Scenes from Memorial Day!

Snippets of Memorial Day weekend included going to Grants tomb for the hundredth time, a walk down Riverside park, enjoying the somewhat less crowds in the city and topping it off with our fave from Wafels & Dinges. It was a beautiful spring day honoring those who have fought for our country and still continue to fight! Thankful! 

Memorial Day In Essex, CT!

Love how New England coastal towns decorate for Memorial Day. Its so quintessential and aesthetic. It inspires me to move here but I am grateful that we are only a 2. 5 hour drive away from some of the cutest towns in Connecticut. Essex is one of my faves and I captured a lot of red white and blue while we came here. I've explored this town before but not over memorial day weekend. It was quaint and pretty and we had a lovely time taking in the peace and the sounds of the ocean as well! 

Day Trip to Gettysburg.

I can't believe we have lived in Jersey for almost 17 years and we just now took a trip to Gettysburg! Over the long Memorial Day weekend we fixed that and really enjoyed all the sights! Can you believe there are at least 13,000 monuments here! It took us at least three hours to drive around and read all about Gettysburg and the war that was fought here. Such a travesty to have seen all the names on this one monument. This is the Pennsylvania monument and it was our favorite. I think it's everyones favorite because there were quite a lot of people here. I was very impressed with Noah as he paused and stopped to read all the signs and stories about the monuments and asked questions. He asked a lot of question and learned to really appreciate all about Gettysburg. He's growing up and I am happy to see that he is developing a love for history. I'm so happy we took the time out of our weekend to learn about what happened here in Gettysburg; and since we all have a penchant for history really bonded us as family as we walked around and talked about our nations history in this part of the world. 

It was a beautiful day and a great way to pay our respects to those who fought and sacrificed their lives for our country. 

Happy Memorial Day!

 

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. 

We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. 

It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same."

 - Ronald Reagan

Fleet week was this week and while walking on the streets of the city there were navy soldiers everywhere. Forever grateful for their service and even more grateful to those who lost their lives for our freedoms today. May we always remember our loved ones on this day and never forget their sacrifice for our country. 

Remembering Our Fallen Soldiers At St. Mary's Cemetery.

 

"Let their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored." -Daniel Webster 

Love this scouting tradition of Noah and his troop gathering at St. Mary's cemetery to place flags. They do this every Memorial weekend and yesterday was Noah's second year volunteering to do this. He has grown up and has truly developed an appreciation for our fallen soldiers. Yesterday he and his troop placed flags at St. Mary's cemetery to honor those who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It' a beautiful way to remember them and a great way to express our gratitude. I hope we can take the time to remember our loved ones this weekend! So proud of our Boy Scout!

Robert Gould Shaw Memorial in Boston.

 

The movie "Glory' has been one of my all time favorite civil war movies and when I saw that this monument was placed in Robert Gould Shaw's honor in Boston I immediately wanted to go and see it. It is such a beautiful sculpture and I can't believe it took me almost 20 years to finally see it! I love everything that this man did for his fellow man in leading an all black regiment into battle. Sad ending being that the fort was never taken but what an example of courage to stand up for black men in inspiring other colored men to join in. Glory is a well done movie and the civil war is something that's obviously gone down in history. Who knew we would be in battle with each other. Hope that history won't repeat itself and that we can continue to pray for other countries who are in war at this time. 

With Gratitude We Remember.

 

Another year of remembrance. Another year of 37,000 flags. This garden of 37,000 flags was planted in memory of every fallen Massachusetts service member from the Revolutionary War to the present. These flags are put out every year on Memorial Day for all to see and pay their respects (and of course photograph). We are so grateful to be able to come here once again to remember and appreciate all that our fallen soldiers did in serving our country and for those who continue to serve. Thank you!

Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument On Memorial Day.

Fro the longest time Riverside Park has become one of favorite parks. The kids have scooted their scooters here and we've been to the 91st street garden a million times. We've passed by this monument a gazillion times but one thing we've never really done on Memorial Day or any other day is stop and pay tribute to the fallen and read about the soldiers and sailors monument. It truly is a historical site and because we've been to General Grant's tomb and the fact that it has been closed off since the pandemic decided to walk around the S&S monument and remember. I captured a few photos of Noah while Chelsea was finishing off homework. In spite of a long, rainy weekend Memorial Day turned out to be pretty sunny and cheerful I am so thankful for all who have served and continue to sacrifice their life for our country. Thank you! Our prayers are with you and your families. Happy Memorial Day! 

New York Stock Exchange: Together, We're Strong.

Love, love this city and how they express their love for it especially at this time with all they are going through. It sure was a different start to our "summer season" going to outings wearing masks and all but it is for own good. 

For some it is the beginning of summer at the beach wearing flip flops, and sandals, having bbq's and eating a lot of melted ice cream cones but for us on this day we spent it remembering our soldiers who have passed on, and those who continue to fight today. Memorial Day gives us the moment to pay tribute to those who have done so much to preserve our country in values that we strive for. So thankful for this holiday that comes once a year and for a city that is proud to wear red, white, and blue. 

Memorial Day 2020.

We feel blessed to live in a great place and are very thankful for the honorable men and women who have served and continue to serve this beautiful country who is going through so much right now. Your spirit is kept alive and y'all will never be forgotten. I also want to express my gratitude to all frontline workers today who continue to fight above and beyond against Covid19. Y'all will always be remembered for your courage and bravery! A million thank you's on this Memorial Day! 

Coney Island On Memorial Day.

Coney Island is one of my favorite places to go in the summertime. It may be overcrowded and let's be honest...dirty but none of that matters to me. It's nostalgic and brings back so many memories of the time my mom took my sister and me to the movies to see the Warriors. Often wondering what this place looked like in real life. She has yet to come here for a visit but loves the photos I take every time we come here. 

Happy Memorial Day From Boston!

Boston sure knows how to remember Memorial Day! Every year 37,000 flags are placed below the Sailors and Soldiers monument in Boston Common honoring the service men and women who have served since the Revolutionary War. I really appreciate this as well as the volunteers that do this each year who keep a close eye on them all week long! Thank you for your service and hope everyone has a nice Memorial Day! More photos below! 

A Visit to President Grant's Tomb On Memorial Day.

Along the banks of the Hudson river there is a hidden gem called The General Grant National Memorial. It is known as Grant's tomb, and it is the largest mausoleum in the United States. President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife Julia are both buried inside. The story behind President Grant is impressive, and noble. I didn't know very much about his background, and all that he designated, and stood for, but he was definitely a man of integrity, and hard work. 

Looking Forward To A Long Weekend By Keeping It Old School.

 It's been such a nice week so far, and we are looking forward to the long weekend ahead. This week has been pretty busy with Noah's field day, scouts, and Chelsea's back to back choir concerts, and it's only going to get busier with piano recitals, and Lexie's scholarship dinners next week. That's what happens when you have three kids in three different schools!So many end of the year school functions, and those are signs that school is almost out! 

Remembering On Memorial Day.

After blogging about Noah's spider-man costume I neglected to mention how we spent our Memorial day holiday. In all honesty because of the dreary weather, a school project in which Lexie and her partner from school had to finish (they worked on it from 10-1:30), and a slight headache (which I rarely get) we decided to stay close to home. It was about 3:30 on Monday when we decided to leave the house, and take a drive towards mirror lake park to take the kids out so they can release some wiggles, and relieve some end of the year school stress. 

Although it may have looked as we were having a blast on my snapchat with the kids at the park, we did remember those who have served our country, and continue to sacrifice their lives even today. I'm especially grateful for the talks we had at our church service this past Sunday in what we can do to remember those who died for our freedoms, and how we can honor them. 

There have been times when we've actually gone to Valley Forge, Washington D.C., and even New York to express our gratitude to those who have passed on, and to remember. To remember the importance of this holiday, and to teach our kids what it's all about. That it's not all about the picnics, and the bbq's, and going to the beach. But that it's about those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in order for us to have our freedom so that we can be able to do all of the above. 

I'm so happy that we make the time as a family to bond, and teach our kids about life, and what all the holidays mean. Especially when it comes to the government, and soldiers in the military. We have the fourth of July coming up next, and then Labor Day. Those are important holidays that deal with our freedom as well, and it's so important to remember them. 

So grateful for our freedoms, and for the all the opportunities that I have as a mother, and person to be able to do what I want, when i want. Especially when it comes to exploring places. The love that I have for my country no matter how messed up it may get I have learned to love, and deal with it. To know that I can spend time with my family for free is something that I will never take for granted! 

Hope your Memorial Day this year was memorable, fun, and meaningful! 

IN HONOR OF OUR FALLEN SOLDIERS.

When you have a teenager I'll warn you that their schedule even on a holiday will be busy...especially if they're in  the jazz band. 

Lexie woke up at 6:30 a.m. on Memorial Day to meet with her fellow band members at the high school to participate in the Memorial Day parade. This is tradition and I'll tell ya as long as I keep having musically inclined kids who are in the jazz band you bet they are going to be a part of it.

And I am so grateful. 

Grateful because these kids woke up early in the morning knowing the why as in "why are we doing this?", and the who  as in "who are we doing this for?" 

"To do it in remembrance, and in honor of our fallen soldiers."

As our kids have grown older they have caught the vision of the true meaning of Memorial Day. They understand why it's crucial to know that aside from the BBQ's, and going to the beach it's important to remember those who have fought for our country, and in the end paid the ultimate sacrifice in protecting our freedoms. 

So after Lexie came home from the parade we drove up to Orange near Newark where were informed by my mother in law that there are family members on her side of the family buried there. We drove, and it was a beautiful drive. We stopped, and paid our respects to other fallen soldiers as well. Whether they are family or not the fact that they fought so hard to serve our country in order for us to be "free" is incomprehensible. I could tell by the look on my girls face as opposed to Noah's (he's five) that they truly understand the meaning of Memorial Day. 

After a while Noah began to show some reverence. When we arrived at the memorial he was running around waving his little flag around, and I had to tell him to calm down. I reminded him of why we are here, and he immediately stopped, and began to put back a few flags that were out of place.

My heart fluttered as I saw him doing this. It made me realize that he was actually listening to me as I was explaining why we have flags, and why we are here putting roses on the memorial, and what a "memorial" actually is. 

His reverence didn't last too long. As we left he saw this tank, and wanted to climb inside, but again I reminded him that it's not to play in. He understood, and we had a picture taken of us instead (thanks Lexie.)

I love Memorial Day, and I love remembering. 

So, so grateful for all those who sacrificed their lives for us, for the ones who continue to serve, and to let their families know that they were thought of on this day.

Thank you, and God Bless America! 

Our Memorial Day.

I remember the first time I began to really understand what the military was all about was when a friend I met back in college mentioned to me how he went to Saudi Arabia. I had just joined the LDS church, was on my own, and was beginning to learn how to truly "unshelter" myself from the world. I didn't quite understand why he went, or what he did while he was there, and when I asked him how Saudi was he said he didn't want to talk about it. I respected his response, and never questioned him about it again. Years passed, and now that I'm older, and understand more about what's going on with the world, war, and our troops my heart just grows deeper. Having lived in North Carolina for two years really helped me to understand even more. Especially when we were living in Fayetteville attending a ward that was 95% military. I grew to really appreciate the acts of sacrifice they would make in order to serve not only within the church, but to our country as well. I saw their willingness to fight, be strong, and to endure no matter how rough it was. There were so many young men & women fighting for our freedom leaving their families behind to make the world a better place. I have learned to appreciate what they do for us, and for the past ten eight years have made sure to remember both the fallen troops of the past, and those who are still fighting for our country today. 

Living in the east has its advantages and we are surrounded by so much "war" history. I love that we live in an area where we can drive 45 minutes to Valley Forge to see Washington's Headquarters, and two hours to Washington D.C. to visit all the memorials. I have become somewhat of a history buff since moving here, and I want my children to know what Memorial Day means to me, and what it's all about. They have learned that's it not just any other day, but a day of remembering.  

On this Memorial Day we decided to go to Valley Forge National Park to visit the sites. I didn't take as many pictures as I did the last time we were here, but let me tell you...I felt an entire different feeling the second time around. I really love this place, and visiting Washington's Headquarters is always so humbling.  

After visiting Valley Forge we did end up driving to the beach. The kids, particular my two younger ones kept talking about going to the beach since...this morning! I guess you can say this was one of the warmest days we've had thus far, and out of all the days for it to be hot it had to be on Memorial Day! Chelsea, and Noah had too much fun. To them it's all about the sand. They absolutely love getting all sandy while building sand castles. 

They mostly preferred digging in the sand more than going in the water. It's probably a good thing because let me tell you...the water was freezing cold!! I took baby steps slowly going in, but the water only made it to my calves. It was so freaking cold! Chelsea is a pretty brave soul, and kept going back and forth to put water in the pails to build sandcastles. You can tell by her reaction how cold the water was...

She eventually got used to it, and just enjoyed the crashing of the waves against her...legs.

^^^ and Lexie just relaxed the entire time. ^^^

^^^ and Noah would get tempted to go into the water which he did end up doing, but after falling while a wave was crashing did not go back in again. (too bad I didn't get that on camera!) ^^^  

Although we had some recreational fun on this day I'm glad we took the time to think of the fallen from the past, and to remember them on this day. 

Every year Memorial day becomes more, and more meaningful to me, and the first thing I want to do on this holiday before any fun is to pay our respects for all who have died. How nice, and peaceful it would be if our troops would return home. But until that day comes I will always, always keep them in our prayers.

And I hope your Memorial Day was lovely too! 

memorial day on the shore.

I love Memorial day. It is the intro to my summer, and another renewal to my soul. It gets me in the mood to put all our summer wear, beach wear, and gear in a place that is easy to get to. Even though we didn't put our swimsuits on this Memorial day it was fun to have ventured out to one of my favorite places, and see my kids having a pretty good time. 

Just see for yourself. :-)

After Sierra came home from the parade in Philly we spontaneously drove to Belmar to go to the beach. Jon had to work so it was just the five of us. He hadn't worked in past Memorial Days, but he wasn't lucky this year. That's what happens when you work retail sales. Sometimes you just have to work on those holidays.

I have to say that Spring Lake is one of my favorite beaches on the Jersey shore. Call me sentimental, but ever since hurricane Sandy demolished this area I've grown to love this part of the shore even more. The 75 minute drive is worth it, and I will come here every week if I can this summer.

These girls must love me because they hung out with me all day. What teenagers hang out with their moms all day? I'm sure there are some out there that do, but I feel so blessed knowing that they wanted to hang with me, and their two younger siblings all day.

Then again we were going to the beach.

The beach wasn't as packed as I thought it would be. The weather was a bit chilly, but not chilly enough to walk on the boardwalk, and have a little fun in the sun.

These two are seriously best friends, and I love that. I mean they both have their own friends at school & church, but if you were living with us 24/7 they are beautiful to look at. How they treat each other, and how they look up to one another. They are five years apart, yet act as if they're twins. 

They were having too much fun trying to give each other piggy back rides walking on the sand. Didn't look like an easy task. Too bad i didn't vine it! 


They tease each other yet don't get into any fights...ever! It's funny because Sierra looks up to Alexandra a lot. You'd think it be the other way around because Sierra is the oldest. Nonetheless I love having two teenagers in the home who are not catty with one another, and truly strive to live a cheerful, and honest life. 

This one is a different story...

Just joshing. She's sassy, but a joy to have. She's teaching me more on being patient, and on calming my nerves. Yep...she's a child of work, and I don't mind. She's strengthens me by not giving up on mothering. She makes me grateful for the passage of time because I 'kind of' do look forward to her growing up...kind of.

It'll be interesting how well she'll succeed in life with her spunky personality, and who she is to become in ten years. With this one...I'm trying not to mourn too much on her growth. She sure knows how to make a day at the beach fun!

I cannot even begin to tell you how excited Noah was when he saw the playground with a pirate ship. They restored it, and Noah and Chelsea were going a little too crazy here. Noah can go down the slides, and be here all day long. His favorite part was being barefoot, and landing in sand as he slid down. I wish I could freeze frame this moment. 

With this little guy...I don't want him to grow up! Ever!

I really didn't want to go home, but Jon was getting off soon, and we needed to get going. It was such a beautiful day out, and had Jon been with us we probably would have been home pretty late...like one in the morning late.  

Oh the life on the beach...it doesn't get any better than this. Eating fried oreos is our favorite part of coming here. It's a good thing we only eat them during the summer because our hips would be in trouble if we ate them all the time! 

I loved every minute of today. Spending it with these great kids of mine was so much fun. I love them to death, and I can give Noah kisses all day long. 

No matter how tough life can get for me...Life is pretty darn good. 

And it was pretty darn good today. 

**God bless the troops that continue to serve our country, and how thankful I am to those who have lost their lives in fighting for our freedom. 

Happy Memorial Day!

For many Memorial Day is the first day of summer...a time to go the beach, a time for family picnics, kite-flying, playground outings, parades, and lots of water ice. It's also a time to remember. 

To remember those who have died on our behalf. To pay tribute to those who have fought for our freedoms, and continue to do so in this great nation.

All in the name of service. 

We hope everyone has a memorable, happy memorial day, and spend it with the ones you love.

Happy Memorial Day! 

Scenes from Memorial day.

Each year as I grow older I show more and more appreciation for all mankind, and living so close to D.C. really motivates us a family to continue to pay our respects to those who have sacrificed their life for our country.

I love holidays such as Memorial day because it also gives me the chance to focus on the things that are important and sitting around at the dinner table whether indoors or outdoors talking about life, the world, the food, church, school, and the future makes me one happy woman.

visiting a loved one who was taken away from us too soon.

I am grateful for the relationships that I have with each of my family members...especially my husband. Without him we probably wouldn't be able to communicate so well with our children.  I love being a mother, and at this point in my life with my oldest soon going off to college within the next year and a half I am taking advantage of every single moment not only with her, but with the rest of our kiddos.