Happy 4th of July all!!So, the kiddos and I made a trip to the NJ shore. Scott's Aunt Gerry always says "come down anytime"... so we took her up on her offer. This was the first time I've taken a trip with just me and the kiddos.. but it turned out to be a GREAT time.... smiles all around!!! We went to the boardwalk in Ocean City, and played in the water on tuesday afternoon. Both girls were happiest when splashing in the water... they were just too cute!!! 
Then Wednesday morning I fit in a nice run with the gals, half way point worked out to be a playground, then ran back, showered, then off to Brigentine Beach. The girls listened sooooooo well (it was SCARY!!) and had a BLAST!!! The water was "cold" but they didnt' care. They built sandcastles, and then destroyed them, found shells for Bob (our 13 year old hermit crab....), and chased birds... full day any way you look at it. And we timed it perfectly since it started to rain as soon as we left... We stopped on the way back to Aunt Gerry's place for lunch, and then played at her house for a while... then headed home... 
It was a GREAT experience having them just to me away from home... and I almost want to do it again VERY soon....
We look forward to this event EVERY single year... it's sooo much fun. And now that the girls are getting older they can do more of the games, the rides, and enjoy all of the yummy foods there. They LOVED the cotton candy this year... 
it's amazing there is ANY more room in the house for another "tent"... but we made it fit. It just happened that we went for a walk earlier this week and our neighbor was outside... and asked if we wanted a little pink tent... of course Angela says "yes... I'd love it"... It turns out to be a perfect "dress up tent"... with a mirror on the wall and all... too cute for words. So, we lugged it home and set it up on the deck, since it was nice outside... the girls LOVED it... and now it houses all of their dress up clothes, shoes, and "stuff" in the corner of our sunroom. 
Scott with his "crew" (Angela, Oscar (in middle) Elyse and Jake (over Scott's shoulder)
so, this is such a fun toy.... Angela was given this by Uncle Keith, Aunt Jen, Aidan and Evan.... and LOVES it!! It's amazing what wonderful control she has of the steering... and can get it going REALLY fast!!! All you do is turn the wheel back and forth and you go... turn it the other way it goes backwards... Scott and I have enjoyed trying it out, but it's much easier the less you weight!!! Elyse gets on and pushes it with her feet... but now they have figured out they can ride it together... so what out world, here come the Reedell gals on the plasma car!!!
just some pics of the decorations and the "birthday gals"....
what our yard looks like with 25 kiddos... it was chaos... but fun chaos....
and just some "fun pics" of the kiddos at the end of the day... they were pooped... but still had smiles on their faces....
We showered up after our bike ride, then went down to walk around get theater tickets... and we were VERY lucky to get Phantom of the Opera. We've seen several shows on braodway but netiher of us every say Phantom, so we were stoked. We then went shopping, I always get shoes and handbags up there, and I did get 3 pairs of shoes and 2 handbags... and love them all!! We then went back and got all ready for dinner, walked to the "asian fusion" restraunt a few blocks away, stopped back at the hotel for some champagne (we had time before the show started), walked to the theater and enjoyed the show. Phantom is a GREAT production, if you have the opporutnity to see it, definatey do so!!!
We then walked back to the hotel... and went to "the View". This is NYC's only revolving restraunt... and it's located in the Marquis on the 48th floor. You sit at a table overlooking the city, it takes an hour to make a full revolution, and is terribly confusing becuase you get up to go get your dessert (they had a dessert and cheese buffet... extra yummy....) and since the table section is moving, your table isn't in the same spot it was when you left... add some alcohol into the mix and it makes it even "more interesting".... We enjoyed the views for over an hour, then finally turned in for a good night's sleep. We awoke in time to see if we could get into the studio for Good Morning America. We made a sign that said "Go Back to Bed Angela and Elyse"... and we did get in. We got to meet a bunch of the ABC anchors and it was cool to see what it takes to make the show we watch on tv each morning. And we were on tv at the end of the show... so that was cool too....
We then went to breakfast, then more of a walking tour of NYC... then packed up and headed home.... Whew... it was a whirlwind tour of NYC... but it was great... hope you enjoyed the story!!!
and the "new paint" and hardware....
and just a few pics from the front and back yard....
