Stars and Stripes Filled Adventures

Another wonderful 4th in the books! I started off my vacation with my birthday, and followed it up with 11 days of gorgeous weather in my favorite beach towns! Eating out, Lounging on the Beach, Drinking Cocktails, Grilling, Fishing, Kayaking, Paddle Boarding, Concert Going, and Spending time with Family. What can be better than that to ring in year 32?

For my birthday, we all went to Guido Burittos in Ocean City, MD. My sister and dad had wanted to check it out, and although I’ve been, being the greatest daughter/sister they could ask for I Ok’d that as the evening’s restaurant. I had a chicken chimichanga and a 60oz Strawberry Monsterita. Two of my favorites!  Had this been my first trip I think I’d have been disappointed and may have left, never to return. Luckily for them it’s about my 5th visit, and I know there’s better days ahead. The food was ahh this time around & my huge monsterita left me with no buzz….WEAK! Very disappointing especially on my Day of Birth.

We felt a bit rushed as well. Being a party of 7 and a highchair they most definitely wanted us in and out because, they were setting up for a DJ dance party which was still an hour and change away when we were delivered our food! Se La Vie…

The rest of the weekend was spent on the beach, where we assembled “The World’s Most Awesome Beach Waterslide!” My husband brought the plastic; yes we packed it all back up when we were done, so no wildlife will be in any danger! Justin and Brian erected the slide, and filled the two 5 gallon buckets of water which were needed for each slide rider. We had a blast with this, everyone in the family rode down the slide including the grandparents! What an awesome family we have, always down for a good time!

Sunday was a bit on the rainy side so we travel up to Rehoboth and took the baby to FunLand, rode some rides, played some games, and the obligatory stop at Royal Treat for a hot fudge sundae. Justin’s parents were down for the 4th, we had to take them there of course.

That night we headed out to Ocean Downs casino to bet on the ponies! None of us won big at that, but Justin’s dad with the luck on electronic blackjack took home a few extra bucks!

The weekend then rounded off to the 4th, where I got an amazing XXXL beach chair from my Uncle Den and his girlfriend Lynne! Thanks again guys! This bad boy can hold 6 beverages and easily sit 2-3 people! No doubt this will be used for the remainder of the summer.

Brian and Sondra had rented a paddle board for the week, so we all took turns trying our balance on that.

The kayaks were available for trips around the lake, and the Jacuzzi warm to swim.

The annual ‘Honda Harold 4th of July Fishing Tournament’ was also in full effect. 

No one wanted a repeat of last year, where my cousin Brian left his pole unattended, only for a fish to bite, leaving me with no choice but to reel in the winning 4lb fish! HAHA. He was a trooper about it, and let me share the winners name placard that year. However this year the trophy went to Uncle Den, the winning bass weighed in at an astonishing 3lbs “HOLY MACRAL”. 

In all seriousness everyone enjoyed themselves on the lake at mom and dads for our annual family 4th of July party.

Tuesday we hit the beach again with the family, and the wildest thing happened! My second cousin Benji took the paddleboard out into the Ocean where he found himself surrounded by Dolphins! They were around him as if he was one of their own, and one even jumped out of the water as if we were viewing a Dolphin show at the Baltimore Aquarium! This you have to see to believe…

If you don't feel like watching the whole video, do yourself a favor and at least jump to 0:50!!

On July 6th, we got to eat out at Touch of Italy in Rehoboth Beach for Uncle Den’s Birthday. Sadie just wanted to run around outside, so I got to hang with her in attempts to tire her out. 

Food was decent, but like Brian is always saying “Why would I want to go out for Italian food while on vacation when I have the best Italian food at home. Chambersburg, Bordentown, etc.” Hard to argue with that, but he also would rather never get pizza anywhere other than a NJ tomato pie. I happen to like my DE Grotto Pizza, and Bri’s a good sport about it, he split a large pie with me on the boardwalk that previous weekend when we took Sadie up to FunLand!

Thursday Uncle Mark took Sadie and I up onto the Fenwick Island Beach State Park. She did some surf fishing while I caught up on my rays.

Thursday night looked like “We Needed a Drink”, so I got tickets to see Justin Moore. That was a really neat experience because he played at this little outside venue right by mom & dad in “Small Town USA” called the Freeman Stage (www. freemanstage.org). Although we had standing room only tickets we could see Justin clear as day! Mom babysat this night so that Dad, my sister Kaylin, Bro-in-law Mark, and I could take in the sights and sounds of the show!

Friday brought the weekend back around, and the hubs returned to the beach! We went over to the Cottage Café with my sis and Bro-in-law for a few drinks and our favorite Dune Fries!

The weekend was filled with more relaxing beach days, and the preparation for the return to work….Until next weekend, I’ll be dreaming of the sand in between my toes and a cold drink in my hand, life is good that way!