You can imagine...

...how easy THIS was to accomplish!









































Will, 3 years; Caleb, 19 months; Reed, 10 months.

Sunday dinner.

Thanks SO much to Uncle Tom and Aunt Sherry for throwing a party yesterday so that (almost) all the cousins could get together! There were many kids running around, along with swimming, eating, laughing... the usual. Did I mention there were a lot of kids? We also got to meet our newest cousin, Olivia-Lynne!

Sometimes...

you just gotta PLAY!

Down Days!

For some reason, after we got out to East Quogue, we felt like taking a few lazy days. We did attempt a family photo shoot:












We then all headed into Westhampton to walk down Main Street. We sat in an alley eating ice cream and listening to live music. Caleb and Will even got in on the fun, helping the band out with its tambourines and maracas and dancing to the music.

The Bronx Zoo.

On Thursday, we headed for the Bronx Zoo - along with Grandma and Jodie - and we met up Gheghe, Jenn, Caleb, Carolyn & her kids.


















































After our day at the zoo, we left Grandma's and drove out to Long Island.

The Big Apple.

After leaving Virginia's Historic Triangle, we headed for New York. Wednesday morning we left Grandma's house early and caught the train to Grand Central. From there, we hopped on the subway and made our way to Battery Park.

This sculpture is called The Sphere, and was originally found in the World Trade Center. It was recovered after September 11th and now it, along with an eternal flame, sits in Battery Park as a memorial.

From the Battery we boarded the Circle Line and cruised over to Ellis Island. We explored the museum, ate lunch, and found the Mancuso name on the Wall of Honor. John's grandparents, Michael and Anna, left Italy and came to America through Ellis Island -Michael in 1907, and Anna and their first son, Salvatore (Sam) in 1914.

We got back on the ferry and made the trip over to Liberty Island. Although they do not allow people into the crown or torch like they used to, Leah and I braved our way up 156 steps to the top of the pedestal, which was actually quite high enough, thank you very much.

We then caught the subway back uptown- but we could NOT leave Manhattan without visiting The World of Disney!! Located at 5th and 55th, the store is only a mere 15 or so blocks from Grand Central - but who's counting? Actually, it turned out to be quite the store - three stories of Disney!

Our walk down to 42nd Street was long, but filled with cool things to see! We marveled at St. Patrick's Cathedral, saw a huge Build-A-Bear Workshop, walked past Rockefeller Center, and even saw a movie being shot!

We caught our train back to Pelham, picked up a pie from the famous 4Corners Pizza, and called it a night. A super day!

Summing up our trip thus far.

Any questions?

Had a great day today exploring Jamestown, Yorktown, and Williamsburg. **Edited to add: I uploaded some pictures to the Flickr Badge to the right... click on it to view the album!

Leah & Odell Thank You!

Leah received her VERY FIRST commission check from her online store! Thank you all so much for checking out her designs and even purchasing some things. She has donated half her paycheck to Earthjustice.org - an environmental charity that she chose on her own. This has been a fun, educational experience for her!

7-11.

Don't forget your FREE Slurpee!!

Camping Out!

The kids are having a blast this week - doing two camps a day. In the mornings, Band Camp - Leah, flute; Jack, sax.




















Then it's a short break and a quick lunch before they head to the Art Studio. Yesterday they did cartooning, today they learned to throw pots.
























Thanks, Karen, for the art shots!