Vacations!!!

I love going on vacations getting away with my family. Damn, though, packing is a bitch no matter where we go!!!

We're heading to Disney World for a week on Friday. How do you pack for Orlando in January? Based on the 10-day forecast, we're expecting highs in the mid-60s and lows in the high 30s/low 40s. Only in our last two days are the forecasters predicting weather in the 70s.

Help me out if you can!!! I'm leaning real close to just packing their whole wardrobe...talk about Chaos!!!

Our Summer - Part II

For the past 3 Summers (including this one), we have rented a house in the Hamptons for the month of July. The first 2 Summers we were able to rent a ranch home right around the corner from my parents' beach place in East Quogue. We were bummed when we found out the owners had a long-term rental in place this year. It took some scrambling, but we lucked out when we found this cute Cape by the Bay in Hampton Bays.

Me with KK and Tank in front of the house.



The ONLY negative about this house was that it wasn't right around the corner from my parents' place. This place was perfect for us though. I initially was worried about the kids sleeping upstairs while I (& occasionally, Mr. O) slept downstairs. The front and back yards were spacious for the kids to run around. We had a deck and a patio to lounge around on. We had a waterview of the bay, and we were very close to the ocean beach we frolic.

We celebrated Mim's birthday on July 1st at our house. Here she is with KK and LuLu.



We always look forward to the 4th of July BBQ at a family friend's home. The fare is normally the same...lobster tails, london broil, baked potatoes, corn on the cob. The biggest draw is the lobster tails. Well, last year there were no lobster tails...the horror!!! Everyone was stunned, and the poor host still has not heard the end of it. People are still talking about last year even though he redeemed himself by providing the tails this year.

All the kids posing at the party.



We had exceptional weather the 5 weeks we were there. I don't think it even rained more than 3 days. Our days began by packing the cooler with sandwiches, snacks and beverages; lathering up with sunscreen lotions, and heading to Ponquogue Beach.

Mr. O with the kids!!!



Me with Tank and Banana!!!



Cool dudes...the kids with their cousin, Master B!!!



No beach day is complete without having a Marino's Italian Ice. KK especially loved the cherry ice.



Check out Tank on his boogey board...



Tank is somewhere in here...what a scary wipeout!!!



Banana and her lifeguard friend, E!

Here we are...10 months later!!!

This is pitiful; it really is. If I was smart, I should dump this blog (non-blog), start another and post often.

However,...(and I hope that in a few months, you will be able to say, "HOW EVER did this Mama get it together???"), I'm feeling inspired by many preppy and Hokie bloggers. I want to make this work.

Right now, we are Summering in the Hamptons once again...Life is good!!! The ocean is our playground, and we are having a blast. This is the first year that all 3 kids are really into the water...they're on their way to becoming champion bodysurfers. :)