Hope You Knew New Hope

Down to the real highlight of the day, New Hope. A town none of us have been to in quite some time, if at all. Right along the Delaware River on the PA side, which completed our coast to coast requirement. The streets were packed with hippies and yuppies, bikers and hikers, drunkees and monkeys. No really there was a monkey. But the number of fascinating shoppes to explore and good food to be eaten is immeasurable and we had empty hands and stomachs to fill.

All my parents wanted to do was eat on the water, which isn't the easiest request to fulfill on a busy weekend as such, but we managed to sneak in after a short at The Landing and enjoyed quite the delicious late lunch/early dinner. I pounded a few lemongrass and chamomile beers and Laura drank a couple mojitos. Fancy. Also tasty was the chicken milanese and brie & ham sandwiches we split. I think we need to stock up on some more lingonberry sauce.

And what Estler gathering is complete without a little ice cream. The answer is none. And Yuula got to try everyone's ice cream. I smell a sugar rush.

The ice cream parlour had questionable decor.

Exhausted, we headed back to the cars but not before we let the kids burn off their ice cream. Activities included offroading, double toddler flinging, railroad rock collecting and hug aversion.

Nice day. Nice family. Happy anniversary again Mom & Dad.

Now what do we do for 41?

PS: about 35 seconds into the ride home...

Surprise! A Crumb Bun

The surprise went off without a hitch. My mother cried and my father hugged everyone to death. We joked about how we may have ruined my parents favorite breakfast spot because, after surprises times two, they may start expecting us to jump out of the bushes everytime they come out here. They like this place too much. And it's a good thing that sometimes a crumb bun is just a crumb bun.

We sauntered down to the inlet to watch for tuna boats, or today the lack thereof, but nothing could deter us from thoroughly enjoying our sugar sprinkled deliciousness and sweetly glazed heaven. Yuula even skipped (sunk) a few stones into the inlet.

It's A Beach Blanket Hideout

Yesterday we threw a surprise party that spanned the entire state of New Jersey, literally, shore to shore, east to west. It was my parent s 40th anniversary and we surprised them where we knew they'd go first thing in the morning. Mueller's Bakery in Bay Head. The lure of the crumb bun cannot be denied. But first we had to stage ourselves nearby and where else to hideout but the beach.

Alas...

High Frequency Strolling

I've been sifting thru some photos from the weekend. Yuula took a lot of walks. It's what we do when we have guests. Take them for a walk. This past weekend Yuula had two special guests to drag thru the woods. But I think they liked it so, we'll keep doing it.

Aunt Dani

Best Bud Isa

Oh To Be A Ruby

My parents have been married 40 years today.

We knew they could do it.

I sense crumb buns and antiquing in store.

It's kind of inspiring actually.

I hope they were surprised.


Happy Anniversary Mother & Father