Vacation: Day # 5

Today was day # 5 of my vacation and we are all feeling much better. I got up and finished the chicken coop and moved Rebecca's spoiled little chickens into it. I threw out my back while working on the coop so we all took a trip to Dr. Curry's at Curry Chiropractic for a healthy spine adjustment. We went to Irish Bend Orchards and picked a big ol' bag of peaches. The kids requested a Peach Pie, Rebecca is looking forward to Peach Crisp, and I am going to grill some fresh figs and peaches with brown sugar and local honey from our friend Elizabeth! Of course we have already started eating some of them right off the tree! There have been Weather Advisories for our area that have been blaring on the Emergency Broadcast System so we decided to stay home this evening. We ordered Pizza, wings and a large calzone from Mona's and played Monopoly Jr. - Alex sent us all to the poor house and counted his money for us all when the game was over.

Vacation: Day # 4

Today was a rough day as we were all feeling the effects of our sunburns. I look like a freshly boiled lobster, Alex's cheeks began to blister today just below his eyes but the rest of his body is burn free although belly is scratched up from tumbling in the surf. Ariel is sore from the sun burn on her legs, Rebecca is the typical woman/mother who goes about her daily routine without any complaints despite the fact that I know she is hurting too. Rebecca went to work for the morning and the kids and I spent the morning laying around. I assembled the new coop and started installing all of my upgrades which of course required a trip to the local hardware store with Alex. I also decided to install the air conditioners in the kids bedroom windows as the nights have been quite warm here. Thankfully we are all feeling better and have a full day planned for tomorrow. Despite the reason for us all laying around today it was nice to just kick back and relax for a change. I really enjoyed listening to the kids banter this morning - there is nothing like a hearty belly laugh from a child to make you smile and brighten your day! Dinner was simple but delicious tonight, I cooked up a couple pounds of shrimp - Alex had his as shrimp cocktail while the rest of us had ours in a yummy peach relish (fresh peaches, fresh garden tomatoes, garlic, onion, ginger, fresh squeezed lime juice, all brought together with a touch of oil, salt & pepper.) Rebecca also made a nice stir fry of fresh garden veggies. Today seemed to go by in the blink of an eye as do most vacation days - hopefully the remaining days of vacation will be as enjoyable as the past 4.

Vacation: Day # 3

Despite only having 4 hours of sleep I was up at 5:00AM packing the truck for a trip to the ocean - I figure my employer doesn't require me to sleep so why should my vacation!
The entire family was up and ready to go in record time and we decided to get breakfast on the road as we had a couple of errands we needed to complete on the way. After a trip through the local Dunkin' Donuts drive through we were on our way. I decided against my better judgement and followed the directions provided to me via my GPS - I can't really complain though as it was overcast this morning so we weren't missing any of the glorious sunshine and we took in some of the local sites that I haven't seen in quite some time. We arrived at the beach and were surprised to see how empty the parking lot was, it was nice to park right next to the dunes and so close to the water. The kids were excited that they were going to be able to use their body boards. It was high tide when we arrived so the waves were the smallest they would be all day and we were able to watch how the tide phases affected the waves, water levels and beach head.
Not long after we arrived the sun burned through all the clouds and haze and the sky was clear and blue! (Well at least that is what I was taught growing up - for all we know it could really be orange!) By mid afternoon the tide was making its way back in and the waves had grown quite a bit, the only problem was that with all the fun we were having in the surf that sunscreen was the last thing on my mind. Needless to say I am now in pain, laying in bed with the shakes, and praying I will wake up feeling better tomorrow morning. I love the ocean and watching my kids (and wonderful wife) playing in the sand and surf brings back memories of weekends spent at the beach with my mother while I was growing up. Hopefully we will all be feeling better tomorrow as we have plenty of fun planned for the afternoon and evening.

Vacation: Day # 2

Well today was not as exciting but still a great day of vacation. We all slept in late in order to recuperate from yesterdays trip to the amusement park. I finally got up and finished mowing the lawn and completed a few chores around the yard. After a hearty breakfast of fresh eggs straight from the chicken coop we took a trip into town and went shopping to pick up supplies for the rest of the week. Upon returning home, I found out the coop I ordered from a fellow Back Yard Chickens member had arrived, so our evening plans changed and we took the dreaded trip to New York rather than going miniature golfing much to the dismay of both the kids. Despite the traffic caused by evening construction the trip went well and I look forward to assembling the coop for our spoiled bantams (Chip and Dale.) Well it is late and we have a busy day planned tomorrow - A day of boogie boarding on the waves and fun in the sand at a great Rhode Island beach, Hopefully the thunder storms will hold off till night time.

Vacation: Day # 1

Day #1:
Lake Compounce - New England's Family Theme Park

Today we got up early and headed out for a day of fun in the sun. We stopped at the Gold Roc Diner in West Hartford, CT for a hearty breakfast of eggs, toast and some creamy grits. After filling our bellies we completed the trip to Lake Compounce ready for some thrills and white water adventures.
I have to admit the day was full of surprises - I didn't think I would enjoy a water park full of strange people, I never thought Alex would go on a roller coaster that goes upside down, I never thought I would be able to feed the 4 of us dinner at the park for under $30! We had a great day and were on site 20 minutes after the park opened and left just before the park closed. I think Rebecca and I had just as much fun as the kids - the only sad part is that now that the kids have experienced big kid rides I don't think we will be making any future trips to Story Land - at least we have the memories!

Vacation Week Journal

Hurray - I am on vacation! All work and no Play has made me a very dull (and grumpy) boy so this week has been long awaited by me and the entire family. I will do my best to journal our daily events here on the Blog and at the end of the week hopefully post pictures of all our fun adventures. So here is to a week of fun, family and relaxation.

Are you ready for some Football

The past 2 weeks have been very busy at work and as the hours, days, weeks and months blend together I had officially lost track of what day it was. I started out my day @ 05:00 after a refreshing 5 hours of sleep and managed to get back home around 18:00. After a wonderful dinner prepared by Rebecca I finished my daily reports and time entry and decided to watch a little television. Much to my surprise as I was scrolling through the listings I saw it - it was there, right before my eyes - NFL Preseason Football! Needless to say I was as excited as a spoiled child at their birthday party! I love watching the NFL as much as I love watching NASCAR - I am sure my family as well as my employer will ensure I don't waste too much of my life in front of the TV but just be warned if I don't answer your call it's because we have recently been gifted with a Caller ID banner on the TV via our cable provider so I won't even have to get up to see who it is - but fear not I will call you back. Of course I am joking about not answering the phone, Ariel is practicing for her teenage years and has become best friends with modern technology so if she is home the phone will be answered (unless of course she is already on it, LOL!) So sit back with an ice cold beverage the snack of your choice - Peanut M&M's if your my brother (inside joke - sorry to everyone else) and enjoy the game that is - American Football!

Thank's to the Keeper of the Stars

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank the Lord for the woman I married what seems like years ago but at the same time is as fresh in my memory as if it was yesterday.

Rebecca,

Thank you for being the best wife any man could ask for. There are so many cheesy love songs that I can think of from the 80's and 90's but rather than play them here I will continue to entertain you by singing them randomly as we go through life together! You have spoiled me and although you might not think twice about the things you do on a daily basis I notice them and even though I might not say "Thank You" everyday - I want you to know how much I appreciate you and everything you do to keep our family functioning day in and day out. I love you and through the good times and bad I have enjoyed our journey through life together and look forward to many, many more years and the excitement each day brings. I love that you love me for who I am and that even after 14 years of marriage I can still make you laugh with my silly songs and that we wake every morning next to each other with a smile and an I love you kiss (bad breath and all.) I love that when we talk on the phone we end every conversation with "I love You" and truly mean it! I am truly blessed to have you as my wife - Happy Anniversary Rebecca - I love you. XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Love,

C.

Tracy Byrd - The Keeper Of The Stars
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