Just got back from a family vacation in NJ. We went and visited our parents and did a bunch of day trips around the area. For the sake not to bore you with the details (like the 14 hour drive with 3 kids in the car), I’ll give you the highlights:

Dutch Wonderland:

Never did I think I would revisit a park of my childhood, but lo and behold, I’m back with my own kids. Granted this place is located in Lancaster, Pa, known for the Amish community (hence the word “Dutch” I think?) and this park is right smack in the middle of it. We did the cut out photo as if we were an Amish family (thanks Aadyn for scratching your eye right at the time the photo was taken, MAN)…I guess Marlee will be played by the dog? This park was nowhere near on the scale of like Disney World or even a Six Flags park, but the kids didn’t know and we saved the dough. BOOK IT!

Ocean City, NJ:

You got to walk the famed NJ boardwalks…only because the NJ water is scary. Most of the Jersey shore is filled with floating surprises or dead Soprano guys. It’s best to enjoy the Jersey shore from the boardwalk. You gots to have a pizza from Mack and Manco’s. Man, it’s one of the best…LeeAnn and I were able to check that off of our NJ food checklist.

And what day at the beach would be complete without hitting the rides. I bet you thought Moby Dick was a whale…. nope, it’s a ride in NJ. Only the best…

Wildwood, NJ

We did actually go on the beach…although no dead Italians washed up on shore. Got to build a sandcastle with my son.

That was a cool experience even though the castle wasn’t that big or cool. The kids thought it was and it reminded LeeAnn and I of our days growing up as kids on the beach. It felt good to spend this time with the family and to get sunburned at the same time.

Driving back to TN, it was nice to be together as a family and experience memories together. One of the biggest things God has shown me is the importance of family. Honestly, I’m not sure how far I could go without them. They are my world, my legacy and my joy. It also helps to have a wife that you still find beautiful and enjoy being with. We truly have fun together and that helps on those days when you kind of want to leave the kids at the mall by themselves and run away (That has never happened, ok…JOKE). I know, going into this next phase of our lives, this family God has so blessed me with, is going to be the glue that holds us all together.

My challenge to you, get out and enjoy your family. Whether you are married with kids, married with none, single or still living with your parents, give your loved ones a call and go spend time with them. You never know when that will end, and the memories you make will last a lifetime.

M