Taking 5 to NJ

We made our annual trip back to NJ to visit family and friends from August 22-30. Our flight left at 6:30am on Saturday morning and so we had to be at the airport at 4:30am. UGH. So we loaded up our three suitcases, two strollers, three car seats, two diaper bags, and a backpack and trudged through security. The flight was uneventful with the exception of Amare staying awake the.entire.time and kicking Gyasi’s seat (note: we have learned that he kicks the seat so we have to have one of us sit directly in front of him so that he’s only disrupting us and not some poor stranger). We arrived in Philadelphia around 10:45am. We debated about whether it was easier to have Gyasi just take the shuttle bus to the rental car place and leave me there with the luggage OR if we should all load up onto the rental shuttle. We all decided to go. Good thing because when we got there, they had given our minivan away. Awesome. So the kids and I waited outside in the heat and humidity for about an hour while Gyasi haggled with the rental car people. “Do you want a minivan because you like minivans or do you really need the space?” Seriously, people. Who in their right mind drives a minivan because they think they look cool?!? Gyasi had the guy come out from behind the counter to see all of our stuff and he didn’t say a word—just pivot turned and went back inside.

Long story short, we ended up getting a minivan and left the rental car place at 12:45am. We headed to visit the Philly family, who had pizza and wings waiting for us (thank you!). Amare decided he had some sort of stomach bug and proceeded to throw up about five times at their house. Awesome. So we left to drive back to NJ , but not before he proceeded to throw up again all over the car seat. Awesome. He seemed to be feeling better the next day so luckily it was a quick bug. Here is Grandma Regina with her great grand kids (Darian, Kailyn, Breya, Amare, Adrian, Maya, Carlton, and Julius)--Adrienne and I are also in there!

Sunday was filled with visiting family and friends. We had a fantasy football draft that night at the Renaud house and everyone was so helpful with the kids! Mom Renaud and Heather (along with Kate, Virginia, and Geoff) really made it relaxing for me…I so appreciate that!

Monday we traveled to Sesame Place with my friend Jessica and her two kids (Kenny and Sarina) and Khary, Elaine and the kids (Kailyn and Darian). Sesame Place was a huge hit with the kids! Amare was so excited! As an enormous Sesame Street fan, I think it kind of blew his mind to be on Sesame Street and to get to meet and see the characters. He met Elmo and Abby Cadabby and was just in heaven.

In fact, the entire rest of the trip he was saying “my picture with Elmo” everytime he saw the camera! It was so great to see Jessica and Kenny and finally meet her little daughter Sarina. The kids did great all day despite being in the hot sun. Here is our whole group waiting for the big parade with all of the characters!

It was an awesome day and I'm sure we'll definitely do it again.

Tuesday was spent at the shore with Beth Kohler-Lazare and her family. We got to meet her daughter Nora and spend some quality time in the sun and surf. Here is Gyasi, Beth, and little Nora.

The weather was picture perfect, the beach was not crowded at all, and the company was awesome. Amare LOVED the water and this year he got into the sand, digging with a shovel, carrying water in the bucket and making sand castles.

Adrian took the nap of his life in the stroller (2.5 hours knocked out with the ocean breeze and calm ocean sounds). When he finally woke up, he enjoyed a little water time with Daddy!

Julius was the only Quince who was not a fan of the beach. He didn’t enjoy the sand. Or the sun. Or the water. Oh well. One out of five ain’t bad!

That night the Leibowitz’s had us over for an awesome dinner with Dan, Sandy, Neil, Jess, Matt, and of course Mom and Dad Leibowitz!

Wednesday and Thursday were spent making the rounds and visiting with people. We saw Pop Pop (Kevin, Gyasi’s dad), Carrie and her two girls, Carly and her two girls, Toni and Rob Mockler, Dan and Sandy, Eliot and Erin, Mike and Christine, the Renaud family again, etc. It was awesome to see everyone and let the boys get to meet everyone.

On Friday it was rainy. It was also Gyasi’s birthday! So we decided to make the most of the day and go to the shore anyway—just walk the boardwalk. So off to Seaside Heights we went with Grandma G and Khary, Elaine, and the kids. We had the best day! We played in the arcades, rode some rides, walked along the boardwalk, ate enormous slices of pizza, boardwalk fries, and soft serve ice cream. It was a great day!

Saturday we had Nana and Aunt Sharon come up from Atlantic City to visit with everyone. We all went to see Pop Pop and ate a delicious spaghetti dinner. We had to get up early to come home on Sunday. It was a successful trip! The twins decided to start teething so that made night time a little rough but other than that, they did great. Amare really enjoyed his time with his cousins, especially Darian. They are almost the exact same age, Darian is one day older. I can see the five kids having an awesome time together in future visits.

Thanks to everyone who drove to see us and took time out of their normal routine to visit with us. We had such a great time!