Visiting Grandma Jan

We took off this past week to spend some time with Grandma Jan. The traveling wasn't too bad--we even felt ready to hop in the car again the day after we arrived and head to the Delaware shore.

Rehoboth Beach boardwalk.


Ira testing the water at our hotel pool.

Birthday book and outfit from Grandma Jan!

The next morning we went to a beach in Cape Henlopen State Park we had visited in November 2008 with Brad and Andrea's crew. There were lots of horseshoe crabs there in November, but would there be in July?

Yes!

Upon closer observation, we determined that a number of these guys were still alive. See videos below!


It's...alive!


We were working on instinct here, but found a site later that tells tons of things about horseshoe crabs, including a song about flipping them over as a humanitarian act! Check it out!


Wait for it...wait for it...

Rescuing an ancient friend.


Lighthouse in background. Not pictured here: two deer that walked out of the sea grasses to check in on us, a fishing pier on which we saw a baby shark and some live crabs, and an evening glimpse of the rare piebald white deer unique to this park.

Theo's collection (which he had to winnow down to a take-home portion).

Crab shells found on the beach...

...and the interior of Mitch's softshell crab sandwich. Mmmmmm...crabalicious. I was glad for my all-meat crab cake--no shell is soft enough for my tastes...

Later that day, at the more familiar Henlopen beach. Another long walk, and a bit of play time in the amazingly violent waves.

On the third day we took it easy in the morning, older boys swimming while younger napped. Then some play on the luggage carts as we cleared out of the rooms.


Then a hot donut at the Fractured Prune on our way to Dewey Beach. There we had to plug the meter and walk a block or so in, but it was worth it. A wonderful couple of hours.


I want to help with the shade tent!

Grandpa Mark would be proud...

Mission accomplished. All set to avoid being fried to a crisp at Dewey Beach. The trusty umbrella does a pretty decent job, though, for all its relative simplicity of installation.



The boogie board was a great concept, but a bit tricky in practice. Guess we needed Grandpa Mark (or Brad) to show us how.







While waiting for lunch, Grandma took the older boys for a tour along the pier.


On Saturday we breakfasted at the Lancaster market, and enjoyed the lovely downtown ambiance.

The Science Factory is a requisite Lancaster stop these days.






Sushi for lunch on Sunday. Carrying through on the nautical theme, observe the boatload of sushi we shared?

After naps/quiet time, a visit the Grandpa Mark's bench, a drive through the country, and a picnic supper at another favorite park.



Rita's Italian ice to top off the day and the vacation. Juicy Pear and Mango were the popular votes. The holey table provided much entertainment as well.

SO MUCH FUN! Thanks, Mom, for the good times together!