July 4, 2014: New Jersey

On a whim we decided to head down to Jersey for the 4th. Since Eric didn't have to work Thursday and I only had to work Wednesday morning it was going to be a perfect really long weekend to visit the Birds. While there were some difficulties making our reservation and a miscommunication about how many Birdies were actually in town, they made room for us and welcomed us with open arms.

Eric got to get his jet ski and motorcycle fix while Claire got all the pool and tramp time she could handle. They were both in heaven.

Thursday was bikes and pool (I went running while Eric rode) and then we just bummed around.

 

Friday there was major rain in the morning which we worried would ruin the fireworks--but it all cleared out by noonish. Randomly Hayley and the kids were here visiting her family in Cape May so we met up for breakfast and got to have some cousin time. They are all getting so big! I forget that while my baby is getting bigger and bigger everyone else's babies are doing the same. Everyone just needs to stop growing for a minute! Or at least slow down...We met at a local diner and then made a surf shop stop. It was great to see them.

 

When we got back to the Bird's Nest Claire went down for a nap to prep for a night of fun, food, and her first FIREWORKS!!! After some more pool time and dinner we headed over to the neighborhood park. It was perfectly American. Claire got to go on a bike ride, all the kiddoes/adults who think they are kiddoes played soccer and there was a band playing in the background. I loved it. I was nervous Claire would hate fireworks, but no worries. She loved, even oohing and ahhing at all the right times.

 

Paying homage to the World Cup (even though our teams didn't win...)

 

Saturday was more fun, including a boardwalk walk, pizza, ice cream, and WONDERLAND.

 

Claire enjoying her first Mack and Manco's.
They must put something in their sauce because it is addictive.

If it looks like Claire is trying to ditch Eric it's because she is.
She didn't turn around once in her 10 minute jaunt down the boardwalk...

We couldn't get Oliver to smile but the rest of the picture worked.

The Carousel at WONDERLAND.
She lost a shoe...but then we found it.

My favorite part of this ride was watching Ashton put his arm around Claire to either assure her everything was ok or to hold in the boat. I'm not sure which...

We left exhausted and all played out. A perfect vacation. We've already made our next reservation.
Thanks to the Birds for a wonderful weekend!