Long Time, No Post

Summer seems to be flying by way too fast.  It seems like we have been busy all summer long doing this and that and just trying to enjoy the moment.  We are gearing up for another trip to San Diego in about another week, and throwing around some ideas for late Summer/early Fall.  Below are some pictures highlighting some of the most memorable moments we've had this Summer.

Thomas celebrates another year of life with LOBSTER!  Our friend Matt works in Massachusetts from time-to-time and discovered some cheap lobster.  We were stunned and placed an order with other people.  Matt happened to be coming back to PA from MA on Thomas' birthday, so we had a lobster dinner with some neighbor friends.  So delicious!

Carter celebrates 10 years of life with friends.  Carter must be the luckiest kid - TWO birthday parties in ONE year.  I don't blame him for wanting a summer birthday party, though.  When I was a kid I always felt like it was the bomb to have a birthday in the summer time and then another gift-giving holiday in the winter.  It was a win, win.  Yes, very self-serving, but then again, childhood doesn't last forever.

Ivy accompanied my mom, Carter, and his friends during the day on a tubing trip down the Delaware River.  I helped out after work by picking up grub, setting up tents, and just generally supervising wild kids.  I didn't know all of them very well, but I got to learn so much about each boy that night - and they are the sweetest boys.  Ivy and I got to witness their sensitive sides as well as the rough and tough demeanors.  Our favorite moment was when Liam (Carter's best friend) went up to Ben and asked if he could climb the flag pole.  I think Ivy and I both spit out our drinks at the same moment with deep laughter.  It was a moment you had to be there for to really appreciate the humor in the situation.  We are still quoting Liam from that night - too funny!

U2 concert!  Back in November of 2009 we bought tickets to see U2 live in Philly, originally scheduled for July of 2010.  But Bono hurt his back last year and the concert was post-poned until July of 2011.  It was well worth the wait!  We had an amazing time at the concert - an excellent crowd experience with no drama, which is always nice.  And U2's performance was electrifying.  They played all of their famous songs and spoke to a stadium full of people like they were in an intimate cafe.  I had the the time of my life listening to some of my favorite songs and dancing to the music.  The Claw was mesmerizing. The number of things that structure can do is mind-boggeling and looks really neat when lit up.

We went on a 17 MILE kayak trip down the Schuylkill River with two other couples.  We highly underestimated how long it would take us to reach our destination.  Needless to say, it was a 7 hour trip in total!  We stopped three times, once at length to lunch, and then twice more to just stretch and regain feeling below the waist.  Fortunately, we lucked out with the best weather.  There was a warm breeze on the water that day.  The only pics we have from that day are from Lauren's cell phone: