Whirlwind Weekend

The weekend before our family drove across country,  our family went to spend the weekend with Steve, Brandi, Ali, and Savannah.  It was great to see them and spend time with family before we set off for more adventures.  There is nothing like adding 14 hours of driving in the car before setting off on a week long drive.  Sorry kids, but we sure had fun!

Our first day together was celebrating Maddison and Eliza's birthday (joint birthday party).

The second day Eliza found a toad and Ali caught it.  The kids spent the rest of the day playing with the toad, holding the toad, and building a jumping arena for the toad.  Yes, they knew they had to let it go at the pond, but not before Ali and Savannah could show it off to their Mom. 

The third day was spent at the beach.  It felt like a perfect day for the beach, a bit overcast and not too hot.  

 The water was cool and the day was warm, a perfect mix ...

except for the jelly fish.    

There were hundreds of jelly fish in the ocean.  Each time the waves came in 4 - 5  jelly fish were left on the beach.  When the kids weren't waiting for Steve to catch a jelly fish out of the ocean, they were asking him to scoop them off the beach and throw them back in.  By the end of the day the girls were scooping them up and tossing them in.

When they weren't pre-occupied with the jelly fish they searched for crabs.  The first one was found as soon as we arrived, but there was much digging in search of more.

And then of course, there was the greatest joy of just lounging around.

The fourth day we spent in Williamsburg. 

 It was hot but the kids were able to find some fun games to play.  

     

The fifth day we spent in Monticello, touring the grounds.  By now we were getting tired, and it was soon time to go home.

     

Sunday Stroll

We decided to take a little Sunday Stroll in Great Falls.  This part of the Potomac River has some beautiful flowing waterfalls.  The kids enjoyed the waterfalls, but I think they enjoyed the dirt and sand the best.  

It is hard to imagine the water levels being up this high, but it was interesting to think about.

Even with three kids pulling they couldn't pull out the root, but it didn't stop them from trying.

It has been so much fun to explore and learn about so many different places. 

We look forward to the upcoming couple of weeks when we will get to really see some different scenery.  This summer is definitely full of adventures, and one to be remembered.

Like Father, Like Son

Jake will be going in for surgery on the 28th to have his tongue clipped.

The doctor was surprised at how tongue tied Jacob is.  He said that his tongue is a good possibility of why he is unable to drink out of a bottle.    Jacob will go to the surgery center, where he will be put to sleep for the surgery (the doctor is scared to do the surgery in office for six little reasons, TEETH!).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

The Joys of Moving :)

Although packing up all your things causes you to pack up everything you own, thoroughly clean your house, and creates fun hiding places among boxes, it is not always easy.  In fact sometimes it just ....

WEARS YOU OUT !!

BATHTIME MEMORIES

Remember when your Mom was the most fun mom on the block because she let you take a bath in your swimsuit?

And we thought they had had enough water after swimming for the last two hours  ..... go figure

4th of July Adventures

4th of July Trip Here We Come.Our trip started on the 3rd (Happy Birthday Eliza).   We left home and drove to Philadelphia.  We arrived late at night and were all ready for a good nights rest, before our adventures were to begin.  Unfortunately,  Jake had other ideas.  He decided that because he was not in his own crib, he didn't need to sleep.  Jake spent most of the night awake and upset because he was so tired.  Hopefully this will not be a trend for the rest of the trip.  (It wasn't, phew!!)    On the 4th we headed to....

PhiladelphiaThe morning of the 4th we went to see the Liberty Bell.  It seemed like the perfect place to celebrate our independence.  We were able to go to the program and enjoyed learning a little more about the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  

The Liberty Bell followed by a trip to Betsy Ross' House

after we spent the morning in Philadelphia we were off to New York.  Our hotel in New York was in Manhatten just three blocks from the Empire State Building.  In fact we were able to see the RED, WHITE, and BLUE lights of the Empire State Building from the window of our hotel.

  We went to Little Italy for dinner, then a trip to Ground Zero.     
After Little Italy we walked to Ground Zero and spent a few moments reflecting on the memories of that terrible day.  There was  a lot of walking and it had been a long day already.  However, the kids loved the taxi ride down to Little Italy and then back to the hotel.

FireworksThe fireworks show was great.  However, the accomodations were not what we were used to.  They closed the freeway and allowed people on for viewing the fireworks that were set off over the river.  It was standing room only.  As the fireworks started we pushed forward a little so our kids could stand on the center divider of the freeway and see the fireworks.  Although, it was not the most comfortable it was spectacular.

The Girls were able to go see Mary Poppins ...
On Saturday the 5th the girls went to see Mary Poppins.  It was wonderful.  We had so much fun.  The girls loved watching the "magic" of the show.


The Boys explored New York.  They enjoyed time at the park and then at Grand Central Station watching the trains.  Of course Jake caught a little shut eye as well.
                                                                     

 

 AND Finally...

Exhaustion Has Set In

It was a Fun Weekend!