Madd Max Enjoys A Chocorua Day

Yogurt with Taisie.

Barn swing, a fan favorite.

Raft time.

Minnow time.

Teeny minnows.

Canoeing to the beaver dam.

2 kids, 1 big lake.

Blueberry eating right off the bushes.

End of the day with appetizers on the porch, while waiting for Mimi and Dozee to arrive.

Madd Max Heads To Rhodey

 Where the kids immediately picked up on a game of Risk with Andre and Atti.

 And the adults, Auntie Kerri and Uncle Derek, picked up on their "yip-yap," according to the same kids.

Nothing better then a slip-n-slide on a hot day.

Madd Max Hangs At Home

Dozee and some cuddle time with Clara.

Basement DnD with Tio Greg, which they absolutely love.  Maddie's comment at one point, "Woah, this is really intense."

Madd Max Head To The Liberty Science Center

In NJ, the booster seat rules are more relaxed then CA.  The day before, Maddie rode in the front seat without one.  Today, one seat back but still awesome.

The movie, where the kids moved, one-by-one, away from Sam and Jess.

Dino Dig.

Awesome ferro fluid.

The Touch Tunnel.

i.e. The Claustrophobic, Terrifying, I-Only-Made-It-Thru-The-Entire-Thing-Because-Sonia-Begged-Me-To, Tunnel

Obstacle course.

Amazing suspended climber - note, Aiden on the far left.

The Mythbusters exhibit, where Maddie perfected her tablecloth removal skills.

And Sonia and Madd helped Sam drive blind.

Madd Max Head To Van Saun Zoo

The morning began with Clara and her fan club - photo bomb by Sonia.

Train ride to get the lay of the land.

Followed by some animal viewing.

Maddie.

Max.

Aiden - apparently the tree was filled with angst.

Dozee pointed out a bird with no head and one foot.

The boys explanation of why that bird looked that way.

Dozee feigning barfing on the carousel.  So hilarious.

And more ice cream at the same place Mimi and Dozee brought Jess and her bros on special occasions.

Madd Max Have A Summer Bloomfield Day

A walk to lunch.

And upon return, Clara!!!!!!

Finally.

Some mutual affection and admiration.

Aunt Jess got a chance to get some one on one time.

Ever since Clara was born, Aunt Tara has sent Jess a daily picture of Clara, which has been incredible, although there's nothing like the real thing.

And a dinner and a trip to "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" with Leon at the same theater where Jess touched up the floor for the touring show of "Titanic."

Madd Max Have A Summer Leonia Day

After trains in the backyard, it was time for some plane flying in the front.

A game of Splendor with Tio Greg.

A walk Auntie Kerry and Jess took many, many times over many, many summers down to the local pool.

Maddie, as always, loving a diving board.

Max, experiencing a diving board for the first time, and for two consecutive hours after that.

And an ice cream snack during adult swim.

Madd Max Head East

The mayor strikes again.  On the plane, Jess and Max were seated next to a teenaged boy who had a ziplock stuffed to the brim of Sour Patch Kids.  Max got full access to them during the flight and at the end, was offered the remaining pieces with a smile and a, "I have a little brother at home."

After dinner at Mimi and Dozee's, some firefly catching.

Slappy Retires

Maddie tested for her Young Adult Orange Belt in karate.

 Testing.

 She passed and got some serious congratulating from her sensei.

 And applause from the experienced Orange Belts.  She then announced her retirement.  Jess may have teared up a little thinking about her entry to the sport 4 years prior.

Celebratory ice cream.

Madd Max Enjoys A Childhood Classic

Sprinklers (after Taisie's automatic system failed) in the backyard on a hot day.