Hiking Mount Kearsage 8/30/2010

Wow for the best idea in quite some time. Mt. Kearsage has to be one of the best kept secrets around. We arrived around 12:30PM. There is a road that brings you most of the way up the mountain and ends in a parking lot. We got off and were able to hike the rest of the way. I was worried about how Jack would do but he was awesome. Its still kind of scary though and we had to keep our eyes on them.
At night the ump came over for some great bbq'ing and a fire in the back which led to smores, of course.

It was very windy at the summit. Love that smile of hers. She was really great today and athletic, always at the head of the pack.

Jack was looking for places to start an avalanche once the winter hits.

Laura loving it.

Jimmy said at first he wasnt interested but again had the most fun of all the kids. Twas a good choice.

When we get group photos I have to tell them they can take a goofy picture if they give me a good one. I often end up liking the goofy ones the most. I think it shows off their true feelings.

I asked the two oldest to duck so I could get the sign in and jack ducked too....He's a riot.

These rocks were on the summit of the mountain. Laura and Jimmy thought it would be great to keep some memory rocks to take home. Something made me nervous about looking in the rear of the hillbilly minivan seeing Jack with a rock.

My two angels

Catherine had a great day. I have a feeling she wants to go back and do it again. I was a little afraid watching her navigate the rocks with such ease. She's very athletic.

He's a comedy act to me just observing him. I think I could laugh for days just watching him eat mac and cheese.

Yes, the final ascent to the summit. We almost skipped it but we needed something to scare the crap out of Aunt Jo when she looks at the photos.

Red Sox 8/25/10

Umple got some tickets for us to go to the Sox with mom, Jimmy and Laura. After six innings we went to sit under the scoreboard because its something we've never done. I think Eddie is going to buy tickets there again. The rain came through the whole game but never got so bad that they had to call a rain delay.

Summer flying by

We have a video of Jack catching this fish but it wouldnt go on here. its hilarious. But he did catch this fish and was so excited. He yelled over to me and I helped him reel it in. I really really hate fishing but it was exciting anyhow

this is the first year I let the kids kayak on their own. After some lessons of course.

Jackie loves his big brother.

Off one of the islands where we kayak there is a group of rocks where you can slide the kayak into and get out. Its a great place to go swimming and jump off the rocks. We went just about every day. Here, Jimmy was a bit cold as I was driving him back to home base.

James going solo......He did great

It was like paradise most days

I know it looks like we are in the same kayak but Laura is actually solo here and I"m in the big green one behind her.

there was lots of good food to eat. I lost seventeen pounds in the months leading up to vaykay but definitely reunited some of the fat cells with all the food.

I got stuck alot this day by the damn hook. I hate fishing in case I didnt point that out.

Krisina was soooo good to the kids and they really love her. Shes a cutie

Laura and Mommy










The two of them together are a national security threat

August has been good to us most years with a couple of weeks vacation thrown in there. This year was no different as we headed up north for two whole weeks. The first week NeeNee was also vacationing in her summer house very close to us and we shared the same beach every day. Every morning we would get up very early, set the chairs up, take a walk, eat breakfast and play in the sun every day. JoJo and the ump joined us the first week along with Nana and Doe. They all left except nana for the second week. Friday continued to be pizza night up there and there was more food to eat then we could stuff down our throats. I took over a thousand pictures on the beach. the kids loved riding on the kayak with daddy. I let Jimmy and Laura ride on their own. A couple of the days the kids were able to go fishing and each caught some fish. I hate fishing....I mean really hate fishing. Of course they really like it. Every time I tried to put a worm on the hook the damn hook ended up in my finger. When its time for the to grab the fish off the hook and throw it back I ended up killing two of the fish.

Santa's Village

The last couple of years we have gone to StoryLand during our summer vaykay. This year we decided to mix things up a little bit and go to Santa's Village. We will go to StoryLand a little bit later in the year.
Jo-Jo came with us this year and had as much fun as the kids riding on the rides.

The most surprising thing about Santa this year is how easy the kids were talking to Santa. Jack told Santa he wanted a truck, Laura a laptop, Catherine a Barbie and Jimmy wanted some video games.

At one point during the day it began to pour and we thought we wouldnt get the day in. Alas, the rain held off and we were fine.

Jackie loved feeding Dasher.

This is the influence of Kyle. He points his fingers out like that and it has caught on with the others. Love this picture of Catherine

Catherine wonders why she got stuck in the cupcake.

Jimmy loves these antique cars. I remember when I was young I loved them too. Jackie loved driving daddy around in them too.

JoJo and Catherine rolling around

Must have been a smoking chick to the left of the car.

Laura putting out the fire

As Grammy Franny would have said..."The little Deevil"

Diploma at last

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