Friends and Family- wrapping up VA

We are still having a great time in VA hanging out with family and friends. Kat's best friend from Luxembourg happened to be in the States so she stopped by for some fun. It was pretty awesome since in January we said good bye forever and then we got to meet again. Just goes to show you never know what life is going to give you!
I got to hang out with some of my favorite boys- Rob and Aaron. We talked so much the hours flew by. It was a shame I had a babysitter and had to make it an early night, but it is great to have friends that have had your back for so long.
This is my dad bull riding the house. Really he is fixing the HD dish but he wanted to strike a strong pose!
Today I tried to take the kids to the pool by myself. I didn't realize there were multiple layers of pool with a million day camp kids. It was terrifying. I made it an hour and a half then had to go. It was just too much! But in other news Adam learned how to ride a bike! His cousin Tommy taught him one afternoon. He was so excited we went to Salvation army and got him a $5 one to practice on around the farm. He also taught himself how to swim this summer. And I am pretty sure he taught himself how to read. We are some awesome parents huh? But I am going to just be happy for him!

Finally some pictures!

Here is the best family picture at the beach. This is on top of Jockey's Ridge at Sunset. It was windy! Once we were back in VA I took the kids to see the creek I hung out at on our old property. I showed the kids the historic tree where I first kissed a boy!
Here we are in Baltimore to go to the aquarium with Uncle John. Notice the enthusiasm! We were about to find out that the aquarium was actually that colorful building across the harbor. There was a lot of walking and it was 100 degrees but with a slushee to drink the kids went along with it.
Adam got his haircut today and we can see his beautiful face again!
This is the result of an art project I read about in a family magazine. I think it turned out really well. We are going to try and mount these in a piece of driftwood once we get home. The sand and shells are all from the outer banks. Now we are headed off to my sisters house for a slumber party! TTYL!

Virginia is for Lovers

And boy do I love Virginia! Every time I am driving somewhere I was to hug the landscape I am looking at! We have survived the beach week with my entire family in one house- 11 adults and 10 children; and now are settling in for a week enjoying Loudoun County. Today I took the kids to see the house I lived in when we first moved to Purcellville. The owners were gracious enough to let us explore the creek that held so many memories for me! At first the kids were pretty wussy about being in the woods but soon I had them in the water exploring bugs and crayfish. I can't believe that house is 15 years old! Tonight I will be going with my little bro and folks to see the new Batman movie. I am sad I'm not seeing it with Jason as I am sure he is going to love it, but at least I can drool over Christian Bale at will! More to follow!

Vacation

I know that I have been tapering off my posts but now I am officially taking a break until the beach trip is over. I need a true and utter vacation! Hope you all are having a great summer!

Kentucky

Driving to Kentucky

As we drove to KY we stopped a few times of the beaten path. Here we are at the only American Freshwater Pearl Farm. It was kind of a bust but I got a real pearl as a souvenir. The kids are holding up gummie clam shells.
Here we are on the outside of Dino World. It was $12 a piece to get in so we took a picture with the trash can.
We went 20 miles out of our way to get to Lincolns birthplace and it was closed by the time we got there. But we could see a cabin in the distance.
I was pretty tired of fast food so we got fast breakfast at the Wafflehouse. It was about the same price as McDonalds! Also we got to meet a few yokels. The scenery was great for the whole drive but I don't know about some of those towns. But we did get to see where Malt-o-Meal has it's headquarters! Now that is Americana!

Last Day in Memphis

Katie's husband Reg was very tolerant of our presence. Here he is getting mobbed by the kids while reading a story.
Hanna drew this picture for the 4th and we just had to get a reenactment!

And here we are so very far from our crazy days in P-ville! Thanks for an awesome trip girls!

Born on the 4th of July!

Today behind Katie and Reg's house there were a duck with her babies. Everyone was so excited to see them, but then REG said we need to come to the front- HURRY! We all ran over and there in the parking lot was two chicks that had been left behind. The kids were in children heaven on a grand adventure to return them to their mother. The kids hearded the mother and her 4 babies towards us and Kimmie threw them in when the time was right. It was a July 4th miracle!

Happy July 4th!

We are so happy to be in America and feel the patriotic feeling that is July 4th. At dinner we talked about details from Independence Day and we told them about how we wanted to be free from England's rule. Adam shouted out- "Yeah go back to Europe!" I love having well rounded kids. I am thankful everyday that my kids have American heritage and know first hand what it feels like to represent your country everyday. God Bless the USA.

Collierville TN

We finished the first leg of our roadtrip on Tuesday by driving from Houston to Memphis in one day. The kids we pretty great and did as well as can be expected, despite having the DVD player not working! I did get a speeding ticket right out of Houston though- the first in my entire life! I had set the cruise at 70 in a 65 zone and for a small stretch of highway it went to 55. I didn't change my cruise cause everyone else was moving along. So I got busted. The cop said today was just my day! We still don't know how much it is going to cost but I am still trying to have fun despite the impending doom. Here is a sign from the place where we figured out we were in Louisiana when we thought we were in Arkansas. We finally made it to Katie's house and it has been a haven! The kids have really played great together and Katie is an amazing cook. We are just eating playing and reminiscing. Katie went to high school with me and we worked at good old Subway together. I haven't seen her in 4 years but now I feel like we are practically neighbors- only 12 hours away! Since we took the scenic route that the GPS recommended, we don't know if it could be shorter! On Wednesday the kids played all day at the house then in the evening we took them to the splash park where they had a ball. Tonight is the big Independance Day celebration. Stay tuned for more adventures!

RoadTrip!

Last night Kim and I went out on the town and had a blast with an old friend Manny. He introduced us to the wonderful (but disgusting) properties of Noni Juice. Here is us nocking back a few! He already knows the best places in Houston and I am still dreaming about the Mango Chicken we ate at Cafe Mecca!

But this morning we leave on our trip! I will be keeping you posted on our progress and adventures!