Philly zoo

Last weekend we headed to the Philly zoo where we met up with Cole. It was nice to just to wander around and catch up with family. I kept commenting on how nice it was to be at a zoo with so much shade. I remember being so hot at Hogle Zoo when I was little. Plus Rhone really liked some of the animals. We didn't get to see any elephants or the girafes, but there were tons of primates, which Rhone liked.

Ben and Rhone looking at the lion (he's between them).

The lion. I love hearing Rhone roar. It's the cutest little roar I've ever heard.

Cole and Rhone checking out some little monkeys.

Mom and baby orangutan

Rhone and his friend playing in the toy box while their Dad's watch football. Apparently fantasy football is not to be taken lightly by men.

I tried play doh with Rhone months ago, but he was still into eating it then. I just pulled it back out and he had a great time cutting and smashing. He can usually identify the colors blooo and pik. Pink came first and I think that's funny (Ben thinks it's less funny).

a hint of fall

We have had a few days that were a little cooler and started feeling like fall. Unfortunately today is not one of those days- it's supposed to be 95*! We have done a few fun things here and there in the last little bit. Ben and I went on a date with some friends to the Melting Pot. It was nice to have a relaxing meal filled with good conversation. The best part was definitely the dessert, it was so YUMMY.

We also had a little mushroom scare with Rhone. I was pretty positive he didn't actually eat the mushroom, he just had brown spores ALL over him. I knew that there was no way poison control would be able to ID the mushroom over the phone so after some frantic research I decided not to take Rhone to the ER. I did not want them to induce vomiting, if there was not need. So after waiting it out an hour and a simple questioning call to poison control, we decided Rhone was fine and no other measures were needed. There is never a dull moment with that little monster around.

Rhone has made a few fall projects. I just got a new book called First Art Experiences for Toddlers and Twos. So we are trying to approach some projects a little differently now, which is also making them messier. It's worth it to watch Rhone's mind at work as he discovers what he likes and doesn't like. We have been able to take the kayak out on our first river experience. We decided not to do a shuttle so we had to paddle against the current to get back to the truck, but was do able thanks to the rudder and we had a good time. We also had some friends over to roast marshmallows and make s'mores.

This activity is called apple stamping. Rhone also did some eating too. Most of my ideas come from no time for flash cards. Check her out on my side bar if you are interested.

Damon showing off his completed apple wreath.

Getting ready for the caramel apples. Apparently anything on a stick is better. Rhone ate 1 apple while waiting for me to make the caramel.

Ben dipping the apples while Rhone adds sprinkles and chocolate chips.

Turns out that he likes apples with caramel on a stick too.

Painting leaves. I had never thought about painting on construction paper. It makes the leaves look more leafy.

"Falling Leaves"

Ben and Rhone on the water.

We saw these cool crabs with 1 huge yellow claw.

I felt Rhone hit the back of my seat. When I turned around he was slumped forward asleep. We laid him back for a cat nap while we paddle back to the truck.

Roasting marhmellows. It was perfect weather that night.

Tami showing off her pefectly cooked marshmallow.

Rhone's favorite thing this day was glitter glue. He worked on this project for almost an hour and I am still finding glitter.

NYC get-a-way!

On our anniversary Ben surprised me with a 2 day New York City get-a-way. His parents were kind enough to watch Rhone during their visit, so we could hit the city. We took the train in from New Jersey. We saw an amazing exhibit called "Dead or Alive" in the Museum of Art and Design. All of the artwork contained objects that were from once living things, such as feathers, bones, seeds, ect. I think Ben even enjoyed it. Plus we got in free because we are military, how nice of them. We strolled around Central Park and down Broadway before getting dinner on the top floor of the museum at the restaurant Robert. The view was amazing and the food was good! We could see up Broadway and all of Central Park. Too bad we left the camera in our checked bag.

After dinner we headed for Times Square and then to the Broadway play "Wicked". It was a great show. The 2 leads did an excellent job. We stayed in Queens with a view of the New York skyline. The next morning we did a little shopping in Times square where we got Rhone a t-shirt for a whole $2.50. It was the steal of the trip. We really enjoyed everything we did, getting around is just a little hectic at times. I couldn't believe how light we can travel without Rhone. Just 1 backpack for the whole 2 days. It was nice to be light and carefree for a little bit.

I made us miss the train. It took Ben a while to cheer back up.

Stained glass window in the stairwell of the the Museum of Art and Design.

Ben in Central Park.
At the Broadway show "Wicked". Our seats were great.

A taste of the scenery from the show.

The Queens Bridge taken from our hotel balcony.

The view from our balcony in daylight.

Together in Times Square.

Rhone sporting his I {heart} NY shirt and eating some of his special made blue and green M&M's from the store at Times Square.

Wii Played

We really had a great time with Ben's family and are so grateful they took the time to come and visit us. Especially since they watched Rhone so Ben and I could go to NYC for a 2 day get-a-way. Hopefully Rhone will start remembering who they are now that he is getting older.

One of the funnest things we did together was play wii. We were all laughing so hard, especially watching Grandad hula hoop on the wii fit. It was probably the funniest moment of the whole visit.

We also played a little on the board walk. Rhone insisted on riding a "big kid ride." I gave in and took him on it thinking he would hate it and never want to do another ride again. I was wrong. He was waving the first half. I couldn't believe it. Then they stop it and send you around backwards. It made me super dizzy and Rhone was not having fun, but he didn't cry. After a few minutes he was ready to start riding again. He is such a fearless little guy.

Grandad has his tongue out the whole time he plays wii. Don't you think they look alike?

Gabi and Grandad sword fighting


Rhone looking too cool and too old to just be a 1.5 year old. Where does the time go?

This little man melts my heart.


Waving to Dad as we spin around. We were going pretty fast, see my awesome looking hair.

Riding the carousel with Grandmommy

We saw sites

We took 2 day trips with the Gs. We visited Fort Delaware on Pea Patch island. It was a Civil War fort. It was full of history and hands on exhibits. We saw soldiers shoot their muskets, a blacksmith work in his shop, and women washing and baking all in period clothing. We ran out of time so we were only able to take the ferry to one island. We also took a trip to down town Annapolis and strolled around the naval academy. Of course, we took a tour of "daddy's plane" as Rhone says, too.

On the ferry to Pea Patch Island.

The fort is still standing in this near perfect condition with a mote still around it. I can not imagine what a feat it was to build this.

Grandmommy got in trouble and had to carry the ball and chain around with her.

Outside the fort. It's nice to get our whole family in a photo.

The blacksmith hard at work.

Grandmommy in a very beautiful and very old church in Annapolis.

The crew on the deck at the Naval Academy.

A quick photo by "daddy's plane"

G is for...

Grandmommy, Grandad, and Gabi who all came to visit. We spent a lot of time playing at the beach. The first trip was absolutely perfect. The best beach day weather we have had all year. The second trip had some big waves thanks to Hurricane Earl moving up the east coast. They are all real beach goers. Grandad swims way out past where the waves are breaking and floats and floats. Grandmommy plays right in the surf and even takes a few tumbles. Gabi rolls out into the waves and floats when a a big wave breaks. We had a great time being together in the beauty of nature.

We were lucky enough to celebrate Gabi's birthday with her. We had a yummy dinner and an even better chocolate decadence cake from the Frankfurt Bakery.

Grandad, Gabi, and Rhone looking for some shade.

Ben body boarding in on a wave while Grandad hangs out in the ocean.

Ben's parents

Gabi going for a dip. We had to be careful that the waves didn't carry her away.

Our little beach family.

The colors and sand everywhere make this picture perfectly beachy.

Grandmommy is about to be swallowed up by an "Earl" wave.

Rhone having sandy dreams.


Ben with his older sister Gabi and his parents on the boardwalk.

The birthday girl getting ready to blow out her candles.

Rhone was happy to bring her the gifts and take her for a roll while she was opening. Isn't he such a great helper. Rhone called her Bob, and is still saying, "where bob?".