Autumn, Ada, & Isla Come for a Visit

Grandpop Gum (Autumn's Dad) given his grandgirls a ride

Mama and Papa Gum with all the kiddos. Sure wish this picture hadn't turned out so blurry!

Isla (1yr), Vin (3yrs), Ada (3yrs), Luca (1yr)

My bestest pal from high school, Autumn, and her two little girls came for a visit in July. It was simply incredible to have that time with her, Ada, and Isla. I didn't get many pictures because lately I have been seriously slacking in the whole picture taking thing. We were additionally blessed to have Autumn's parents, or as I call them Mama and Papa Gum come over for brunch on Saturday 7/11.

Autumn made an incredible journey from CA to Michigan to visit Michael (her hubby)'s family for a week or two, then flew in to NJ to spend a few days with us and then she was off to spend a few weeks with her folks in S. Jersey. And all of this while she was 20+ weeks pregnant with her third child! Girl, I give you the "Super Traveler Crazy No Fear of Flying on an Airplane for 5 Hours By Yourself with Two Kids While Pregnant Mom Award."

Autumn - All of us were blessed by your effort. Thank You! I cannot wait till the next time.

4th of July Fireworks!

Trip to NYC - 7/3/2010

So in May we had Grandmom and Grandpop Allchin over for dinner and we were all sitting around the table talking when Grandmom Allchin mentioned she really wanted to take a trip to NYC and have dinner at Carmines (a place we've been to several times in years past as a family). We all agreed it sounded like a great idea and so we planned it for the end of May but the weather did not agree with our date. So we tried again 4th of July weekend and we had an awesome day!

We took the ferry from the Atlantic Highlands into lower Manhatten. After checking out a few of the sites we took a cab up to Times Square where we stumbled upon the Toys R Us store. The kids were in heaven! Finally, we made our way over to Carmines and enjoyed an nice kid friendly dinner time of 2:00. It was such a wonderful day!

Vin's First Trip to the Movie Theater

On 6/25 Vin and I went to see Toy Story 3. Vin was enthralled and we both really enjoyed our time out. Here is a picture I managed to snatch before getting scolded by the movie theater employee who does not appreciate flash photography during movie previews. How is Disney to further promote their evil plans to take over the world if others in the theater are being distracted by my flash?

Vin's End of Year School Play

Just had to share Vin's class picture. I think when I first saw his face I laughed for about 10 minutes straight. This is the only photo they were able to get with all the kids and almost every child is smiling so nicely and then there's Vinnie who looks like he's going to attack the photographer.

The Mitches Come for a Visit

Mitch (my brother) wrestling with his girls and Vinnie

Kiddie Pool Fun

Getting in a quick run

From Left: Mark (my uncle), Paul (my Dad), Grandpop Allchin, Grandmom Allchin, Jason and Mitch

Jason and Mitch having some kind of serious conversation

Grandpop Allchin helping Luca back in the pool. Luca is not so sure.

Jason and Vin

Madilynn so sad because no one wants to come play in the pool. Everyone else got out when their teeth started chattering.

Dad and Luca

Jason and Vin

Dad and Mikayla (Mitch and Andrea's oldest daughter)

Dad and Mikayla

Jason reading the kiddos a story

Luca reading a book

Aunt Andrea reading Luca a book