the cold, cold beach

While at Parker's sister's house we were able to go to the beach. It was a cold day, but it was beautiful and we had the beach all to ourselves for most of the time we were there.

The view from Carrie's neighborhood. The bay right behind us, beautiful.

We went to Fort Story.

It was cold and the water was cold, but you could not keep the kids out of the water.

They loved the sand too. They were so excited to make a sandcastle.

Carrie, Donna, me

Our little family

Even though it was cold, Parker was in heaven. He loves the beach.

Day 2

of potty-training Keagan and no accidents! She even woke up a few minutes ago to tell me she needed to go to the bathroom.

Two accidents yesterday, but she was in time-outs at the time. Parker said she is going to be like a dog and pee whenever anyone yells at her. Joy.

Knock on wood that it continues this smoothly.....

a learning experience

Another day we went to one of the battle sites in Fredericksburg to show the kids the cannons. Easton was very interested in them and why they were needed. He is such a sponge lately and always asking questions.

bugs, bugs, bugs

One day in Fredericksburg we went to the Bug Box. A little store that houses dozens of bugs and creepy crawlies in many different terrariums. Easton loved it. Keagan liked it, but made me nervous (I was certain she was going to knock over something and bugs would be everywhere). I tolerated it. Oma didn't even want to try it. It creeped me out a bit to see a terrarium full of jumping crickets, another with spiders making webs, another with scorpions. But, it is a good little activity and the kids enjoyed it.

Outside the Bug Box.

Charlie is a girl's best friend....

Charming Charlie's to be exact.

A large store with accessories, all color coded....I spent way too much time in there and probably too much money. But, I am on vacation, right?

My favorite sections were green, turquoise, and blue. So, so cute!

(The girl told me they are trying to open up a shop in each state soon. They would do very well in Utah.)

spring has sprung...

at least in Virginia. It is beautiful here and the kids are loving being outside so much.

We got in on Wednesday and Opa picked us up and we took the metro (to stall so we wouldn't have to sit in traffic) to see if we could see any cherry blossoms. Sadly, they were all gone, but we walked a bit and then went back on the metro to the airport where we got the car and then headed down to Oma and Opa's house.

Opa and Easton

Easton, Opa, Keagan

Yes, I was there

On Friday we met Aunt Carrie and the kids and went to the Children's Museum.

in the craft section

Keagan was not sure why I wanted to take a picture of her in front of this and didn't understand how she was supposed to put her head on the neck part. Oh well.

Easton practicing before he and Daddy and Opa go fishing.

Easton stayed in the fossil digging section for about twenty minutes. He loved it.

Keagan loved this slide. She did it over....and over....and over....and over.

Cousin Briana has been a good helper with the little kids.

Jackson, Austin, Easton, Briana, Keagan

Saturday we went to the zoo.

Keagan, of course, has fallen for Briana which makes Jackson jealous. He asked why Keagan doesn't like him as much and Carrie and I tried to explain to him that she likes him just the same, but she wants to be like Briana because Briana is a big girl. I think that made him feel better.

This was tonight after showers. This was the only thing keeping the kids still long enough so the adults didn't go crazy.

It is crazy with five kids, especially two four year olds, but it gives me comfort to know I am not the only one that looses it when her four year old has a major tantrum.

The kids and I are in Virginia now. It is beautiful out here and so nice to see family. We met up with Parker's sister, Carrie, and her kids at the Children's Museum and the kids had so much fun. Carrie's little boy, Jackson, has taken a liking to me and Keagie. He is a fellow redhead and I think feels a camaraderie with us. It is sweet.

Doing the zoo tomorrow.

Parker comes out in a week. I am homesick without him.

Happy Easter!

Gotta love a grocery store that paints your child's nose and gives bunny ears.

This is her bunny face.

At the family Easter egg hunt.

My cute cousin, Taylor, dressed up as the Easter Bunny and took pictures with all the kids.

Happy Easter!!

up, up, and away

Easton's preschool went to the local airport for a field trip yesterday. It was freezing, but a good trip. We saw Mr. Donny Osmond, himself, rush in and take off in his little private plane. (He is smaller in person that I would have thought.)

The whole group.

For some reason whenever there is a field trip lately Easton won't take a group picture. I had to beg him to be in this one and Mrs. Stephanie had to stand by him. I hope he isn't as shy when I am not around, because when I am there, he won't talk to anyone.

Keagan, of course, has no problem with being shy.

All in all, a good trip. Easton wanted to sit in one of the planes, but because of the rain and wind the plane that they let you tour was parked too far away. He was disappointed, but I kept telling him in one week we get to sit in a BIG plane when we fly to see in-laws. That made it a little better.

Easton's belated birthday

We finally celebrated Easton's birthday at Pirate Island. He has been looking forward to this for months. We are a couple of weeks late due to getting rid of RSV, but I don't think he minded.

His scary pirate face. He insisted on wearing his pirate costume to dinner too. He was so cute.
Keagan playing on the pirate ship.
I asked Easton what his favorite part of the night was and he said when the girl brought him ice cream. You can tell in this picture. He was too excited that he didn't even eat his pizza.

Happy late birthday, Easton. Glad you had fun! We love you.