Cali

This past weekend I took a quick trip to California with my mom to help my sister and her husband unpack. I left the kids with Parker and they got to play and hang out and I got to miss them. I needed it.

Look at Shelley's cute belly--just starting to poke out with twins.
They live about a mile from the beach.

We went to the farmer's market one day and the produce is a-mazing!

Then we went and got breakfast for lunch at a local spot. So yummy.

We went maternity shopping with Shelley because she hasn't been yet, and with twins, this is what she will look like sooner than we know. (She is wearing the fake belly, but I had to take a picture.)

coming home...

We have been home for a month now and I am finally getting done with posting vacation pictures....with a few recent pictures in between.

At the airport, ready to come home.

We miss Virginia and the family already!

Easton's preschool graduation--1st year....

Easton had his first year of preschool graduation this past week. I think Keagan was more excited to go to "Easton's party" than he was, but it was cute and he got to say goodbye to his teacher--until next year.

"Easton is a sweet boy who loves to use his imagination. He loves to play sports, super-heroes, pirates, and enjoys learning new things. He has loved preschool and gets so excited to tell his family the things he has learned. He is excited to go to preschool for another year and learn even more."

We love you and are proud of you, Easton!

new hair

Keagan got her first "official" haircut a couple of weeks ago. She was in desperate need. I have always just trimmed it, but we needed more than just a trim, so I took her to SuperCuts and I love the end result.

The before. I am embarrassed, looking at these pictures, that I let it get so scraggly. In my defense, I usually had it in pigtails.

She was so excited to go and sat so well for the girl.

This one is my favorite. I think she was ready for it to be done, even though it only took about five minutes.

The after. I love it. The best part is now I can scrunch it and dry it in about two minutes and it goes curly and so cute.

Adorable dress provided by Aunt Carrie.

Chatham

One of the last days in Fredericksburg we went to Chatham Manor, a beautiful, historic mansion on the outskirts of Fredericksburg. It was built between 1768-1771 and has so much history. It was beautiful and very interesting to walk through.

Keagan and Oma

gnarly, old tree

Opa and Oma

There was a girl there getting Prom pictures taken and Keagan just kept going up and staring at her in her gown. It was so funny. I think Keagan thought she was a princess.

Opa

Easton loved being around Opa. He became Opa's shadow. He helped him paint the shed, mow the lawn, they played a little soccer, played guitars, etc. He loved it.

Easton thought he was such a big kid mowing with Opa.
Keagan wearing Opa's hat.

Opa getting a pick out for Easton so they can play guitars. Opa even let Easton play on his keyboard, and we didn't see Easton for an hour because he was so busy playing.

boy's day

Easton got to go fishing with Opa and Parker. He had been talking about it the whole trip waiting for Parker to get out to Virginia so they could go. He was so excited. It was his first time fishing and he loved it. I think he just loved being with Opa and Daddy.

Check out how his fingers are holding the line. He is so funny when it comes to dirt. He wouldn't touch the fish either, because they were slimy. He gets that more from Parker than me.

girl's day

While the boys were fishing, the girls decided we needed to do something girly, so we went and got pedicures and manicures. This was Keagan's first time, and to be honest, I think she is still too little, but she had so much fun and loved all the attention she got.

She sat so good while the girl painted her nails pink.
Smile!

Under the light to dry her nails.

After our nails we went to a little shop to grab something to eat called "Tea Thyme." Cute, cute place. The lady cut the crusts off of Keagan's sandwich and kept coming over to call her princess. Keagan loved it.

Keagan's place

On our way back to Fredericksburg we stopped for gas and saw this restaurant. We had to get out and get a picture with Keagan. The hostess was looking at us weird so I poked my head in and told her our daughter's name is Keagan and she gave Keagie a kids menu and some crayons. Keagie was so excited.

(they are pointing to the Irish flag, but I couldn't fit the flag and Parker and Keagan in the picture. I chose Parker and Keagan.)

note to self....

...for future reference, don't attempt to change the sheets when you have had a bad back for three days and counting. Make husband do it when he gets home.

Time for the heating pad.

the aquarium

On our last day in S. Virginia we went to the aquarium. The kids loved it. It is a perfect size, not too big, not too small with a couple of hands on things that the kids enjoyed.

Easton and Jackson at the pool to touch baby sting rays.
Keagan

Not quite sure what the face is about, but it is a cute picture.

Down this hall are huge windows on one side and huge fish swimming. Keagan looked over and said, "That's the real Nemo." (It was a silver fish....) Then she kept looking and saying, "Hi, real Nemo."

This tank had the sea turtles in it. As we were leaving we saw some divers get into the tank with the turtles and start to play with them. It was so cool to watch.

Yes, that is my lovely husband.

Outside, saying goodbye to Carrie.

It is never easy to say goodbye, especially when you don't know when you will see them next. Donna, Scott, Parker, Carrie

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.....