Nostalgic Moments & An End To Summer...

The past couple of weeks have somewhat felt like fall and can't believe today is the last day of summer! It looks like today will be the last temp in the 80's but with New Jersey/New York weather you just never know! There are days when we will have 70 degree weather in December when it should be cold in the 40's! Nowadays we just go with the flow and whatever temperature is that day we'll just go with it! Rain or shine, snow or sun- we'll take it even in the winter months that will soon follow! 

The End Of Summer Break!

 

Ahhhh! I can't believe that the end of summer break is here and that this was our last beach trip of the season. I have loved every minute spent with these kids and although I'm grateful for education and that they will be back at school this week I will definitely miss hanging out with them! The older they get the more I want to appreciate their presence and all the things that their heart desires which isn't too much. They are the most agreeable kids and I especially love the way they don't plan and want to do the simple things in life. Going to the shore are moments of fun, sand in our tushes upon leaving, and splashing in the waves while soaking in the ocean. Ahhh yes - I'm sure going to miss these moments...and so will they!

Dog Days Of Summer!

Since the end of July summer in the east has been scorching hot with heat waves and high temperatures. And August was worse with Hurricane Henri bringing in a ton of rain to New York and New Jersey which set off sweltering temps nearing 100 degrees! Luckily I'm an archaic mom and bought an old school slip and slide so the kids can play on and cool themselves off. Our little neighbor Gwen joined in on the fun and the kids had such a fun time. If you follow my Instagram I created a couple of reels of the kids slipping and sliding! So fun and you can watch them here and here! As much as I love fall weather I don't want summer to end yet. There is still so much I want to do with these kids and so little time. It's not like I can pull them out of school like I did during the pandemic for a day of relaxing and adventuring. We will try to soak in more days of summer before it ends because I can already feel the autumn breeze coming in! 

The Faces Of Summer & A Road Trip Ahead.

Oh summer. You sure are passing us by pretty quickly, and it sure didn't help with the first two weeks of August being taken away from us because of moving into our new place. Still..we are savoring the last moments of summer until fall temperatures arrive, and looking forward to seeing mountains, eating at In-N-Out burger, and hopefully making it to a few new LDS temples along the way! 

A Few Photos & A Tiny Video From Our Summer.

Ahhh, what a summer! 

I have to say that this summer has been of our best summers yet. Although we had a busy one with relocating to a new town, and moving into a new home nothing beats the stresses of life by venturing out to the places we love! Sure there were unforgettable moments that helped us grow into becoming a better person because when you relocate as much as we have that's usually what happens to us as a family. We choose to see things in a different perspective, and as we look back at the places where we once used to live we'll sigh, and say, "we were there for a reason, and now we are here for one too." 

I'm so grateful for Jon who is the hardest worker I know! To know that he drives all day in the city delivering packages and making time to finally go to the beach with us is so awesome on his part. I have savored each and every piece of summer fun that we fit into our schedule this past year. Extending our love to our friends, and going places together was the icing of our summer. Although we love doing things as a family, it's nice to invite others who we love to join in on our fun! 

I'm extremely grateful for my kids. 

Their laughter, smiles, hugs, inside jokes, and every effort they make in behaving themselves helps brighten all the days of my life. But most of all their unconditional love they expressed to me in the midst of moving, even though I yelled a lot is what always keeps me going through this precious thing called motherhood. 

I love, love time spent with my family, and only wish Sierra could've joined in on the fun with us this summer, but luckily for me we text, sometimes talk while she's waiting for the train to go to school, and snapchat every now and then. 

It's the little things, and the small bits of summer fun that mean the most, and there is no one or no where else I'd rather spend it with than my family, friends at the beach! 

I hope you're summer was just as adventurous, and fun as ours was. 

With the cooler temperatures we've been having lately I think fall is on its way, and we are pretty much ready for you to arrive! 

See ya summer, and have a great weekend folks! 

END OF SUMMER.

As I was looking back at all the things we did this past summer I saw the simplicity of it all. I recalled all the times we ventured out to the shore, and various places close to home. 

But now...the sand shovels are put away as well as the kids swimming gear, beach bags, beach toys, and beach blankets are now tucked away in the basement. This summer went by way too quickly, and we were hanging on to it like there was no tomorrow. Soaking it up with dear friends was the icing on the cake, because sometimes you just need that extra company to add a little fun to the mix. All one needs to be happy here on the east coast is a trip to the beach. And that was always satisfying to my kids. 

Playing tennis, going to the zoo, and splash pads in the city made up for one joyful summer. Adding a couple of trips to New York City, Connecticut, and D.C. for good measure.

And I wouldn't trade it for any extravagant or exotic trip in the world. 

This summer, I have to say was the best one yet. Hearing the sounds of laughter from my children, and seeing them smile with their eyes is proof enough that their needs were met with a simple taste of summer. 

And with everything that the summer of '15 brought will hopefully last us well into the next year. 

Thank you summer for being so good to us, and although we hung on to you a little bit longer than we thought...we are ready to exit this exciting season. 

HAPPY LABOR DAY!

Living in our neck of the woods there is so much to do in honor of Labor Day weekend. We truly are one lucky folk to live in the tristate area where we are surrounded by so many beaches! The jersey shore truly is a blessing! 

Going to the beach this past weekend was such a spontaneous trip, but being that it was the "unofficial" last weekend of summer we decided to go. The kids did so well for their first week of school, and what better way to "officially" end their summer by going to the beach one more time. With Jon working, and Lexie burning the 'daylight oil' with getting her summer homework done it was just the three of us.

It was windy and the water was a bit colder than usual, but that didn't stop the kids from going, and jumping in. The water was choppy which made for some awesome waves. They didn't stay in too long and mostly played on the beach. I myself love getting in the water, but as soon as my feet touched it I was like, "I'm not getting in with you guys. I'm a fun mom, but not cool enough to get in the water and freeze! Naaa, I'll just stand back, and capture some shots of y'all while y'all brave the cold waves!" 

^^^ It was so nice seeing them splashing in the water, and playing in the sand without a care in the world. Ahhh...to be a kid again! ^^^

^^^ It's become a routine that after we've played in the water, and had a little fun on the sand to go to the 'pirate ship park' and play. This is always per Noah's request. They love this little playground, and it's just too perfect for these kids! ^^^

^^^ Kids get hungry after hard playing at the beach. Am i right? So what better way to end the day with having some fried oreos. A friend of mine on Facebook asked what they were. It's a carnival favorite, and if you want to know more about them, or make them you can find a recipe here. ^^^

Noah also wanted an ice cream cone which began to melt in his little hand cause he couldn't eat it fast enough so I had to get a cup to put it in. Chelsea tried to help him out by helping him eat it, but to no avail. Those fried ores are too filling! Noah wanted to save the paper that was wrapped around the cone too. Apparently he's become obsessed with stars and stripes especially after seeing Rocky, and loves the american boxers he wears while fighting. Noah has requested a pair...as well as some boxing gloves. Oh boy!

This is a screenshot from my snapchat which is why it looks a bit blurrrrrry. If you're reading this post my snapchat of this day is long gone, but if you're on shapchat, and ever want to check out our "snapchat life" you can view it here: r_jorgensen. Anyway...we walked along the boardwalk after eating all that amazing junk food because hello...we need to let all that junk settle! I'm also very impressed that the kids didn't get a tummy ache after eating all that amazing junk! Our stomachs have become immune! 

And how about these pictures the kids took with their mama...hee hee me! 

Noah and Chelsea did a great job in capturing our smiling faces! Especially the one Noah took. His shot wasn't blurry at all! Very impressive for a five year old! Future photographer perhaps??? 

...and this picture of this beauty of mine who is almost 11!! Future model perhaps?? 

You can tell that we just love the beach, and coming here makes me forget about all the worries of the world. It was a nice start to our labor day weekend, and a great ending for these kiddos summer. 

Hope y'all have a wonderful week! 

the joys of our summer.

One can only dream of taking exotic trips to places we've never been. Places which are completely out of our comfort zone where different languages are spoken. Places where food is out of the ordinary, yet tastes delicious. 

This summer passed by way too quickly for us, and although we didn't take any extragavant vacations out of the country most of our adventures were close to home.

And those are the best staycations vacations  in the world. 

Lazy strolls on the beach, picnics at various parks, bathing in the little blue pool, having simple BBQ's in our little backyard, thrift shopping, sno cones, water ice, good food, the Jersey shore, traveling to New England, New York City, Central Park, and Coney Island to name a few.

Summer is a perfect time to read good books, and catch up with friends from long ago. Spending time with family who travel from out west is always a summer treat for us, and friends who travel 1700 miles to see you is the icing on the cake. 

Those are the true joys of life among families and friends. 

It's true what they say-'time flies when you're having fun', and boy did the summer of 2013 do just that...fly!

School resumes tomorrow for my eighth, and third grader and they are ready. 

We will miss you summer, but know you'll be back next year, and we will definitely be waiting for you then!

And Fall, we're pretty much ready to greet you.