Fist pumpin'

I lied, there was no fist pumping when we went to New Jersey a couple weekends ago. And no gas pumping either, for that matter. (What's up with that? I always feel like I need to leave a tip when they're done pumping my gas.)

We returned to Mark's homeland to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Harvest House, a soup kitchen that serves lunch to needy persons in Sussex Co., NJ. A student group Mark was involved with in high school started Harvest House as a community service project. Ten years later, it is still running! To generate funds, an annual turkey dinner fundraiser is put on by students at Vernon High School to benefit HH. We went to the dinner and enjoyed visiting with Mark's former teacher and a former neighbor who is also involved.

Harvest House benefit

Hungry seniors enjoying their turkey dinner

Mark & his NJ neighbor, Gi

Afterward we spent the night at Kelly and Steve's and got to spend some time with our favorite niece, Aubree. She is getting so big and is quite the little cutie pie! The girls took on the guys in a heated game of Spades. We didn't finish the game, but Kelly and I were definitely winning... or at least less in the hole anyway!

Playing us a tune

She looks confused - maybe a Jets jersey would help :P

It was a perfect fall weekend for a road trip... we must have caught the NJ trees in their autumnal prime. The colors were absolutely stunning! Had to stop off for a few pics :o)