New Jersey 2020

We are thankful that, with everything going on in our world with the coronavirus, we were still able to have our annual New Jersey trip to see Mimi Jane and play in the ocean.

The day we arrived was a little overcast, but we still got down to the beach in the early evening to put our feet in the water, fly a kite, and use the metal detector.


A big wave surprised Bella as I tried to take her picture.


Safe and dry on the sand.


Those are Bella’s footprints in the sand.


The boys taking a little rest after metal detecting.


The sun came out the next morning, so we made our way back to the water. It happened to be high tide, which isn’t as good to play in. After a little while, the boys headed back to the house. I had a good book, so I was content to stay. Bella stayed with me. We played in the waves together a little bit, she played some on her own while I read, and then we both spent some time relaxing and soaking in some sun.


While Bella and I hung out at the beach, the boys had a little crab feast.




Bella is a silly goose.


Plank competition! Andy was the winner.


My dear friend, Jen, drove out and we spent the day together. We grabbed lunch, walked through shops, and spent several hours on the beach. We never run out of things to talk about and the day always goes so fast. I loved being able to see her again this year.


Lazy mornings are the best.




Since the tide was high in the morning, it made for a great time to go swimming in the bay.


And also do a little hot tubbing.


Andy knows how to vacation.


Bella, Jane, and I did a little shopping. Time to mask up!




Waiting to go back to the beach.




I didn’t take my camera out as much each day at the beach, so I decided to make up for it this one day as everyone played in the water.




















Some of their facial expressions are the best!
















It’s hard to catch Graydon out of the water. I had to quick get him to turn and look before running back out again.




Curtis took a little break.


He went looking for shells - found a bunch of baby shells this year.




The kids are pretty good sports with all my picture-taking.
















Watermelon martinis - summer in a glass!


Seagull footprints.


Bella and I took a walk along the water that night. The forecast for the next day (our last full day) called for rain. She wanted to visit the ocean one more time.






Seafood night! I believe Graydon had shrimp, scallops, crab cake, and possibly a little bit of flounder? I can’t tell by looking at that plate - and I can’t remember now!


Curtis’s plate was similar.


Bella had salmon.


We hadn’t gone out for ice cream yet, so we decided to go for it during a break in the rain the following day.




We spent that last day relaxing at the house. I was on my second book of the week, so I didn’t mind the rain one bit. That evening, Andy and the kids made one more bonus visit to the water.

And then Saturday arrived - always the saddest day because we have to pack up and say goodbye. Our week with Mimi is always so special and this year was no exception.


As always, we drove to Cinnaminson for a few more visits before making the trip back to Indiana. We spent a few hours with the Figiels and Popperts that afternoon. It’s always a highlight to catch up with them each year. Brooke just graduated with her nursing degree and was in the process of studying for her boards (which she passed a week or so later!) Maddie just finished up her freshman year of college and is working for Instacart this summer. These girls were going in to 4th and 1st grades when we first met them in 2007!


That evening was spent with the Krott family. We had our “annual sleepover.” The kids all have a great time together.






And it’s fun for the adults to hang out too!




The vacation may be over, but we have lots of pictures and memories of our fantastic week in New Jersey.

Early July

When we got back from Missouri, we noticed that Salty seemed a little different. He wasn’t really acting sick, but we noticed a film on the lower portion of his eyes that we’d never seen before. Turns out, cats have a third eyelid that becomes more pronounced when 1. They are sick. 2. They are in pain. 3. They are very relaxed. Thank you Google for being very unhelpful. We decided to take Salty to the vet just to see what was going on. Salty was not a fan. We had him on a leash because he doesn’t really like to be held and we don’t have a small carrier. He was very timid while waiting to be seen at the vet (we waited outside due to the extra coronavirus safety procedures).


He didn’t have a temperature, nor were there any fleas, ticks, or bites on his body. But the vet did notice that some of Salty’s hair was broken in the back. Long story short, Salty has seasonal allergies. He was given a shot of Prednisone and has been fine since. When we got back into the van to head home, Salty hid under a seat and was really difficult to get out. Then he stayed away from the house for about a day.  He must not have understood that all of that was to HELP him!

Graydon has been learning to drive the golf cart. He asks us if he can now have his ‘golf cart license.’ For now, we’ve been letting him drive the loop around the drive way. We sit and talk as we make about a hundred laps and it’s a nice time to connect.


Hamilton came to Disney+ on July 3rd. The five of us watched it, although Bella and I were the only ones to watch it all the way through. Bella was already pretty familiar with the music. Her history teacher is a big Hamilton fan and she played the soundtrack during class. Then Bella listened to the music on her own. Still, I was surprised to hear her singing along to these songs that were pretty much all brand new to me. I was happy to finally see this production that so many have been raving about.


We spent the Fourth of July with some friends who live on a lake. There were no official fireworks this year, but so many people set off their own that we may have seen even more this year than we would have otherwise.




The next day, we left for New Jersey!

Curtis’s Tenth Birthday

Curtis’s day began with a birthday breakfast: chocolate chip pancakes!


After church, we went out for a few favorites: Starbucks and Wendy’s!


The day was kind of rainy and several of the fun places we may have tried to go were unsafe or closed due to the coronavirus. So instead, we came home and hand a family ping pong tournament.




Bella made his birthday cake.




Ten fingers for ten years!


Make a wish. . .


Bella made this little rice bear that Curtis can heat in the microwave. Homemade gifts are the greatest!


His new gift from us arrived a couple of days later - a new gaming chair!


As far as birthday celebrations go, Curtis’s day was rather simple. But he was loved and celebrated and he told us at the end of the day that it was one of his best birthdays. :)