DamJam 2012

For many years (30+), our family has owned a cabin in a special little place called Whipkey Dam in Pennsylvania (for Marylanders - its about 30 minutes west of Deep Creek Lake). I hadn't been there since I was a child, but when my grandfather mentioned he and his wife were going to be visiting there in August, I asked Evan if he wanted to go. Of course, all I needed to say was "fishing", and Evan was ready to leave!

Two of my uncles, an aunt and my cousin's daughters, Pacey and Addie came, too. 

This weekend was the annual "DamJam", where bands play and everyone camps out and parties together. There are a small number of cabins in this community and it truly feels like a community. Everyone comes there to relax and every household shares their food, boats, toys, etc, etc. It's a really special place. We instantly felt like part of the big family there.

Here's Evan and Jacob (Nannie's grandson) off to fish in the paddle boat. Jacob fell in love with fishing...he and Evan are kindred spirits.

This was the highlight of the trip for the kids - the chair swing in a neighbor's yard. It swings over the water, so that makes it more thrilling but oh my...these kids could have stayed swinging all day. They announced Nannie as the expert at pushing the swing and only wanted her to do it.

Marino, Pacey and Natalie waiting for Evan and Jacob to return so they can take a ride in the paddle boat.

Me and my Pap

These guys had soooo much fun jumping from each side of the inflatable "island" to the other. Its always a trip to see what kids find entertaining!

Max loved it there. He could wander around freely (he's not the type of dog to go far). 5 minutes after we arrived, he wandered away and came back with a piece of steak in his mouth. Here he is enjoying his favorite activity - sun bathing.

The kids loved exploring all the boats...

My uncle Dean fishing the dam

Looking forward to heading back up there in the fall, when the leaves start to change!

A Saturday with our Buddies

A couple weeks ago, we headed to Virginia to spend some time with our buddies: Jen, Sydney and Noah. We headed over to Our Special Harbor Splashpark in Alexandria. This splashpark is pretty amazing. Its designed to accommodate all - including children with special needs. There are special waterproof wheelchairs available for those who need them. It's also free! The kids had a great time getting wet.

After the kids were done splashing, we walked next door to Chessie's Big Backyard. This is an amazing playground - the kids LOVED it. Perhaps the best part is a giant tree house/path in the woods. It was gorgeous!

After playtime, we headed over to Z Pizza for pizza. They have delicious gluten-free pizza (and vegan cheese!). We always have a great time together - love these guys!!

At the Playground...

Marino and his friends from school...

A Saturday in Ahoskie

A couple weekends ago, we headed down to North Carolina to visit with Evan's extended family. Evan has wonderful memories of spending his summers there, so he was very excited to share this place with Marino and I. Evan's maternal family is from this very small town in North Carolina, called Ahoskie. I would tell you what it's near, but its not near anything, so it wouldn't help you to place it.

When Evan described why he liked going there so much, I wasn't sure I understood, but watching Marino there helped me realize that living in a small community affords a freedom that kids in suburban/urban areas don't have. The kids can just run around and not have to worry about cars, or strangers, or getting lost in a crowd. At times, it was hard for me to adjust to letting Marino be "free" with his older cousins, but he had such an amazing time when I did. It was a "crazy, crazy night" he told me.

Before heading to NC, the family (not me, I get sea sick) went deep sea fishing. Saturday afternoon was spent cleaning and scaling the fish for a fish fry. It's really a lot of work, and not very pleasant. The fish heads went to the feral cats. They were in heaven.

Some group shots. I love my family!
The oldest siblings
Marino playing with his cousin Christopher.
2 days old kittens. So adorable!!
BIG group shot. Don't ask me to name everyone. They're all family.
Marino playing basketball with Cam and Aunt RiRi
Marino with his new buddies - Tionna and Kamari. "I like these girls and they like me too." he told me.

They had a great time playing hide and go seek together (although they were easy to find, since they kept hiding in the back of one of the half dozen pickup trucks parked at the house).
We all had a great time!!

Pacey's 4th Birthday

12 days after Marino turned 4, it was his cousin Pacey's birthday.
The two of them love each other, so we were very excited to celebrate with her. First up was playtime at a bounce house place.

How cute is she? Those eyes!

Baby sister Addie

Happy boy - he loves bounce houses more than anything!

The girls decided to make silly faces for the camera. I love it!

He thought air hockey was hysterical!

These two are great friends.

The next day was a family party for Pacey. We had lots of fun - Marino, Pacey and her best buddy, Reagan, always have fun together.

Happy 4th Birthday, Pacey!

5 on Friday

As always, here are 5 special reasons I am loving my boy this week:

5. Last weekend, we went to North Carolina (the country) to visit Evan's extended family (post coming soon). Marino had sooo much fun. As he was playing hide and go seek at night with the other kids, he told me "This is a crazy, crazy night."

4. Two of the kids playing hide and go seek with Marino were these adorable girls, Tionna (9) and Kamari (8). Marino told me "Mommy? I like these girls and they like me, too."

3. On the drive home, Marino kept asking me if we were in Germantown (the city we live in). At one point he pointed out the window and asked "Are these German trees?"

2. Remembering his wonderful time in NC, on the way home, as he was falling asleep, he was mumbling (with his eyes closed) "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Ready or not, here I come! Found you, found you!"



1. We had to take Marino for some blood work. He kept talking about going to school after and saying "After we go to the lamp..." I finally realized the lamp = the lab. He made the most enormous scene before we got his blood. It took 3 of us to hold him down. Later he told me "It didn't hurt. It wasn't a big, giant deal."

Hanging with PapPap

A couple weeks ago, my dad came down to visit for the weekend. Marino LOVES his PapPap and was soooo happy to spend so much time with him. He brought Marino some fun birthday gifts so they played with those, watched movies and all of us went to Pacey's birthday party together.

Can you tell Marino loves this guy?!

Watching Curious George and snuggling

Marino hanging out with PapPap and Uncle Mark

It was a great weekend. Marino loved bonding with his PapPap!