Camping in Connecticut: The First Nite

Camping! Ah the great outdoors. We went to Hammonasett Beach State Park for a long Father's Day weekend. It was only two hours away but felt like a new world. There was so much to see and do at this site, it's worth coming back.

We excitedly set up camp the first night including our newest gear seen next to the truck behind the trees, our blue Eureka screen house.





Grilling some hot dogs, we hear a loud speaker around the campground, "Attention, severe weather expected in the next half hour." Whoops, better get to battening down the hatches. We put the kids to bed and rode out the storm in the tent. At around 8:00 the heavy storm passed and the sky began to glow!

Luck was on our side this nite since the bad weather quickly came and went. The kids were happily sleeping in the tent so we enjoyed this light and then I played my first game of cribbage in the screenhouse with my lady.

In the next post, we hit the beach!

Meatballs are Back!

Meatballs and red sauce have been a love/hate relationship for us since Ben was diagnosed with food allergies at age 1. The verdict, eggs and tomatoes. Not easy to make a meatball according to my Aunt Elle's specifications. So, no meatballs graced our table since then (except for a few hidden take out subs).

Now 3, Ben has been retested and low and behold, no more food allergies. But it had been so long, we forgotten about the spherical meat, tomato covered temptresses until the John Tesh Radio show...waaaa?

Driving to NH a few weeks back, what better to guide us through the darkness than John Tesh? (I know, still...waaa?) Anywho, on this night, he spoke of the latest craze hitting America, meatballs! With the economy down, more people were cooking at home and increasing the amount of meatballs consumed per capita. Also, celebrity chefs were adopting gourmet meatballs to add to their menus. Blah, blah, blah; Intelligence for Your Life.

Getting home on Sunday nite, we didn't realize the impact of the late nite meatball discussion. We needed them and bad. A couple hours later according to Elle's meatball methods, Ben is loving meatballs.

Back on Meatballs from Mark Charest on Vimeo.

Story Land June 2011

First trip to Story Land of the year! We went up with friends the Linsons and Bienstocks. We played the weather. The day started off fun with a visit to 'Area A'.











Awhh!

Uh Oh! Clouds and rain rolling in.

We spent the rest of the day waiting for trains, sitting in the Story Land show audiences, then retired at 2:00 for a game of Phase 10 at the hotel. We'll be back.

Waiting for a train from Mark Charest on Vimeo.

Zoo Day

A few weeks back we felt like doing something fun. So we pulled out the map and Ben chose the Zoo!

We had a great time looking at all the animals and getting some fresh city air.

At the end of the day we were all in great spirits after spending a fun family day together.

Big Band Bikes

A night to get together and ride bikes at the town common turns into a swinging time.

Big Band Bikes from Mark Charest on Vimeo.

Ben's Birthday III-"...Shunting Cars and Hauling Freight"

Anyone who has watched more Thomas than they care for knows that earworm...

But, we had to impress the boy with our Thomas knowledge and throw him the best party this side of Tidmouth Sheds (that's where the engine sleep didn't you know).

So first off, take a ride on Thomas. It wasn't really Thomas. Just a Miller Lite box with a face.


No, no. Sarah did a great job decorating and drawing Thomas onto this non-beer box.

Next up, the Splinter Zone. No one got splinters, just colored their own small wooden train to take home.

Bea's was beautiful.

Yummy Thomas cake!

Ben was speechless admiring the patisserie.

He's a funny kid.

Topham Hatt!

I was supposed to be Sir Topham Hatt but Ben wouldn't let me put on the hat. Ok for him though.

Best out of 10 tries.

Great party though.

Easter '11

We hopped up the bunny trail to the Great North this Spring to see our families. No egg hunt this year as snow was falling.

But everyone found fun things at Mimi's


Like cool shades

And funny expressions wearing cool shades.

And cousins

Buckets

And Happy Easter smiles.

Don't forget tickles!