Our first weekend

8/9-8/11
We started a new tradition. Since we rarely have plans these days, Friday nights are reserved for pizza and a movie at home.  For this, our first Friday pizza/movie night, we shall watch "Night at the Museum" because George saw the dinosaur on the front and insisted. We shall enjoy one home made pepperoni pizza and one home made veggie pizza. Then we shall indulge ourselves with some brownstuhns (thats a borrowed term from a dear friend for brownies).  All very tasty indeed. The movie was a little scary for George but he wouldn't admit it and made it till the end.

Saturday we got up early and DROVE to the beach, which was much more enjoyable than the train and much more efficient as well. Oh, and we actually saw the ocean this time.  The beaches are so much wider than NC beaches but in my humble opinion, not as beautiful or as nice. I am just a little tiny bit biased though.  There are lots of people who crowd the 25 feet closest to the water and then there is about a football field length of sand before you get to the parking lot (it should be mentioned here that parking is $12. This city is about to "12 dollar me to death" as my dad likes to say). Between the parking lot and the beach is a huge walk/run/skateboard/scooter/rollerblade/stroller lane which is very busy and caused much more anxiety to cross than the actual street with cars.  Along this path, that runs the entirety of the beach, there are beach cafes, bathrooms/showers, and vendors.  We bought a sparkling water and shared it for $7.  You can also buy from vendors that walk in and out of the sunbathers. They sell ice cream, fruit kabobs, beach umbrellas, and sand toys.  The water was frigid, about how it would feel if you were to take a dip in April or November in NC.  All in all, it was a good trip. We left around 3:00 and headed to our new friends' house for dinner. They wanted to thank George for his help as he had moved them into their new place this morning.  We had appetizers, burgers and salad, shared a few beers and swam in their pool and hot tub.  Its good to have friends!

Sunday we went to Oneonta Congregational Church.  It was the contemporary service at 11:30 and the first person we met had a 2 1/2 year old in the nursery. She showed us the way and helped us sign George in.  On the way back to the service she introduced herself as the pastor's wife.  The service was great, with a few worship songs led by a great worship team, and a meaningful sermon.  Afterwards, we met the pastor and found out his mother's family all lives in Raleigh NC! Small world right?  He told us about a few opportunities for young families and we were pretty impressed.  This service was small in numbers but he encouraged us to try out their traditional service as well, which is held in the big sanctuary with an organ and hymns.  So we think we will.  When we picked George up from nursery he seemed very content and never once cried for us. Thats always good!  I have a good feeling about this weekend.  Thankful for the ocean, friends and church!