The kid in all of us

Who needs Disneyland? For one last summer rendezvous we went to Victoria Gardens in Central Park. It is a summer amusement park in Central Park. It was a perfect evening. The weather was cool, there were almost no lines, and all the rides were geared towards the boys' age. They all loved it. Their favorite rides were the roller coaster, the swing, the slide, and the buggies.

Picnics, parks, playgrounds, and everything in between

We have spent most of our summer in the parks and at the playgrounds. The temperature has been so mild this summer and that has made an even more enjoyable summer.. Here are some pics..



Eli and Brandon.









Thanks to Abby and Gracie and Miles my boys can still enjoy lots of fun in a backyard!



We had many fun picnics by the underground train station and lots of scooter rides with Lucas.

Movie nights..

Ward playgroups..

Little Learners Reunion

Raspberry Picking

Ward Picnic

Backyard fun at Anna's

Swimsuit required

I had hoped to take a beach vacation this summer since the boys were going to be a great ages to enjoy the beach. We didn't end up going anywhere, but we had lots of staycations!

Boyd's one request for the summer was to go to Jones' beach on Long Island. Luckily we got to go their 2X. We discovered that if we leave by 9:00 AM and head back into the city around 2:00 we don't hit traffic at all

The weather and beach was so beautiful both times. The first time we went the waves were not to big and you could walk past them and still be standing and be past the break. The kids loved that. The second time we went the waves were huge. There was a huge sandbar about 50 feet off the shore that we could swim to and then be able to stand and play in the waves. We had a great time with that and the pool that it creates. There was quite a bit of sea life though. We saw lots of clams and crabs. There was one jellyfish. Our favorite part was a huge fish that had been stuck in the sandbar. You could only see its mouth and it was huge! Someone dug it out of the sand to set it free and once it got free a big ugly fish came out and scared everyone! Adeline showed Gavin how fun it is to be buried in the sand!

We also made it to the North shore of Long Island where the beaches are facing the sound, so there are very few waves. We took Lynda and Brandon with us to meet up with Monica, Abby, Grace, Miles, and their family. We had a great time. Of course I failed to get any pictures from that outing.

We tried to avoid Hurricane Bill one Saturday and drove to the Connecticut sound. We were able to swim for about an hour. The rain started and we got scared off, but it only lasted long enough for us to pack up. We had a great time anyway. Brandon was with us again and the kids had a great time.

We also made it to a Lake Beach in upstate New York. We went to visit some friends in our ward, Sariah's family. Mackenzie, Lucas, and Sam joined us. We had a great time..

We also were able to swim a few places.. Monica took us to their community pool when we were visiting them. The boys took a swim class. Gavin took one by himself while Eli and I did a mommy and me. And we took the bus up to Riverbank State Park with Lucas and company!

Trying to capture all our summer fun in a nutshell

How do I do it? I have been such a slacker and now I want to get everything into one post. School starts tomorrow. I have to get it done before that, right? This picture makes me laugh and I think captures the fun the boys have had this summer. Gavin has on Eli swim trunks because we forgot them!

More summer posts to follow...

Saying Good-Bye

I am catching up on most of my summer. I have had a few random posts, but I have pretty much failed to document our memorable summer. And now my posts will all be rushed! One post I want to make sure to document is the the Good-byes we had to do this summer to our dear friends. It is part of living in the city. People are constantly moving in and out. Frankly, it is hard. We have some amazing people here and it is hard to watch them go. This summer we were hit pretty hard again. The Brunson's and Jennejohns both moved at the beginning of the summer. The Jennejohn's will be coming back in a year, but unless a miracle happens and Jamie gets her way, The Brunson's will not. Sam, Jamie, Jane, and Mary lived six floors above us and it was so wonderful. Gavin and Jane have known each since they were in their mommy's wombs. Jamie and I experience the transition to motherhood around the same time. Gavin and Eli have missed their little buddies. I have missed my buddies. But, they are like family, so they can't get rid of us!

Here are some of my favorite shots of the kids and below are some pics of one of the many going away get togethers. I failed to get any pictures from their big going away party. :(

On the Boardwalk

A few weeks ago we went to Ocean City to visit Boyd's Brother Joel and his family.. They were there visiting family and we couldn't resist driving up to see them while they were on the East Coast. Gavin was so excited to see his cousins!

Traffic was the worst it has ever been, but we made it to Ocean City where we had great time on the beach and at dinner. n it And then it was off to the Boardwalk where Gavin and Eli discovered they love amusement parks!

We love Coryn, Joel, JJ, Jensyn, and Lincoln

Summer Streets and Top Chef Master

Last Saturday was a beautiful day here in New York. The temperature only reached the high 70's with no humidity. We gave Gavin the option of the beach or a bike ride. He chose a bike ride. He was so wise. It was a perfect day for a ride, especially since they closed down Park Avenue to cars from 7am to 1PM and opened it up to bikers and pedestrians. So, we rode through Central Park and over to Park Avenue

and then all the way downtown where we crossed over to Battery Park and ate lunch and played at Rockefeller Playground. !

We then took the West Side path all the way back up to our house. I think the trip was approximately 2o miles! We were exhausted, but we loved it.

Boyd and I actually went out that night. We went to see the new Highline Park, which is a park converted out of the old elevated train tracks down in the meatpacking district. We then stumbled into a fabulous restaurant which happened to be Jonathan Waxman's Barbuto Restaurant and since I am huge fan of Top Chef masters, I was thrilled!