Summer Fun in Maryland

Summer started off a bit stressful but on the plus side we got to spend more time in Maryland because of our change in move plans.  Hayden had his last day of school on June 16th.  Before moving out of the townhouse we kept busy with trips to the gym and pool.  We tried to stay out of daddy's hair while he studied for the boards.  The boards happened to be on my birthday so I spent the morning at the pool with the boys.  The moms from pre-school organized a goodbye playdate for us and even brought cupcakes for my birthday.  Once the test was over, Eric kept the boys busy while I spent a lot of time getting the house ready for the move...separating the house by what would be stored in the U.S. and what would be shipped to Japan.  We had to be out of the townhouse on July 13th, despite not having military orders, so we hired a company to help pack us and move us into storage for now.  We moved in with my parents after we were all packed out.  We have spent 10 days in Southern, MD, with a little getaway for me and E.  We are now roadtripping to Georgia with a few stops to visit friends and family along the way.  Here are some pics from our Summer so far in MD!  We may have more time then we thought back in MD when we return but its a guess when we will get orders and be able to schedule our movers and flights.  At this point we are just hoping to get there by the time school starts for Hayden on August 29th.

Last day of school!  New pool bag and toys for the boys.

Lots of pool fun

Lots of studying

Singing happy birthday to mommy at the pool

We will miss all these moms and kids from Linc's pre-school

One last trip to the Baltimore Aquarium with Grammy & Pops

Touching a skate

Linc loved the jellyfish

Goodbye Moraine Drive!  It's been a great 6 years!

One last night out with some of my local girlfriends

The boys in our empty house

Now we can finally relax a little at Grammy and Pops'

Fun at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum

We spent the day at the Solomons Naval Recreation Center checking out the pool and pier

Fireworks!

Daddy and Pops took the boys fishing at the St. Mary's River State Park

Maryland Crabs!

We spent the day with friends on the water.  Hayden and Landon have been besties for the last few years.  It was a sad goodbye.

The boys had a blast at the Hollywood Carnival

Daddy is so fun

My parents took the boys to see The Secret Life of Pets while we were away

My parents are keeping Eric's old truck Frank while we are in Japan.  We took the top off and cruised the neighborhood for one last hurrah!

Goodbye MD!

July 4th Fun

Eric was busy studying for boards after graduation but he was able to take a few breaks for us to enjoy the July 4th holiday weekend.  On Sunday, one of the Docs Eric worked with had a cookout at his house on the water in Severna Park.  The boys did some fishing, Hayden went out by himself on a kayak, and we took a long boat ride.  On Monday we met up with Wayne and Tammy who were still in town visiting his sister and family who lives in the area.  We all had dinner together before driving over to the Naval Academy Bridge to park and wait for the fireworks.  It was a great spot with a great view.  It rained a few times before the fireworks started but the skies cleared just in time for the show.  This was our first time as a family seeing fireworks for the 4th.  I was especially glad we were able to do it since we won't be in the U.S. to celebrate the 4th for two more years!  :)  Here are some pics from the our 4th fun...

The boys fishing...Linc was obsessed with touching the worms

The kids taking the kayaks out

Ready for a boat ride

Linc and mommy

Cute boys

Hi from the back of the boat

The kids on the Naval Academy Bridge waiting for dark

Vaillant Fam in the USA

Walking to the top of the bridge

Waiting is more fun with Uncle Wayne

Rain can't stop us

Brothers

Fireworks!!

It was a great show!

Vaillant Family Visit

Almost all of Eric's family made it in for his graduation.  Everyone arrived into town the night before graduation dinner and most stayed until the following Tuesday.  We were able to do a lot of fun things in the area.  It was great having them here!  We took lots of photos so here is our 6 days together in pictures....

Me and the boys had lunch with Nana & Papu at Joe's Crab Shack when they first flew in

We had dinner at our place on Thursday night.  Lincoln loved hanging out with Uncle George.

The Saturday after graduation we had brunch in the city and then for dinner went to Mike's Crab House for some MD Crabs!

Teaching Mel how to pick a crab

The kids!

A & E on a pier

On Sunday, Uncle Wayne, Uncle Aaron, and Papu took the boys to see an O's game!

Aaden and Hayden had a blast!

Let's Go O's

The boys even got to run the bases after the game!

The ladies did a little shopping in Annapolis while the boys were at the game

We all met back up at our house to cookout and play baseball of course

The kids had fun in the pool

Getting ready to roast marshmallows

On Monday we took the metro into DC for some sight seeing

The kids in front of the Washington Monument

Picnicing

Vaillant Fam

View of the Lincoln Memorial from the monument

Dipping feet at the WWII memorial

The boys with Lincoln

Cousins

Mommy and two Lincoln's

Me and my Bo

Last stop the White House

On Tuesday the fam went back to Annapolis.  I stayed home with Lincoln but Hayden got to tag along and had a great time!

Loved the boat ride!  Uncle Wayne is so fun.

Icecream!