Three weeks in Massachusetts! Part One

The last three weeks of July we spent up in New England visiting Brian's family. We stayed overnight with Brian's sister, Autumn, and husband, Jeff.
Brian is a HUGE New England sports fan. Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics. Autumn and Jeff took us to Gillette Stadium to take a look around. Despite the monsoon that was occurring when we arrived (we got soaked!) we had a wonderful time exploring the grounds. There was an event happening that evening (New England Revolution vs Manchester United) so we left before the crowds got too big.

Instead of eating at the stadium we decided to eat closer to home. Our waitress gave BJ a HUGE dessert (on the house). We saved the cookie for later (for Mommy and Daddy, of course) and gave BJ all the rest. He loved it!

The next day we went to the zoo!

BJ and Daddy fed a deer from hand.

I cuddled with Brian's littlest sister, Amelia.

BJ and Grandpa Deschaine looked at the animals.

Deschaine Family Fun at the Zoo!

Later in the week we went and visited Grandpa and Grandma Deschaine at their house in CT. BJ and Amelia had a blast in the kiddie pool.

Although the pool was fun there was an even bigger body of water waiting just around the corner....

the lake!!!!

BJ also got to meet his Great Grandpa McCracken on this trip. We tried to take advantage of this special visit by taking a photo of Great Grandpa and the great grandkids. Well, the kids wouldn't cooperate without the parents so instead we took a picture of Great Grandpa, his grandchildren who are parents, and his great grandkids.

From left to right: Brian and BJ, Great Grandpa McCracken and Caroline (cousin Heather's youngest), Uncle Brad and Alexander, and Cousin Heather and Madison.

And finally, here is a cute picture of BJ running through the sprinkler. Such joy!

Bethany Beach, Delaware

Our summer of vacation continues...We returned home from BBC on a Friday (yup, I'm still blogging about July), rested Saturday, and packed up the car and headed out for Delaware on Sunday. Brian's brother Brad, his wife Stephanie, and their son Alexander were visiting Stephanie's family in Annapolis, which happens to be right on our route to Delaware. So we took the opportunity to see the family :)

For the past 2 years, our beach vacation has coincided with the Fourth of July holiday. Despite heavy traffic and TONS of beach-goers, we had a blast! My extended family rented a home for the week 3 blocks from the beach. There was a total of 7 adults and 5 children under one roof! Luckily, the house was HUGE and we had plenty of room. The holiday was on Monday and BJ got to see his first parade.

Because of the weather the fireworks were delayed til Tuesday night. I was afraid that BJ would not like the loud explosions but I was wrong. He actually pushed my hands off of his ears so he could enjoy the show!

Our family at the fireworks!

BJ really enjoyed the ocean this year. He wanted to run right into the water. The waves were a little strong for BJ so we always had to be near.

To make a safe place where the kids could play, the adults dug a ditch in the sand to collect water. The children LOVED it!

My Uncle Eddie's family was also visiting Bethany Beach the same week we were. We got together at the beach a couple of days. In total, we had 8 kids under the age of 10. It's a cool photo because it captures all 8 of my grandmother's great-grandchildren.

If you look carefully you can see Tommy in the background! He didn't care much for the waves so stayed by the blanket a lot. BJ is not looking at the camera but he's still in the picture :)

Me and BJ in the ditch. Yup, I'm wearing long sleeves at the beach. The sun is killer on my oh-so-sensitive skin!

Just a cute picture of BJ in the sand

BJ absolutely LOVES his cousins. Jacob (7 years old) is at an age where he can interact with BJ in a boyish way, like sports and wrestling and what-not. We were burying Jacob in the sand and all BJ wanted to do was jump on him!

This is one of my favorite shots from the beach.

On our way home from the beach we stopped at a Nike outlet store. BJ pulled a pair of shoes off the shelf that he HAD to try on. Wouldn't you know that they were his size! So we had a little fashion shoe in the middle of the store...

P.S. More summer vacation pictures to come. Be patient!

P.S.S. Pardon the wierd spacing in the blog. I've been working on this post for 2 weeks and I can't figure out how to space it properly!

Defender Basketball Camp at BBC

On the first leg of our vacation our family headed up to Clarks Summit, PA for Defender Basketball camp at Baptist Bible College. Like years past, Brian brought a group of boys from the school. We prayed that this would be an opportunity for them to grow closer to God as well as learn more about basketball.


Group Photo


BJ in the huddle


BJ watching the ball game

BJ and his bball buddy JJ. Brian and JJ's dad were assistant basketball coaches at BBC together. JJ is older than BJ by 10 days. JJ may have the height but BJ has all the hair :)


Playing outside with his basketball (because BJ was getting a little crazy indoors!)

I always enjoy going back to BBC because the place holds such fond memories for Brian and I. We get a chance to reconnect with some "old" friends and they get to enjoy spending time with BJ! We also get to meet up with some friends along our route as well!


Since BJ and I drove separately from the rest of the crew, we were able to stop in York, PA to visit Faithe, a friend from college. Although BJ isn't smiling that much in the photo he really enjoyed his visit with Miss Faithe, and I did too!

During the week at camp BJ and I had a playdate with a very good friend of mine, Gretchen. We met halfway at a wonderful playpark. Gretchen's daughter Ellie (happy 5th birthday Ellie) and BJ played very well together. Ellie's little brother Caleb enjoyed his time as well, I think!

Ellie and BJ in the HUGE sandbox!

Gretchen and Caleb

Instead of staying in the dorms we were able to stay at our friend Rachel's house. It's become tradition! She has a yard that BJ loves to run around in and this cool "weeping" tree. BJ loved to run through the leaves!

When we go visit BBC there is one thing we absolutely always have to do....visit Manning's Dairy Farm! Mannings makes the BEST homemade icecream. Ever. And it's very inexpensive. We had to take BJ to try out the tasty goodness!

BJ exploring the farm. Even the smell of cow manure can't dampen the wonderfulness of the ice cream.

Family portrait with ice cream. BJ got his own ice cream cone for the first time ever. It was the smallest cone I have ever seen and it only cost 50 cents.

Daddy, BJ, and Rachel

We're Back!

After 5 weeks of vacation our family is now home in Maryland. There are many adventures to post about so keep on the lookout!