Kelsey and Rush...again

Kelsey loves riding Rush and she had another chance today. While Kelsey and her friend Maddie take riding lessons, the younger brothers, Nick and Bryan have been busy. Each lesson they are getting bolder about getting near the creek at the stable. Today was no exception. In fact, today while they were fishing with their nets from the bank of the creek, Nick somehow ended up in the creek. He was wet from the tips of his toes to above his waist. What a mess the boys were when it was finally time to leave!!! At least they had fun...that's what I reminded myself while I was trying to get the mud out of his clothes today.

LBI (Long Beach island), NJ

Yesterday was our first trip to the beach this summer. The kids love going and now that they are bigger it is getting easier because they can carry their own stuff. I am not a big beach lover and hate being a pack mule through all the sand...not to mention the sole member of the clean up crew when we arrive home. We had beautiful weather and great friends to enjoy the day. Carolyn, Rebecca, Victoria & Eric went with us as well as Jodi & her daughter Emma and their friend Leah. It was a very relaxing day and we finished our time at the shore with a shopping trip for souvenirs and dinner at Pizza Hut. Kelsey, Nick and I were sound asleep before 10 pm...we were wiped out from all the fresh sea air!

Kelsey loves horses

Here are a few pictures we took of Kelsey this week at her riding lessons. Today she was riding Rush.

Payton Shea has arrived

Payton Shea was born on 7-19-10 at 12:32. She was 7 pounds 6 ounces and 20 inches long. Everyone is doing well and getting settled in at home. Papa Bruce took this awesome picture of my beautiful nieces. I can't wait to see them!

5K Run update

Well the 5 guys had a blast and the other wives who went got some great pics of the muddy mess. All the men are home napping on their couches. check out these messy guys...and if you are on facebook the complete album of pics is on the website.



Next year maybe Rob can talk Kelsey and Nick into doing the kids race!

Down & Dirty Mud 5K Run

The guys are on their way! Along with 4 friends, Rob is on his way to do the Philly 5K Mud Run today. This may be the only pic I post even though I bet a pic at the end of the race will be more amusing with them all covered in mud. It is supposed to be pretty hot today and since 4000 people have registered for the event Rob and I decided it might not be something worth dragging the kids to. Crowds, crazy parking and heat do not rank high on any of our lists for relaxing Sundays.

Happy Birthday Nick

Wow, my baby is 9 today. It's the last birthday before he gets to the double digits. The last 9 years have flown by! We were sitting here on the couch earlier tonight and I said "Nick want to know what I was doing 9 years ago right now?" I picked him up and cuddled him in my arms. His arms and legs extended well past my lap. I tried to explain to him how much easier it was to hold him with one arm when he was just 8 pounds. He is maturing into quite a wonderful young man and we are so proud of him! Happy Birthday!!!

Here's a post idea I borrowed from my sister Amy.

Here's Nick at 2 days old (7 pounds, 13 ounces and 20 inches long)




And here he is today on his 9th birthday (78 pounds and 54 inches tall)



He spent the day playing with his friend Jake and then we went for a family dinner to Outback Steakhouse. To top off his evening he hung out with his buddies Matt & Jared and played on Matt's huge inflatable water slide. Here are a few more pics we took tonight when Kelsey, Rob and I surprised him with LEGO's from Toy Story 3.











And since we were measuring Nick, Kelsey decided she would stand next to the ruler too. Kelsey measures in at 59 inches tall and 104 pounds. Where did my babies go?

Happy Early Birthday Nick

Nick will be 9 on July 8th. Our schedule for July is so crazy we decided to have a spur of the moment camp out party in the backyard for him. Unfortunately many of his friends were unable to come so I think we will be repeating it on a week day later this month. We had a backyard cookout & the kids roasted hot dogs and marshmallows on the grill (even if it was just charcoal). For those of you who don't know, our yard is so extremely small that an open flame firepit was out of the question. The kids caught lightning bugs, played in the sandbox, and played flashlight tag. Then everyone went home. I am not a huge fan of actual sleepovers but I am all for playing til bedtime. All the kids had fun and everyone went home for a good night's sleep.

And a little explanation about the cake..."Happy Birthday Tito" is a neighborhood joke. Last Labor Day weekend we celebrated a group of birthdays but the Dad who went to pick up the cake couldn't remember which kids were celebrating so he just had them write "Tito" on the cake. Now everyone thinks the Birthday cakes should all say "Tito"!

Nick and Becc

I should break the news gently...Nick has a girlfriend. He insists that even though there is about a 6 year age difference, he is going to take her to prom in a few years. They really are great buddies but I am not sure how he will handle it when she gets a boyfriend her own age.