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?".

summer time fun

We have been trying to squeeze all the fun into summer that we can. Rhone had 2 firsts in the last little bit. He went tubing behind the boat and he rode his very first amusement ride. Before we even made it on the boat Rhone was playing in the water with his friend. We had been asking him all day if he was going to ride on the tube. He said yes every time we asked him, so he rode with his dad for a good 10 minutes before anyone else got a turn. After a day on the water, we were treated to a delicious and relaxing dinner. It was the perfect way to spend a Saturday.

There is a place called "Funland" that has little rides right on the boardwalk. We bought a book of tickets and plopped Rhone into his first ride. He smiled the whole time. As soon as the ride ended, Rhone would ask for "more". We would whisk him off and quickly draw his attention to a new ride and the delight would return to his face. It was so much fun to watch how much he enjoyed it. Most of the rides only cost 30 cents, so we let him ride until it was so late at night that we had to head home. I love how much joy I get out of seeing Rhone happy. Being a mom really changes your heart.

Playing in the high tide water in the parking lot. He would jump up and then land directly on his bum.

Getting ready for his first ride.


Amanda and I going for a ride.

Such a cute little family

Shortly before Ben and Rhone fell off. We have a little trooper.


Some of the rides were really old, but really detailed.

Yes, we essentially took a picture of every single ride, but don't worry I didn't put them all on here.