9 to 5 (Part Three)

We're to days Wednesday and Thursday.

Wednesday was pretty relaxing (aside from the whole "not enough carseats and had to go buy some super cheap ones"). Two of the dads had prior engagements so we decided to just relax that day.

Keith, my kids, the Hadley kids, B, and myself all went to the same lake we had found Saturday while driving. It was AMAZING. Keith brought his kayak and the kids had him rowing ALL DAY.







Thursday was an exciting day for the kids, especially Joey. We rode the Conway Scenic Railroad ! It was an older train that was gorgeously restored and surprisingly comfortable.








Afterward, we had a lunch at a train-themed restaurant. Kids were starting to melt down at that point. So, the dads took the boys to a weather museum while the moms tried to get the girls down for a nap. Not only were the moms successful, but they also took a nap themselves. :)

Here's one of my favorite shots taken later that evening:

9 to 5 (Part Two)

Cricket, cricket . . . I wonder if anyone made it through part one. I think part two will go much easier.

Monday morning we headed out to play putt-putt. Yes, I'm aware it's correctly called "mini-golf," but I'm from Amarillo. It's putt-putt. There was an arcade in the lobby, too. We dropped a small fortune, because Clarissa wanted a soccer ball. We ended up getting a pretty substantial amount, but decided to split the tickets five ways for each of the kids to get some junk . . . I mean toys. Clarissa ended up with a soccer key chain.







After lunch (not at DQ) we headed to Story Land . Both Joey and Clarissa were very excited to go there. They'd been seeing the commercials on PBS so they knew what to expect. It definitely didn't disappoint.







Tuesday we headed back to Story Land. Since we had purchased our tickets at three the prior day it allowed us to get into the park for the full day that next day. I ended up missing the first half of the day, though, so I don't have as many pictures as I normally would.







See . . . this post wasn't that bad, right? It was basically all about Story Land.

9 to 5 (Part One)

VACATION! Did you hear that? The Truman's went on vacation! As much as I enjoy visiting family in Texas (and, yes I do . . . I like giving family a hard time about it) I feel like it's not a "real" vacation. Between shuffling to and from families and friends while trying to squeeze in activities, restaurants, and trying to keep the kids on a schedule, I find that it's not really "relaxing." Don't get me wrong, I get some help while I'm there. It's really nice having someone always willing to go chase the kids for me while I actually sit and have a meal, but it's not really a vacation if I'm just visiting my childhood home.

It was fantastic having a vacation last week! We rented a cabin in New Hampshire with two families which are great friends of ours. The cabin was in a great location and pretty secluded all in one. Even better? There was a DQ right down the road! (I know, I know . . . we have a some DQs here in MA, but I only know of TWO full DQs; one is only open during summer and the other is a bit of a trip) Needless to say, we had blizzards almost every night and the kids were a big fan of the chicken baskets.

I digress. We left Saturday 7/24 and Keith and I decided that we have traveler's ADD (or is it ADHD?). What should have been a four hour car ride ended up being an eight hour ride! We hit every imaginable traffic jam! When we finally crossed over to NH we pulled over to go eat some food and was pleasantly surprised to find a firework warehouse! I've never been in a building that sold fireworks. My only memories prior to this trip of buying fireworks were us pulling over to the side of the road and purchasing them from a stand that was only open shortly before the fourth of July. Keith was like a little kid in a candy store. He's a BIG fan of fireworks. It's been six years since he's been able to purchase fireworks since they're illegal here in Massachusetts.

Anyway, back to our ADD (ADHD? - Seriously, tell me which I have). We stopped at a park located off the highway with a beach area.







As we were getting closer to the cabin (probably about 20 or so minutes) I noticed a great spot for a picture. Keith pulled over and by luck we found a FANTASTIC beach area. Seriously, it was amazing. In case anyone is in the area, try mile marker 66 on route 16. The area is super clean and not crowded at all.







We finally got to the cabin around six and lucky us . . . our friends were already settled and had dinner waiting on the table for us since we had sent our food up with our friends earlier in the day. Getting distracted sometimes has its benefits.

Sunday was a pretty laid back day (aside from Joey waking me at 4:45 a.m.). Since the sun rises so early here in New England Joey and I went for a little hike. Perhaps I shouldn't have since we were in the freakin' woods. Again, I digress. (Below is a picture of the sign that was the entrance to our cabin)



We went to a park in the center of town (in Conway).







After lunch (at DQ) we headed to Diana's Bath . It was beautiful! Unfortunately, not all of us were able to enjoy it. Shortly after arriving, Luke fell and ended up having to go to the hospital for some stitches. Luckily, they just used the glue, but still a scary sight to see.

Some of us stayed behind (mainly due to the fact that we were now down a vehicle). I was a nervous wreck, because I was certain that one of the other kids would also hurt themselves. Luckily, everyone was safe and the kids really enjoyed themselves.







After dinner that evening Keith brought out the fireworks. The kids had a blast!





Well . . . I have the rest of the week to document, but realized this is a REALLY long post. I wonder if any of you read all the way through. I'll finish the rest of our vacation later.

Teach Your Children

I believe I've mentioned before that I like to take the kids on solo Mommy Dates and this last Saturday I was able to go on some pretty awesome Mommy Dates if I do say so myself. As you all know, I LOVE taking pictures. So, Joey and I went and took some pictures together around town. Basically, wherever he wanted to go. I told him to take pictures of anything pretty he saw. I about cried when he turned to me and said, "Oh, then I want to take a picture of you." I sure do love this kid! After him taking a few pictures of me I told him he could take pictures of anything cool or pretty. It was amazing to browse through his pictures taken. It's the closest I can look through a child's eyes. Moms (or Dads) I suggest doing this as a date with your little one. (Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, too) You'll be amazed at your child.

Here's my favorite picture Joey took:



After I got back from my Mommy Date with Joey, Clarissa and I had our date together. We went and got our nails done together. She LOVED it! It was her first time getting them professionally done and she acted like a pro. The technicians were impressed with her. Unfortunately, I realized when I got home that I should have taken Joey. Apparently, not everyone can take pictures in focus. I asked one of the technicians to take a picture of Clarissa getting her nails done . . . I really don't want to hurt your eyes. Imagine a 3D picture only worse . . . that's the picture.

We Danced Anyway

One year ago on the seventh our house was flooded. We're still dealing with the aftermath of it. We consider ourselves lucky and blessed, because no one was hurt and it didn't bury us financially. We've been lucky enough to be able to do things to the bottom floor that we had always hoped to do. For instance, we knocked down two whole walls and plan on relocating one of the restrooms among other things.

I had planned on having a whole post of before and after pictures, but I'll have to do that at another time. Our house is kind of a wreck right now. Keith is in the middle of doing some more repair work and things are in total chaos. For instance, our refrigerator isn't even flush with the wall right now. Instead, it's plugged in but sitting in the middle of the kitchen. It's a mess.

Anyway, please enjoy a rare picture . . . it has me in it.

Going to the Chapel

Every once in a while I'll stop and admire my wedding ring. I believe that I have a beautiful ring and am blessed knowing that my wonderful husband chose it for me. Granted, I may have urged him into which ring band I wanted, but the final decision was made by him. I love my ring, but I love the man that gave it to me more. I constantly receive compliments on my ring even having a professor stop me in the middle of a test to admire my ring.



So, what does your ring look like? Is there any significance to it? (Besides the obvious) Is it an heirloom? Any funny story with it?

Originally, Keith was told the smallest they could size my ring was a four. I had to wear a ring guard with it and when he took it to the actual jeweler to get my wedding band welded together with the engagement ring they said they could size the ring to the appropriate size . . . so my ring is a 2.5. I don't know if when I was pregnant if I outgrew it, because I had to quit wearing the ring once I started reacting weirdly to the white gold. It happened both times. Luckily, I still have the same size finger (as does Keith) and we've never had to get our rings adjusted.

The Way I Am

Have you ever watched a cartoon that you remember like watching when you were a child only to think "what was I thinking," and "why am I letting my child watch this?" Perhaps we are too politically correct and "wussified" (as Keith so eloquently says).

Today we let the kids watch "Dumbo" for the first time. If it was any current cartoon that let their characters get drunk and spank, my kids wouldn't be watching it. However, good 'ol Walt Disney was allowed in my house tonight.

Clarissa asked me about Dumbo's mom during a certain point in the movie. I explained that Dumbo's mom loved him very much and that's why she was acting the way she was. Clarissa then proceeded to say, "Oh! You're kind of like Dumbo's mommy! Because you love your baby very much and I'm your baby."

I'm not sure if I should be flattered or not.