A Fabulous 4th

*Warning for readers interested in the boating part of the blog: this entry is all about our NY trip and contains no boat/boating content other than we’re planning to leave this weekend for Charleston. Our next post will be about our passage to Charleston*

We are back aboard Blossom after an amazing long weekend in upstate NY.  Every day was jam packed and we had a great time. I’m a lousy photographer – when I remember that I have a camera, I take lots of picks. But that’s not all the time, so I have an unbalanced album from the weekend. (I have a sneaky suspicion that my photo-taking is somehow related to alcohol consumption :/)

We arrived Wednesday evening and went out to dinner with my Dad and step-mom, Annette, and got caught up. We hadn’t seen them since last June so we had lots to talk about! We spent Thursday together and in the afternoon Annette’s daughter Gina, her hubby Brian and son Riley came too. We enjoyed a sunny afternoon chatting and then shared an excellent dinner. It was a great day J

Friday morning we took a drive through my old home town, Brockport. We even drove by our old house. All those little trees have grown so tall, it's surrounded by a forest now :)

That afternoon was our “We’re all turning 50 this year” party. There are 8 of us who were close in high school and we’ve somehow managed to keep in touch over the years. 6 of us were able to make it to the party as well as some spouses, children and a couple of parents too. Kim and Laura, we missed you!! Ray and Lyssa put together the best banner ever for the party:

The awesome eight - high school photos and a pic from our wedding party in 2012

 Jeanne and Ray went all-out hosting the party.  Jeanne is a certified sommelier and wow – did we have some amazing wine!  Here’s a shout out for her new employer - 2foodies Wine & Spirits in Rochester, NY. They specialize in small production wines & liquors and offer classes on how to pair wine & food.  It’s amazing!

Wine bottles on tap (for tastings), how cool is that?

Age has mellowed us all but we can still party, and my God, did we have a good time! Wine, food, water balloons, hola hoops, and most importantly, very, very dear friends.

Theresa brought us all “50 and Fabulous” sashes:

Paul got the “King” sash J

 Always the "king" :) I don't seem to be helping much

And we all got a birthday cake:

Thank you Amy!

 There was much wine consumed, including a Riesling and cabernet franc tasting.

We needed lots and lots of glasses!

The kids were there, no doubt rolling their eyes as their parents nerded out.

The kids watching it all - Makayla, Austin, Allison, Lyssa, Katy

Lyssa & Jeanne

Katy, Allison & Amy

 Hula contest! Allison rocked it with a double and Theresa was impressed

Elsie made it look effortless

Elsie, Allison & Katy hooping it

Paul and Martin give it a go

Martin needed to concentrate

Paul & Lyssa

Martin & Paul

Water balloon tossing...everyone had a different technique...

The peanut galley, Mike, Theresa & Steve (avoiding water balloons)

It was as much fun to watch as it was to play.

 What a day that was!  Happy memories to last a lifetime J

On Saturday, the 4^th, we headed south to visit my Dad’s family. My aunt & uncle have a beach house on Silver Lake that is the perfect summer home.  It was another day filled with family, friends, fun, food, drink and partying on a boat!

We spent lots of time on the water enjoying the boat and jet ski. We got to see the 4th of July boat parade.

Bill & Rae friend is dressed as a worm at the bait shop :)

A Tiki Bar Boat. There were flashing coconuts at the helm

Bill, Annette, Dad & Rae

Martin enjoying *not* driving the boat!

Amy, Annette, Dad & Jeff

Bill, Bill, Joyce, Rae, Zack & Kelsey

 Shanel at the helm with Jake & Kelsey

Zack’s turn

Jake drives…

Oops!

 Dad & me

Rae, Shanel & Jake

Jeff the chef!

We went back out in the evening. We snuggled to keep warm and watched a lovely sunset.

Me & Joyce keeping warm

Me & Martin

Bill at the wheel

Sun setting on Silver Lake

The gang and our patriotic (and very tasty) cupcakes!

Mart, Joyce & me

It was another wonderful day spent celebrating with family & friends!

The festivities continued into Sunday but I was really bad about taking pictures L  We all went to Makayla’s graduation party (yay Makayla!)  

Makayla helping her Dad blow bubbles

Makayla’s graduation table

That evening, Gina, Brian & Riley invited us and Dad & Annette over for dinner. We had a lovely evening relaxing from the weekend, topped off by watching the US team win the women’s world cup J

Now we’re recouping back on Blossom, we need a rest after so much fun (and food & wine J  It’s looking a bit hopeless to get the satellite phone repaired any time soon so we’ve purchased an Iridium Go that Martin is installing today. 

There’s a nice weather window this weekend so the plan is to head out Saturday. It’ll take us about 48 hours to get to Charleston. We’re looking forward to being back on the water (and moving)!