The morning that we checked out early to have breakfast with the Passarella's before heading to the airport, a teenager plowed into the hotel!
Article on Crash
It's not really funny, but I was joking that his GPS must have malfunctioned because ours kept doing that.
Monday, June 6, 2011
June 5, The End
We got ready and packed up.
Breakfast
We met the gang at Perkins down the road from our hotel. Uncle Danny treated everyone to breakfast. There were 9 of us.
Carole's House
Afterwards, we all went back to Carole's house. We talked a little bit and then we had to head to the airport.
Atlantic City Airport
We parked the car and checked out. Then, we crossed the street and checked in with Spirit for our flight. We got there early, so we went and had lunch. I was dying to have a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich. We got one and shared it.
Our flight was fast. Mom, Syd, and I all sat together.
Dad picked us up at the airport.
Breakfast
We met the gang at Perkins down the road from our hotel. Uncle Danny treated everyone to breakfast. There were 9 of us.
Carole's House
Afterwards, we all went back to Carole's house. We talked a little bit and then we had to head to the airport.
Atlantic City Airport
We parked the car and checked out. Then, we crossed the street and checked in with Spirit for our flight. We got there early, so we went and had lunch. I was dying to have a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich. We got one and shared it.
Our flight was fast. Mom, Syd, and I all sat together.
Dad picked us up at the airport.
Photos of Family
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| Sydney, Pat, Donna, and Amy |
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| Diane, Donna, and Aunt Virge |
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| Diane, Donna, and Carole |
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| Tica...Kristin's dog |
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| Diane and Kara |
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| Kristin and Carole |
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| "Jersey Girls"....Suzie, Sarah, Amy, Diane, Kara, Sydney, Kristin, Mary Jo, and Donna |
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| Aunt Virge and Uncle Dan in Carole's kitchen |
June 4th, Busy Day!
Breakfast
We got up early and went to the Four Season's diner for breakfast. Sydney ordered Stuffed French Toast with Bananas Foster that was gigantic! The GPS took us the real looooong way! It took us about a half hour out of our way.
The Ocean County Mall
We went to the Ocean County mall in Toms River, NJ. Mom wanted to go to Macy's and they had some different stuff than we have. They don't even have sales tax! The people were really friendly too. Then, we discovered another department store called Boscov's. It's more like a Sears, but Sydney got some jeans, mom got a bunch of prairie skirts and I gut a purse.
Aunt Virge & Uncle Dan's
We had to be at Aunt Virge and Uncle Dan's by 12:30 p.m. A lof of the family was coming over and Uncle Dan invited Pat & Mike Cullinane too. It was nice that they came. Donna and her daughter, Amy came. Diane and her daughter, Kara came. Diane took a train 4 hours and she's legally blind. Carole and her daughter, Kristin and Kristin's dog, Tica, came. Then, Danny and Suzie came.
When we got there, Uncle Dan served some Chicago-style Beef sandwiches.
Everyone was enjoying hanging out and talking. It's been a long time since everyone has seen each other. Amy helped Sydney tie her shoelaces backwards so she doesn't have to worry about tying them. Amy is 17 and just attended Prom.
The girls decided to walk to the club house later, but it was already closed.
Aunt Virge's hearing aid was going off like Grandma's used too, but not as loud.
Dinner and Boardwalk
Uncle Danny wouldn't let anyone leave 'cuz he had a big dinner planned and wanted everyone to be together. He made homemade Sausage and Peppers and Eggplant Parmesan. They also served fruit, Potato Salad, Coleslaw, bread, and an assortment of cakes for dessert. I skipped dessert because I planned on taking Syd to the Seaside Heights boardwalk where the T.V. show, Jersey Shore, is filmed. Suzie wanted to pick up her daughter, so we decided to go to the Jenkinson's Boardwalk near her house instead. They live in front of a lake and the houses are valued at a million dollars. The Boardwalk was not very big, but Sydney got to get some souvenirs and go on some rides. It was nice that the Passarella's went with us and went on the rides with her. The weather was beautiful!
I didn't think we were ever going to leave! Aunt Virge and Uncle Dan must have been exhausted. He wouldn't let us leave without committing to going to breakfast with them the next morning before we headed back.
Our handy GPS got us lost on the way back to the hotel too. Mom & Sydney were no help. Although I knew that the GPS was not telling us the right way, mom kept insisting that I follow its directions. When we arrived on the highway that our hotel was located, I knew that we were near the bridge to Seaside Heights, which was the opposite direction. I turned around and still was uncertain, so I stopped at a WaWa (which is like a 7-11) and found out that we were just 3 blocks away (and I was headed in the right direction). I picked up some Mallow Cups for dessert while I was there.
Organizing
I had to pack and organize everything for our trip home. It went by very quickly.
We got up early and went to the Four Season's diner for breakfast. Sydney ordered Stuffed French Toast with Bananas Foster that was gigantic! The GPS took us the real looooong way! It took us about a half hour out of our way.
The Ocean County Mall
We went to the Ocean County mall in Toms River, NJ. Mom wanted to go to Macy's and they had some different stuff than we have. They don't even have sales tax! The people were really friendly too. Then, we discovered another department store called Boscov's. It's more like a Sears, but Sydney got some jeans, mom got a bunch of prairie skirts and I gut a purse.
Aunt Virge & Uncle Dan's
We had to be at Aunt Virge and Uncle Dan's by 12:30 p.m. A lof of the family was coming over and Uncle Dan invited Pat & Mike Cullinane too. It was nice that they came. Donna and her daughter, Amy came. Diane and her daughter, Kara came. Diane took a train 4 hours and she's legally blind. Carole and her daughter, Kristin and Kristin's dog, Tica, came. Then, Danny and Suzie came.
When we got there, Uncle Dan served some Chicago-style Beef sandwiches.
Everyone was enjoying hanging out and talking. It's been a long time since everyone has seen each other. Amy helped Sydney tie her shoelaces backwards so she doesn't have to worry about tying them. Amy is 17 and just attended Prom.
The girls decided to walk to the club house later, but it was already closed.
Aunt Virge's hearing aid was going off like Grandma's used too, but not as loud.
Dinner and Boardwalk
Uncle Danny wouldn't let anyone leave 'cuz he had a big dinner planned and wanted everyone to be together. He made homemade Sausage and Peppers and Eggplant Parmesan. They also served fruit, Potato Salad, Coleslaw, bread, and an assortment of cakes for dessert. I skipped dessert because I planned on taking Syd to the Seaside Heights boardwalk where the T.V. show, Jersey Shore, is filmed. Suzie wanted to pick up her daughter, so we decided to go to the Jenkinson's Boardwalk near her house instead. They live in front of a lake and the houses are valued at a million dollars. The Boardwalk was not very big, but Sydney got to get some souvenirs and go on some rides. It was nice that the Passarella's went with us and went on the rides with her. The weather was beautiful!
I didn't think we were ever going to leave! Aunt Virge and Uncle Dan must have been exhausted. He wouldn't let us leave without committing to going to breakfast with them the next morning before we headed back.
Our handy GPS got us lost on the way back to the hotel too. Mom & Sydney were no help. Although I knew that the GPS was not telling us the right way, mom kept insisting that I follow its directions. When we arrived on the highway that our hotel was located, I knew that we were near the bridge to Seaside Heights, which was the opposite direction. I turned around and still was uncertain, so I stopped at a WaWa (which is like a 7-11) and found out that we were just 3 blocks away (and I was headed in the right direction). I picked up some Mallow Cups for dessert while I was there.
Organizing
I had to pack and organize everything for our trip home. It went by very quickly.
Friday, June 3, 2011
June 3rd, Atlantic City
Breakfast
Uncle Danny invited us over for breakfast. They live in Brick, NJ now in a retirement community. There house is on the corner and it's very big and nicely decorated.
Uncle Danny made homemade French Toast with the thick bread and served it with Strawberries & Blueberries. He also made Sausage.
After breakfast, Sydney said she felt lightheaded, but refused to let Uncle Danny check her blood pressure, and she never checked it before she left like she was supposed to.
Gambling
I told Mom and Aunt Virgie that I would take them to Atlantic City to gamble. Syd and I planned on going to Ripley's Odditorium and to walk the boardwalk. Halfway there, Sydney was moaning that she was sick and I had to driver her all the way back to Uncle Danny's. She stayed there with him all day and slept. I think she just didn't want to drive a long distance again because she was complaining yesterday.
I had the directions for Bally's, but the main street leads you right into Caesar's, so that's where we started out. Mom and Aunt Virgie spent an hour gambling there while I walked around. I was inside until I saw the boardwalk. Some people claim that it's seedy, but I didn't think so at all...especially in the areas where all of the large casinos and restaurants are located.
It was beautiful out and I walked around and shopped a little. I bought a ring and a necklace as souvenirs and each one was $5.00.
When I went back to meet them, they wanted to go to Trump's. Aunt Virgie said she has good luck there. So, we hired a little bicycle driver and he drove us down there. They gambled for another 45 minutes there while I walked around again. Aunt Virgie won $240.00 and mom broke even.
We walked most of the way back to Caesar's, but then had the bicycle driver give us a lift the rest of the way because I thought Aunt Virgie was going to croak. And, my mom is to blame! I kept asking if they wanted a ride, but my mom kept insisting on walking.
On the way home, my mom was a terrible navigator. She was reading street names wrong, and she programmed the GPS to go back to the casino instead of to Aunt Virge and Uncle Danny's. Finanlly, we were on the road again!
We dropped off Aunt Virgie, and picked up Sydney and we were off because we were starving!
Dinner
We drove around trying to find somewhere to eat. We tried suggestions from the GPS, but they were mostly fast food places. We stopped at a gas station, and a Police Officer told us how to get to downtown Tom's River, and he even ok'd me to make an illegal left-hand turn. LOL He said he wouldn't pull me over. We couldn't find it though and ended up going back to a place that we saw on the way back from Aunt Virgie's. Plus, Sydney wanted a little swimming time (even though she was sick! Hmmm!). We really liked our dinner at least. Sydney had Baked Ravioli, mom had Chicken Parmesan, and I had Vodka Pasta. They also gave us pita strips with oil/vinegar and Salad that was sort of like Olive Garden's served family style. Our waitress was not too happy, but we were so hungry, we didn't care (except for Sydney).
Pool Time
Sydney is at the pool and mom is watching her. Our hotel is bustling tonight because I think there was some sort of party taking place. Right now, I hear Dion and the Belmonts in the background.
Uncle Danny invited us over for breakfast. They live in Brick, NJ now in a retirement community. There house is on the corner and it's very big and nicely decorated.
Uncle Danny made homemade French Toast with the thick bread and served it with Strawberries & Blueberries. He also made Sausage.
After breakfast, Sydney said she felt lightheaded, but refused to let Uncle Danny check her blood pressure, and she never checked it before she left like she was supposed to.
Gambling
I told Mom and Aunt Virgie that I would take them to Atlantic City to gamble. Syd and I planned on going to Ripley's Odditorium and to walk the boardwalk. Halfway there, Sydney was moaning that she was sick and I had to driver her all the way back to Uncle Danny's. She stayed there with him all day and slept. I think she just didn't want to drive a long distance again because she was complaining yesterday.
I had the directions for Bally's, but the main street leads you right into Caesar's, so that's where we started out. Mom and Aunt Virgie spent an hour gambling there while I walked around. I was inside until I saw the boardwalk. Some people claim that it's seedy, but I didn't think so at all...especially in the areas where all of the large casinos and restaurants are located.
It was beautiful out and I walked around and shopped a little. I bought a ring and a necklace as souvenirs and each one was $5.00.
When I went back to meet them, they wanted to go to Trump's. Aunt Virgie said she has good luck there. So, we hired a little bicycle driver and he drove us down there. They gambled for another 45 minutes there while I walked around again. Aunt Virgie won $240.00 and mom broke even.
We walked most of the way back to Caesar's, but then had the bicycle driver give us a lift the rest of the way because I thought Aunt Virgie was going to croak. And, my mom is to blame! I kept asking if they wanted a ride, but my mom kept insisting on walking.
On the way home, my mom was a terrible navigator. She was reading street names wrong, and she programmed the GPS to go back to the casino instead of to Aunt Virge and Uncle Danny's. Finanlly, we were on the road again!
We dropped off Aunt Virgie, and picked up Sydney and we were off because we were starving!
Dinner
We drove around trying to find somewhere to eat. We tried suggestions from the GPS, but they were mostly fast food places. We stopped at a gas station, and a Police Officer told us how to get to downtown Tom's River, and he even ok'd me to make an illegal left-hand turn. LOL He said he wouldn't pull me over. We couldn't find it though and ended up going back to a place that we saw on the way back from Aunt Virgie's. Plus, Sydney wanted a little swimming time (even though she was sick! Hmmm!). We really liked our dinner at least. Sydney had Baked Ravioli, mom had Chicken Parmesan, and I had Vodka Pasta. They also gave us pita strips with oil/vinegar and Salad that was sort of like Olive Garden's served family style. Our waitress was not too happy, but we were so hungry, we didn't care (except for Sydney).
Pool Time
Sydney is at the pool and mom is watching her. Our hotel is bustling tonight because I think there was some sort of party taking place. Right now, I hear Dion and the Belmonts in the background.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
June 2nd - Our First Day
Spirit Airlines
We flew to Atlantic City via Spirit. They were very friendly. Mom had the "big" seat in the front and Sydney and I had row 13 all to ourselves! It only took an hour and a half to get there.
Luggage
We were stressing about the luggage and mom's weighed 37 lbs. and mine and Sydney's combined weighed only 33 lbs.
Atlantic City Airport
It was easy to get through the Atlantic City airport. Our luggage was on the conveyor belt by the time we got there.
Avis Rental Car
The Budget and Hertz counters were jammed full, but the Avis counter wasn't. Yippee! The girl gave me a choice of 3 cars and we chose the Chevy Cruse. First problem was that I had no key, so I had to go and ask her and you had to press a button and it popped out. Who knew? Next problem...we left the parking lot and the car was not driving properly. There were signs everywhere that said "no u-turn." However, I didn't want to get out of the area and have to try to find my way back, so I made an illegal U-turn and went back.. Then, I had to drive into a lot where I had to pay! Arggh! Then, we finally figured out how to properly get the car in drive, but then had to figure out how to get out of the lot without paying!
Once the car was in the correct gear, I thought it was a decent rental. We fit our two huge suitcases in the trunk too.
Tolls
Did anyone mention tolls? We had no change, so what choice did I have but to blow through 2 toll booths! I thought for sure that I was going to get a ticket for making an illegal u-turn and blowing through 2 tolls. We were saying that they should have an I-Pass and you would pay them for any tolls that you used when Sydney noticed that there was an I-Pass on the window. Whew! Now, I'll only get a ticket for the u-turn.
The girl from Avis should have gone over everything with us.
Bridges
I was not aware that I would have to go over a huge bridge to get to Cape May, and I'm afraid of heights and bridges! It's so scary, but I talked myself through it. Then, later in the day, there were a few more.
Cape May
Pat and Mike Cullinane have a vacation home in North Cape May. It took us less than an hour down the parkway from the Atlantic City airport to get there. The ride was very easy. We brought the GPS with us.
They have a small cottage, but you can walk to the lake. When Aunt Virge, Uncle Dan, and Carole Marmion came, we all hung out a bit talking and Pat had chips/salsa and sub sandwiches. Then, Pat & Mike gave us a tour of the area. Mike drove Aunt Virge, Uncle Dan, and Carole and Pat came with us. Cape May is a great town to visit. There is so much to see and do. No wonder they want to retire here!
Back to Pat & Mikes where we sat outside and I broke the bonding off of my front teeth! At least it's not jagged...it all completely broke off. Now, I look like Lauren Hutton (well, my teeth at least). And, one tooth is shorter than the other, but I have to wait till I get home to get them re-bonded.
Pat & Mike barbecued some London Broil and hot dogs and they also served Baked Beans and Salad. We had a nice dinner and then Cheesecake and Apple Strudel for dessert.
Sydney had ants in her pants, so she went out and picked up some leaves.
We arrived about 11:15 a.m. and left around 7:45 p.m. It was a long day considering that we got up at 2:30 a.m.
Holiday Inn, Toms River, NJ
It was a long ride back to the hotel as it's past the Atlantic City airport. Sydney was disappointed that the pool closes at 10:00 p.m., but we told her that she could go in it tomorrow.
Our room is your standard room with two double beds. They also have a small workout room, a laundry area, restaurant and bar on the premises.
We flew to Atlantic City via Spirit. They were very friendly. Mom had the "big" seat in the front and Sydney and I had row 13 all to ourselves! It only took an hour and a half to get there.
Luggage
We were stressing about the luggage and mom's weighed 37 lbs. and mine and Sydney's combined weighed only 33 lbs.
Atlantic City Airport
It was easy to get through the Atlantic City airport. Our luggage was on the conveyor belt by the time we got there.
Avis Rental Car
The Budget and Hertz counters were jammed full, but the Avis counter wasn't. Yippee! The girl gave me a choice of 3 cars and we chose the Chevy Cruse. First problem was that I had no key, so I had to go and ask her and you had to press a button and it popped out. Who knew? Next problem...we left the parking lot and the car was not driving properly. There were signs everywhere that said "no u-turn." However, I didn't want to get out of the area and have to try to find my way back, so I made an illegal U-turn and went back.. Then, I had to drive into a lot where I had to pay! Arggh! Then, we finally figured out how to properly get the car in drive, but then had to figure out how to get out of the lot without paying!
Once the car was in the correct gear, I thought it was a decent rental. We fit our two huge suitcases in the trunk too.
Tolls
Did anyone mention tolls? We had no change, so what choice did I have but to blow through 2 toll booths! I thought for sure that I was going to get a ticket for making an illegal u-turn and blowing through 2 tolls. We were saying that they should have an I-Pass and you would pay them for any tolls that you used when Sydney noticed that there was an I-Pass on the window. Whew! Now, I'll only get a ticket for the u-turn.
The girl from Avis should have gone over everything with us.
Bridges
I was not aware that I would have to go over a huge bridge to get to Cape May, and I'm afraid of heights and bridges! It's so scary, but I talked myself through it. Then, later in the day, there were a few more.
Cape May
Pat and Mike Cullinane have a vacation home in North Cape May. It took us less than an hour down the parkway from the Atlantic City airport to get there. The ride was very easy. We brought the GPS with us.
They have a small cottage, but you can walk to the lake. When Aunt Virge, Uncle Dan, and Carole Marmion came, we all hung out a bit talking and Pat had chips/salsa and sub sandwiches. Then, Pat & Mike gave us a tour of the area. Mike drove Aunt Virge, Uncle Dan, and Carole and Pat came with us. Cape May is a great town to visit. There is so much to see and do. No wonder they want to retire here!
Back to Pat & Mikes where we sat outside and I broke the bonding off of my front teeth! At least it's not jagged...it all completely broke off. Now, I look like Lauren Hutton (well, my teeth at least). And, one tooth is shorter than the other, but I have to wait till I get home to get them re-bonded.
Pat & Mike barbecued some London Broil and hot dogs and they also served Baked Beans and Salad. We had a nice dinner and then Cheesecake and Apple Strudel for dessert.
Sydney had ants in her pants, so she went out and picked up some leaves.
We arrived about 11:15 a.m. and left around 7:45 p.m. It was a long day considering that we got up at 2:30 a.m.
Holiday Inn, Toms River, NJ
It was a long ride back to the hotel as it's past the Atlantic City airport. Sydney was disappointed that the pool closes at 10:00 p.m., but we told her that she could go in it tomorrow.
Our room is your standard room with two double beds. They also have a small workout room, a laundry area, restaurant and bar on the premises.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
The Jersey Shore
Mom, Sydney, and I are taking a short trip to New Jersey to visit Aunt Virge, Uncle Dan, and family. They live in Brick, NJ and we will be staying at the Holiday Inn in Toms River, NJ.
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