Blissful days

Before I had met Alan I had heard of Cape Cod and everything I heard about it made it sound like a playground for the rich . I never thought that I would visit there and here I am back from my third trip to the Cape and it is always what I had image it to be. Beautiful scenery, cute little towns, amazing houses, great beaches and fresh sea food. Alan and I are no way rich in the money sense, neither is Alan's family, but we are rich in the family sense and this is the reason we go to Cape Cod. Alan's dad grew up in Cape Cod, Harwich to be specific and his parents and all of his siblings still live there. They are always so welcoming, they make me feel right at home and even though we only see them every other year its so easy to just pick up from where we left off.

Our trip is always filled with the traditional things we love to do on the cape,( it makes me want to sing that song traditions! from fiddlier on the roof), with a couple of new touristy things thrown in each year and I wouldn't have it any other way. George's pizza, which the guys claim to be the worlds best, not to me sorry guys, but it is pretty good, Swimming in long pond, meeting Rocky after he comes in from lobstering, going to the real A&W, not that A&W/KFC or A&W/long john silver, Swimming in the Atlantic ocean at Nausit beach, wiffle ball, staying up late and playing games, of course girls morning out in Chattom, the Christmas tree store, Cuffy's, of course just some good old sitting around and for the new thing touring the cape cod potato chip factory.

It was an amazing vacation, a much needed one and one that I was really able to enjoy do to a great deal of help from Alan's brothers, the worlds greatest uncles. Other then taking care of Samantha of course and Luke's basic needs for the day, Alan's brothers kept Luke entertained the whole week we were there, thank you so much guys I owe you big time. I am so sad it is over, one week is way to short and 2 years is way to long to wait for the next trip. You are going to think I'm crazy when I say this because of all the pictures that follow this post and the more to come in feature posts, but I didn't take enough pics and I know I am going to have to copy some from Kristi, if that's okay with her. There was so many good photo opportunities that I missed out on, but I think that the lack of photos just means that instead of live the moment through a lens I got in there and had some fun of my own and I did. Enjoy the pics.

The stars of Cape Cod

After getting to the airport only 45 min. before our flight left, 3 planes, traveling for 12 hours, and Delta loosing our car seats we finally made it home late Saturday night from Cape Cod. We are so tired, but it was all so so worth it. I'm really busy today, but I wanted to post something for all of you. I would like to present the stars of our Cape Cod vacation.
Luke was the only one that had already been to cape cod but that was 2 years ago and he has grown so much since then. Every one just ate up Samantha, she is the first Chase girl in about 26 years and every one was surprised at how happy and smiley she was. Brady is Alan's uncle Rocky's kid, he is 3 months old and so adorable. It was our second time seeing Joe and Kristi's son Davey, but he was a tiny baby then. He had a little bit of a hard time with all the new people, but when we finally got him to smile, he could melt your heart. We enjoyed our time getting to know every one again. More pictures and stories to come.

A love for sports

Samantha has discovered her first basketball. Looks like the love for basketball doesn't rest run in the chase boys.

Luke was obsessed with golf this past weekend. He would get so mad when Alan stopped playing with him.

Being a mom

My mother-in-law Linda e-mailed me this a while back.

Before I was a Mom, I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom, I had never been puked on, pooped on, chewed on, peed on. I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom, I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom, I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom - I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and so happy.

Before I was a Mom, I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment of the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

And before I was Grandma, I didn't know that all those "Mom" feelings more than doubled when you see that little bundle of joy being held by "your baby"

And remember that behind every successful mother...Is a basket of dirty laundry!

Lonely, we're so lonely

All of our company has left us now, Mark went back home to St. Louis on Sunday and we are lonely oh so lonely. Alan and I love having people visit us, hint, hint, wink, wink,. We enjoyed our visit with Mark and Scott. It was really great having Mark here during the day because he was able to keep Luke entertained while I was able to get some much needed work done around the house. Luke is pretty much obsessed with Mark and always talks about him so he had a hard time when he realized Mark was really gone, but don't worry about us because in about a week and a half we will be in Cape Cod, MA visiting with Alan's family, we are super excited.

Minnie van momma

Our new/used minnie van

Our 4th of July

For the 4th we had brunch at the Wilson's and played some games. We had a great time as always with the Wilson's. We went back home later that day and of course did the American thing and had a BBQ. No fireworks this year, total bummer. We didn't do any last year either, but we did go and watch some, not this year. We couldn't do our own because we are on a burn restriction and we just didn't feel like having to go some where else to see them. I of course dressed all my family in red white and blue, see are newest family pic on the right side bar.

Samantha and her friend Kade (the Wilson's grandson)

they were born less then a month apart, Kade being older

Is there any question who Luke belongs to?

Little fish

We did alot of swimming last week. Mark even took Luke by himself a couple of times when Alan was at work, thanks Mark. My kids are natural fish they both love the water. We got a free life jacket for Luke, at first he didn't like it but now he will swim all the way into the deep end with out any help.

The Circus

We went to the circus last Wednesday and had a wonderful time. The price for the ticket was great, but to buy souvenirs or food cost an arm and leg. Luke didn't quit know what to think at first and quietly sat on marks lap and then got into it. Samantha fell asleep towards the end, wow with all that noise I couldn't believe it. It went a little to long and a little to late for small children, but I think we would do it again. I took way to many pics and videos, but I hope you will enjoy them.