My niece and nephew recently came to visit us for a few days. It was planned last minute with changes to Eric's work schedule keeping us from going there but it turned out to be a great weekend to have them and do some fun things around the area. We also had to cancel our family summer vacation since Eric did not get off the week he requested so having them here was the next best thing for the cousins to spend some time together. My sister drove the kids here on Thursday morning. After Lincoln's nap we all headed to Pump It Up, an indoor inflatable play place. My sister left after pizza dinner with her youngest, Emily. We also swapped cars so we would be able to transport all the kids in one car. I have to say it was pretty nice having a mini-van for the weekend. :)
I had pulled together a tentative agenda for the 3 days Ryan and Sarah would be staying with us. Uncle Eric got home pretty late on Thursday night but I let the big kids stay up to see him. On Friday, Eric ended up getting off work early so we all headed to duck-pin bowling in the morning. We had done this when Ryan visited a couple years ago and he had requested we do it again. The kids had a great time and even Lincoln played with help from daddy. After rolling the ball down the lane he would run back clapping and laughing. Friday afternoon we headed to Patapsco State Park where we had recently hiked. We parked closer to the waterfall this time so we wouldn't have to hike as far. We played at the waterfall for a bit but then walked back down to the river to hang out and swim. We cooked out on the grill when we got back and then the big kids played games before bed.
On Saturday morning we left early to go downtown to the National Aquarium. The kids really enjoyed it. We saw plenty of fish, turtles, sharks and dolphins. Everyone was ready for a nap that day so we took a break for a few hours before heading to the pool that afternoon. Ryan enjoyed the water slides and the younger kids had fun playing on the more shallow side. We gave Lincoln dinner there so we could stay a little longer. We had spaghetti dinner that night and then played more games before bed.
Sunday morning we hung out here until it was time to leave to meet back up with my sister. Once Eric got home from work, all the kids were out playing baseball while I got everyone packed up and ready to go. I met my sister in LaPlata, where my cousin Virginia was having a baby shower for her daughter Stefanie. The kids were able to swim in her pool for a bit after the shower and enjoyed playing at her house. Lincoln and Eric stayed home to sleep. :)
I think Camp Vaillant 2014 was a success and we had lots of fun. We hope this is something we can do in years to come, no matter where we live. Here are the pics I took during the 4 days together....
We had a great 4th of July at home this year. Hayden had his last day of soccer camp in the morning and then my parents came up to cookout for dinner and stay the night. We set up the blow up pool in the backyard for daytime play and Hayden enjoyed playing baseball and soccer with daddy and Pops. We made snow cones for a treat and then cooked out wings, hamburgers, and hot dogs for dinner. After Lincoln went to bed we made smores on the fire pit and had fun with sparklers. We saw a few fireworks from the neighborhood park so Hayden was excited for that. It was a beautiful day and a nice cool evening. Here are some pics from the day....
A couple weekends ago we had a great Family Saturday. We started the day with a hike at Patapsco State Park with our friends, the Saxtons. It was Lincoln's first hike and we were trying out a new backpack. He did great and enjoyed riding on daddy's back and the fun waterfall. Hayden got a little tired towards the end but overall did great. That afternoon we went to an O's game with just Hayden. We purchased group picnic perch tickets with others in my Moms Group. It was nice because it was mostly shaded and included unlimited food and drinks. This was my first game since moving back to Maryland 4 years ago. It was Hayden's 4th game but his first game that he pretty much sat through the whole thing. It was so much fun watching him really get into the game. Here are some pics from the day.....
The weekend after Father's Day, we decided to give Hayden his first camping experience, right here in our back yard. I was excited that Lincoln could sleep in his crib and I could still be a part of the night....up until bedtime where I happily slept in my own bed. :) We started the day fishing on base. After lunch and naps Hayden and Lincoln were big helpers setting up the tent with daddy. Eric cooked dinner on the grill and got the fire-pit going for smores later on. It turned out to be a cool summer night, perfect for a fire and roasting marshmallows. Our neighbors came over for smores and we hung out pretty late chatting while the kids played with glowsticks and flashlights. It really did feel like a true camping experience, just with a few little comforts from home. Around 11:00pm Eric and Hayden settled into the tent for bed. Hayden did great and slept until the sun came up around 6:00am. Here are some pics from the day.....
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
