4th of July on the shore

 This was truly the 4th of July of my dreams.  Small (beautiful!) town, on the water, only an hour 1/2 from home, boat rides, parades, lighting off our own fireworks.  I'm still giddy about it.

We arrived at Bob Lewis' house just outside of St. Michaels right before lunch on the 3rd.

While Will napped, we read.  Absolute heaven.

Cuddles on the screened in porch.

Bob's house is loaded with fun - especially for silly boys.

Ready for a boat ride!

Caden, embracing the speed up front.

So much beauty to take in.  The smell of the pine trees by the salt water - absolute heaven.

Next morning - dad took the boys down to the dock while mom went running.

And then it was into town to get ready for the parade!

Could there be a more picturesque town for a 4th of July parade?

Ready to go!

Parading!

With Uncle Sam and the bagpiper who led the parade.

Trying out the firetruck.

A little break outside of...

After naps we were out on the boat again!

Out in the middle of the bay - we were surprised at how quiet it was!

Happy.

Just a little 4th of July jello fun.

And our cookies from "make it Monday".

Our original plan was to hit the Easton carnival after dinner, but Caden got a nasty bee sting as we came in from the boat ride.  Andrew and I snuck over - he took one ride (which cost EIGHT dollars!!!). 

This box of fireworks make up for it.  I can't tell you how exciting this was for me.  Growing up, going to the firework stand, and then lighting off my own fireworks (usually by the water) was what 4th of July was all about.  Being in Montgomery County for the majority of the last 15 years, where all fireworks are illegal, has left every 4th of July feeling incomplete.

Back at the house, Caden wasn't so sure.  The only fireworks he'd ever seen were also extremely loud.  

Ready to go.  Can you tell how giddy I was?

They were perfect.

And the boys were knocked off their socks, running in circles screaming excited.

The (very late) end to an incredible night.

Maryland blue crab (in one of Bob's traps).  

A quick stop for a picnic lunch on our way out of town.

I can't imagine it getting any better.

Summer Fun!

Summer Fun has begun!  Our 2013 Summer Fun calendar:

This just brings a little focus and structure to each day, while not being too limiting.  Andrew wanted each day's theme to start with the same letter of the day.  Here's how it looks:

Make it Monday - we make something.  Cookies, crafts, window art, gak, etc.

Tuesday to Go - our outing day.

Wet n Wild Wednesday - pool or backyard water fun

Thinking Thursday - our library day

Friday Fun Day - Daddy's day off, which means family fun or boy adventures.  It's also pizza/movie night.

Saturday Soup Day - whatever we didn't get to during the week.  That craft, or the library, an outing, or maybe even the pool.  

Sunday Sabbath - church, rest, fellowship (mom usually takes a nap).

The boys did a week of morning soccer camp with some buddies through Brit Am.  It was a sweet gift to have a bit more time to settle in after vacation, and they absolutely LOVED it.

Here are a few glimpses into some of our Summer Fun:

Make it Monday shrinky dinks.  

Make it Monday cookies (for 4th of July).

 A few friends joined in the fun too.

A boy looking for his train.  A rainy morning at Cabin John park - it turned out to be a fun time to explore with friends (after we got over the train)

Saturday Soup Day - we missed our Tuesday outing (was planning the cathedral) the first week, so met up with friends on Saturday morning at the Beauvoir Elementary (part of the National Cathedral School) outdoor playground.  This place is incredible.  Followed by a lovely picnic on the grounds of the National Cathedral.  

Tuesday to Go - we met up with my cousin at Air and Space, and then picniced on the mall.

Much more fun to come!

The Beach!

Spring Lake, New Jersey.

Who knew this was such a beautiful little town!?!  We found it online, looking for a quiet, beach town close to NYC.  We had no idea just how perfect it would be for us.

Walking down Main Street.  We arrived after dark Tuesday evening, so didn't see the area until we walked into town the next morning for breakfast.  What we couldn't believe as we walked, was that house after house, and block after block of this town was immaculate.

Porch fun - just before we hit the beach.

Ready for some beach fun.

Look at those faces.

These waves were surprisingly strong, and the water got deep fast.

Ready to dig.

Andrew was buried multiple times.  

Flying kites!  Love these expressions - the worried older brother, the slightly annoyed younger.

Our hotel.

Just flying kites and holding hands.

Will fish.

Andrew face.

These two.  They couldn't get enough.

And then built an awesome sand castle.

Will loves his Daddy.

And of course we had to dig a hole.

Caden took a turn at the kite (and notice - even the beach patrol boats are pretty!)

And then they played football.  For a long loooong time.

Will and Abby made a masterpiece of their own.

Ready to head out for dinner.

Ice cream!

Followed by a sunset walk on the boardwalk.

Choo choo train Will.

Lovin his daddy.

Classy ladies (rockin the bow and men's coat).  And Jen's beach hair makes me happy.

Our crazy crew.  Love these precious friends.  So much fun.

Crazies.

The next morning - yummy breakfast at the hotel.

Crazy us.

The tide was low, which made for an insanely fun sand bar island. 

Will ran like this...

for hours.

Caden became the shell hunter.

I think we came back with more than twenty of them.  Now looking for good craft ideas - we might make candles??

Brothers - filling in our hole from day 2.

Just a little glimpse of one of the streets as we were driving out of town.

On our way home we took a quick stop at Dave's alum,

University of Delaware!

It was the perfect place to stop and stretch our legs (and eat a quick dinner!), and fun to show the boys where Dad went to college.

Precious.

What an incredible gift this trip was.  Such a perfect way to start our Summer, and full of so many moments we will never forget.  The amazing sights, friends and sweet family time - we can't even begin to express how grateful we are.