Shore Galore

As promised here are the pictures from our recent Jersey Shore weekend.  I think I mentioned before that while we didn't exactly get lots of sunbathing in, we did get to enjoy some time with sand between our toes. 

Most of these pictures are of the young 'un frolicking around on the beach.  True to form, Aiden took a little while to warm up the whole beach experience, but it didn't take too long before he was running, and throwing, and splashing like a champ.  (And of course his affection for a certain beach stick has already been well documented.)

At the end of the line you'll see some pictures from our surrey ride on the boardwalk.  I have to admit I've never exactly pined after a boardwalk surrey ride, but now I'm a convert!  It was actually really enjoyable, and Aiden was a happy camper from start to finish.  That'll get two thumbs up from us any day!

The Shore 2009

Well, we're back from a great weekend down at the Jersey Shore.  It may not have been the typical shore experience with cooler weather, and (many) fewer beach goers making it an overall quieter experience.  No complaints here though.  What we may have missed in sun- bathing, and beach-laying we more then made up for by strolling on the board walk, and enoying long, empty expanses of beautiful beach.

I am working on loading up the pictures that we took, but in the meantime here is a video of some of our shore adventures (including a surrey ride on the boardwalk!)

Back to the Beach

It seems like a long time since last summer's trip to the New Jersey shore.  And even though summer is more or less over in these parts, we are finally heading back to the ocean for a quick weekend before the real fall weather starts rolling in.

We're hoping for some good beach weather so that Aiden can run around and play a little bit.  Plus, we wouldn't mind a little restful beach relaxation time on our end.  Thats not too much to hope for right?

See ya when we get back!

Change

Change seems to be in the air at the Jones Abode this fall.  The seasons are changing, of course.  But it's more then just the cool chill in the morning, and the first tentative leaves falling from the trees.  There are some more interesting and exciting changes in the works.

Now of course, in Aiden's world if you want to see change all you have to do is blink.  As a toddler, it seems that every day, week and month can bring a world of change.  It is hard to imagine him this time last year, not even crawling yet, and still very much a baby.  And now here he is running, laughing, screaming, playing, dancing and on and on...

So anyway, I was talking about changes.  And for Aiden his big change is that he is going to school for the first time!  Ok, it's not school exactly but he is going with Jen to a 'Mommy and Me' class at Great Valley Church.  Even though the official school years are still a long way off, this is his first time in a structured learning situation like this, so for him it probably feels like a big deal.

In case you weren't sure by this point, the pictures on this post are Aiden's first "first day of school pictures."  It's funny to think that there will be a time when the years will be measured by the beginning and end of the school years as much as anything else.  It's hard to imagine, and I'm glad that those days are still years away.  I know that there are lots of big changes coming down the road in Aiden's life, but for now we are more than happy to enjoy the little, every day ones.

In an additional change of note, I'm in the midst of my first week at brand new job.  This change is one that has been a long time coming, and I hope will be a positive one for me and my family.  By taking a position at a hospital that is much  closer to home I am looking forward to less time spent in the car, and especially more time at home with Jen and Aiden.  It is hard to leave a place where you feel comfortable and sure, but I think that the positive effects of this change will make the hard parts very worthwhile.

The Zoo? Again??

Oh yes.  It's time for another zoo post.  Get ready people...

Our membership to the zoo lasts until December and we plan to squeeze out every last bit of zoo-visiting goodness.  Even though we've made the rounds a few times this summer we still were able to see a few new things on this visit.  One new adventure was our first trip through the "reptile house."  

We also paid another visit to Jen's friend Mrs. Gorilla.  She was just lounging in the sun and Jen and Aiden got to sidle right up close for a picture.  

I told her that she won't think that the gorillas are so cute when they take over the planet in a Planet of the Apes type of scenario, but she just won't listen.  Sheesh.

We also got to check out the Cheetahs, who looked impossibly cool stretched out on their sunny boulders.

And lastly, our best new discovery was a little pool, tucked into an out of the way corner, called "Otter Falls."  The Otters are great fun to watch not just because they are so active, but also because  they always seem to be genuinely having the time of their lives.  This video may not really capture how fun the otters were to watch, but oh well...

If you look closely you can see the mama otter helping teach her kids how to swim.

Good to be Home

Coming home after a long shift at work is always a good thing...

...unsually my feet are sore, my eyes are heavy, and all I can think about is a nice hot shower...

... but when you get out of the car, walk to the door and see this little guy waiting for you... 

... that's when getting home is not just a good thing, it's the best thing. 

 It's good to be home.

Plane Spotting

Planes have become a new fascination for Aiden recently.  Not neccesarily playing with toy planes, or reading about planes, but just looking at planes.

As soon as he hears that dull, distant roar of a plane flying overhead his head whips up in anticipation, squinting his eyes at the sky, hoping to catch a glimpse.

As often as not, the plane is too high to see.  Or maybe by the time we hear it it's already flown on by.  So far though, it hasn't lessened the fascination.  He just keeps on plane spotting...

Carrots

So, remember back on Earth Day when we planted carrots as a family project?  

No?

Thats ok.  It was four months ago.  I can hardly remember back that far.  Well anyway, we did plant carrots on Earth Day and, wouldn't you know it, here they are!

This was the first bunch that were ready for picking with more on the way.  You can check out our first taste of homegrown carrot goodness here.