Military Appreciation at Indian Acres Farm

I have to admit, when I learned we'd be moving to New Jersey I was a little...sad, bummed, worried freaking out because who WANTS to live in Jersey?!

But this last year has proven to be so much better than I can imagine.  Never mind that we are not on the coast, live 15 minutes off the horrible NJTP, had to deal with crazy NJ bureaucracy and didn't get my nursing license for 6 months, are not in Hawaii (ok, that might have been pushing it).  But really, living here on Fort Dix has been a blessing in disguise.

I've been able to work very minimally (very, very, very) while going to school full-time for my graduate degree.  We have met a lot of super nice people here on base, have wonderful neighbors, and teachers who care for Ellie.  My employer has been more than accommodating to my ever crazy schedule due to Dave's hectic traveling schedule. The camaraderie here on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is great (as far as I can tell).

There are many events for us military families and today we went to one.  Indian Acres Tree Farm puts on an annual event in honor of the local military.  We decided to check it out and were glad we did.  Many of the other Coastie families went as well so it was fun seeing all the kiddos out and about.  This place was so set up for kids:  lots of bounce houses, play structures, wagon and tractor rides (which they had to stop mid-way because the girl DID NOT enjoy it...pictures to come), pumpkin patch trips where kids picked out their own (FREE) pumpkin, corn mazes, rock wall climbing, zip lines, free lunch, ice cream, cotton candy, face painting.....I have a feeling we will be back!

Ellie and her buddy Makenna

Happy smile while she was stationary.

You will see that she's already trying to get out as the tractor rounds the corner....2 minutes later, it came to a dead stop.  Oh well, we tried.  ;)

Waiting our turn for the games

So happy to play

Winner, winner!

She knows what she wants.

Pickers...

... of APPLES!!!!!!!

Just. Can't. Stop.  


Dave and I have been apple picking now for 5  consecutive falls.  It's one of my favorite things to do.  I love apples.  And apple pies, apple crisp, apple cake, apple cider donuts, apple sauce, apple pie moonshine, apple fritters.......  You get the idea.  

After doing this for a few years now you'd think we would grasp the idea of ONLY picking what we need/can use within a short period of time. Um....no.  This year's bounty:  44lbs of apples and 6 pounds of Italian plums.  Seriously?!  

So, the apple pie moonshine making commenced pronto and a sack of apples and a handful of plums went to one neighbor = down 10 lbs!  :)  

Ellie had a blast and it was fun having her help pick this year too.  She absolutely loved the plums and probably had about 5 of them....oops.  Anyway, here are some pictures from today's annual trip to the orchard.  Enjoy!!!!

Saying hi to the chickens before we got started

Me and my girl

Running through the orchard

Her "Cheese!" face

Until next year!

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal

Labor Day Weekend - 2013

My husband's parents passed away 15 years ago.  His mother in June, his father this very weekend.  It's always a somber reminder of how fragile life is and how important it is to share-and to love-and to just enjoy every experience with your loved ones,  never knowing when the last time might be.

So, we ventured into Philly for another visit.  It's hard.  Real hard.  It's never comfortable.  But it's very necessary as the grieving process is continual.  I know K and H would be so proud of the man my husband has become:  the husband, father, military man, the good hearted, dedicated man.  NO DOUBT they are smiling down on him every day and enjoying the view.

I just wish with all my heart the little one had another set of grandparents, that I got to meet them.  That they could be here so we could selfishly enjoy our life's milestones and experiences with them.  But I know they are smiling down....

Oh, you know...

Nothing too exciting going on here lately.  Daddy Dave has been traveling....A LOT!  So Ellie and I have been holding down the fort.  Here's a little taste of things we've been doing:

You know...snacking like a lady in mom's car

You know...working like a crazy woman to get that sign (finally!!!)

You know...taking our  4 mile walk past this beauty of a view (amidst the sterile, dusty, concrete, brown buildings typical of military bases)

You know...climbing up this rock gym like a champ!

OH to be a kid again....

This weekend we had our fabulous friends from Cape Cod down for a kiddie reunion at Sesame Place. It is always entertaining to have Bella and Ellie together.  I, unfortunately, did not get a single picture of us at Sesame Place!  We were too busy running from water ride to amusement ride with a group of 11 to even bother with phones or cameras.  But, there's always next year!  Here are a few that I was able to capture.

Together again!  Love these two girls.  

Two little monkeys ready for a sleepover

Getting ready together ;)

Hanging with the big Rodriguez kids

Such sweet and helpful children

My pretty girl

Looks like trouble for the future.....

Not too enthusiastic

Happy birthday Isabel!

Wet noodles and self-grooming

 :)  I really don't want her to grow out of this stage....

Have a great weekend!

Touch-A-Truck

Perfect timing for a gorgeous summer night.

Normally I would be afraid to take Ellie out in the evenings, because let's face it, the girl needs her sleep.  But tonight was the annual Touch-A-Truck National Night Out and our favorite Coastie was there showing the kids the Strike Team's mobile command center (aka Nascar trailer), robots, and one of their boats.

To say Ellie had a good time is an understatement.  She had a freakin' blast!  The girl loves cars, trucks...basically anything with a wheel that she can "drive".  Added bonus:  bouncy house. "Mommy, jump? jump? jump?"   She'd never done it before but saw some boys doing it and just had to join.  (Okay.... STOP. GROWING. UP. SO. FAST!)

My handsome hubby and little El-bug.

Can't get enough of that smile! ;)