I Love Fall in New Jersey

I love this time of year living in New Jersey. The trees are near their peak they say. Some of my favorite things to do is to drive through a leaf storm. This is when the leaves are falling so heavy it is like driving through rain, but it is leaves. I love watching the leaves flutter behind the car. I love riding my bike in the neighborhood and crunching through the dry leaves on the side of the road.

This is the scenery I observe whenever I get in the car. Isn't it spectacular? I keep thinking I'm going to get pulled over for swerving on the road trying to take it all in.

The pumpkins are getting ready for harvest. I have three large ones this year and about 25 jack be littles.

Watch for the post on the "Guess the pumpkin Weight" contest. It will be happening next week because we have already woken up to a light frost here in Jersey. Once again the prize will be candy. We even have a box of Twixxels that never was released. I love them, but the mid-east test market, said no go.

I love decorating with the few things I have for fall. Another of my favorite things is homemade pumpkin pie.

...and don't forget the famous holiday tree!! Why do we still have the tree up you ask?

As you can see, our family room is huge and we have very little furniture in there. I love my mantle all decorated for fall.

So Mick thought it would be great to leave it up all year to help fill the space. I must admit, I have enjoyed the lights on in the evening. Plus decorating for the different seasons has been fun.

It isn't too late to book that flight and come see us. The leaves will still be here for a couple more weeks.

Mick and I had the opportunity to go to Maine for a long weekend with my Uncle Bob and Aunt Karyn. We left Saturday morning driving from New Jersey, through Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and finally Maine. We had our first lobster dinner and then headed to Portland, Maine for a inter-island cruise to see 7 of the many lighthouses in Maine.
When we started the cruise it was a cool pleasant autumn day. By the end....well you can see the picture of my aunt and uncle that says it all!!!!

This is the smallest operating lighthouse in the country. Isn't it cute. How would you like this to be your summer home?

This lighthouse is named Bug Light. The builder when he finished stood back and said, It is cute as a bug, thus the name!

Portland Head Light is said to be the most photographed lighthouse on the coast Maine.

Sunday after attending church in Maine we went on a rainy Sunday drive through 3 states to the Joseph Smith birthplace in Sharon, Vermont. This is the lane you drive entering the memorial. The church has done a beautiful job with the landscaping of the grounds.

Memorial erected for the Joseph Smith Memorial at his birthplace in Sharon, Vermont. It is 38 1/2 feet tall representing the years he lived on earth.
On Monday and Tuesday we drove up and down the coast of Maine. We were on a mission to get to as many of the top 10 lobster eateries in Maine as possible.

Some amazing scenery, even George Bush's home is seen here in Kennebunkport.

Here are a couple of pictures from Georgetown, Maine, a very scenic little seaside town.

Not quite sure what number on the top 10 Lobster places in Maine this is, but the atmosphere is unique at these outside eateries (called lobster pounds). This one posted on the blackboard that they were not responsible for stolen food....from the seagulls.

Since the number one lobster place is only open on Saturdays and Sundays the end of September, we had lunch at a little restaurant nearby. This was the view. Amazing and so quiet and relaxing. What did we have? Well Mick had steamed lobster, Bob and I lobster roll, and Karyn the lobster bisque. Delicious.

This one is #4, but as you can tell, we just missed it. They were closing up as we arrived.

On our last day in Maine we decided the best lobster was from Mike's just down the road from our place. You go in, pick your favorite lobster by size and kind and then they steam it up for you. We went to the grocery store before and bought salads and goodies for a perfect meal. We put Mike's at #1. Because we asked Mike so many questions about lobsters, he thought I should have the experience of holding one. Here I am holding a male lobster, weighing about 3 pounds, which makes him about 8-10 years old. Thanks goodness those claws are rubber banded tight. This one even has two bands.







Mike will even cook the lobsters for you in his huge steamer.















This is our last meal in Maine.
















Uncle Bob loves lobster. He was eating his and propped it up on the plate and said, "It's a monument to lobsters." Well considering we had lobster everyday we were in Maine, I guess we needed a monument. Thanks for a great time Uncle Bob and Aunt Karyn.

Jamie Jo "What do you Know"

Jamie spent her summer attending BYU spring semester, hiking to Havasupai in the Grand Canyon, and then went up to Washington state to work. She stayed with her cousin Austin to be his chauffer while his parents and sister Ashley were away at volleyball activites for two weeks. She also worked for my brother Mark and brother in law, Mike, in the bottling business. She was a sampler girl in grocery stores for their new Cascade Ice product. She also cleaned soda coolers. This is the cool set of wheels she drove around.

It came complete with a hornets nest in the door frame.

Open House in California

Saturday, August 22, 2009 we held an open house for Graig and Nicole in Brea California so Nicole and her family could meet our neighbors and friends there. As most of you know, Graig is a huge In and Out Burger fan! So we decided to have the In and Out Burger Truck come to serve burgers.
Instead of the traditional cake, we had cupcakes.

This is Derryl Hill ordering the first burger.

This is Janelle's friend Aaron and Steven who were our DJ's for the evening. They did a super job. Jane O'Brien was disappointed that they didn't play any Neil Diamond songs though. She didn't know you could request.

We had the Open House at the North Hills Tennis and Swim Club. Our neighbor Jane O'Brien is a member and set it up for us. It was perfect for a warm August evening. Thanks Jane.

We had so many friends come. This is Myron and Nancy Woodruff and their son Jason and his wife Molly. The Woodruffs were our neighbors in Houston Texas. Great neighbors and great friends. Graig was Jasons shadow when he was 2-4 years old. They had all sorts of adventures together. When Jason headed off to kindergarten, Graig would call Nancy to see if she could play when he was 3. Play the Nintendo that is. The best thing is, that she would let him and would feed him lunch!!!

We even had elementary school teachers come from good old Mariposa. This is Mrs Cotton-Martin and Mrs Zawyrucha, first and second grade teachers. Their libraian, Mrs Garrison and her husband also came.
Jamie is in the pink dress and her roomate from college Abby.

It was a super fun evening. It was so good to see everyone from California that we miss so much. Thanks to everyone who helped out to make this such a great night.

Graig & Nicole Ward wedding pictures

On August 6, 2009 Graig and Nicole were married in the Seattle Temple. It was a beautiful ceremony attended by family and friends.

This is the Ward family with Grandparents.

Here we are, the Ward family with 6 members now.

The groomsmen from l-r

Jake Coyle: friend of Graigs who came from Colorado
Mark Christensen: my brother and Graigs snowmobile buddy

Graig

Josh: roomate from BYU-I

Austin Broadwell: cousin

Chase: Nicoles sisters husband from Oregon

This is Micks family that came to wedding celebration. l-r

Janelle, Jamie, sister Laura, brother Steve, Graig, Laura's son Tony (tony's wife Stephanie was there, she was taking the picture), Grandma Barbara ( Mick's mom), Joni and Mick.

Graig and Nicole coming out of the Seattle Temple.

This is the fabulous backdrop that was made for the candy bar.


Graig and Nicole cutting the cake. The reception was held in Nicoles backyard and everything was so well planned and beautiful.

Nicoles family. l-r

Sister Breanna with husband Chase and son Nash. Graig and Nicole, Jeanette and Dean, Nicoles parents and sister Sheila. We loved getting to know them and being a guest in their home.

The wedding party.

These are some of the pictures that the professional photographer took. I included a few for fun.

I will post more pictures of the Open House in Brea with the In and Out Burger truck soon.