Great Falls - Paterson, NJ

 So we headed out on an adventure this morning to somewhere new.  Great Falls in Paterson, NJ.  Just a word to the wise, lock your doors on your way in if you take the "historical route", it's a little scary.

 The falls themselves were pretty neat.  The kids loved it.

 Paul discovered that the bell really works, so then Tanner had a go.  It was pretty loud!

 After the Falls, we stopped at Burger King for lunch and then decided on a whim to do some more sight seeing.  We stopped first at Atlantic Highlands.  Apparently it has the highest point on the Eastern Seaboard south of Maine.

 It was so nice and serene there.  The weather was fantastic today.  It definitely doesn't feel like the first of November!

 This was a great shell beach!  This was a clam that we found that still had the clam in there.  Paul threw it back in the ocean.  Hopefully it survived Tanner's dropping him because T thought it was going to open and bite him (like the giant ones do in Super Mario Bro's).

 Funny story:  So you see the brown stuff in the picture behind Tanner?  Paul kept telling the kids to  not step in it because it's whale poop.  Tanner continued walking and picking up stuff to throw in the water.  He picks up a big brown shell and Lana yells, "Tanner, that's whale poop!"  Tanner completely freaks out and drops the shell laughing hysterically, "ugh!  I just touched whale poop!"  Meanwhile we're all busting a gut cause Lana just pulled one over on Tanner.  It was totally awesome.

 I could look at this handsome face all day!

 A very cool shell Lana found

 We were wondering how much the houses on the cliffs were going for. Probably more money than I will see in my lifetime.  Water front views of the Manhattan skyline.

 Climbing on the rocks

 If you zoom and squint you can just make out the Manhattan skyline.

 Next we stopped at a beach on Sandy Hook, NJ.  Tanner enjoyed chasing squawking and chasing the seagulls away.

 

My 4 favorite people in all the world

Happy Halloween!

 Fancy witch!

 Super Mario!

Yes, this is Porter all dressed up on Halloween.  I completely dropped the ball on his costume and thinking I could find the 3 other baby costumes we had stored away somewhere.  Apparently they didn't make it through the 3 moves we've made since Tanner wore one.  Regardless, we had a great time going over to our friends house.  The Browns live in the perfect neighborhood for trick or treating, the houses are closer together so not so much walking.  After round 1 of collecting candy, Paul decided to take the kids out for round 2 and drove them around in the back of his truck.  They loved it and came home with twice as much candy as before. 

Goosebumps and Down Comforters

 These Canadian Geese have been hanging out in our front yard for a couple of weeks now.  They are almost always there in the morning when we walk to the bus stop.  And other than a few geese poop left on the driveway, they leave us alone. We have named them (goose) Bump and Down (comforter).  I haven't seen them hang out in any other lawns so we feel pretty special that they come hang out in our yard.

 

One day last week they Bump and Down threw a party at our house.  I counted 21 geese.   They came back in the morning (for the after party I assume) but we haven't seen the group since then.  

We've also seen other wild life around the house, Paul saw a few deer in the next door neighbors side yard one night.  There are 2 groundhogs that live in our back yard and also travel to other neighbor houses.  A number of squirrels frequent the trees in our back yard.  And 2 days ago there was a flock of about 100 finches flying in our back yard.  They kept on flying into the family room windows and scaring the crap out of me.

Happy Birthday Paul!

It was kind of a low-key affair since it fell on a Tuesday this year, but he got what he wished for (a new receiver for his Bose surround sound system, socks and new dress shirts).  And the chocolate, chocolate, chocolate cake I got him was delicious!

Mark & Catherine's wedding

 We headed down to Virginia for a few days for the wedding of Paul's oldest brother Mark.

 The weather and scenery were just beautiful.  The kids had a great time playing with cousins.

 Apologies for the blurry cell phone pictures, but at least I remembered to take pictures!

Tanner and Brayden.  Inseparable when they are together!

Happy 1st Birthday Porter!

 We've come a long way this year!  From a teeny-tiny baby in Houston, TX to a sweet chubby baby on the Jersey Shore!

 This sweet boy is so loved!

 His current loves (a month later because I blog on time regularly...ahem)

Food likes: 

Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jam sandwiches

Whole milk, but it has to be warm

Sweet Potato Puffs

Lucky Charms

Pancakes

Scrambled eggs

 Favorite toy:

The Hess Airplane

 Favorite game:

Peek-a-boo

Happy Birthday sweet Porter!

Six Flags Great Adventure

 

Paul scored a good deal on tickets to Six Flags Great Adventure off of Craigslist, so we thought it would be a nice way to celebrate the survival of the first week of school.

 

This little guy was super good all day long.  He had a runny nose the last few days so the plan was to go and see how long we can last.  Surprisingly the day passed quickly.  We didn't leave until almost 7:30pm.

 

Waiting on Lana and Dad to ride the bumper cars.

 

Waiting on Dad and Tanner to ride a roller coaster.

 

Selfies with the big kids on the Merry Go Round

 

Paul enjoying a thrilling kiddy ride.

 

The kids playing air hockey at the arcade.

 

Hot Air Balloon ride.  I was slightly nauseous after riding this, the kids kept turning us around and around.  Ugh.

 

About to ride the his second roller coaster of the day!

 

So for the first ride I took Tanner on the Runaway Mine Train, which is a small size roller coaster.  I hate roller coasters, so I took Tanner so I wouldn't chicken out.  We were hollerin' the whole time, I think Tanner was borderline hysterical.  When we got of the ride, the first thing he said to me was, "Mom!  Why did you take me on that ride???  It was so scary!!!" Then he paused and said, "That was the most awesome ride ever!"  Totally made my day!

First Day of School 2013

 

A part of me can't believe it's already that time of year.  Another part of me is ecstatic for a few moments of peace and quiet.

 

 

First day of Kindergarten with Mrs. Rubin

 

First Day of Third Grade with Miss Wettengel

 

Tanner finally got to ride the bus after 3 long years of watching Lana ride without him.  He was really excited.

 

Someone was not very happy about being left behind.  He went down for an early nap.