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!

30 Week Update

(although technically i'm 31) this pic was taken last week

it's been awhile...so here we are...growing...or should i say incubating in all this heat.

still, i'm nowhere NEAR as big as i was with the twins, thank goodness!  at this point with the twins i was miserable AND nearing the end of the pregnancy--hopefully we have a while more to go and grow...cause in all honesty, Daddy and I aren't ready yet!  # 3's room still is a huge storage/junk room--we have quite a bit of work still to do!

Happy Birthday America!

the kids are all about Birthday's...so that's we kept saying on the 4th..."Happy Birthday America"  

That morning we got dressed and ready to start our day with a parade in a nearby little town, Hope Mills.  The parade was pretty good and we had a fabulous front row view right at the end of the parade.  We parked our truck, lifted the gate and sat in the shade to watch.  Pretty nice for being such a hot day!

Holden was in a good mood--ready to get going.  He was VERY happy to wear his red shirt...his new favorite color as of lately. 

 Nora was also excited about her "twinkle-star dress" but for whatever reason had an emotional outburst as we were trying to get out the door.  Holden tried to console her...sweet boy.

 waiting for the parade to get to us...

eating some snacks and watching the cars and people go by

 pretty in her stars

 Nora was very excited about all of the "princesses"

 neither kiddo were too excited about the clowns

 watching the parade with Daddy-O

 There were tons of firetrucks in this parade---and they were LOUD.  

Nora's reaction to the trucks...(snuggles and whining)

 and Holden's reaction

the kids also had their first lolli pop....we gave the rest of the candy we collected to the kids beside us who were older.... no need to overdo it, haha. 

 Nora finished her's in about 2 minutes.  Holden had his for about 30 mins. 

classic southern town, yes? 

Celebrating 14 years... (that's half my life people!)  the 4th is our dating anniversary...if you didn't know :) as well as our favorite holiday of the year.  we really cherish the ones we get to spend together.  This 4th was pretty awsome... spending it as a family of 5 ;)

 Horsies

with my little man 

after the parade we opted out of the games and festivites because it was HOT (and nap time ;) 

so instead we got some lunch at Red Robin and went home for a long nap before Round Two. 

That night we met up with our new small group at church for a cookout and to watch the fireworks.  

Nora was all ready to go in her new outfit. 

twinsies

stylin'

 Love, Love, Love My Family

 we love having the Sweatland's around us again!

the kids played SO HARD.  Nora must have went down the slide a hundred times.  They were soaking wet with sweat and didn't even care.   i didn't get many pics, but there were plenty of other kids there to play with.  Holden kept telling me he was playing with "friends". 

 we watched the firework show on bragg from a nearby neighborhood.  We had a partial view, but it wasn't too bad and a lot quieter than being right on the field.  I'm sure Nora much preferred where we were sitting.  Only thing was the fireworks were LATE!  starting around 10 pm the kids were SO TIRED...but they were troopers.  It's prolly our latest night of every year..but they loved it (in between a few emotional breakdowns here are there ;)

 oh yeah...and my sweet husband brought me flowers.  Love Him ;)

June Happenings

Here's a few random June pics to add...

sneak peak of our screened in porch at night....love the lights!

 Holden in his big boy undies

 Nora asked to play "baby"....how could a mommy say "no" to that?

 nite nite book with Daddy

 my new wreath...partly made by me...

Mike played "Timothy" at VBS

 talking to "Paul" in prison

 Bruce and Mike aka Paul and Timothy

 we love lunch at Elizabeth's Pizza

and we also love lunch at Chickfila with friends! (Luke, Holden, Jack) 

reading together with their backpacks...so sweet! 

The Cutest Baker on the Planet

i said Norabird helped bake Pop Pop's Cookies.... see how good she was at helping!