4th of July/Anniversary Weekend Update

For the long weekend, Ella had a sleepover with Granddad and Nana Gould so Rob and I could enjoy our anniversary. She had a great time visiting a zoo, helping around the house, and swimming in the pool. She looked taller and her hair longer in just three days!

Ella taking Rob around Nana and Granddads to show him what she did over the weekend.

She missed Rob's "spinning" and had to get a few rounds in


showing us her pool


loves climbing up the slide and standing at the top


being goofy with Daddy

Nana, Granddad, and Ella

On Friday, Rob and I enjoyed a delicious dinner at Gnochhi in the city, and then walked to Independence Mall for an evening outdoor concert by the Philly Pops, which was great.

Saturday (after sleeping in--so nice!) I went to the Glenside Farmers' Market and picked up zucchini, raspberries, green beans, garlic, and fresh bread (sourdough/pumpernickel swirl). I also picked up a great cookbook called Simply in Season (Lind and Hockman-Wert) that has great recipes that correspond with fresh produce for each season. I already made the blueberry coffee cake and on the menu for tonight's dinner--zucchini garden chowder (I plan on trying stuffed zucchini and summer pesto foccacia later in the week).


Then we headed to Belmar, New Jersey for a relaxing day at the beach. The weather was perfect--sunny, breezy, and warm. We both took a nap on the beach, read, and went in the water. We ended our day with another delicious meal--this time at Klein's Seafood Restaurant right on the bay. I was going to take pictures, but didn't feel like lugging my camera around.

Sunday, after eating breakfast, we got a few groceries for the week and we hung out at the house baking and watching the tennis finals. We went for a long walk before heading to the Gould's for a cookout and to pick up Ella.

We had such a relaxing, refreshing weekend--Monday morning came much too soon!