Cape Cod

We've decided that while we are back East, we are going to take full advantage of the opportunity to see places. We packed up this weekend and hit the beaches of Cape Cod. I've always, always wanted to go to Cape Cod, since they are such a popular scene for books and movies, and it was just like I imagined it, maybe better since the kids had a really great time too. We had a wonderful, relaxing day and I'm making plans to do that again before we leave! The homes were beautiful and almost all were in the Cape Cod style with the shingle siding.

One tan line that I never mind getting is from my sandals - I love it!

We spent the day splashing in the water, building "sand castles" AKA mounds of sand, catching hermit crabs, chasing seagulls, and soaking up the sun. Jack spent the day charming the "ladies" - he made friends with every group of women, old, young, in-between, they all LOVED Jack!

An actual FAMILY photo!

Our Hermit Crabs

Water Fun

We had a week filled with water activities. Sam took a two week swimming lesson course and did AWESOME! Really I was very impressed with his swimming and tried to coax him into taking another set of lessons, but he's not quite ready to hit the "deep end" of the pool. So until then . . . here is Super cool Swimming Sam.
While Sam was learning how to swim, I had to try to keep Jack from diving into the water, and so spent the time at the playground. He loved the toys, but refused help from me at climbing up anything, and let me say there were some close calls with him falling. He is such an independent little thing!

We always talk and laugh about Jack having Piranna teeth - this picture captures it better than words can . .....

We got a special package delivered from Great Grandma Jeanne - some work gloves for the boys. They think they're pretty hardcore now.

We attended a water wheel activity put on by the local library and got to make our very own water wheel. So cool....

And finally we've been devouring this....I'm not sure if there is any better treat during the summertime.

Rosendale Street Fest - Our Town

Last Saturday we went out to the Rosendale Street Fest (since of course we weren't home to celebrate Pioneer Day). It was incredibly HOT, HUMID, and did I say HOT! We only lasted about an hour, but we thoroughly enjoyed some ice cream, slushies, and super good coconut italian ices! Yum! Rosendale is such a cute, quaint town, but holy cow, can you say Hippyville. Think about your stereotypical Woodstock going, sandal wearing, peace-sign totting hippy and you've got it. It was so funny. Check out this sweet bus parked at one of the local cafes. All we need are some bell-bottoms, braids, and head bands. I took some pictures of some of the shops on our Main Street. Very cute!
A little local theater that plays movies and live theater.

A local bakery that bakes natural, organic and gluten free foods.

A local cafe.

O is for OH MY CUTENESS!

Lyv is now officially 3 months old, and she is such a CUTE girl. I know, I know, I'm her mother what else am I going to think or say, but truly if I looked in the dictionary for a definition of Beautiful/Cute/Sweet/Adorable ... this is what you would find . . . . .... Oh, hello there camera....
I know your going to love this.....

The Grand Finale .....

This last one is Shawn's personal favorite - I think if he could physically eat her up he would. She is that dang cute!)

At 3 month Lyv is super rolly polly,

waking only once at night,

chewing on her fists and drowling like crazy,

ohhing, cooing, awing, and almost giggling,

she is very strong and can sit up for minutes at a time in her car seat or bouncer,

and being adored by the rest of us.

Saturday Soup

We have had a very FUN week and are excited to post some pics of what we've been up to. Last Saturday we decided to adventure to the Long Island Sound, on the Connecticut side in West Haven - where they actually have sandy beaches along the sound that leads into the Atlantic Ocean. It was perfect, and the kids had a great time, BUT I forgot my camera, so I took some shots of Lyv in her adorable suit when we got home. She is such a beach babe!I loved these pictures of Jack - this is a very typical moment with him. He is such a FUN, WILD, MESSY, SWEET BOY!

We then celebrated Sam's 5th Birthday. Since it was just us we decorated the house, and had a super-hero day. We started with "Incredible" Pancakes and all wore our masks (I attempted to make pancakes in the shape of the Incredibles symbol complete with colors, but it didn't turn out that great).

We then hit McDonald's for lunch, went to Toy Story 3 (so cute!)

and roasted hotdogs, made some Mac-N-Cheese,

had yummy Batman brownie/cake and ice cream,

and then completed the night with an official camp-out in the tent with his greatest hero - his dad. Sam got some super sweet gifts, his favorite was the new Buzz LightYear that pops out wings. Very cool. Sam couldn't have been happier with his very special day.

The next day we headed to the doctor for Sam's check up and he weighed in at 40 lbs. and was 44 inches tall! He has grown so much this past year. He also had to get current on his immunization and have a little finger prick to check his cholesterol and run a CBC. He was such a trooper!! He didn't even cry, because he took cousin Addi's advice and held his breath. He was so brave.

We also went to a U-Pick farm. They have these all around us and so we are going to take full advantage of the yummy fresh produce. We went blueberry picking with friends from our ward. Jack thought it was the bomb and ate more than picked, but we came home with a good bundle of these yummy treats. I plan on going and getting apples, raspberries, corn, peaches, and hopefully a few pumpkins. In a lot of ways, this part of NY is very similar to Iowa - which I really like.

I also got a special girls night out with my BYU roomy Emily and Lyv, we went to ..... Eclipse! Oh yeah, baby. I really liked the movie, it is my favorite so far, but it was also my favorite book. I also have to say that I was never a Jacob lover when I was reading the books, but when given a visual representation (hot bod!) I think I might be switching over. We also hung out with Em and Eric today before they move to Virginia for grad school! We are so glad to have spent some time with them while they're still here, and wish they could stay, but hope Virginia is a great new adventure for them.

Shawn is really loving his residency program and comes home HAPPY! He is learning a lot and I love seeing him take on this new role. So New York with all its crazy and unexpected change has been a great thing for us.