Family.Grooming.Check

Last weekend Mike and I had a little makeover. 

His 45 day beard had to go...

 and my ridiculously long hair was chopped

  

and then the next day...

i took off a few more inches--but i don't have a pic to show you since i rarely fix it. It's a good cut though, that allows me to straighten it and wear it nice, or just wash it and let it air dry and sport the messy look--while still being cool and light--that's the best part!

Movie Monday

ar first we thought it was Nora singing so loud...but nope.  it was Holden.  it's usually the other way around!

Backyard Heaven

well...it's maybe not my idea of backyard heaven...but it definitely is for my kiddos.  We've been searching for months for the perfect deal on a wooden playset on craigslist.  Being that summer is halfway over, i had about given up for this year, but then our neighbors decided to sell theirs and made us an offer we couldn't refuse.  

Meet our newest toy...

we're gonna hang a baby swing in the middle and then maybe add some other cool things onto it before next summer--for now though, the slide alone is worth it for our little girl.  she could do that all day long!

Painting Palms

My mom works at a retirement home and amongst other things, plans activities for the residents to do. So when she booked a painting class at "Wine Down with Nikki Cherry" i was totally game to join in.  This time we painted a palm tree--i've been wanting to do this one to put in the twins "north shore" room. 

it was a small class--just 6 of us...the other 4 sat in the back. 

 what it looked like at the break

the other ladies

painting with this group was quite funny.  we had a good time

 up close finished product...mom's skinny tree and my fluffy one!

Richmond and Road Trips

On our way back to Fville, we decided to make a day of it and do something in Richmond.  Of course Richmond is full of history and interesting things to do--but not all of that is very toddler friendly.  however, the man of this family is quite the history lover, so we settled on the Confederate Museum and White House and then we went to lunch.  

 its a big ball momma!

 sweet bonnet

 in front of the White House of the Confederacy

 "momma, take a picture"

 We both love to watch Diners, Dives and Drive-ins--and have the iphone app so that if we are ever near a one of the restaurants from the show we can go see it.  There were actually 3 places in Richmond, but we decided on the Village Cafe and we weren't disappointed.  It was definitely a little college bar hang out bit as the review said the onion rings were fabulous--it was the best strombolli i have ever had and the milkshakes for the ride home weren't too shabby either.  A good place for sure ;)

 the ride home was pretty uneventful...a nap and some curious george. they're getting better on this road trip stuff!

Water Country USA

Even though it was KILLER HOT out, we braved the crowds and sun and went to Water Country USA--near Busch Gardens.  Anheuser Busch is a big supporter of the military and we are allowed 1 free visit at one of their parks for free each year.  Pretty Sweet Deal.  Water Country has 3 specific play areas for little kids and that made the day super fun for our kids and for us parents because we didn't have to wait in many long lines and we could all just splash around in the knee deep water and not sweat to death.  Perfect.  

I was most surprised with how much fun Nora had.  She was actually much more brave than Holden when it came to the slides and rides.  The only thing she doesn't like are the big sprinklers that rain down on you.  This is a slide they could do on her own, and i believe N could have done this ALL DAY and been perfectly happy. 

Allie, Holden and Nora all sliding together ...and holding up the line for a picture!

oops...Holden wasn't sure he was ready

there he goes!

"I did it!"

Allie and Adam on the water slide

Holden driving the speed boat

Daddy and Nora...look at how excited she was!

the fam...being pregnant i wasn't allowed on anything--even the baby rides.  so i got to sit and take pics of them having a great time.  

Renee and Allie

Mike and Holden

sweet daddy waiting for a float. 

and waiting in a line...he had to do it twice as much so Holden and Nora could both ride, but i think he loved every minute, as did the kiddos.  

Visting the Tobacco Worms

Here's your interesting fact for the day...Soldiers in the Civil War that were from Virginia were called "Tobacco Worms".  

 This past weekend we visited two families that we were friends with in Hawaii that are now both stationed in Virginia...well at least for a few more days--which is why we made the quick trip to VA.  The Araujo's, at Ft. Eustice, are packing up as I write to move to Ft. Campbell, Kentucky and we wanted to see them before they move farther away.  Renee and I had seen each other about 2 years ago when i made a trip to NC but it had been since they left HI 3 years ago that we have all been together.  At that point i was growing two silly babies in my belly and their little girl was just 6 weeks old.  This weekend we celebrated her 3rd birthday--man how time flies! 

Since we were so close, we also stopped to visit our great friends, the Williams Family currently stationed at Ft. Lee.  The Williamses were like our family in Hawaii and we spent 5 of our 6 years there hanging out with them. Bryan and Marybeth were our first real friends there and we had so many good times together.  Because of a death in the family, the Williamses had to cut their visit with us short, but we'll definitely get back together soon--we're hoping for a NC visit before the summer is over...eh hem! 

Our Road Trip to VA.  A little Cracker Barrel and Toy Story is all we needed to keep these kiddos happy on the ride. 

Us with Bryan and Marybeth.  We didn't take any pictures at their house--but take my work for it--we had a great time.  The Williams Girls doted all over the twins, Bryan and Marybeth cooked every meal and Mike and I hardly had to do anything but sit and enjoy their company.  We also had quite an epic game night--i can't remember how long its been since i've laughed so hard.  

The next morning we drove to Ft. Eustice (near VA Beach) for Allie's 3rd Birthday Party. Here's the pretty birthday girl below.

with Daddy Adam

Holden loved hanging out with Uncle Bryan..

.(maybe because Uncle was sneaking in forbidden sweets!)  

just look at those guilty faces!

Nora and I sat at the table and watched Auntie Marybeth paint all the kids faces. I tried hard to convince Nora to do it, but kept getting a firm "No Thank You".  gotta respect that...although i did convince her to get a butterfly on her hand. 

Of course they enjoyed the birthday cake

Holden was very brave and got his face painted like a pirate.  

really i think he just liked getting the "red" on his face...one of his favorite colors. 

Arghhh...

these two aren't too manly to rock a birthday hat!

Marybeth is a master facepainter...Bethany the Tiger

Williams, Burns and Araujo Kiddos

 (left to right) Elizabeth, Nora, Holden, Alexandria, Bethany and Baby Ethan (Allie's new brother)

the girls, Marybeth, Me and Renee

the boys: Mike, Adam and Bryan (we made them touch ;)

The Williams Family had to leave to go to the funeral in PA from the birthday party, but we stayed to visit with the Araujo's for the next few days.  After the party, Auntie Renee read stories to the kiddos then we put them to sleep for nap time.  Then we had dinner at Joe's Crab Shack and made a trip to the Bass Pro Shop to see the fish--amongst other cool things. 

bibs for everyone!

 talking to Baby Brother

loves riding boats!

i'll write more later on our 2nd fun day with the Araujo's at the water park!