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. 

More of Maryland

The next day on Monday we went to visit Grandpop and Grandma Kris.  The girls, Uncle Andrew and Aunt Jen came over for a pizza dinner. It was nice to have the kids playing together for so long.

On Tuesday morning we woke up and acted like it was Christmas. The boys got helicopters, sports balls and each a skateboard.

 

 

After that we went to take the boys to Chuck E Cheeses.  In all my determination to do something holiday or winter related it was a bust.  All the ice rinks were not open for public skate and all the Zoo or National Harbor things were best at night and by night time I was completely exhausted with these kids. 

 

My friend Kelley met me there and I got to meet her new baby boy Alejandro. Her daughter Selena above is the sweetest little girl.

I did not pick up my camera for a lot of other things on the trip.  We also saw Aunt Devon and the kids one more time at Chic-fil-a and on Tuesday night we went to Mr. Lee’s house, Kelley’s Dad.  He was like a second father to me growing up.  He had millions of Christmas lights up.  Him and his wife take two whole weeks off of work and seriously deck there house out.  I should of taken a picture of that because it is something the boys will probably never forget.  We saw my friend Shannon and her daughter Ava and we saw our friends Nikki and Jose along with their children.  I did a lot in my 3 day trip but am very thankful I did.  I saw a lot of people I had been meaning to see and just spent the holidays being with family like it is supposed to be. 

The boys tuckered out with their new toys that night. 

The next day Daddy came home from his trips to Florida and Virginia Beach.  Just in time for Christmas!

 

Easton’s 2nd Birthday in Maryland

This past Saturday we trekked our way up north to Maryland.  When I say “we” I mean, myself and the boys alone.  A trip I have done several times before but it had been a while and every time I question my judgment and am convinced “Why Yes, Emily, you certainly are crazy!” Brad flew out to Tampa for work the day before and I just wanted to go to see family since like I said we did not have school holding us back.  Part of Christmas is about family and no one at all had a plan to see each other.  It was sad to me to ship gifts or be alone so off we went.

We finally arrived there at 4:30 when we left at 9 am.  We added two hours onto the trip because after seeing a large house fire while driving it reminded me I left my space heater on so I opted to be safe no matter what the cost or annoyance it caused and I drove home to unplug it.  Five minutes from the house Liz finally told me she did still have out spare key.  It was a little late since we were already there but I will remember that next time. She ended up using that spare key to sneak cookies into my house for when we got home.  A nice treat when coming home to a food barren house. 

 

Our first night we spent with Andrew, Jen and the girls.

We watched Home Alone and drank hot chocolate.  Bradley is my child who does not like it but Gavin loves it and Easton just drinks it cooler and thinks it is chocolate milk.

We exchanged our Christmas gifts with them.  Of course, Uncle Andrew kept it golf themed for at least one gift ;)

Gavin picked out this bracelet all on his own for Livi.  it has a boys and a girl charm to represent the two of them.  Adoring cousins.

We always draw names with between the kids and are normally together.  Well, I guess I didn't think of it or thought someone else didn't have a gift either.  Well, I was wrong to not think this process out clearly.  Bradley ended up getting his feelings hurt really bad saying “where is my gift?” The answer to that is Jackson has his gift in Charlotte and we are not all together and exchanging at the same time.  It was not a case of him being selfish or anything.  He is going through a phase of being the oldest brother and being unappreciated or thinking life is unfair.  Every child with siblings goes through this and feels this way at times.  We are working on it though to make our big boy know he is so very much loved!

Uncle Andrew did the coolest thing.  he snuck away and wrapped up Bradley a gift. A “Caps Kids” baseball cap.  Bradley cherishes it and he felt better after that! 

He is the most handsome little man with his Daddy’s strong features.

Easton got birthday gifts too. 

The next morning Aunt Jen made the kids and the Birthday Boy, sprinkled pancakes.

Looking unsure about being 2 so early in the morning. He does great at blowing out candles though.

After this we went to church and got some party supplies and headed to Great Grandmas house.

These kids weren’t monkeying around.  It was pizza time!

Time for ice cream cake.

He was so thrilled.  Happy Birthday Easty Bubbas. “Little Easty Bubbas today is your day.  Little Easty Bubbas, it’s your Birthday! Little Easty Bubbas we love you, Little Easty Bubbas today you’re TWO!” I sung him this song all day to the beat of “I’m a little tea pot.”

As soon as he was done with the candles he started sucking his thumb.  Sheesh! That may be a hard habit to break as he is doing it a lot lately.

Love this toddler.  He is a joy!

 

How many kids can you get around GG’s table.  Well, 10 exactly! If only a table could talk.  This one has lots of memories to share.

 

The craziness and aftermath of the ice cream. We played pin the tail on the donkey and the kids each got a balloon.

 

My cousin Natalie and her little boy Nicholas even came later to wish Easton a Happy Birthday.  These two are only 1 week apart.

 

It was a perfect day of celebrating for Easton.  More of our Maryland trip to come….