Ocean City, NJ - July 3 - 5

We hope everyone enjoyed their 4th of July.

We got a chance to spend a couple days with Jim's family down in OCNJ over July 4th. The weather was not great but Alex and Riley still took advantage of the opportunity to take a dip in the ocean with cousins Nick and Amy.



Alex likes to jump and I was quite impressed with his height on this one. It's possible he inherited his dad's basketball skills!


Alex and Nick playing in the surf.



Amy and Riley pondering the meaning of life while looking out into the rough seas.



This was Alex's first ever boardwalk ride that he went on alone. Interesting fact...his dad rode this very same fire engine when he was that age (no lie).


Riley, Alex, and Aunt Lisa on the Submarine ride.


As you can see, Alex was not real thrilled with Riley's driving skills...



First ever roller coaster for the kids. Jim hopes it's their last as he's not much of a ride person...but Hilary loved every bit of it!


We need the "jaws of life" to get Jim out of this train...


After Alex's criticism of her driving, Riley decided to take to the open seas all alone...


We couldn't figure out who was steering Alex's boat since he just rang the bell the whole time.



"Awww Mom....I'm on a ride at the boardwalk and you're STILL ordering me around!"


This is a picture of Hilary walking away from a few of her former students. If you look very closely, you will see a cigarette in the one kid's hand. Hopefully, Hilary didn't let them light up in class!


Clockwise: Alex, Uncle Sean, Pop Pop, Grammy, Hilary, Aunt Lisa, and Riley

Outer Banks, North Carolina

We went to Nags Head in North Carolina with Hilary's family for a week at the
end of June. Everyone had a good time.

After being in the car all morning, Alex and I just needed to run at the Wright Brother's Memorial!

It was a looooooong climb to the top!!!

Riley just happened to be standing under an appropriate word when Hilary snapped this picture (at least her parents think it's appropriate)

The highpoint of the week for Alex was seeing "Jay Jay the Jet Plane" land right before his very eyes!

After seeing Jay Jay, he tried to see if he could do a little flying on his own.

Why does Mom always make me wear these silly hats??

Riley was trying her hardest to get Hilary to go in the water. Those of you that know Hilary know that the effort was futile...

So Riley went in by herself...

Riley also had a dream come true during the week. We went to see a play of Cinderella and afterwards Riley was able to get the autograph and a picture with the Princess...how wonderful!!!

Needless to say, Jim was a bit surprised the first time Alex decided to jump off the side of the pool.

He REALLY got into it!!!

We had a birthday party for Alex and Riley (this was party # 1). They love parties...

Blowing out the 3 year old candles!

Grandma Pat, Riley, and Hilary

Hanging with Mommy at lunch time at the pool...what could be better?!

One of the sweetest pictures Hilary and Jim will ever see!

Greetings everyone,


I have finally decided it was time to create an easy way to share pictures and thoughts about our family. With the help and advice of a connection in Pittsburgh who shall remain nameless...I have decided on this blog. Simple and easy to use. Anyway...hope you all enjoy. I'll try to update this as frequently as possible.

Love,

Jim, Hilary, Riley, and Alex