Rocking and Slapping

Audrey loves to be outside. This summer the mosquitoes (and humidity) made it difficult. She loves rocking in the rocking chairs and slapping mosquitoes.

Carolina's Wedding

We kicked off our family reunion with a beautiful and elegant Peruvian wedding. Congrats to Matt and Carolina on your wedding! We had a great celebration. Peruvians know how to eat and party. We had a delicious Peruvian cake (with caramel they make from sweetened condensed milk) and Pisco Sours.

The Sanchez/Lapointe/Hopkins/Gardner Family

Luis and Cedulie Sanchez

Hopkins

Lapointes

Gardner newlyweds

The big kids (the girls went to a babysitter).

So, I am kind of fascinated with bugs and Maryland has lots of bugs. Every summer cicadas (huge gross bugs) fill the trees and serenade us with a constant chirping. This one decide to land at our table during to reception. Our unwelcomed guest was shortly escorted out.

Family Reunion '09

This year for the 8th Annual Family Reunion we had a Staycation at Eric's mom (Cedulie) and step-dad's (Luis) house. Eric's step-sister, Susan and her (new) husband Tom flew out from San Francisco to join the rest of the family, since the rest of us are in Maryland now. The reunions started when Eric and I were dating. His sister, Stefanie, made a "crazy" move to Baltimore and the family, especially Cedulie, wanted to be more intentional about getting together. It has evolved from camping at different areas in SoCal, then camping at the farm to time-shares and this year, just a time to hang out, eat and play games (pool, board and lawn- yes we are a game family!)

The girls started each morning dancing.

They danced all day long.

Audrey danced with Ducky, as shown here with this great lift.

They love eating together...
and relaxing together.

We swam..went to the park...
played bocce ball...

and croquet.

Here's are comparison pictures from last year...

We had a great time together and are so thankful for our family.

Costco Trips!

I love Costco! One great thing about Costco is that they have carts with two seats for kids, which you don't appreciate until you have two you are shopping with. Sofia and Audrey have had several trips to Costco together since we moved. Oh, how they have grown...

10/08

2/09

8/09

Rainy Day

Around here, we cannot stay inside just because it's raining. Audrey really enjoyed the rain and puddles (and fire hydrant- but I don't know why).

Philly

Today we spent the day in Philadelphia which is only 1 hour and 45 minutes away. Eric had a lunch meeting there and Audrey and I joined him. I had been there 15 years ago, but thought it would be fun to do the touristy thing there. Unfortunately, I learned that most of Philly is closed on Monday. I even did my internet research ahead of time but found it was useless since things that were supposed to be closed were open and things that were supposed to be open were closed. Nevertheless, Eric joined us for some site seeing and Philly Cheese Steak eating after his meeting and we made it a good (but very hot) day.

Independence Hall looks so small with all the tall buildings around it.

Homes in Elfreth's Alley. The cool thing is that people really live there.Historic Boot Scraper

Cheerio time!
Besty Ross House (she sewed the first American Flag)
Benjamin Franklin's grave. I cannot believe they charge to go into a cemetery.

Beach Time!

We having been feeling the heat and more the humidity and were excited to have a getaway at the beach. Audrey and I had the opportunity to go to Bethany Beach in Delaware with Stefanie and Sofia for a few days at stay at their pastor's beach house (the boys had to work). The night before leaving, I passed out twice and Eric witnessed some seizure-like movement during the episodes. It really scared him, so he dragged me to the ER. Luckily, our neighbor was still awake and watched Audrey for us. The doctors admitted me for lots of tests (CAT scan, MRI, echo, EKG, EEG...). My 24 hour stay felt longer than it was. It is amazing what a bad patient I am considering I am a nurse. I hate to be tied down by an IV, leads (cardiac), pulse ox and BP cuff. I hate having to get disconnected every time I had to pee (in a hat). The doctor wanted me to stay a second night for monitoring, but I advocated for sleepless self (I only got 1 1/2 hours of sleep that night and don't do well sleep deprived). Everything checked out; I guess because I have low blood pressure and get dehydrated easily, I can be prone to passing out. They D/C'd me at 6:30pm and I left for the beach the next morning since I was already packed and could miss out on some beach time- which is what this post is supposed to be about.

East coast beaches have a different feel than California beaches. You walk over a dune scattered with grassy reeds and the water is warm like bath water (with an occasional jelly fish). It's hard to describe, but it's more crabby preppy- maybe you Californians just have to experience it for yourselves. Audrey and Sofia had a blast playing in the waves and the sand. Stef and I both agree that beach vacations with two toddlers are fun, but not that relaxing.