Happy Labor Day From New England!

We are currently in Maine spending our last days of summer before school starts again this week! It truly is beautiful here, and every summer when we come here we never want to leave! New England is super special to us since we almost moved here five years ago. I am still hoping that time will come in the near future, but for now we will take all the New England days trips, and vacations we can get! Hope everyone is enjoying their Labor Day weekend, and that y'all have a wonderful week ahead! 

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! 

our labor day weekend.

This labor day weekend consisted of spending a lot of quality time with Sierra who is now officially settled into her dorm, and will officially begin classes this week. I am one proud mom because she went to her singles ward yesterday, and met a lot of awesome people! She even has an official ride to church! There is no need for a vehicle for her when you live in the city, and spending money on cabs every Sunday, and Wednesday to attend church and institute class each week will add up so I am very pleased that she has been blessed with a ride to church.

I don't think we will be driving into Philly as much as I'd like. We've pretty much spent the past three days there helping her settle in (except today.) I don't want to smother her too much by checking up on her every three seconds. I need to let her go, and let her have her own space. We raised her right, and know that she will make wise choices, but the second she has a music performance we will be there in a heartbeat! 

*****

What is it with the rain on Labor day? It rained on Labor day last year too. Instead of venturing out to do something fun with the family before school starts I realized that one of my dearest friends has been in the hospital being poked & pricked with needles due to blood transfusion since last week. 

She is such a trooper, and after seeing two of her co-workers visiting her I was a little jealous. I knew that instead of texting a sweet message, or even calling her that we needed to visit our friend. 

And we did. 

She is Chelsea's primary chorister teacher at church, and boy did she miss her! 

I think we both needed this visit. We think that everyone is okay with a simple text or a message via Facebook, but sometimes a personal visit is what we need. The cure to having a better day, or even a better life! It's the littlest things that make someone happy...even if its just for that moment. I have long since realized that with all the trials we've faced in the past, and are facing now that there is always someone out there who has it worse. 

Even though Jon is out of a job right now our focus is on others, and of course searching for employment, but when we lose ourselves in service our lives seem to be better. 

We are much happier.

This day was extremely special and I wouldn't have exchanged it for a trip to NYC, the shore, or even the playground (even if it didn't rain!)

Kudos to Jordan for taking this photo, and praying that you go home tomorrow Shanna! 

Love you, and thanks for making me laugh today! Y'all are the best!

Labor day on a rainy day.

Overcast skies didn't stop us from setting foot onto wet ground to venture out on what I call the last day of summer. Unfortunately my better half had to work today so the girls and I were contemplating on what to do after he left to go labor (frowning face.)

We were really craving Sonic burgers, and pebbled ice drinks.

See...the thing is that these Sonic drive in restaurants are not surviving in South Jersey or even in Philly, and we were trying to figure out which ones might still be in business.

We have driven to many in the Philly area, and half of them are closed down, but we didn't attempt to go to Philly today. Since the one in Vineland is closest to us we decided to drive over there. I had a feeling they were closed down, but we went anyway. As we arrived we learned that they did in fact close down.

After we learned that they were closed I remembered going to one outside of Sea Isle City, but couldn't find it on google maps. I gave up, went rogue, and just drove. I'm glad I didn't listen to that feeling because on our way to find a Sonic we ended up finding the nicest waterfront. So naturally the kids and I decided to get down and take a few pictures.

Too bad we didn't have our suits on otherwise we would have jumped in the water. There were a few people jumping into the water from their boats and it sure looked like fun.

Then we found a Sonic!
Hooray!

 We made it just in time for 'Happy Hour'. Noah and I were 'happy' to be drinking our cherry limed drinks with pebble ice. 

Although there are other burger chains such as Five Guys, Shake Shack, and your regular fast food chains in our area we were really craving Sonic, and luckily we were guided to one. Hey, along with Whataburger, I grew up with Sonic so I appreciate this drive in, and if my kids are craving it I am determined to find one even if its an hour away, and...

I didn't mind at all.

School doesn't start until Thursday so that gives us two more days to spend precious time together. Rain is still in the forecast, but that is not going to put a damper on our days.

Remember what I wrote yesterday...Each day I wake up I am making the choice to have a great day!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Labor day whether rain or shine! 

Farewell to the Lazy days of Summer

As we all know Labor Day is the symbolic end of summer which meant that today was basically our last chance to do something fun as a family. My better half had to work today so before the routines and formality of Autumn set in, the kids and I decided to go to the Cape May Zoo.  

Since school resumes tomorrow we wanted to go somewhere where it's safe to break out the pocketbook, and just relax. The zoo in Cape May is FREE! It has a fairly good amount of animals and everyone seemed to be friendly.  

There is something so relaxing about walking around the zoo to pause, and overlook at the animals who were at a distance. 

We saw a camel...

A beautiful flamingo showing off its flexibility...

And zebras walking in unison...

Noah had a lot of fun watching and 'oinking' with the pigs...

He and Chelsea both enjoyed feeding the goats...

 He was fearless!

and they enjoyed a little train ride throughout the zoo...

Unfortunately it's time to go home...Noah became weary.

I really didn't want this day to end. There are days when I want summer to be over because I look forward to fall and days when I don't want it to be over because reality begins which means the girls have to go back to school. I've really enjoyed our summer as a family, but know that autumn joys are just ahead!

*How did you spend Labor day weekend?
*Ever been to the Cape May Zoo?