the beach + the Reedells = LOTS of smiles!!

Not that all the smiles were a shock to us, but we had a great time at Ocean City this past weekend.
We headed down to OC on thursday night and met up with my parents on the way. We stayed on 14th street, one block from the boardwalk, in a friend of my parents' house. It was the PERFECT location!!! I thought the cutest thing was on friday morning Elyse walked outside with my mom and yells "the boardwalk is RIGHT there"... Not long after that they were out on the beach... and we lost count how many times we took walks, played in the water, and just had a ball!! We had VERY nice weather with the exception of rain on saturday night, so we were VERY fortunate. The girls LOVED doing all the rides, playing on the beach, running on the boardwalk, going for bike rides (on the surrey with mom mom and pop pop) and in the bike trailer... yeah we were busy (as always!!)!!

And I was VERY excited because I got a new camera... a professional one.. and LOVE it!!! So, hope you enjoy the pics...the girls LOVED doing the rides at Castaway Cove... espeically the kids log flume and roller coaster they could ride without mommy and daddy!!both of the girls are REALLY into puzzles, so they got a HUGE floor puzzle of a pirate and enjoyed putting it together with daddy and pop pop. It was also alumni weekend in Ocean City, so we got to enjoy a local parade, then off to the beach... again...the girls LOVED being on the beach and riding in the surrey with mom mom and pop pop!!!

we enjoyed a few night time strolls on the boardwalk... and the girls enjoyed the "yummy treats" like pizza and cotton candy....as you can see, we had ALOT of fun, the girls enjoyed ALOT of mom mom and pop pop time... so everyone was VERY happy!!!

Our 2009 Triathlon Season has come to a close!!!

Today was our last race of the multi-sport season (9.20.09). We participated in the Marshman Triathlon, held at Marsh Creek State Park. This was the second year it was held... and this year it had grown to around 750 people (last year it was under 500).
We knew it was going to be tough for several reasons... and boy was it!! The weather had been cooling down and therefor the water was going to be VERY chilly. They said at it's warmest yesterday, it was 69... and figured it was between 65 and 67 when we entered the water... and we didn't even have wetsuits (I was a bit jealous of those with them... but oh well!!). Then the air temps were VERY chilly for this time of year too. It was 49 degrees when we arrived at the race site in the pitch dark (aroundd 6am). There was fog everywhere, especially hanging over the water. And of course the course is challenging... the swim is only 1/4 mile, but the bike is a VERY challenging 12.5 miles of "rolling hills", then the run is straight up a hill 1 mile then straight downhill... I liked the second part of the run MUCH better!!! I felt GREAT during the entire race... and finished at 1:23:11. I was VERY happy with my time since I've had alot of problems as of late due to the lymes still being in my system (I'm on more meds now and hoping to get rid of it once and for all!!). Scott finished at 1:09... and was also very happy with his time too. His age group is VERY competetive and usually the top three overall winners are in there, so the times are crazy in his group. The first place overall woman was around 1:03 and the men was 55 minutes... so, it was a FAST race!! Which was good since most of us couldn't feel our fingers or toes even crossing the finish line!!!

So, we got our bikes, and our "after race food" and sat down and were chatting about our race. I came into this race knowing my age group (athena) was huge this year at 44 people... and figured I had NO chance for any kind of placement. I was doing it just to finish and have a great time. Well, my attitude quickly changed... We were waiting and cheering on all the medal winners, when we finally got to look at the "time board" and Scott says "I think you won"... I thought he was kidding... and a moment later, I was announced for winning first place in the athena division!! This was my FIRST first place ever... and I was sooo excited... I was smiling ear to ear.... and still am!!! I beat out the second place winner by over 3 minutes... so I was BEYOND pleased!!!

So, obviously this was a GREAT way to end the season... and until next season... hope you have enjoyed these pictures!!!

lions and tigers and bears oh my!!!

We enjoyed another GREAT trip to the philly zoo!! And what a day it was!! The weather was BEYOND beautiful, perfect september day; sunny, high of 72... pure delight!!! And to boot, there were NO crowds, and NO traffic... so it was even that much better!! We went with my friend Jackie and her daughter Olivia... and we all had a blast!!! Sooo many of the animals were right there being VERY active. The girls LOVED the gorilla's swinging ALL over the place... it truely was a GREAT day indeed!!!! Here are some pics (yeah, I know, what a shock!!!)

Angela's First Day of Pre-K!!

Wow... after a summer of fun, the day that Angela started school was FINALLY here. She would comment every day as we passed her school "that's my new school. I'll make LOTS of new friends there. When can I go mommy?". She was excited, but I was VERY nervous since this school was TOTALLY new to her, and she knew no one!! In last year's school she new more than half of her classmates and her teacher... so this was going to be MUCH different. But she did GREAT. She listened to her teacher (today was only an hour long so the kids could get "acclimated to their new surroundings" ) and was VERY excited about what she would be learning this year!!! So, here's to a GREAT last year of preschool for Angela... then it's off to the "big school"... where has the time gone? Great job Angela!!!

Bye Bye Diapers!!

We were pleased by the fact that Elyse decided to potty train herself around mid august. I had figured she'd want to do it closer to her 3rd birthday like Angela, but nope... she decided "it was time"... and off she went. She's always been VERY determined... and this was no different. One day she took her diaper off and put on a pair of Angela's underwear, and from that time on, she was going to be potty trained. I think it was maybe a week later and she was doing great, even sleeping at night without accidents... so we are proud to say we are TOTALLY potty trained!!! Great job Elyse... such a big girl now!!!!

Road Trip...

The girls went on their first official road trip with mom mom and pop pop (Scheib) from September 2nd through the 4th. They departed from our house on wednesday morning and were headed to State College to visit Aunt Deb, Uncle Daryl, and Katie. The girls enjoyed playing with each other and visiting the Grange Fair. From the sound of it, everyone had a great time and can't wait for another road trip... which will be at the end of september when we go to the shore for a long weekend (with the scheibs)... So, here are some pics... enjoy...

last trip to philly zoo for the summer!!

boo hoo... can't believe the summer has come and gone in a blink of an eye!! We made it to the zoo several times, but this was by far the most relaxing trip possible. We met our friend Megan and her daughter Alex at the zoo and then had it pretty much to ourselves. It worked out well that Angela doesn't start school until the 14th... almost a week after most other schools start... so the zoo was deserted!! We enjoyed the day seeing all of the VERY active animals, riding horses and camels, the carousel, the girls rode the train... and sadly no hot air balloon ride today (guess it was too windy). But they had a blast... and we can't wait to go back again!!

some pics from the tree housepics from big cat falls, the carousel, and the monkey house

feeding the lorakeets the childrens zoo, the train ride, and various animals (and yes, the kangaroo on the top right hand corner was sleeping with all four legs in the air... too funny...)

hope you enjoyed... as you can tell, we sure did!! See you again soon!!