Labor Day Weekend

This weekend was supposed to be one of the nicest we've had all summer, so we were determined to spend as much of it as we could outside. Saturday morning we headed to a bookstore in Millville where Rudy had a gift certificate to use before the end of August. The boys got some books and then we headed to a small park nearby and took a hike.

After the bookstore, Rudy had plans to go to a friend's house and the rest of us just hung out at home.

Sunday was gorgeous and sunny, so we headed to the beach. I ended up taking 0 pictures but we spent about 5 1/2 hours there. There was a great breeze that kept the sun from feeling too hot and nice waves to ride.

Monday was supposed to be rainy but we decided to head out to a local lake, where we could quickly and easily get back to our car and head home if the weather changed. It ended up being beautiful there. Jada is becoming as much of a fish as Rudy (Paul and I often refer to her as being a 2nd Rudy because their mannerisms and attitudes are so similar.) Niko spent most of his time constructing ponds and barriers on the beach.

Father's Day Weekend

Saturday this weekend, Paige came to spend the night with us. We decided to head to port Republic to the beach. The water was a little cold but neither Paige nor Rudy seemed to care.

Sunday we went to brunch for Father's Day with my dad and Bill and Renee.
The fathers.

The fathers and the little ones.

All of us.

The moms and kids

After brunch, we had to walk past the carousel to get to our car, so Rudy and Paige (and Bill) took a little ride.

A Day at the Beach (in NJ but not the ocean)

This afternoon we decided to head to the beach. We decided rather than going to the ocean, we would check out a local beach on a lake. The sun was warm, but there was a little breeze. The water was nice, although it was cold when you were wet. The boys immediately checked out the water. A little cold air wasn't going to stop them.

It was nice that Paul and I didn't have to go all the way in the water with them, the way we would have in the ocean. Here the two enjoy a little snack in the water.

Rudy got to use his new boogie board, even without waves.

N then inherited Rudy's old board, that he's still trying to figure out how best to use.

I love the way cedar water looks (although I may not be saying that after Rudy's white rash guard isn't so white anymore!)

N blowing bubbles.

I had to prove we were there, too. And the only way to get a picture of us is the self portrait.

At the very end, Rudy tried to show N how to splash water at him. As soon as N made an attempt to do it, Rudy pretended he had been knocked down by it and jumped and dove into the water. N obviously loved his reaction and the two of them played like this for a good 10 or 15 minutes with N cracking up every time Rudy fell down. No matter what Rudy says about wishing he had a brother closer to his age, I think he's starting to enjoy the one he has right now.