Garrett's Graduation Party

Megan, Garrett and Trinity Rose at 11 days old!

Joe and his girls
The Refuge
The food tent
Maura and Sara Jane. Sara had 8 stitches from an injury a few days before the party.

Peggy with her mother Clare

Callen, Tien and Maggie

Erin enjoying the crabs

The six of us, plus #9 soon to arrive

A butterfly in a butterfly bush

The four boys, Christian, Matthew, John and Walter

This past Saturday we drove to the Eastern Shore of Maryland to attend Garrett's graduation party. Garrett attended the University of Delaware and we are quite proud of his academic accomplishment. We drove down with Katie, Corey and Nancy. We were fortunate to make it in 3 1/2 hours. Matthew and Peggy bought a home in Easton, they will live in it while they rebuild their home on the Miles River. There were at least 200 people at this event. The Matthew Fitzgerald Family really know how to throw a party! They had a pig roast which was a big hit. The other treat was a bunch of Maryland crabs, many were busy at the two picnic tables set up for this food. There was a large tent set up which had several tables and chairs for us to sit down and enjoy our meal. John built Matthew and Peggy a corn hole game as a house warming gift, it was a very big hit at the party. I understand that the party lasted until 2 AM the next morning. We made it a day trip, arriving back on the island at midnight.

There were eleven.............

John and I have been seeing a mother duck with eleven babies. The other day we noticed that one was missing. I managed to get mother and 10 babies with my camera early this morning...........I was in the right place at the right time.

Another beautiful sunset

I had to take some photos of this evening's sunset. I made a collage of some of the pictures I took, enjoy!

A day trip to Haddonfield, NJ

The architecture in this town is so beautiful

A lovely courtyard with fun shops.

The Masonic Temple

There are many churhes in this town.

THE 1858 HADROSAURUS EXCAVATION SITE TODAYA Local Landmark in the History of Dinosaur Discovery

The town is loaded with restaurants, coffee shops, ice cream shops and candy shops!

Most of the town's homes have been converted to shops.

One of many quaint shops

John and I met Ken and Marcia Leahy today for lunch in Haddonfield, NJ. We meet half way each June to visit a town we've never been to before. This year was historic Haddonfield.


Just a ten minute ride from both the Ben Franklin and Walt Whitman bridges, accessible by Patco Speedline and New Jersey Transit, and an easy drive from Delaware, Pennsylvania and New York, Haddonfield is a charming town, lovingly preserved, with a strong history dating back to 1682 and stores that offer unique items with an old- world hospitality. Window shop down Kings Highway or wander down the side streets and discover the one of a kind gifts, antiques, art, American craft.; and an array of clothing beautifully displayed in stores often housed in Colonial buildings. The merchants are friendly and welcoming whether you are buying a diamond or a dog collar! You can be sure to find something for everyone on your list, all of uncompromising quality and appeal for every age, taste and pocketbook.

Philadelphia's 30th Street Station

Philadelphia's 30th Street Station

The North Waiting Room

Karl Bitter's Spirit of Transportation

John and I enjoyed a day in Philly on Saturday. Our friend's daughter got married at an old church in town. The reception was held in the North Waiting Room in the station. It was a very elaborate and large reception facility right at the train station. The couple met on a subway in Boston. Ken and Christina got engaged on a subway platform! They thought having a wedding reception at a train station would be a great celebration.

Happy Father's Day

Pop talking to Erin

Matthew and Matthew relaxing!

Happy Father's Day!

The end

We enjoyed Father's Day here on the island. John and I went to church, came home and hung out the entire day with the family. We missed The Leay and Reed's, but enjoyed the Krason's and Bona's. Matthew and Matthew went fishing up at the Lighthouse, no luck. The grandkids made a "DAD" cake and had so much fun in the process. Katie had bought some hamburger steaks and crab cakes from QVC, YUM YUM. The boys played some Corn Hole Toss out in our front driveway while the grandkids played outside. It was a good day.

Emily Anne graduates from preschool.

Emily signing

Matthew, Emily and Katie

Emily and Grandma Pat

Today was Emily's preschool graduation from Noah's Ark Preschool. They held the graduation at the elementary school in town. There were over 300 people present at this event. I loved the caps and gowns on these wee ones. They put on an hour and a half ceremony. The tear jerker was when Emily got up and "signed a song" with the entire class. Emily told me that it only took two lessons to teach the class how to sign. We had subs for lunch, followed by the ever famous Carvel Ice Cream Cake! A fun day was had by all.........

Another day of shore life!

Abigail
Sara and Madeline


Emily and Sara

Anna

Sara

We had a fun day of biking and swimming in the pool. Katie, Matthew, Emily, Madeline and Abigail joined us for some fun. We had pizza for dinner, this made it a lot easier on Grandma (aka MeeMah and MA MA)

The Bona's arrive on LBI

Number nine is due August 10
The girls love looking out our windows!

Some pool fun

Sara Jane LOVES boating!

Matthew and Sara

Snack time before bed

Anna Jeanne!

Molly, Matthew, Sara and Anna arrived yesterday afternoon onto the island. They had a great afternoon swimming in our pool. We took a sunset boat ride after dinner. All but Anna had a fun time on the boat. We hope that Anna will get use to boating as our family does this often during the summer months here on the Barnegat Bay.