The Epitome of Cooperation

Sure, I have to look like an idiot jumping up and down on the beach saying, "Look at Mommy" and this is the best they can do. What little be-atches. They couldn't even look in the same damn direction!

These pictures were taken last week while on vacation in Manasquan, NJ. John and I always go there the week after Labor Day. It's nice and quiet and The Girls can enjoy the Doggy Beach. Which they certainly did!






This is Campbell playing "Stalker." Not exactly sure what she was stalking (it was probably her sister) but I thought she looked so cute. She tries so hard to be big and brave, but she's just a little mush.



Barrett is a tired girl after a long day at the beach. She really loves the water and would jump in and swim along as I walked on the shoreline. Cami is a little more of a landlubber, and didn't like the sensation of the earth disappearing from beneath her little feets. She is more of a wader. Barrett is such a silly girl and would paddle out after a seagull who was bobbing in the waves. Poor Bar would keep going swimming towards it as it flew off into the air. I though she was going to swim all the way to Point Pleasant!


We're all about class on vacation. ;) Note the nice raw bar spread. To me, nothing is better than pushing a couple of coolers together to make a table and watching the tides moves while tossing our shells into the lagoon. It was even better as we spent this cocktail hour with my parents.

It was a great vacation...now it's back to reality....re-entry was painful, but thankfully the week is almost over. Now I need to plan for St. Thomas!

The Shoemaker's Kid

So, you know how the shoemaker's kid never has any shoes? Well, the landscaper's wife didn't have any landscaping. Unitl now! Woo-hoo! Finally, John did a big installation around the house. I basically told him that we would not have the BBQ (see below) if he didn't do a nice big construction job, complete with pavered patios, walkways and mucho plants. I wanted hydrangeas and I got them! I'm very pleased with the outcome and thought I'd share. : ) This is my little private patio off the sunroom. I'm still looking for a gate for the columns and there will be a white picket fence along side the columns as well.




This little area is directly across from the sunroom. I can't wait for all these flowers to bloom. It's been so hot and dry lately that the flowering plants are not flowering. I've been hand watering, but that's not the same and a good old fashioned drenching.





Ah, no more playing "slip-n-slide" down the lawn. Our nifty new walk makes it a breeze to go from deck to driveway without twisting an ankle. This is probably my favorite upgrade so far. Now I'm anxious to get the front steps and old walkway ripped out and replaced (see old stuff below).

The front steps and old field stone walk at right will be removed shortly. John and I haven't decided what we're doing with the steps yet, but the walk will be the same as the pavers above. The stepping stones will join the two walks together, and more stepping stones will go to the right of the house and lead to the columned entrance to the little patio. Once the plants put down their roots and the grass comes in a bit, it's really going to look beautiful!

The Annual Sweeney Neighborhood BBQ

So the annual Sweeney Neighborhood BBQ has come and gone. This was definitely the best party yet. We had neighbors, family, and members of John's softball team over this past Sunday to enjoy some fishing, volleyball, horseshoes, and of course, damn good grub.

The highlight of the day's meal was the pig, as it usually is. Our brother-in-law, John, came over first thing in the morning to prep the little pig,


and then manned the roaster until it was time to dig in. We also served the usual burgers and dogs, with some barbequed chicken and sausage peppers and onions. Guests brought side dishes and all 85 people did some serious damage to the food! Major chowage, which was great.

All in all, it was a successful party. I wish I had pictures of our guests, but I was too busy socializing! I just post so pre-party shots: