Photos for Chris

We headed out for breakfast this morning at such a beautiful place I had to snap some family photos-





Great looking crew!


I think it was funny that as we rolled up my dad says, I'm here with the boys this morning (he brought the girls last weekend meaning my nieces,). I love how my folks have a happy split of boys and girls;)


Goomba sat next to Shane and learned the art of breakfast negation


Breakfast done-next stop library and blog time for me


Meanwhile, this is chris's buddy, I know Pauli is thrilled with her solo time as well as her trip to grandma&grandpas house!!

Aquarium time with Aunt Stosh

Who better to hit the Mystic aquarium with other than scientist extrodinaire Aunt Stosh? It was a rainy yucky day, but with rain boots and a jacket you can hardly notice right? We popped in and started touring. We were shocked by the bird exhibit as they gave you a stick with seed on it, this birds would hop right on and snack away


Nick enjoyed seeing the sharks about as much as I thought he would, he didn't want to leave. Farrah, thanks for the tip on the camera attachment for his leapster, huge hit! And fun for me to watch him document his vacation too.





This is the crew at the sea lion show.


Later on at the 4D sponge bob attraction that we all enjoyed


And a fabulous family photo down by the water. I was honored that day as my niece Riley let me escort her to the potty! Last year at this time, that was not possible, this year I got to hear all about her dogs, hiking to the tower (like tangled's tower) check out her cool Cinderella undies etc. Very different conversation than I am used too. Honestly, Shane was happy to play with her, but I think he was convinced she was speaking German;)


Random note, but on the way home we added a bit of a bump to my treasured mini. We were just sitting at a stop light when apparently someone else was not.....


Yup, this guy was a bit distracted, the only reason my mini only received a scratch was because....


This guy was in between. I feel bad for him as he really loves his truck and had just finished waxing it (a true labor of love for a truck). That afternoon I loved his truck too.


Nick enjoyed meeting the police man etc.. But popped back in the car for the rest of the ride. Everyone had a great day, to include drew who spent his day at nap city with goomba.

These were the updated we received..

This is what happens when u rock with goomba;)



Drew also says thanks for a great day!!

The amenities at Camp Carlson

I am quite certain my folks spend the year thinking of all the fun things the boys will enjoy during the summer. I have to force them to pace themselves in the introduction processes so here are the highlights thus far that are getting quite a bit of mileage.

The activities coordinator


The raft from Aldi that will also swim it's way to Maine.



The squirt gun from Diane




Perfect for surprising chef goomba




The beautiful back yard is slowly getting transformed into a golf course. I love these videos.... Originally nick stopped using the driver as it kept going over the fence, case and point.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYhmIsTFj-M&feature=youtube_gdata_player
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJwMIfYdsxc
One of the best amenity is the drink holder golf course (and the drink maker himself;)




Cheers to camp Carlson 2012!! I love that my folks love to have us (because we aren't leaving...)

A day with Diane

We were so lucky to overlap with the Wisneski family pilgrimage to CT. Wayne is from Hamden CT and makes the effort about every summer to enjoy 2 weeks with his family. This year that entailed a 24 hour drive from Florida. Well clearly they have a fabulous family worth visiting;).

We were lucky they carved out a day for us. When they left Germany, Blake was nestled in a carseat headed for a train ride to Frankfurt, now he is a cool dude pistol (quote from Diane) just trying to keep up with everyone else. He was happy to have Shane on his level


This is a cute photo of Shane and Anna, but I must say, it was one of the few moments Anna was with Shane and not Nick.


Diane soaked up a little baby drew time as we started the morning just chilling on the driveway


What a fabulous looking crew


Me and my sweet Diane


Just seeing them again for only a day re-instates my faith that ever time we get together it will feel like the 365 days in between were erased. Of course Diane gave a quick call out to Farrah as she knows we were talking about her too. Diane, Farrah, lindsey and I all found our ways together in Germany and what fate brings together, no one can separate right?


The kids were fast friends again while Diane and I could sit and enjoy how well they enjoy each others company. Diane took us hiking to sleeping giant mountain, but the kids just had a blast running through the trees and picking up toads. Eve made fast friends immediately with a toad. When he pied on her, she didn't dropped him like a disgusted princess, I think her affection for him increased! She hiked with him and finally released him into a home she constructed before we departed --- Our departure which was encouraged by the brewing storms


We enjoyed some time in Wayne's home for a bit while the storms flew around and than packed back up for a family party/high school graduation party at Wayne's sisters house. Before hand Diane was prepping me with photos, names backgrounds. Wayne is one of 4 and each of his brother/sisters have at least 3 kids ranging from 18-1 1/2 ... looks pretty hopeless for me. They were such a welcoming family and I loved linking personalities with the names and was so thankful they let us tag along as part of the party. There are hopefully more photos to come, but my camera crapped out on me and Diane is currently on her 24 hour return voyage to Florida. We loved being with you all!

Camp Carlson 2012

Thanks a million to Oma sue for flying out to help me with our maidan voyage Camp Carlson.

it was 6 1/2 hours drive time, 8 door to door (not a bad drive and amen to McDonalds with a play place!) at the end, what do you get---mass exodus!


Wait, where are all the passengers??... Ok, that makes sense;). I love that Oma Sue snapped a photo of the mini van carnage



Everyone (including drew) dove right in and felt a million times better


That night was dinner on the deck


A little golfing exploration (undies included)


And some light reading before bed


The next morning was hot hot hot and perfect for the pool. Chores first!! The boys helped out trying to feed the fish, pull some weeds etc


Pulling weeds is tough work aye drew?


This little guy likes to eat the weeds


Gotta love summa' time!


I think we watched this video a million times, are those boys fishes or what. I remember, this is what the pool meant to me, jumping in, swimming, swimming, swimming

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvOG6FuVpQM

Love this photo of Oma sue with her boys




If it isn't obvious with the photos, we are VERY happy to be here and happier to know it was a rather simple drive.

Dates with the dudes

The past two weekends Chris and I carved out sometime for the big boys, they soak in all the focused time these days and drew seems to consume it. Thankfully there are 2 parents right?

Last saturday I took them to DC to the National museum of natural history, as always, the train ride rocks!


Dino bones, how awesome. I love that nick told me, the paleontologist on dinosaur train believes this museum is the best. Guess those shows we indulge on can be beneficial (or not). But that one left a mark.





Nicks idea, not mine


Shane wasn't as game...


The hope diamond, nick actually wanted to see it, future wives out there, I am doing a great job;)


It was 100 degrees outside on a Saturday so we were not the only ones in the musesm, but it was a fairly simple event for us, we I could tell there were lots of folks that traveled MUCH further for this experience, one of the many reason we love the area!


The following Saturday Chris took the boys to the zoo while Oma sue and I stayed home with drew in hopes of completing those little nagging house projects. Another hot Saturday in DC and hiking the zoo trails brings out the gems in the American public;). The boys were fabulous, but they were ready to come home.


One of my tips to Chris was..... I don't mind pushing an empty stoller, but I do struggle with carrying a sleeping dude. It was one of those days he was glad he asked me;)


Meanwhile My mom and I knocked out a curtain panel, 3 light blocking squares and well as finally made a dent in the pile of photos that are hanging out in a corner, the photo on the right is our anniversary gift to each other as well as I photo I took in Garmisch, I love waking up to it and cant help thinking we will get back there some day!


That night was one of 2 date nights for Chris and I! This one was a wine bar, the next night we had some new buddies join us. It was fabulous jetting out, but I must say it was exhausting.... I am ready for the pace of life at camp Carlson. Stay tuned....