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!

Our Summer of Vacation

This summer Brian is finally taking advantage of being a teacher. We are traveling most of the summer and therefore I won't be able to post too much, maybe occasionally. When we get back in August I will have TONS to write about. We hope you all enjoy your summer!

18 months

BJ is 18 months old now. Here are a few things he enjoys to do:

• BJ loves water and loves anything to do with water (puddles, pools, sprinklers, watering the garden, splash park, water bottles, etc.)



• His favorite pants are bright blue flannel with basketballs on them. And yes, he will pull them out of his drawer to wear and he gets upset when they must come off (for diaper changes and for a bath).



• When he runs he swings his right arm back and forth. Just the right one. The left one is mostly stationary.



• He has mastered the child safety lock for the pots and pans. He appears to be satisfied with only discovering how to open the one drawer, for now.



• He is learning to obey Mommy and Daddy. Sometimes he will obey although he does not like it (he'll cry and complain while following through with whatever we ask of him).



• He can sign "I love you" and I think that's the sweetest thing!



• He loves his Daddy. Now that Daddy has been home for over a month BJ expects him to be here whenever he needs him. I am almost chopped liver, but I do get the occasional hug or "I love you". BJ only kisses his daddy (Mommy has to kiss BJ but BJ will actually go up to Brian and kiss him).



• His favorite word is still "ball" but his vocabulary is expanding to include hoop, water, and other words I can't think of right now.

Happy (Belated) Father's Day!

I know this is super late but BJ wanted to let the world know how much he loves Daddy. Go ahead BJ: la,dckd 20M

We celebrated Daddy by taking him to the Baltimore Zoo.

BJ loved anything to do with water. I think a trip to the aquarium might be next!

The zoo had this really neat KidZone complete with a petting zoo and tractors to ride.

Take me out to the ballgame

What better thing to do in 100 degree weather than watch a baseball game! We went to our nephew Jacob's coach-pitch ballgame.

Jacob at bat (it's hard to get a good picture from behind the fence).


Jacob as catcher.

BJ hanging around with Jacob at the team bench in case they need a pinch hitter (see his baseball bat in tow?)