what happened to july? gibson vacation part one...

It seems as though we just entered June, but at the moment August is ready and waiting for us to enter full force. So what happened to July? Our little family of three took our last trip together before we become a family of four. Our roadtrip brought us to Connecticut to stay with our families. While there, we had some opportunities to see some other friends, but there were also many who we did not have a chance to see. These trips, while we enjoy them very much, also can be a little bit stressful since we don't always have a chance to meet up with all who we intend to see. So if you are reading this and you fall into that category, please accept our sincere apologies.


We spent our first weekend with my parents since their work schedules are not so flexible during the week. That weekend, we also had the chance to meet, for the first time, the two year old son of Jon's good friend, Tyler. We had a nice time in Mystic, CT with Tyler, Lisa and Jonathan and we even ate at Mystic Pizza! Yes, of the movie fame.

Saturday afternoon/evening, my aunt Heidi and uncle Rich put on a picnic at their home so that we could have an opportunity to see our family (my dad's side). They live directly across the street from the lake where my dad was raised. Rich and Heidi treated us to bbq ribs, chicken, and many other delicious things...not to mention the wine I couldn't drink since I'm 7 months pregnant. We had a great time visiting and catching up with family at that party. While there, Dylan went for his first boat ride with my dad and brother-in-law, Rick. Later in the week, he also went fishing at the lake for the very first time.

Also that weekend, we spent our Sunday morning at our former home church, Black Rock, and saw several people we hadn't seen in about four years. In some ways it feels like we last saw them yesterday and in others it feels like it's been a decade. In any case, it was great to see some old familiar faces and catch up briefly with some great people.

We spent time with Jon's parents in Darien after our first weekend in Easton. During that week, Dylan enjoyed playing with blocks and cars that were Jon's and Steve's from childhood. Dylan would have his Grandma Irene build ramps and roads out of blocks while he crashed the cars and knocked over the blocks. We all took Dylan to Stepping Stones Children's Museum where Dylan played and had a lot of fun. Also that week, we picnicked at Cherry Lawn Park and Dylan loved playing with the trucks and digging in the sand while there. The town of Darien, CT provides this lovely park where the playground is filled with sand. Trucks and other toys are also provided and Dylan absolutely loved to dig and play there. Needless to say, every night was a bath night for Dylan! Jon's parents spoiled us and gave us some free babysitting. Jon and I actually saw two movies two days in a row. I had forgotten what that was like! We saw Wall-E at the Darien movie theater one evening and the following day we caught a matinee showing of The Dark Knight and went out for a bite to eat. What a treat! During our time in Darien, we also had a chance to celebrate Steve's birthday with the Gibson family. We were so glad that we and Dylan were able to spend some time with his Uncle Steve and Aunt Karen as well.

It was a two-week time of firsts for Dylan. His first zoo visit (the Beardsley Zoo). His first boat ride. His first time fishing. His first tractor ride (courtesy once again of Grandpa Craig). His first time flying a helicopter (a toy one, but also courtesy of Grandpa Craig). His first time to Stepping Stones Children's Museum. His first time playing at Cherry Lawn Park in Darien, CT. His first time putting three words together ("I see you!" and "I got it!" became well-used phrases by the end of our time in CT).