Va Beach, 2014

So, we got home from Pulaski on Thursday, partied Friday and Saturday, and after taking Sunday off {less another boat fiasco which ended happily with a delicious dinner with great friends!} the boys and I loaded up Monday morning for a final trek down to Va Beach.  Aunt Shannon has moved and therefore stolen our free beach destination.  I guess a couple new cousins will be worth it, but . . . ;-)

We got in Monday afternoon - at the beginning of a week-long heat wave.  My pregnant self had no interest in hanging out at the scalding beach, so we decided to be smart about it and head on over that evening.  A pizza picnic was in order!

Hopefully G won't be too scarred from having to wear a pink lifejacket . . . we've since upgraded him to one that fits.  And it's red.  Shocker. 

      

      

We stayed until almost dark - and it was wonderful.  Steamy but not miserable and we enjoyed the heat index of over 100 on Tuesday from the air conditioning of the Portsmouth Children's Museum with friends.

Cpt. Garrett at the helm!

     

The highlight of his day!

We played all day and 2/3 took naps on the way home.  We hit Hot Tuna for one final dinner that night, and then after coming home and changing into pjs, loaded up and headed north.  Everyone was asleep within the first half hour and we made it without stopping, getting home about 11:30.  The little boys never even roused up when I brought them in, and while Garrett did, he walked straight into our room, curled up next to Daddy, and proceeded to sleep soundly all night.  

It was a short trip but well worth it to see Aunt Shannon one more time {at the beach} AND, for the first time in nearly 9 years of marriage, we now have a REAL bed!!  My bedroom no longer looks like a frat house.  Yay!!

July 5th

We partied at our friend's house on the 4th, and then had friends here on the 5th!  We do love July 4th!

I don't think I took 3 pictures all night, but luckily other people did!

             Kathy as a back scratcher?                                            Good popsicle sharers.

Bounce house fun  -

E will share his popsicles but don't mess with the chair.  haha

We had FINALLY gotten the trampoline set up just before the party, and it was quite a hit, to say the least.  First thing the next morning - and most days since - this has been the view from the living room window.  Yay for finding a steal on Craigslist!  I swear - the best money we have ever spent.

July 4th

We returned from Pulaski on the 3rd, mostly so we could go play with our favorite trio for the 4th.  What's more american than a potluck dinner, sparklers, and fireworks??  Of course I didn't pull out the camera until after dark so most of the pictures aren't great.  At least the memories are.  :)

Totally legal fireworks, of course! 

Oh, he'll LOVE me for capturing this one day!!  ha!

Pulaski, 2014

Almost a month several weeks ago, we headed to Mom's for Vickie's retirement weekend from church and then sent Rich home to work while we stayed and played for the week.  

I'm not the overpacker of the family {cough:Rich:cough} but packing for 4 people for 6 days takes a bunch of stuff and some organization, although it doesn't look like it here : 

We got in late Friday night, and after hanging out at Oma's Saturday, went to one of our favorite places on earch Saturday night.  We played in the river. . .

. . . skipped rocks . . .

. . . played in the sand pit . . .

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. . . and after grilling out for dinner, enjoyed some sparklers . . .

. . . hula hooped with a float . . .

. . . and enjoyed the fireworks Aunt Poonkin brought.

After church {which I TOTALLY should have photographed because of the incredible cuteness of 2 big boys who had to be like Daddy and wear a tie!!}, we sent Daddy home to work while we played worked on painting Oma's stairs {with water} :



Monday night we headed to Roanoke to meet up with 2 childhood friends and their babies.  The boys had a blast!

The Crew {6, 6, 6, 4, 3, 2, 1}

bubbles

We were a little tired after playing.

We met up with Amy and Vickie for lunch on Wednesday:

We also played with more friends over at the river, some at our house, and went to the park once, but apparently I didn't get any photographic evidence of those.  Ahhh . . . next time.  

Oh, yeah.  And this happened . . . 

Well, it didn't happen that week, but it was revealed to everyone that week.  #4 is due January 3, 2015!  The shock has worn off and the boys are so excited!  My gut says it's boy #4 . . . we shall see . . .