more summer candids...

We've had soo much fun this summer - and we still have another month of fun to go!!

Kimberton Fair 2011

So, the evening was rainy, but all had a great time.  The best part of the rain was that the rides were deserted, so the girls probably did about 20-30 rides over the course of the evening... what a fun night!!

elyse our "goat"






NJ State Triathlon 2011

The 2011 NJ State Olympic Distance Triathlon is now in the books!  Whew, and it was a HOT one.  We were thankful that it didn't take place two days before bc it was 105 that day, but definately warmer than we were accustomed to.  The race took place at the Mercer Counter Park, the temps were about 80 degrees and 75% humidity at race start.  We got into the water, and it was 88 degrees - NOT refreshing at all.  We completed a one mile swim, then 25 mile bike ride, then finished up with a 6.2 mile run.  The temps had reached the low 90's by the time the races had finished and the sun was blazing.  Luckily the race officialls had fire hoses, ice stations, and ALOT of water on the course to prevent heat exhaustion.  In the end, we did well.  And after checking the finish times at home, I am proud to say I came in 7th in my age group and bettered my time by over 8 minutes from last year - so that made me happy!! Now to prepare for the rest of our season!!!







post race



Reedell Candid Time...

Just a few pictures that I have snapped and thought were cute.. Enjoy!

they don't always cooperate this much - I promise!!

this is comfort - Oscar knows what relaxation is!

our "big fish Angela"

scuba elyse

having a great conversation on her pink blackberry



testing out the "new cabana" for the beach...



7-11 - LOVE free slurpee day!

I am not a fan of this surgery drink, but the girls (and Scott) think they are great.  Luckily we live right down the road from the 7 11, went in and the girls were happy to pick out a nice cool treat on a HOT day!!

Angela got cola and Elyse got melon...

greetings from Deutchland

I am lucky to have some of the BEST friends in the world!!  Months ago, I commented to my friend Tanja that I loved her kids birkenstocks.  She said "oh yeah, my parents bring them over when they visit from Germany".  She remembered my comment and asked for her parents to bring along two pairs of really cute printed birks when they visited recently.  The girls were soooo excited!  And here they are... they look very european...

Thank  you sooo much for thinking of us Tanja!!!! 

The Mom Update

So, my mom has been enjoying some time at her house since July 1st.  She is very happy to be home, and seems to be doing ok health-wise.  Still is dealing with some GI issues, which the doctors are stumped by.  We had several appointments at Fox Chase yesterday (thursday, July 21st) with her docs, and we got some news.  According to the routine blood tests she gets whenever she goes in, the tumor is very actice again and is growing.  Dr. Igor (her medical oncology doctor) said, it is imperitive that we begin round two of chemotherapy in two weeks.  As of now, she will begin an on-going series of chemotherapy starting on August 4th.  This will be administered at the hospital every two weeks for two hours, then she will go home with a pump for another 48 hours.  Sounds like the side effects could be a challenge.  We have no idea what the living arrangements during this time will be.  We will have to wait and see how she does with this new treatment. 

So, please, please, please keep her in your prayers.  We pray she has the strength to make the decisions for what is best for her.  We love her and support her on every step of this difficult journey. 

Hey Batter Batter....

 This past weekend we made the short trip to the Trenton Thunder.  They were playing the Reading Phillies, and as luck would have it, two Philadelphia Phillies were playing that day (rehabbing).  We got to see Shane Victorino and Brad Lidge close-up.  It was soo much fun.  And it was even more fun since we went with friends!!  The Rapones (Jeff, Kim, Megan, and Justin) met us there and cheered for the Phillies!!!  It was definately the most packed I have ever seen the stadium - but that is to be expected on a day like this!!!  Here are a few pics of the fun!!

Angela, Elyse, Megan, and Justin




ready for batting practice...



posing with Strike

Victorino sliding into third base



victorino batting



Lidge Pitching

Then after the game, Boomers kids club members were invited to run the bases... so we did.  Elyse put her batting helmet on, just incase she needed to bat for some reason, and they were off!!


Angela heading to second (looking like an thelete out there!)



Angela bringing it home!

Elyse heading for home - with batting helmet in hand!

It was such a fantastic day... we look forward to doing this again soon!!



glub glub glub....

The girls have had alot of fun this summer in our pool... and with any luck we'll have a MUCH larger one next year.  They had James and Landon over for a playdate, spent soo much time in the pool that they looked like prunes when they got out!!  Yeah for summer fun with friends!!!

Angela, Elyse, James, and Landon - our fish!

Hello Dr....

We were hoping that we wouldn't have to deal with this for years, but we had our first visit with a pediatric dentist recently.  Angela and Elyse have always gone to our family dentist, and this last visit with very eventful.  Elyse had a very visible cavity, and then after taking x-rays, they found she had 3 other small ones (but between teeth of course).  The visible one was pretty deep, so there was a chance she would need a root canal.  I almost fell over - a root canal on a 4 year old?  But the more people I talk to the more I hear it's very routine these days.  So, we had our consultation with Dentistry 4 Kids, and she was set up for the first two cavities to be filled.  We went in on July 12th, she was VERY patient, listened well, and did a GREAT job.  We are hopeful it goes the same way next week with the root canal and crown...

Elyse waiting for the doctor after the laughing gas and novicane...

MOMS Club Olympics

On July 15th, I "re-emerged" as a member of the Bensalem MOMS Club.  Up until spring (when things started with my mom) I was VERY active, then I just didn't have the time or effort to get to activities.  My friend Toni asked me if I would be interested in helping run a "moms club olympics", figuring it was right up my alley.  She was right.  I planned out a bunch of games for the kiddos to play... toss the waterballoons, relay races, obsticle course, target practice, sloppy shot put, flying frisbie race, and then the iccee eating contest to end the games.  We had about 12 kiddos and they had a great time.  Everyone who participated recieved a finisher medal.  The day was beautiful, the kids had fun, and it was nice to be with great friends again!!

I will have pictures of the actual olympic events soon, but I was too busy organizing, not taking pictures - bad Megan!

After the olympics we went for a walk at the lake (and yes, I did have two extra kiddos with me, Sarah and Leah)...



showing off their medals (Ryan, Leah, Sarah, Elyse, Victoria, and Angela)



after their walk in the woods (yes, they needed walking sticks)



trying to "catch" a duck...





camp here we come!!!

Angela started summer camp (monday through thursday from 8:30am till 12:30pm) in June.  She is having sooo much fun.  And on the 11th of July, Elyse got to go too.  She goes mondays and wednesdays in the preschool class and has a blast.  I love hearing how they are doing zumba, freeze tag, crafts, and this week was "cooking week".  They learned how to prepare their snacks - baked apples w raisins and brown sugar, pizzas, and rice crispy treats just to list a few.  But all good things have to end... next week is their last week, and they'll miss seeing their friends and mommy her "free time".  Hard to believe in about one month Angela will be back in school - where has the summer gone?

LSAA T-ball awards...

Lower South Athletic Association really knows how to put on an awards banquet.  Throw together about 500 people (athletes and their families) on a beautiful day at a swim club... no doubt everyone would have fun.  This was Angela and Elyse's first official year of t-ball.  They loved "Coach Rob" and the entire Pink Penguin team.  And to our surprise they got HUGE trophies...



Angela's trophy



Elyse's trophy

The awards continued for all of the teams in the association, then it was time to hit the pool.  The kids loved the big slides, the big pool, and especially the BIG diving board.  It was sooo cute to see "little Elyse" standing next to a kid 3 times taller than her.  She would just walk up, jump, and then pose in air until she hit the water. 

It truely was a GREAT way to end the season and spend some more time with friends. 

Before we know it, it will be time for fall soccer.  This year Angela is on the "big kids" soccer team - girls 6 and 7 years old.  Elyse will still be on the micros...

Happy 4th of July

We hope you enjoyed a fantastic long holiday weekend!


it's sparkler time



We started our weekend out by having the Zweitzig clan over for dinner and fun.  We had 6 (yes, count them) little girls 6 years and under.  Angela, Sarah, Leah, Elyse, Rebecca, and baby Hannah had a great time.  It was nice to catch up with Carrie and Dan while the kids played.  They loved when I brought out the sparklers... what a great time with friends!!

Then on sunday, we headed to Perkasie to visit our friends the Dietls.  The girls played with Jacob and got to experience what an "all boy" house would be like - lots of cars and trucks, very light on the pink and purple stuff!!  But we had another great dinner, then the kiddos played in the pool and ran around till they were all tired...

Then we could officialy say "happy 4th of July".  Sort of last minute we decided to head to the Lower Southampton Parade.  Sadly we have lived in this area for 9 years and have NEVER been to a local parade, so we figured why not.  It was a great experience.  We sat in the "performance area", so all the bands, karate groups, and mummers all performed infront of us.  We even saw some friends we knew in the parade. 

south philly string band

We then went home for a bit of "down time" before we headed out for the 4th of July pool party and fireworks.  We went to Rose and Walts house, the kids were in the pool for what seems to be hours, and eventually turned VERY pruney!!  Then it was fireworks time.  Walt rolled his huge wagon full of fireworks to the end of the road (in the retention basin) and then the fun began.  We all sat on the hill and watched the spectacular display.  They could rival the townships fireworks... so it was really cool.  Then as our display was ending, the townships took over, almost seemlessly.  We watched the rest of the show and then headed home. 

It was a fantastic holiday... and now we needed a few days to "recover" from all of our fun...

Happy Independence Day America!!!