Monday, May 31, 2010

Memorial Day



Let us not forget those soldiers past and present who have made it possible for us to have picnics and parades this weekend. Have you thanked a soldier today?


My kids wearing their red, white, and blue today


I'm proud to be an American!

Happy 35 Years Mom and Dad



Today my parents have been married for 35 years! That almost doesn't seem to happen enough now a days. Congratulations Mom and Dad!

I hope 25 years from now Joe and I will be able to say the same thing. I'm not sure what it is that makes my parents marriage work. Sometimes I must say I don't know how my mom puts up with my dad. Sorry dad, but it's true, you have your moments. Mom, back me up here. But they truly love each other. They have been a couple since 1969 and they haven't looked back since. I know it wasn't always easy for either of them though. They really truly love each other though. And 2 children and 4 grandchildren later they are still going strong. So they must be doing something right.

So Mom and Dad I really hope to have what the two of you have in 25 years with my own husband. Thanks for giving me a look at a good marriage growing up and something that I can strive to achieve in my own life.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

I will not be censored

Boy has my blog been rocking a few boats lately. So yet again I feel the need to state the purpose of my blog. I write for me. I write for my kids. I write for my family. I write for me. Yes, it may sound selfish that I said me twice, but I enjoy writing. I enjoy expressing myself. I enjoy having a place to remember what has happened in my life. And sometimes that means the bad too.

I do not live in a bubble. I am out in the world and have many contacts. Some family contacts, some school contacts, some good friends, some community contacts. All of these people touch my life in some way on a daily basis. And therefore it would be nice if people did not just assume that when I write something it ALWAYS has to be about them. It might only be partially about you and partially about someone else. But maybe you need to take a good long look at yourself if what I have to say upsets you so much because sometimes the truth hurts.

So I'm saying it loud: I WILL NOT BE CENSORED! We live in America where it is my right to have freedom of speech. And if you do not like what I have to say, then you do not have to read it. But I will not stop writing about what I'm thinking or feeling in the moment. As always my comments are open if you feel the need to object to anything that say, then you are more than welcome to post a comment. If you agree with everything I say I definitely encourage those comments as well, but understand that I will not stop writing what I'm thinking and feeling in the moment. No one can make me!

The Statue of Liberty

Our final day of our New Jersey trip was spent at Liberty State Park and touring the Statue of Liberty.

New York City Skyline from Liberty State Park


Natalie, CJ, and Kaitlyn in front of an old train car


A 911 Memorial at Liberty State Park


The boat over to Liberty Island


The old railroad terminal


Joe, CJ, and Kaitlyn on the boat


Natalie on the boat


Ellis Island (we didn't have time to tour this too)


The Statue of Liberty


Kaitlyn, Joe, CJ, and Natalie on the boat in front of the statue


The original light on the Statue of Liberty


The view from the top of the pedastool





Joe and CJ on the statue


Kaitlyn, Joe, CJ, and Natalie on the statue


Checking out the view


The statue view from the inside





Kaitlyn, CJ, me, and Natalie on the statue grounds


NYC skyline from Liberty island


The kids in front of the statue


The back of the Statue of Liberty


Kaitlyn and CJ on the boat back


Me and Natalie on the boat back


So long to the Statue of Liberty


And that is the end of our trip to New Jersey.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

One more from the wedding

I knew someone had to have gotten a picture of Joe in his suit since I didn't have one. And I was right. So here is my hubby all dressed up. It doesn't happen often. Maybe every 5 years or so. But doesn't he clean up nice?

Six Flags Great Adventure

Day 2 of our New Jersey trip was a surprise for the kids. We had made plans to go to Six Flags Great Adventure for the day. When we got there even CJ was shaking his arms in the air and saying, "Yes! Yes! Yes!" So I'd say that was a good choice. The weather was looking a little iffy for the day with showers in the forecast. However, we made it through with barely a drop on us.

Entering Six Flags


On the Ferris Wheel


Above:Natalie on the ship Below: Joe and Kaitlyn on the ship


The Big Red Car





The Balloons



The swings



The Tea Cups




White Tiger


Tiger


Whatever this ride was CJ was the only one who could go on it and he absolutely LOVED it!


CJ waiting in line for the elephants


Natalie waiting in line for the elephants


Kaitlyn unable to contain herself for the elephants


On the elephants




Meeting Bugs Bunny

CJ giving Bugs a hug


and not letting go


The girls got in there


It was a whole lot of fun for everyone.