4th of July at the Jersey Shore!

    And yes, we went on another adventure! Jacqueline's family rents a house at the Jersey Shore almost every year and this year they decided to do so over Independence Day weekend and we decided to tag along. So on top of a full family complete with all siblings, cousins, uncles,and grandpa...all of the girls from our community piled into the house. Most of us took the Thursday before the 4th off so we could leave that day around 2pm since it is about a 5-6 hour drive. (If I have't already said it, Syracuse is surprisingly within 4-6 hours of so many great places!!!)

    We arrived just in time for dinner (homemade red sauce with clams!) on Thursday night and oriented ourselves by getting our barrings. We were on Long Beach Island in Harvey Cedars between Manahawkin Bay and the Atlantic...aka new piece of heaven! Enter a pull out couch queen bed and two twin air mattresses and we were up late talking before slipping into slumber. We awoke to voices coming from the upstairs talking politics and "the way it was in the old days." We listened to the discussion and I began to think what sort of "in the old days" I will be describing to younger generations someday. Musings that only lasted a short while since I was hungry and my coffee craving was kicking in. Oh, it happened to be Friday which meant it was the 4th! Celebrate! Well, almost, it was rainy and cloudy most of the day since Hurricane Arthur was somewhere off the coast and blessing us with precipitation and wind most of the day. We did venture our for a bit to the cutest little grocery store (within walking distance) and then after watching both soccer games that day we went to visit the Barnegat Lighthouse. We decided to wait until the next day walk up the 217 steps to the top when hopefully the weather would be nicer. Even though sunshine was spotty on the fourth we kept some Independence Day traditions alive by enjoying grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and watching fireworks (most were postponed until Saturday) off the upstairs porch. And this must be mentioned....we had a talent show! Jacqueline's cousins were totally into it and enjoyed performing acts with the "big girls". We had a great time!

Syracuse ladies.

    Saturday is was hot and sunny! We went back to the lighthouse and were able to climb to the top which gave us a gorgeous view over the island and bay. After that, it was time to hit the beach!!! I am all about laying out on the beach and soaking up the sun to get a little "pink" (don't worry Momma, I wore sunscreen....mostly). Elizabeth, Katrina, and I went into the (rather chilly) ocean and enjoyed playing in the waves while Paige, Jacqueline, and the cousins made sandcastles and holes to sit in. I was introduced to one of my new favorite inventions...the outdoor shower! I think it is super clever and so very refreshing that if every house had one I would not be upset in the slightest. Saturday evening at the house we ate super savory grilled chicken and vegetables! Although we had planned on watching the fireworks which had been postponed we ended up spending the latter part of the evening in line for ice cream (which in my opinion is not a bad trade-off honestly).

At the top of the lighthouse.

     Sunday meant going to mass in the morning and a quick second trip to the beach before we left around 3pm. Traffic was unbelievable and what should have taken us 5.5 hours took us about 7 instead. As I typically do, I will sum up the weekend as "exactly what I needed." Us girls certainly enjoyed the beach and holiday weekend traveling and being together. Who doesn't want to go to the Jersey Shore for the 4th of July? I mean really!