northern exposure -- aug 2009

--our trip north was excellent. it was lots of driving, but totally worth it. we started in manasquan, nj, with billy’s mom and stepdad (grammy and poppy). at some point in our week stay there, we had all of their kids there (minus, billy): uncle ryan, uncle greg, aunt alison, uncle jim, aunt leah, and cousins riley and griffin.
--we spent most of our days outside at the beach, or in the back area playing in the sand. there were neighbors, in addition to all the family, to play with too. aidan and sierra loved the beach, though aidan did better with the water than she did. for whatever reason, those waves there could get really big…and the tide changes were more extreme than i’ve ever noticed on the coast. still it was great fun.
--we stayed in the same house that the family used to rent when the kids (as in the aunts and uncles) were small. apparently it hasn’t been updated since…which added to the flavor and nostalgia. it was strange not having billy around, but it wasn’t weird without billy there…if that makes sense. we fit right in, so it was great.
--we went to dinner one night, another night went to pt. pleasant for dinner and to walk the boardwalk with rides and games. we also met aidan’s godfather, steve, and his wife sharon there. it was good to see them, as it had been a while. and one rainy day we went to a farm to feed the animals and out to lunch. one night, leah and i walked six miles up and down the path talking nonstop…eventually had to go in because it was bedtime!
--we left manasquan after a week and headed to long island to see my dad (pawpaw) and joy, and emily. had another great visit there. we went for long walks, on boat rides, fishing off of the boat, and aidan even jumped off the boat into the canal. we went to fire island one night for dinner, and jones beach another day for a relaxing afternoon.
--after long island, we travelled to glen rock, nj, to be with billy’s dad and stepmom (grandma and grandpa) and devlin. we swam a lot in their pool, went to the museum of natural history in manhattan, to the land of make-believe, and a park/zoo. aidan and sierra found some playmates down the street. they played at grandma/grandpa’s pool and even down at their house. they had a son aidan’s age, a daughter sierra’s age, and an older daughter. they had a good time with them.
--devlin and i went to new york one night for dinner and a show. we went to see “rock of ages,” a musical about the making it in the music industry in the 80’s. we laughed and sang the whole way through. dinner was fun (before and after the show), and we got to have some fun conversations.
--after nearly three weeks on the road, with only six days home between down south and up north, we made it home. kids are awesome travelers…couldn’t ask for better. since then we’ve gotten back into a regular routine and aidan has started school. he loves it, of course.
--sorry this is super late, and a little skimpy on the details…