Fathers Day Weekend 2014

On Fathers Day weekend Eric and Hayden traveled to Connecticut for a Memorial Service for Eric's Grandad.  He had passed in early March but they waited to do services so family could arrange to be there.  Eric picked Hayden up after work on Friday and they started the 6 hour drive to Connecticut.  Hayden slept for a couple hours but Eric said he woke up around 10:00 and chatted and told stories the rest of the way.  They met up with Nana & Papu, Uncle Sean, and Uncle George at a cabin in the Berkshires a little after midnight.  The next day they had breakfast out before the Memorial Service and Reception at the VFW.  Hayden did great throughout the day and Eric was very proud of him.  He got so many compliments on how well behaved he was and everyone enjoyed having him around.  The family hung out at Eric's Aunt Dee's house that night and Eric and Hayden spent the night there the second night.  They got up at 4:30am the next morning to get on the road to come home.  Hayden had his last tee-ball game and pictures at 10:30 and they made it back just in time.  We went to a friends place for a Fathers Day cookout that afternoon.  I am so grateful for Eric and how great a daddy he is to both of our boys!  Here are some pics from the weekend.....

Hayden at the cabin

Nana & Hayden at breakfast

Crazy Uncle George, Nana, Bo, Eric, and Uncle Sean

Eric and his big boy

Last tee-ball game of the season

Team photo

Good hit!

At catcher

So excited for his first trophy

Daddy & his boys

Dutch Wonderland

After Hayden's Graduation, we surprised him with a trip to Dutch Wonderland the next day.  We showed him pictures on the ipad and he was super excited.  We have a lot of friends who have been before and said the boys were at a great age for the mini amusement park.  We left early Saturday morning and drove straight to the park in Lancaster, PA.  It turned out to be a beautiful day!  We rode quite a few rides with no lines for the first couple hours.  After lunch, I took Lincoln back to our hotel to get a nap while Hayden and Daddy stayed to play.  I came back after nap and we hit the water park since it had gotten warmer.  We had dinner at the park and rode a few more rides before we all headed back to the hotel.  We chose a hotel about 20 minutes away so we could get a suite for Lincoln to have his own room but it also had an awesome indoor pool for kids.  We took both boys to play before bed.  Eric and I were pretty exhausted after the day but enjoyed room service dinner in bed with Hayden sleeping at our feet.  We left Sunday morning for Hayden to get back for his tee-ball game.  It was a great weekend and we will definitely try to go back next year!  Here are some pics from day.....

Vaillant Fam at the park entrance.  Linc did have fun.  :)

Linc on the train

Cool dude on the train.

Swings!!

We called this the superman ride

Slidin' at the water park

Quick pose for mommy

Log Flume Family Shot

Fun at the hotel pool

Hayden's Pre-school Graduation

Hayden has attended the same pre-school for the last 3 years.  We have loved the school and it was great being a part of a co-op where me and Eric could be in the classroom and feel like a part of his early education.  Hayden has grown and learned so much in his time at Children & Company and we couldn't be more grateful for the awesome teachers and supportive parents we have met along the way.  We are confident Hayden is ready for Kindergarten!  Here are some pics from his Graduation Ceremony.....

Ready to Graduate!

Very serious after the procession

The kids sang many cute songs....he is pointing at his momma here.

Just received his diploma

Cake!

Class photo

So proud of our big boy

Family photo

One last climb on his favorite tree by the school

Richmond weekend

This past weekend I took a train to Richmond, VA to stay with my friend Meredith.  Our friend Jessi also drove up from North Carolina for the weekend.  Meredith had given us Wine & Design gift certificates to a studio in Richmond for Christmas so we finally agreed on a weekend we could all do.  I left Friday evening and got in late to Richmond.  On Saturday, we had reservations at a nice restaurant for Brunch and then walked and shopped after for a few hours.  That night we went to the Wine & Design studio to sip wine and make beautiful works of art.  :)  We were not too thrilled about the painting of the night but it turned out better than we all expected.  Not sure where this beautiful giraffe will fit in at my home but it was a really fun night with friends.  We stopped at an Italian place nearby for a late dinner and then headed back to Mere's to relax and chat.  I had an early train back on Sunday.  I love getting to see my best friends from back home as much as possible.  The boys had a fun zoo day with daddy so they didn't even know I was gone.  :)  Here are a couple pics of the artists!

Cheers!

Jess, Me, and Mere with our beautiful giraffe's!

Memorial Day Weekend 2014

We had a busy, but fun, Memorial Day weekend.  We were all excited Eric had a 3 day weekend!  On Saturday, our local friends had a family beer and bbq party on their decks Saturday evening.  It was a beautiful night and the boys had fun playing while we were able to catch up with friends. 

Linc swinging on the deck

On Sunday another group of friends had invited us to a cookout at Patapsco State Park.  It was another beautiful day, and the boys had a great time playing with friends.  We drove separate so Hayden and Eric could stay a little longer while I got Lincoln home for nap.

Hayden playing catch with daddy

Lincoln playing in the water....and mud

On Sunday afternoon we chilled at home.  The boys had dinner outside and enjoyed playing in the sprinkler.  Lincoln loved it!

So happy for dinner outside!

Sprinkler fun

The pool at our gym opened over the weekend so we took the boys Monday morning.  Hayden always loves the pool but I was surprised how fearless Lincoln was in the water. 

Water fun

Brother snack break  :)

On Monday our neighbors had an afternoon cookout so we walked over for more fun with friends.  They made some awesome ribs and it was no surprise that Lincoln dug in.