Camp Vaillant

The first week of July my 8 year old nephew, Ryan, came to stay with us for a week.  My sister and I had planned his trip in advance so I was able to plan lots of fun things for the boys to do while he was here.  Eric was off the weekend we picked him up and also had most of the day off for July 4th so he was able to do some fun stuff with us as well.  Ryan is a great big cousin to Hayden and was very patient with him all week.  Hayden loved having Ryan stay with us and was up early every morning excited to see what we were going to do next.  Here are some pics I took to document our week...

We kicked off the week at the pool....it was the hottest week of the summer so we were at the pool almost everyday.

On Sunday we took the boys on an Urban Pirate Adventure at the Baltimore, Inner Harbor.  Aaargh!

On Monday morning I took the boys to the Baltimore Aquarium.  The dolphins and sharks were a hit!

Ryan requested we go to Pump it Up where we had Hayden's 3rd birthday.  On Monday and Thursday afternoon we were able to go their family jump time.  They went wild on the slides!

On Tuesday we went duckpin bowling.  Towards the end of the week I asked Ryan what his favorite thing we did was and he said bowling.  I took them back for a quick game on Friday morning since he enjoyed it so much!  :)

On Tuesday afternoon we met up with my friend Katie and her 3 boys for a pool playdate.  She also has an 8 year old so they all had fun playing together.

On Wednesday morning, July 4th, I made festive waffles for breakfast.

The boys also did a holiday craft decorating red and blue buckets to put their sparklers in.

Once Uncle Eric got home we headed to the pool for some fun in the sun and ice pops!

That afternoon we went to the movies to see Brave in 3D.  It was the first movie Hayden made it all the way through in the theater. 

Ryan helped me make some July 4th cupcakes and strawberries.  Yum!

Sparklers!

We tried to beat the heat early Thursday morning with a visit to the park and farm.  It didn't last long as it was just too hot for all of us. 

Hanging out at Bass Pro in the mall

Playing at Dave & Buster's.  Ryan can't beat his Aunt Angie!  :)

Out to dinner on our last night of Camp Vaillant.  It was a great week!

2 down, 4 to go

Friday was the last day of Eric's 2nd year of residency.  I would say 2nd year was a little tougher than intern year so I am glad its over.  Eric takes it all in stride and pretty much keeps a positive attitude through the schedule changes, hard work, and lack of sleep.  I really don't know how he does it sometimes and he is truly my hero.  :)  Four more years until he is the one graduating!

Eric had a busy day Friday, golfing in the morning with the other residents and then he rushed out to meet me for my 19 week ultrasound.  That evening we went to a graduation dinner in Baltimore at the Frederick Douglas Maritime Museum.  The dinner was very nice and Eric had the job of roasting one of his chiefs that was graduating.  There were lots of laughs and I was able to meet many of the people Eric spends his days (and some nights) with.  On Saturday, the Chiefs hosted a family cookout in Arnold at a really nice park on the water.  We were able to go for a couple hours and Hayden enjoyed playing by the water.  Eric starts a 6 month rotation at Johns Hopkins on Monday.  It is supposed to be pretty grueling and I've received lots of warnings from his co-workers and spouses so please keep him in your prayers.  Luckily he'll be finishing up soon after the baby is born!  Here are a couple of pics from the weekend.

A night out!  Thanks Grammy & Pops for staying with Hayden!

Funny Guy

E & A

So happy my daddy has off all weekend!

Frogs & Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

It's a Boy!  We confirmed on Friday that Baby #2 is definitely a boy.  We ended up seeing the goods at 16 weeks but wanted to wait  until our 19 week Ultrasound to confirm before we spread the news.  :)  Looks like I am outnumbered!  We are very excited for Hayden to have a little brother and are counting down the weeks until we get to meet him.

Atlantic City!

Eric was off for Father's Day Weekend so we headed to the Jersey Shore to spend the weekend with my parents in Atlantic City.  My parents go a few times a year and really get the hook up when they go.  We stayed at Bally's Casino in a really nice suite with three rooms and a huge tub.  All our meals were comped and I even got to do some free shopping with my mom at the mall.   Hayden enjoyed the beach, the boardwalk, the indoor pool and just spending time with Daddy, Grammy, & Pops.  I enjoyed playing a few slots with my mom, relaxing with the family, and I satisfied my craving for a boardwalk funnel cake.  It was fun living the life of a high roller for a few days.  :)  Here are some pics from the weekend.

Strolling the boardwalk

I love my daddy

Trip to the beach

Playing in the water

Skee Ball Pro

My own personal pool

Checking out the view from our room

Pool with Pops & Daddy

Memorial Day Weekend

We had a very busy and fun Memorial Day Weekend.  Eric was off so I had planned my annual girls trip to Raleigh to visit with my friends Meredith and Jessi.  I flew out Friday morning and stayed until Sunday evening.  We had lots of fun catching up, laying by the pool, and eating out.  Eric and Hayden had a fun boys weekend....they visited the Baltimore Zoo on Friday and Eric scored great tickets from a co-worker to an Orioles game on Saturday evening.  It was Hayden's first major league game and he had a blast exploring the stadium, playing in the Kid Space and watching the game.  On Monday we enjoyed a family day.  I had organized a family hike at the Patapsco Valley State Park as part of a Wellness Program I have been doing with my moms group.  Seven families came out for the hike and it was a warm but beautiful day.  Hayden enjoyed climbing over rocks, crossing a suspension bridge and playing in the water by a waterfall.  The kids did great walking most of the trail.  We stayed and cooked out by the kids tire park after the hike.  It was a great weekend!  Here are some pics from our adventures.....

Hangin by the pool

Out to dinner in Durham

My little turtle at the Zoo

O's game!

Awesome 2nd row seats by the dugout

Hayden and daddy - boys night out

Family Hike