She is 1/2 my age

21 years ago today, our only daughter was born. She came early, as she was due on September 4. I had all of a 20 minute labor with her, and she has been on to the next project ever since.



Her favorite place doing her favorite thing. At Citi Field, watching her Mets, wearing her *vintage* Piazza jersey her daddy gave her on her 14th (?) birthday. She won't get rid of it, he was her favorite player. So much so, that when she found out that Mike Piazza's birthday was Sept 4, and she was due on Sept 4, she became upset with me for not having her when I was suppose to, and they couldn't share the same birthdate....


Being a turtle on the eve of her wedding, with her enormous friend Wes. He is from Texas, giving testimony to the fact that everything really is bigger in Texas. Yes, she is standing straight up, and yes she is almost 21. lol. Who woulda thunk?


Happy 21st birthday baby girl. You are becoming the young woman we had hoped for, and may you bless HIM, live for HIM, die to yourself for HIM, and delight in HIM all the days of your life.

We miss you and love you deeply.

WHAT??!!?? How many?

It is official. We have twice as many pets as people. (Seeing as how the 2 older ones don't live at home anymore) What happened? How did that happen?

We need that little girl before we get another animal, for crying out loud.

Shelby.


Reilly


Daisy



Surely (goodness and mercy will follow you... but we call her Surely for short.)


Marv


Behr


Noah was over at the house. After watching a movie, I kicked them outside. After walking randomly for a bit they decided to make a bamboo fort.

Can you believe it?? We have bamboo in our back yard. In New Jersey!! I KNOW!!!








Boys and their forts. Life is good.

BEHR!

It was my birthday this weekend.

No, I am not 34. I am 42, but we didn't have the right numbers, and I refuse to be 43 until the time comes. lol.


We missed our county 4-H Fair because we were on vacation that week, so we went over to the next county, and joined them for the first time. We went with Rachel and her little sister Gwen. And their mom. :)


This lady was telling us how easy it is to have goats. These are her babies, and she was selling them. I was thankful that 1. John was not there and 2.Goats are not so cute that they are hard to resist. So when Samuel gave me that look and said " Mom....?" I just walked away as I said NO.


YUP. If there is a gun, Samuel is on it.



And allow me to introduce you to the newest member of the family. Behr. He has been a long time coming. So we are back to 6 pets. Thankfull the turtle went back *home*. ( Yes, Samuel dresses himself. You would think by 10 years old...)



Kissing that cute nose.

Mathu's Vineyud

We enjoyed MV so much last year, we went for the week this year. Catching the ferry to get over there was about the most stressful thing of the week. Since we had to schedule the ferry ride in January, and we barely made it on, it was imperative we get there on time.

But driving through NYC and its traffic = P-I-T-S.


In the end, we came to our home for the week. It was tucked in and lovely. And had more space then we imagined.




We got the bus passes for the week, so as not to have to drive and FIND PARKING. If you have ever been to MV, you know how narrow the streets are, and how our monster(the Suburban) is a nightmare to navigate.

My nephew Wesley and his shadow, on the way to town to get ice cream. Again.


Wes & Shadow gobbled up their ice cream and had to wait for everyone else to finish.


My niece Elizzi, and my sister Kristina going for ice cream. Again. We had ice cream everytime we went into town. I don't even like ice cream that much. ELizzi, on the other hand, as judging by the look on her face, would have gotten it everytime we passed a shop.


Tim & Hoops showing off the lobster. We had so many lobsters for our lobster dinner that everyone was full. ON LOBSTER!! I KNOW!!!! That has never happened to us. Ever.



Everyone had lobster, except for Elizzi & Stevie. They had pizza, and she enjoyed her Ice Flavor while we ate. Is she related to us??!!??!!?


South Beach was were Jaws was filmed. Actually is was all filmed in MV. We enjoyed the ocean. Perfect water temps. Not warm, not freezing.

Hoops taking his shade with him where ever he went. Silly boy. My mom setting up, or packing up. I forget.










When the boys went fishing, not including their 5-am trips. we girls went to Oak Bluffs. My mom with Elizzi and Heather in front of one of the gingerbread houses.


We HAD to go to the Alpaca Farm. John has been wanting an alpaca for about 15 years. I told him if we ever get more yard, we will see.


" I want this one!!! PLEASE!!!!????"



While waiting for the bus to go to Gay Head, John, being the ever impatient irishmasn that he is, stated he was going to ride his bike instead. Lance & Tim's ears perked up, and once everything was said & done, they went back home, got on their bikes and rode 23+ miles from Edgartown to Gay Head. They were so proud of themselves, and glad to have achieved it. The rest of us took the bus.

This is them when they arrived. Peaked and satisfied. They put their bikes on the bus on the way home.


Heather, Hoops & Gay Head Lighthouse. It is beautiful. In every direction.


More to come...

MV

Off to MV for a week.

It is the first time my sister agreed to go on vacation with us. And it being the grand party that it is, my parents decided to join us also!! We got a huge house for my sister and her family & us, and my parents got their own place.




It should be fun! Though I will miss my precious daughter and my son-in-law who can't join us because of his school schedule. :(


::::sigh::::


Oh well.

See you Sunday.

wOw It's hot...

Music camp has been going on all week at church. Today, it was super hot, and it just so happens that it was scheduled to be Water Day!!

Church got the fire department to come out and let the kids use the hose. Samuel was smiling so much, I bet his face hurt.


And then...they showed 'em the water balloons. Something happens to civilized people when they get water balloons in their hands. Specially boys. Not that I am saying my son is civilized. We are working on that. lol ( in reality, if you look at the picture real good, you will see it is only my son who looks deranged.)


Be gentle to girls, son.


When he saw this picture, he said " You know that looks funner and cooler then it really is. It's painful in real life."


After being in camp for 4 hours, it was nice to get cooled off, and water sure is the right ingredient.