minnesota part 3: new jersey and family time back in mn

 i mentioned in my last post, that i took a trip within our trip. my dad's side of the family lives in new jersey and i only get to see them every few years. it's a long flight from seattle, so i suggested my mom, brother, and i take a trip out during my time in minneapolis. we spent 3 nights there and it went way too fast, but was so much fun. 

 we had to be at the airport at 5 am for our flight to newark. haven't had a flight that early in a long time. thankfully it wasn't busy. the nice part was we arrived at 10:30 am. my uncle ray picked us up and took us back to his house. then my aunt lea drove us to my other aunt joan's for lunch with my uncle and cousin. we had a delicious lunch of sub sandwiches. it was just the beginning of a food-a-thon weekend :) that night a bunch of us had dinner reservations at 'de novo' on the jersey side of the hudson river while my brother and my cousin were at the yankees game. we sat on the patio and the view was so pretty! we had wine, calamari, and i ordered lobster ravioli for my dinner.

 

 

we had to get some cute pictures in under this sign of course.

 

 

i was completely exhausted by the time we got back, after being up since 4 am. i slept at my cousin ryan and his wife maria's new house all 3 nights. it was so beautiful!

friday morning we were up bright and early to drive to the jersey shore...except it was rainy. we went anyway and it was fun, even with the light rain. we drove about an hour and a half to asbury park. i was there many years ago. they have a boardwalk there, but it's quieter than some of the others (no rides). we had a big group, which was fun. i could not wait to stand in the waves there because it had been so long and my dad loved the shore, so i felt like i was enjoying it for both of us. after a fun few hours on the beach, we grabbed lunch on the patio at an ale house on the boardwalk.

my mom and uncle decided not to go to the beach and to go to a thomas edison museum instead. we all met back up in the evening for dinner at my cousin ryan's. he and maria made the most delicious carnitas taco bar. 

 

 

saturday morning my same cousin and his wife hosted a big brunch at their house. we were spoiled all weekend. then a bunch of us drove to piermont, ny for a walk along the water. it was very pretty, but so insanely humid outside. we were all drenched in sweat after a leisurely 60 minute walk. 

later in the afternoon we went to my aunt lea's for the last bbq of the weekend. there was so much good food! in addition to our family, lea's best friend since high school and her husband came too. i had not seen them in many years, so it was really nice. every one was convinced we would not be able to fly out the next morning because hurricane henri was moving up the coast. i wouldn't have minded being stuck there for another day ;)

but the storm was weaker in new jersey than they forecasted, so we were able to leave on time. it was such a fun-filled weekend with family. we always pick up right where we left off and i love that. 

while i was gone, thatcher and the kids had a fun-filled few days with thatcher's family. they went fishing at bde maka ska, mini golf at veteran's park, and nith braided azalea's hair. i'm so glad they could have that time together. 

 

 

we only have a few days left in minneapolis, before we head back to seattle for the start of school. we're making the most of it! i'll be back with one last recap post next week.