Austen & Gage

This year during our Cape May trip Grandma Judi’s influence showed up in food choices and conversation, from soft pretzels to flying pigs to Kokepelli jewelry. There are a lot of memories. Grandma Judi went to Cape May every year from the time she was a little girl.

When Mommy was little, she stayed at the campground with Grandma Judi, Grandpa Earl, Mark and Tod. They used to ride bikes around the campground until they were lost and then use the campground map to find their way home. Early real-world development of analytical skills — and it was for fun.

Sometimes Mommy would stay at Great-Grandma Emma and Pop-pop’s condo. Other times she’d stay with Auntie Janet or Auntie Heather at a bed and breakfast. Her all-time favorite was the Queen Victoria, where everyone hung out in the palor during the rainy days.

Daytime was spent at the beach, where extra chairs were sitting ready for friends stopping by. In the evenings, it was cookouts at the campground or fancy dinners in town at places like the Mad Batter. Almost every night we went for ice cream at Uncle Charlie’s, or strolled to the boardwalk for skeeball. Minature golf was another favorite evening activity.

Mommy remembers how everyone would walk up to her with a bag of sweets from Morrow’s Nut House and offer to share. Fruit slices. Licorice. Salt water taffy. Fun times with the Lloyd relatives.

(20) Jim Close. Period.

(19) I’m tired of these motherf—ing snakes on the motherf—ing ceiling.

(18) Heather “packed” and headed home, leaving a closet full of dresses.

(17) Despite sharing a beach house, we didn’t once go to the beach as a group.

(16) Zack complained about the bad service at Frieda’s Café by knotting many of the dinner napkins.

(15) Lucinda offered to make French toast and then asked Mark, “How do you make French toast?”

(14) While driving on the Garden State Parkway (for about 20 exits), Beerinder asked, “Why’d we pass the turnoff for the GSP?”

(13) Morgan couldn’t figure out how to sweep the porch because she thinks brooms are a mode of transportation.

(12) Asked by a waitress where he’s visiting from, Davinder replied, “New Jersey.”

(11) Holly spent considerable time looking for one of Morgan’s toys (“the little guy”). Afterward, the toy was segregated from the rest of the communal toys for the remainder of the vacation.

(10) Heather came to Cape May straight from India. She’s been there more than any Indian-Americans we know.

(9) “Patka that!” Much of the day was spent Patka-ing on walkie-talkies, using the following handles:

Austen: Crazy Baby
Lucinda: Dr. Lu
Davinder: Big Sikh
Beerinder: Running Indian
Heather: Lloyd Heat
Janet: Vodka and Cheese
Susan: Precious Librarian
Hannah: Jailbait
Phoebe: Smelly Cat, Stinky Cheese, Gorgonzola, or Gorgo
Mark: Grumpy, Grumpy Geek, or Broken Weiner
Jen: Grumpy’s Wife
Emma: Mudbutt
Erin: Grumpy’s Youngest
Tod: Pastey White Boy
Holly: Witchy Whitey
Morgan: Witchy Moo
Zack: Wimpy Whitey
Joey: Chocolate Salty Balls, CSB, or Mall Dude
Earl: Senior Grumpy

Clearly, the Rodeys came up with most of these.

(8) Running Indian did a rain dance and, soon after, it rained.

(7) Once again, Lucinda beat everyone at Texas Hold’em, much to Joey’s surprise.

(6) After relaxing at the beach condo for most of the week, on Friday Janet declared, “I’m taking a break today.”

(5) Quite shockingly, even Hannah’s parents started calling her by the nickname ‘Jailbait.’

(4) “Imagine the possibilities/I wonder what’s under your pants” is the potty training song shared with the group by Tod and Holly.

(3) Mark spits wine in Beerinder’s face while laughing at his own joke.

(2) Asked for Morgan’s date of birth, Tod replied, “Uhh, let me go check with Holly.”

(1) Austen developed a sudden strong attachment to Grandpa Earl, preferring him to all others, even her mommy and daddy at times. Miracles never cease.

Austen took her first week-long vacation and had a wild and crazy time in Cape May, New Jersey. She cruised the beach, roamed the boardwalk, ate at gourmet restaurants, and hung out with the Famous/Lloyd side of her family.

Ooh. Ooh. I can walk on this sand stuff.

Baby footprints in the sand.

She and Chacha had lots of fun together … as always. They’re kindred spirits, both young at heart. The other “hoodlums” in attendance included Zack and his friend Joey.

The beachhouse was filled to capacity: Grandpa Earl, Uncle Mark, Aunt Jen, Emma, Erin, Uncle Tod, Aunt Holly, Morgan, Mommy, Daddy, Austen and all three hoodlums.

Skeeball!

Strolling at the Washington Street Mall. Thanks for the push, Dada.

Uncle Tod has his hands full … and smiles!

Which direction am I goin’ in?

On the surrey, singing “The wheels on the surrey go round and round…all through Cape May.”

Afternoon tea at the Physick Estate.

Erin, Morgan, Emma and Austen

The crowd in Cape May wished Austen a happy 1st Birthday.

Mommy and Daddy had an unforgettable anniversary dinner at 410 Bank Street. Most delicious fish ever.

Seven years ago we were dancing on Fifth Avenue, with a view of the World Trade Towers and the Empire State Building.

Austen can’t resist the computer keyboard. She needs a baby computer ASAP.

Today Mommy found Austen inside the laundry room with the door shut. Austen has mastered opening and closing doors that she finds ajar. Watch out little fingers! You’re in for it.

Mommy was so proud. Austen ate and played and smiled, letting out only a couple hollers, which were immediately echoed by the other babies. Like a firecracker, Austen is exciting but too loud at times.