Maryland Time

We headed to Maryland for the last weekend in July.  It was the annual family reunion time.  We went on Wednesday and the reunion wasn’t until Saturday so we had some time to hang out and see some more family.  Since Bradley is already in school we had to drive home on Sunday. 

On Thursday it was Livi’s Birthday.  She turned the milestone 4!  Auntie Em let her wear whatever she wanted and Jen and I took the kids to the park and to chic fil a for milkshakes to celebrate.

Later that afternoon the kids just played in the backyard.

Easton always with a dog by his side.

Looking at this picture I love that Bradley still has small teeth like Livi (when he doesn’t smile big you can’t see the missing bottom ones) .  That is going to make me said once the top ones fall out. Bradley has no shame in the Barbie car driving around his girls.

The boys appreciated the redneck swimming pool.

On Thursday evening we went to Mr.. Lee’s place.  It’s always fun to spend time with Dad Lee.  From time to time I do a poor job of it but I never want to forget my child hood and I try to still incorporate family then into my family now.

 

He and the boys shot some rocket bungees into the air.

Jumped on the trampoline.  One at a time.  That rule definitely wasn’t around when we were younger and jumping with no nets.

On Friday morning I got to keep Live for Jen to go to a hair appointment.  We hung out with GrandPop at Target and the park.

 

 

On Friday evening we drove to the middle of nowhere Southern Maryland to see my friend Shannon, her daughter Ava and meet her new husband Tim. It is horrible of me that we just talked forever and I took no pictures.  Then on Saturday we went to our family reunion. Always a blast!

 

Always great food! Easton was literally ripping into a yummy hot dog.

 

Easton with his cousin Nicholas.  They are only a week apart.

Bradley and Jackson. 

Livi being the doll baby she is. 

The smaller kids had a slip and slide so I wouldn’t have to worry about them in the deep water.

Gavin and Livi loved this thing.  The took turns for an hour straight sliding down.

When I was taking the pictures I caught the conversation too. Those are some of the best memories.

Gavin: Livi, now, watch me go down, it is going to be so cool! Ok, you better watch me!

This is her watching him! Proof she listens.  Then he got out and said to her, “You didn’t clap!” She replied, “ I said it was awesome.”

It was hilarious to see this little conversation between these two like there was no one else in the world and they were little adults.

Aunt Darlene and Easty having a moment.  Aunt Dar is mommy’s favorite aunt, she was the cool Aunt you have that let’s you get away with fun stuff that your mom doesn’t let you do. We love her!

    

After the first round of food we had more, a crab feast!

   

Here are the boys saying bye to Great great Aunt Ruth and Great Grandma, G.G.  I was bummed that grandma left so early.  It is a sign that her age is getting to her and I don’t like that. We had a wonderful time in Maryland.  Until the next reunion. 

Out in the backwoods….

You know, sometimes by the things these boys do and we let them do you would never think we live in the middle of suburbia Pinehurst in a house with a ‘white picket fence.’ The things we think up sometimes out in our very own backwoods. 

 

All the rain we have been having lately makes for their redneck splash pad in Daddy’s truck.  Bradley is a little more civilized and would not strip down to his skivvies.  Minus him doing the ‘live action’ sign he picked up from the Call of the Wild Man show, he’s pretty much the mature one out of the bunch.

 

After the 4th I remembered I had bought some sparklers and a tiny combo pack of fireworks.  We did it in the daylight or else Easton never would have seen them since he goes to bed before dark mostly. He didn’t like the sparklers and I love how Bradley is protecting him from them holding him back from getting close.  They all wanted to take their flags when I said ‘let’s do fireworks.’

 

  

   

When the woods are dark we bring the party back inside but still act like animals.  Meet my pig and cow!

Catching some breeze in the afternoons by flying down the driveway.

 

To beat the rain another night Daddy got the bb gun out for Bradley because he always asks for it.  He loves to shoot.  I love Bradley’s little muscles in this picture.  Easton wanted to have a turn too but Gavin was too busy dancing in the rain to be bothered with this stuff.

 

They were not only jumping but putting their faces in the water.  Sheesh, you would think we don't have running water out here either and I send them out for their baths in the backwoods too.  I am just glad they are my little crazy boys and are having fun in nature, the kind you can’t buy!

4th of July, 2013

This fourth of July was a blessing because it rained in the morning and then cleared up early enough for all the festivities. We headed out in the morning to see the Pinehurst parade that they do every year. Cold Stone is always there passing out free ice cream so the boys love that at 10 in the morning. 

 

The boys loves seeing all the horses. 

With all the crowds we really didn't have a great view of all the festivities.  Thank goodness for that ice cream again that occupied them. Oh and all the dogs they got to pet! They now tell everyone we are going to get an American Bulldog because that is what Daddy has told (brainwashed) them.  I’m still standing my ground with no dog in the house but I think my days are numbered as they have all banned together against me. 

Easty Bubbas all grown up from last 4th to this 4th.

Against there wishes they posed for a picture.  It was all part of my plan getting those flags.

Their facial expressions are so funny! Silly boys.

God Bless America and the freedom and wild hearts of these boys.

~ Last year’s group shot~

After the flag flying craziness we walked through the car show and farmers market they had set up.  I bought some peaches to test them but I have yet to have a delicious peach this summer from all the places I have tried them.

In the evening, Bradley, Gavin and I left Daddy and Easton at home to sleep and do some work.  Brad had looming deadlines and it is just too late for Easton.  He would have loved them but we didn’t get home until 11:30 so it was a good call.

 

We met up with some of our military friends and the kids had a blast playing and waiting. 

   

Gavin was gasping in awe of the fireworks and screeching with excitement.  I would say this was his first year to really get into them so much as he is getting older and almost 4.

Me and Ducky.  We all love this lady and her rocking shirt tonight.