AIDS Walk 2010 (Better Late Than Never!)

Our family participated in AIDS Walk NY again this year. Friends and families joined us - making it a FABULOUS time!

The start of the walk in Central Park...

Katie, KC, Allison, Madison, & Simon

Ava (being shy) & Keri

A wonderful day for a stroll through Central Park!

For all of you Beatles Fans out there (Dad)...

Simon, Allison, Katie, Madison, Emma, & KC sitting by the Strawberry Fields plaque.

Of course - the kids only know the Beatles and John Lennon from Rock Band, but they all loved this memorial to John Lennon.

Next was the American Museum of Natural History.

After the museum, we all enjoyed the beauty of Central Park.

Allison & Simon on one of the jogging paths.

Of course - rock climbing by the Great Lawn.

Then it was off to the Central Park Zoo for a private, awesome party!

We cannot wait until next year! We would love for you all to join us!

Summer 2010

This is what Summer 2010 looked like...

Go Yankees!!!

Summer was a great time to see family and share special occasions.

Danielle celebrated her confirmation and graduation.

It was so nice to see our North Jersey family!

John, Danielle, & Beverly

The Goo turned 3!

Kasey

Grandma Sonia had all 6 of her grandchildren together for her birthday!

Theo, Madison, KC, Gram, Allison, Simon, & Vincent

My little man turned 7!

Simon

The dog days of summer...

Madison, Allison, neighbor Patrick, Simon, KC, and neighbor Kyle

KC & Allison - lazy days lounging by the pool.

Allison and Kasey

Madison, Charlotte, & Allison

Family from California came to visit.

Diane, Jeff, Theo, KC, Stacy, Madison, Sonia, Bob, Simon, Allison, & Vincent

Our family from Minnesota came to visit.

Madison, Allison, KC, Lilly, and Charlotte singing on stage at the Boiler Room. KC sang Lady Gaga - with the best back-up singers and dancers!

Kathy & John

Cousin Joey

We loved seeing everyone! We miss you all and can't wait until we see you again!

Everyone was prepared for Earl to do major damage to the shore.

Well, Earl came.

(A few of my storm chasers got right to work.)

And Earl left.

There was actually very little rain. Although the skies were gray and the winds were strong. Cape May beaches were closed for 2 days, but the water was crazy warm!

No swimming for 2 days - but loads of surfing!

(A treat for East Coast beaches!)

And just like that - summer was over!

School started and now we have a 7th grader, a 5th grader, a 2nd grader, and the Goo.

The Lion King

A few weeks ago, the cast and crew of Alice in Wonderland, Jr. went on a field trip to see "The Lion King". Following tradition, the teachers and directors wanted the students to experience the stage on a "larger scale".

In the past, the trip was into New York for a Broadway show. This year, the teachers and directors decided to take the kids into Philly instead to see "The Lion King" at the Kimmel Center.

We loaded the bus at JP Case Middle School and headed first to Cheeburger Cheeburger for dinner. (PS - Teenage kids never stop talking. There was never a quiet moment - not even when they were eating.)

Then the bus headed off to Philly. Our on-board movie was, of course, the JP Case Production of "Alice in Wonderland, Jr."

Some of the kids outside the theater.

Allison and Shay outside the theater.

Allison holding up her Playbill - which is called the "Showcase" in Philly.

I saw "The Lion King" 12 years ago in New York, and thought it was fabulous! I have never seen a show in Philadelphia. Although I think the actors did a great job - there is really no comparison to a show in New York. (The crowd in Philly is just not the same - there were kids talking, babies crying, and a completely different feel to the theater.)

Intermission.

Shay and Allison had a fantastic time!

It was a great evening for all of the cast and crew! Looking forward to next year's production!

Spring

Spring has sprung!

(So have the dandelions - and of course, all of the pollen!)

Bob has handed over the tractor reigns to Madison, who absolutely LOVES mowing the lawn and weed-whacking! (I will get a picture of Madison mowing...)

Allison and Kasey are in charge of watering the plants and the garden.

Simon just climbs trees. He climbs trees so fast - despite that fact that he is allergic to maple, oak, and birch (just to name a few).

The kids cannot wait for summer vacation!

The Poetry of Music

Better late than never...

Allison's 4th grade winter concert was titled "The Poetry of Music". The 4th grade chorus sang many great songs, the choir chimes ensemble made beautiful music, and the advanced recorders performed as well. Allison was chosen as a soloist and she was brilliant! (You can thank Madison for not taking any pictures during Allison's performances.)

Oh yeah - here is the opening scene to "Alice In Wonderland, Jr." Just thought I'd throw that in there for fun!


Allison's spring concert is coming up in May! Check back for more pictures of Allison singing, playing the recorder, and performing with the choir chime ensemble.

Easter 2010

Easter was a treat again this year! The kids had a blast coloring eggs - and decorating them!

These are the creations from the "monsters" kit of egg decorating.

On Easter morning, the kids went searching through the yard for all of the eggs that the Easter Bunny hid. The EB was very generous this year with his eggs - 135 in total.

Baskets were filling quickly...

You had to have a sharp eye...

Kasey thought that the egg hunt was the best!

Allison agreed.

Lunch time brought family and friends for outdoor fun and games - and lots of eating!

The kids made Uncle Andy play hide and seek.

There was quoits being played as well. (I was victorious twice that day!)

Kris and Susan joined the fun - quoits, pool, pinball, bike rides, and kickball. Kenny and Renee were too busy in Vegas celebrating their recent engagement to join the fun. (Congratulations!)

Here is picture of everyone completely stuffed!

Bob, Andy, Madison, Ingrid, Mike, Yvonne, Sonia, Joyce, Allison, Kris, Simon, Susan, KC, Me

Thanks for all of the fun - and the great food, chocolate, candy, treats, and baked goods! We all gained 10 pounds that day!