Happy Birthday Jake!!!

11 years ago today we welcomed this little guy into our family.

And what a whirlwind 11 years it has been!!

 

10 years ago we celebrated birthday #1.

 

 Today we're celebrating 11 years!!! A little guy full of love and joy. The past 11 years have gone by so quickly....how can I make time slow down!??!! I love seeing the young man he is growing up to be. I hope year #11 brings lots of happiness! We love you Jake!!

He is opening up a special present here....tickets to the Ranger's vs. Astros game!!

Birthday sleepover with friends!

Birthday at the Beach!

For our birthday this year, Mom treated us to a beach trip. And what fun we had! Three nights in a "fancy place"...lots of beach and pool time and TWO trips to the candy store. Life is good!

 

It was fun to stay in a different place...it was a lot nicer than our usual condos. The kids loved the breakfast bar.

Breakfast on the balcony (before the sea gulls swooped in!!!)

 

My sweet little crew...

 

But this is how they usually are...

For dinner on our birthday we went to a new place, Virginia's on the Bay. The food was good and it was a great place for the kids because they could watch the boats go in and out from the docks.

Outside the hotel...

 

The boogie boarders...

 

There are two "must do" photo places in Port A. The candy store is one. And the other is the shark...which we did not do this trip but will for sure do during our August trip. We went to the candy store twice. It's a complete racket, but so fun. And they have watermelon sour balls!
 

 

It was a great trip. It's so nice to get away for a few days and spend some happy days together. I can't wait to see what year #38 and #64 bring for us!!!

Happy Fourth of July!!!

 We wanted to go into DC to be there for all the 4th festivities. We really did. But the thought of being there for hours with a half million other people was a little overwhelming!! So we headed to Vienna's 4th Festival and had a great time!! Food, bounce houses and a 1 ring circus act. What more could you want??

 

The aerialist was really incredible!! They also had juggling (with knives and flames!) and some other tricks.

 

When we got home the kids played on the slip and slide.

 

Of course...seeing the 1 ring circus acts made the kids want to put on their own shows. We were the lucky viewers of 3 different "acts". Sophia and Grant did 1. Lucy did 1. And Joshua did 1. ;) All very unique and fun to watch!

We headed back down to a park in Vienna to watch fireworks. It was quite the popular spot to be!!

And we soon found out why!! Fireworks right.on.top.of.us. Right on top. They set them off on the other side of the trees in the ball field. Loud, big and bright. And so much fun. It was an amazing show! 

 

The last morning...we were all dragging a bit. Some late nights and not so great sleep were taking a toll.

After a fun filled week...it was time to say good bye. Mary and Brad are off on such a wonderful adventure. The area they are in is beautiful and full of history and fun things to do. I'm so happy that we made the trek and got to spend time with them. And I can't wait until we can do it again. We stayed super busy, our feet hurt a bit...but we made some happy happy memories. Saying good bye was extra hard this time. Not sure when we will all be together again.

 

The trip must have made quite an impression on Sophia...because she has treated me to 2 spa treatments in the past 24 hours. :) A quiet little relaxation time. I'll take it!!!

Virginia Part 3....

Thursday was "Monument Day." We walked and walked and walked. It was so hot. But there was so much to see!!!

 

Cute cousins before we left....

 

Ready to see the sights!!!

 

After we left the Jefferson, Mary and Brad took all the back home so Mike and I could have a bit more time in the city. We were hot, tired and hungry...but went to Arlington National Cemetery. What an incredible and moving sight. We were able to see the changing of the guard and a wreath ceremony. It was really moving.

 

On the way home a big storm came. Mary and Brad lost power for a few hours. 5 kids and no power!! Fun times!! We stopped for dinner and came back to 5 kids playing a board game. It was a little crazy...and there was a big cheer when the power finally came back on!!!

Virginia Part 2....

Wednesday morning we set out for the Air and Space Museum. There is one in DC and one outside of the downtown area. Mary said it was less crowded and had more planes...and she was right!!! We got there right when it opened and the kids had a blast!

 

The view from the radio control tower.

 

The museum is basically a HUGE airplane hanger full of aircraft. Seeing the space shuttle was pretty amazing!!

Of course the boys were drawn to all the computer screens. :)

 

These pics were actually from the Air and Space Museum off of the Mall. We stopped there for just a bit on Monday. It was pretty crowded and we were all tired, so we didn't stay for long. But the kids really enjoyed the exploration area.

 

Wednesday night it was off to a Nationals game! The first MLB game for our kids! We were able to catch one of the Presidents before they had to leave.

 

Our seats were high, but good!! And no one in front of us!!

Fireworks after the show were lots of fun...but made for a LATE night!