Fun under the sun

We arrived back home tonight around 5 p.m. after a terrific long weekend at Ocean City with Pop Pop, Aunt Nancy, and the Cacciola/Costello/Gillson clan. We all had a great time catching up with each other and just enjoying each other's company. Nora particularly enjoyed Frankie's company and is sure to miss him in the days ahead. We spent Friday afternoon hanging out by their pool and ate one of Aunt Gina's delicious pasta dinners. We reconvened at the beach on Saturday morning and stayed for about 4 hours. I was amazed that we (or should I say "I"?) lasted that long! We went back to our own condo for some down time and a late lunch, then met up with the Costellos at the Jolly Roger amusement park, where Nora rode her first roller coaster (not counting the ill-fated Log Flume), "The Wiggly Worm" (I got it on video for you, Mike!). I think she enjoyed it, although Aunt Nancy said Nora was squeezing her hand the whole time. The next day was a pool day, followed by dinner on the outdoor patio of a boardwalk restaurant. We weren't sure we could do it, at first, since we had a 9 mo. old, 15 mo. old, 2 yr. old, 2 1/2 yr. old and 6 year old with us. I don't think the hostess thought we could do it either, judging by the look she gave us when we approached her. But much to our amazement, we survived and had a great time (as proof, just look at our smiles in the big group picture below). This morning, Aunt Nancy helped us pack up and walked with us on the boardwalk while Pop checked out. To escape the sweltering heat, we ducked into an arcade, where Nora bowled and played skee ball, and even rocked out with Aunt Nancy on Guitar Hero (see pics). Pop joined us for lunch at a pizzeria on the boardwalk and then we headed over to the family compound to say goodbye to everyone. We had an easy ride home; the girls slept the first two hours and then we listened to music and talked the rest of the way home. Nora and Caroline also invented a new game that kept them entertained for a good 15 min....Nora kicking Caroline's outstretched hand (see below). I grabbed my camera and blindly took some shots with one hand, keeping the other one on the steering wheel, hoping I'd get something good. I know, I know...maybe I'm getting to be too bold doing this independent-mom thing. But don't worry...no more pictures in a moving car, I promise!