and historic Philadelphia.
We walked through the streets and looking for just the right place to eat.
And we found it! An Asian cafe with seating on the quiet sidewalk under shady trees.
The food was delicious! We ended our meal with a wonderful plate of
Sesame Fried Bananas topped with Coconut Ice Cream!
It was such a lovely day that I texted John telling him I found the perfect day-outing for our anniversary in October. I even told our server at the restaurant we will see her then.
He is excited!
August
Mother’s Day Weekend
Saturday, John and I worked from 7am until 3pm in the yard weeding, trimming bushes and adding a new berm where there was a bare spot from a Japanese Maple we lost last year.  We quit to shower and dress for a drive to my cousin’s son’s wedding reception.  We picked up my sister on the way and headed to a lovely evening with family and friends.
Johnny and Nanea had a beautiful beach wedding a few weeks ago in Hawaii.
A Peek into Their Lively World
The Kiddos
Cambrie Keri & Chloe
Keri ~ motherly and girly
Cambrie ~ tiny and independent (capable of holding her own as one of six siblings)
Also… soft and pixie-ish (loud and clear when defending herself)
Silas ~ sweet and connected
Ella (like a grandchild) Very girly, bright, capable
Keri ~ thoughtful artistic and creative
Noah ~ strong, athletic and organized
Caleb John ~ full of fun quirky character. Wish you could hear the sweet musical way he talks. It would warm your heart.
Keri and Chloe
Chloe Keri and wiggly Cambrie (even Gummy Bears couldn’t keep her in place for a photo)
Jared ~ self-proclaimed geek, academic neat organized even-keeled, affectionate and tender-hearted
Baby Chloe ~ tiny soft kissable snugly happy smiley
Jamie and Chloe
sisters ~ caring, thoughtful encouraging helpful fun-loving and oft times downright giddy
Carol is the mother-of-the-bride
Ryan’s birthday gift from Aunt Erin ~ he thought this was very cool
Ryan ~ Bright, athletic, respectful, attentive considerate
Brenna ~ quiet, athletic, thoughtful and nurturing
Shaela ~ Adorable, fun, affectionate leader and Daddy’s girl
and Ella who love spending time with the kids.
Brenna ~ quiet, athletic, thoughtful and nurturing
Shaela ~ Adorable, fun, affectionate leader and Daddy’s girl
and Ella who love spending time with the kids.
Guess who lost her first baby tooth while visiting Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop’s?
Linking to:
Happy Family Times @Crafty Moms Share
Easter Weekend
Loving Those Shamrock Shake Mustache Smiles
Not too sure why making shamrock shake mustache faces became a tradition here but these silly leprechauns always have a delightful time of it.
A cheerful heart is good medicine
Proverbs 17:22
Life Overflowing
The days have been so busy I’m not sure where to begin.
Recapping some of the recent happenings…
A few days after Chloe’s birth, Caleb celebrated his 4th birthday. He was most happy all day and each thing he said seemed to come out in song.
Amid everything else, we had the roof replaced. It was a bit unnerving to have the house draped in dark plastic while workers tore off the old roof making a racket for those inside, but now we have a roof that should last longer than we do.
There was an unexpected return to the hospital for Jamie but baby Chloe was allowed to be there too. I gave her her first bath on the tiny counter in the bathroom while Pop-Pop snapped a few pics with Jamie’s camera phone.
This little dear didn’t give out a peep as I jostled and ruffled her trying to keep her warm in a less than ideal space. I couldn’t refrain from kissing those soft baby cheeks.
Jamie’s hospital stay brought Jill, Brad and kids down to lend a hand and give opportunity for Cousin~time.
Jamie is home now and feeling much better. So good, that we all met at the playground to enjoy the warm sunshine (even thought the air was still nippy). Jill, Brad and kids will be heading back to NY in the morning.
Job Done
Jamie asked if we would like to stop by her house on the way home from our visit to Philly .
She and Josh have been working hard gutting and re-doing the second floor of their cape cod house making room for their growing family.
It was taken down to the studs and new walls, electricity, windows and lighting were installed.
New carpet had just been laid and the rooms were put back together.
The kids were so excited to chill out and show us their new rooms.
Keri Jill
She feels like a princess with a chandelier in her room.
Since the weather was so warm she was able to stand by an open window to watch the birds.
Pop-Pop trying to wheedle (unsuccessfully) a kiss from Cambrie as Keri comes running to give him some birthday lovin’.
Noah and Silas were arranging their stuffed animals just so when we arrived.
The kids were so content to play while we sat and chatted.
Caleb John has the new dormer for his own space.
My dear Jamie taking a well earned rest after much painting and working to get this project complete before baby girl arrives.
Silas was showing Pop-Pop some of his homeschool computer work as the other kids gathered around. Little Cambrie ooched in for some help with her Lego’s.
even the stairwell got a fresh coat of paint
Linking to:
Home Decor & Organizing Party
Wow Us Wednesdays
What’s It Wednesday
Blue Cricket Show & Tell
Inspiring Creativity
Look What I Made
Wow Us Wednesdays
What’s It Wednesday
Blue Cricket Show & Tell
Inspiring Creativity
Look What I Made
Homemade Waffles
It is hard to beat a breakfast of homemade waffles hot off the pan drizzled with syrup and melting butter. We start our mornings early and when our grandson is here, he leaves for school by 7 AM. He doesn’t always want to eat breakfast but when he does, he can down a hearty serving of these delicious homemade waffles.
With Family
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service |
Giving thanks to God for sending His Son for us
Christmas Eve Cousin time
The big kids
together
taking turns reading the Christmas Story before bed
Christmas Morning
Snuggle time
Jamie Josh and their children (with one on the way)
Keri Noah Silas Caleb Cambrie
Jill and Brad and their children, Ryan, Brenna and Shaela
Erin and Jared ~ Me and John
Silas Shaela Cambrie and Aunt Abbey
boys in hats & chocolate wand pretzels
Our Family
Thanksgiving Brunch and Dinner
We started our day at our daughter, Jamie’s for a delicious Thanksgiving brunch and playtime with the kids.
Weekend with the Boys
They jumped in the leaves on Friday |
They played football with Aunt Abbey in the afternoon |
They snuggled Friday night |
They helped blow and rake all those leaves Saturday morning |
They hauled leaves to the curb |
They dumped leaves and someone noticed a tree to climb |
And climb he did |
They ate the whole batch of Peanut Butter Spritz made from my friend, Lynn @Happier Than a Pig in Mud’s recipe |
They watched The Wizard of Oz Saturday evening |
And then they all went home.
The End!
Joining Mary @Little Red House for Mosaic Monday
Having Fun
Cambrie Noelle |
Keri Caleb Silas and Noah |
Jamie and Cambrie |
Raider wearing his mean face even at Jamies |
Noah and Mom-Mom trying to be serious until Mom-Mom’s mustache kept falling off |
And, the sweetest of all!
Keri and Annika
Remember my birthday friend from my last post…
She is Anni’s Grammy!
Three generations of friends.
I’d say that is pretty special.
♥
A Collection of Grandchildren
Enjoying every minute with each other during Jill’s surprise weekend visit
Jill with her Shaela, Ryan & Brenna ~ Jamie with her Silas, Keri, Noah, Caleb & Cambrie
Wondering when I blinked and this one got so much older.
Ella is not our grandchild but taking care of her for so long, we love just like she was!
August means Fun!
Jill, Brad and kids arrived for their two week stay in New Jersey on Friday evening.
As you can see from all the photos, it has been busy fun at our house.
As you can see from all the photos, it has been busy fun at our house.