butterflies

When looking for a nature-y escape to take the boys to, I found Sweetbriar Nature Center. It was perfect for us! It is small, 20 minutes away, and run by grandparentish volunteers who welcomed touching and question asking. While not the most glamorous setup, the kids loved watching bees flying to and fro into their hive and we all learned that the queen bee has a white spot on her. They were enthralled by the reptiles and bugs and grossed out by the tarantulas (I may not have been a good example on that point).

My highlight was the butterflies . . .

But one of the boys . . . I shall not name names . . . was afraid of the butterflies so we didn't get to spend too much time in the butterfly house. The park was perfectly spread out, quick walks through the forest to the bunnies and goats and another quick walk to the birds and picnic area. This is where we saw the bald eagle, as well as a falcon and some other massive birds of prey. I just really like this kind of thing . . .

I also like gardens and grape arbors but that happened to coincide with the afternoon meltdown. However, the same child who was afraid of butterflies proclaimed this the "Best Day of My Life," so I think it was a trip worth taking.

no before, just an after

Last Saturday we were driving back from a grown-up "pool party" that the head of Matt's program had hosted so the new residents could meet the old residents. Nice that we fit in the "old residents" category now. Our friends Tim and Lori were driving us home when Matt pointed out a cabinet sitting on the side of the road. Our scavenger eyes are really keen these days. We drove back for it with the truck.

It was a yellowish wood (I have no idea if that would be pine or cherry or whatever), kind of busted up, and the drawer bottom was ripped out. It was also full of many questionable objects, mostly from a garage. We threw all of that out except a bunch of mosquito coils, which we used at our 4th of July party the next day.

Then, I went to the grocery.

When I came home, this was sitting in the kitchen.

Cute, huh? I was so impressed with Matt's "antiquing" and it looked just great with the accessories! Of course extra storage in the kitchen is a major plus, too! I'm so proud, and thankful for Matt! All of this "redoing" is exhausting, but when my energy level starts to dip, he busts out some awesome project. It's a great system.

Introducing . . . The Lewis Family!

It was wedding weekend again!

This time, in New Jersey!

It was great. It was Jerseylicious. There was a lot of kissing.

Sarah is my friend from Taylor. She was a straight-shooting, softball-pitching, East Coast girl and fellow El Ed major. She introduced me to my first water ice, Wawa, and taught me how to "have a ketch." And this weekend, she became a wife.

Here she is practicing her walk with her dad, who sweetly cried often. He loves his little girl.

The happy couple, at their rehearsal dinner.
Kissing AGAIN?!

Getting laced up by her mom and sister-in-law.

This is Auntie Ann. Six years ago we were in town for her 90th birthday party (you can do the math!). At the time, she still went to Atlantic City to play the slot machines with her girlfriends.

And this is the bride.

Sarah's mom made all the church decorations! Amazing!

I always love a flower girl.

Mr. Jonathan Lewis and Mrs. Sarah Rebecca Sarracino Lewis!

There was a party bus. It had Herr's chips on it. (Lauren, we thought of you!) And champagne. It was a party.

The beautiful cake.

Not pictured: the beautiful dessert bar, featuring chocolate mousse, tiramisu, ice cream with fruit compote, carrot cake bites, mini creme brulee, and CANOLI. Did I mention this was an Italian affair?

This would be the groom breaking it down with his new father-in-law.
Proud parents of the bride.
It was, obviously, a party. Maybe not so obvious is that it was a dry wedding. These Italians just know how to have fun.

Lucky me, living so close, I got to have these two dolls at our house for a night!
It's not often that Johanna, Amy Jo, Sarah and I can get together . . . since we now live in Chicago, Colorado, New Jersey, and Long Island, but it is always a WONDERFUL time! The four of us are tight from Taylor days and by God's grace have managed to meet up at least once a year since. I had such fun with these two, staying up late talking, as if we hadn't spent the whole day talking anyway. I loved having them spend time with Matt. They only met him at the wedding, since we so unconventionally (and wonderfully) met in Kenya! And, of course, Moose. The other man in my life.

So, thank you Lord for weddings and friends.

berry pickin

This is "what to do with your kids on Long Island" part 2.

Head out east to Harbes farm in Mattituck and pick some berries!

Blueberries and raspberries were in season, so each kid got a basket and went to town. I enjoyed the educational aspect of learning where you food comes from, how it grows, and what it looks like when its maturing and ripe. They enjoyed eating everything one for every berry they put in the basket.

Oh, the excitement at finding the biggest blueberry in the world . . . Can I eat it? Yes, you can!

I laugh because these pictures look like such a charmed life. There's really a lot of this:

Which is how I felt when I realized I sat on a raspberry and had a huge smash of red on my new shorts. After four applications of Zout, they look much better, but boy, did that put me in a bad mood!

The farm was supposed to have a "Barnyard Adventure" where they take your money and then show you all the animals . . . but it wasn't open. Fortunately it provided plenty of other interesting sites for the kids and views for me to make our trip worth it.

So, Harbes Family Farm. Take your kids there today. :)

happy 4th!

Hello, and happy 5th of July!

I saw this bald eagle at a nature preserve with the kids earlier this week and I was really impressed, the thing is HUGE, bigger than the 2-yr-old kid I had in the stroller! I thought he belonged in this 4th of July montage.

We had a last minute decision to invite people over for the 4th (walking from the car into small group on Wednesday - should we have people over? ok!). We've been working so hard on this house and I feel like we have so far to go . . . but I also realize that we've come a long way, and if I wait until everything is perfect, we'll never have anyone over. We ended up with two couples from church and two couples from Matt's residency. Also present were a brand-new baby, 2 kids, a Cavalier Spaniel, and a bulldog.

Getting ready for a lowcountry shrimp boil . . .

red, white, and blue + mason jar
I found these at a garage sale. After hanging them from the umbrella, I decided they would look better hanging from the giant tree in front of our house . . . but just left them for today. Also, I didn't have any little candles. But eventually, they'll be cute.




The shrimp boil might not have been as big a hit with this northern crew, but I enjoyed the nod to the South and everyone else enjoyed the brats. And Lori made Pioneer Woman's potato salad, which was REAL good. Apparently pickles are the secret ingredient.

We also made our first batch of homemade ice cream. Despite my panic that it tasted wrong and there wouldn't be enough . . . it tasted great and there is still some in the freezer!

After our guests left, we went down to the water to enjoy the sunset - something we haven't done yet, despite living here for a month.

Look at this beautiful sight:

And THIS beautiful sight:



The fun wasn't over yet . . . a couple friends came back over and we set up the "Yezerski's Drive-In." Matt fashioned a screen out of a sheet and some wood, and we projected The Sandlot outside. And roasted s'mores. It might have to become a more regular activity.

I realized this was my first Independence Day back in America, as I spent the last three in Kenya. I also realized that besides Kenya, this had to be the COOLEST I'd ever been in July. It was warm during the day, but at night watching the movie, I definitely had goosebumps. Living in the northeast has its perks!!