Jenny's visit!

Ok, so I need to get caught up on my updates here! heehee

After the triplets birthday party on Aug 8th, Tim's cousin Jenny stayed with us for a few days. It was awesome! She was actually moving in to La Salle University the following weekend...so this was like a little time away for her. Although it didnt turn out to be such a 'break' because she was swarmed by 4 little girls the whole time! :)

Sunday's weather was really crappy (strong thunderstorms) so we decided to take the girls to spend their birthday money. We had fun at Toys R Us. Then it was off to the mall, where we had a little shopping spree in the Build a Bear workshop! The rest of that night consisted of ice cream, movies, and fun playing at home.

On Monday, the sky still wasnt looking too nice but we wanted to take Jenny to the beach at least once while she was with us. We went to Longport (of course!) and ate lunch on the beach (Linwood Market hoagies, what else?!) Jenny is a lifeguard, so it was really nice to have her take each of the girls out into the ocean for some fun.


Finally the storm clouds took over the sky and it was time to come home. We got showers and relaxed for a bit. Then it was off to the OC boardwalk for some more fun! Of course we got Mack n Manco's pizza and Jenny brought home a whole bag of yummy salt water taffy from Shrivers. Its really nice in there - cuz you can go in the back to watch them making it. Everytime we're on the boardwalk, that place is packed!

Tuesday it was time for Jenny to leave already. Aunt Angel and Michael (one of Jenny's brothers - her other brother Carl had to work that day) came down around 10:30am and we all sat around to chat for awhile. It was nice to catch up with them. We also watched Alvin & the Chipmunks, which is a current fave in our house right now.

Before heading back to PA, we all went out to a late lunch at Charlie's Bar - where we loaded up on cheesesteaks & hot wings!


Then they were on their way home. We headed back home to relax and watch the Olympics on TV. We had a great time with Jenny and of course the girls are already looking forward to her next visit!!

Happy 10 year Anniversary!!

My Dearest Tim,
It is unbelievable to me that ten years could have flown by so quickly. It seems like just yesterday we were graduating high school and starting our life together. Now all these years later, our love has grown and matured into something so special and unique!
Thinking back we have had several years which were more full than others! In fact 1998 was quite an adventure full of college graduation, new jobs (for both of us), a new apartment and.... our WEDDING! And then our honeymoon to ARUBA!

Purchasing our first home in 1999 and getting our first puppy was our next big step. Then 2001 brought our very first bundle of love.... May 5, 2001... Kaitlyn Nicole came into our world and made it a much brighter place!

Of course the next biggest year of our lives was 2003 which included having a custom home built, our first trip to Disneyland in CA, a horrendous pregnancy for me (more time in hospital than at home) and finally.... the birth of our beautiful triplets on July 28, 2003! It was at that moment that we knew our family was complete!!

And last year was yet another life-changing time where we moved 100 miles away from all that we knew and loved and purchased our third home. What a major adjustment we went through just one short year ago. But now, life is truly at its best. Living near the beach, having our girls in the best schools, and having a steady stream of visitors makes it the best yet! At the rate we're going, I cant wait to see what the next ten years holds for us!
So through these years full of job changes, houses, cars, vacations, weddings, holidays, pets and kids - we have stuck together through it all - and I feel even closer to you now than I did ten years ago if that is even possible!
Thank you for all that you are. For being the best daddy to our four girls. For always supporting us and allowing me to stay home with our babies! For being my better half!

I love you with all of my heart - and what better way to say it, then with our Wedding Song...

The Gift by Jim Brickman:

winter snow is falling down
children laughing all around
lights are turning on
like a fairy tale come true

sitting by the fire we made
you're the answer when i prayed
i would find someone
and baby i found you

all i want is to hold you forever
all i need is you more every day
you saved my heart
from being broken apart
you gave your love away
and i'm thankful every day
for the gift

watching as you softly sleep
what i'd give if i could keep
just this moment
if only time stood still

but the colors fade away
and the years will make us grey
but baby in my eyes
you'll still be beautiful

all i want is to hold you forever
all i need is you more every day
you saved my heart
from being broken apart
you gave your love away
i can't find the words to say
that i'm thankful every day
for the gift

Baby I love you so much...and here's to at least 50 more years together!!
Forever yours,
Your wife

Sam's Letters to Jennifer

Sam's Letters to Jennifer
by James Patterson

Published in 2004. 272 pages.

Amazon link

Author's site

Genre: Fiction

My overall score: 3.75/5


What its about (from author's website): Have you ever gotten a letter that changed your life completely? It happened to me once. I still can feel the urgency that overtook me as I opened the envelope and the hunger I felt for whatever that letter would say. It seemed as if my entire life hung in the balance as I read.
Sam's Letters to Jennifer is a novel about that kind of drama. In it, a woman is summoned back to the town where she grew up. And in the house where she spent her most magical years she finds a series of letters addressed to her. Each of those letters is a piece of a story that will upend completely the world she thought she knew - and throw her into a love more powerful than she ever imagined could be possible. Two extraordinary love stories are entwined here, full of hope and pain and emotions that never die down.

What I thought: This was a quick, easy read. Which is what I was looking for, so it fit the bill perfectly. I liked the characters enough, but couldn't necessarily relate to any of them. A beautiful story which winds you through a trail of emotions. Lake Geneva (the setting) sounds beautiful and has now been added to my list of places I'd love to visit someday! This story was along the lines of Nicholas Sparks, however I prefer Sparks' style of storytelling for this genre.

Date finished: August 17, 2008

Currently Reading: The Last Summer (of you and me) by Ann Brashares

Promise the Moon

Promise the Moon
by Elizabeth Joy Arnold

Published in 2008. 464 pages.

Amazon link

Author's website

Genre: Women's Fiction

My overall score: 3.5/5

What its about (from author's website): In the heart of a family lies shattering secrets and a love that lasts forever... When war and its aftermath take Josh from Natalie and her children, she must find a way to heal her broken family. And so Natalie begins writing letters from Josh that she hides for young Anna and Toby to find--notes from heaven that attempt to explain why he left, to offer comfort and wisdom. But when Anna suddenly reveals that her father has been speaking to her from heaven, divulging stories only Josh could know, Natalie must uncover the secrets of her husband's past--secrets he hid to protect his family.
As Natalie's search brings her closer to her own parents and reunites her with a love from long ago, she and her children will discover just how much of a hero Josh actually was--and that only by finally revealing the truths they've hidden from each other can they find peace, a fresh start, and renewed hope for the future...

What I thought: Arnold could have easily shaved off at least 100 pages from the book and had the same effect. It was entirely too long and repetitive. However, the story and characters were well built and I was eagerly turning pages to find out how it would end. I found myself wanting to get to the end, though, without really caring about what happened in the process. The story felt realistic and was, at points, heartbreaking.

Date finished: August 14, 2008

Currently Reading: The Last Summer (of you and me) by Ann Brashares -- trying again!

American Idol Live Concert!

My good friend Colleen & I attended the American Idol concert for the 2nd year in a row - we hope to make this our annual tradition!! The concert was on Saturday, August 2, 2008 at 7:00pm at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ.

Us before leaving the house:

Before the show, we had dinner at the Atlantic City Bar & Grill. I heard rave reviews about this place, so we decided to try it, but I wasnt all that impressed. It wasnt bad, but definitely not the best I've had.






After dinner, we headed to Trump to park the car and we got into the Boardwalk Hall around 6pm. Our seats were about the worst you could get! We were alllll the way at the top (aka nosebleed section) and it was tight with every seat filled. And it was extremely hot the whole time.



Last year was awesome. As soon as you entered the building, you could feel the energy. They had all different setups with fun things to do before the concert. This year was so different. Although we had a good time together, it was nothing near last year. Overall, I felt the concert was boring and blah. However, I must say, the talent was much better this year and I enjoyed just about every performance by the singers.

The layout this year simply had each singer go on stage in the order they were voted off. Number 10 down to Number 1. From 10 down to 3 each sang 3 songs. Archuleta (#2) sang 4 songs and Cook (#1) sang 5. This as opposed to last year, where they sang in all different orders and sang in groups and pairs. I much preferred that layout as you didnt know what to expect next. It kept us interested. This year, if you didnt like the current singer, you knew you could let your mind wander for about 15 minutes.

OK, now for the pictures -- listed in order as they sang (remember click to enlarge):
#10 Chikezie

#9 Ramiele Malubay

#8 Michael Johns

#7 Kristy Lee Cook

#6 Carly Smithson

#5 Brooke White

Group (Bottom 5)

#4 Jason Castro


#3 Syesha Mercado


#2 David Archuleta


#1 WINNER David Cook!


The crowd during David Cook's performance

Group Top 10


After the concert, the crowds were horrible. It took forever to get out of the hall and finally Colleen and I found a way to cut across the boardwalk and wait for the crowds to dissipate. We also went a back way through the beach to get around everyone. Colleen went for some Salt Water Taffy and we walked through a few casinos.

Then when we were heading back, we saw crowds around the concert hall again, so we walked up to find that several of the American Idol singers had come out for pictures and autographs! What a cool surprise after waiting for hours last year and never seeing them!
Here are...
Carly:

Brooke:

Jason:


Syesha:

David Archuleta:


Oh and I found an online forum where others who went to the Atlantic City concert wrote reviews and such HERE. Hope you enjoyed a glimpse into the concert from my perspective... until next year!