Lots of Pics from a Short Visit Home

We made a quick trip home...leaving Friday at about 5pm. I know, what were

we thinking.....actually, traffic was not too bad. We arrived in our hometown at

around 11:30pm, I think.

After spending the night at my parent's home....we started our busy Saturday, making our visits to a few friends and family. Here is a pic of great grandma.....sitting under a huge flower basket. She is so amazing....at 96!

Some yard games....including this game and hide n seek. Everyone got involved....all

the adults played too! I love that about G's family.

G ran pushed grandma around.....

                                   

 Then a "freewheel race" started.......great grandma was such a good sport as they raced down the street.

Some cake and treats......the boys turned 8 the week before. Carla and Jo also came by great grandma's to

say hello.....no photo as evidence though ;)

                                                We left great grandma's house and quickly cruised over to visit some of our oldest friends. My girlfriend had gathered a few friends for our visit. It felt so comfortable and nice.....being with people who "get" you and love you in spite of your flaws. ( a little brag for my friend in the red shirt...he's a camera man for our local news and was recently nominated for an emmy)

                                                            The few days before our visit had been super emotional for me.....just one of those bad weeks. It felt good to be home.

(looking for a huge toad that was croaking)

  We then went to my parent's house for dinner with a couple of my siblings. It had been forever since I had a chance to sit down and chat with my sister. We are so different...right down to our hair color(blonde vs. brunette). She had me laughing so hard.....I also realized that we are more similar than I had ever realized.

My mom made the boys an ice cream cake.  Homemade ice cream cakes are

so good!

The next day.........another fast paced day.

They crack me up.....they always do the same pose when I request a photo.

I think we were timing them while they had their heads under water??

Some more birthday cake....followed by a big game of tag.

And then it was off to our traditional birthday dinner with Papa and Grandma at

Red Robin.

We were all falling asleep at this point.

Then it was back to New Jersey...getting stuck in traffic again.