Vacation!!! Part 2

While we were away, we went to Williamsberg. It was so interesting to me to see a town that still did things they way they did them way back when. Parker got to help make bricks by smushing clay with his feet, Zoey tried on bonnet after bonnet asking me if she was pretty, and Cooper...well he enjoyed being pushed in the stroller.

We took a tour of the Governor's mansion

We watched a "Cooper" make a barrel. After watching it, I thought it would be so cool if we went and purchased a barrel made by a Cooper for our Cooper.....however. If you look in this picture you will see a small mug with a handle...to purchase said mug was $265. I decided that wouldn't be the souvenir we would be getting for our Cooper.

We all enjoyed the root beer!

And I think I need a stockade for my backyard!

So I think one of the kids most favorite activities was the beach. It was such a perfect day to go to the beach too. Slight wind, and 80 degrees, so we were able to just sit and enjoy being outside

Cooper didn't get to go into the ocean so much, but he did enjoy sitting on the blanket and trying to eat the sand. Next time we head to the beach he'll be big enough for a swim!

Zoey took one trip out to the water, but decided that she was a sand girl. You can't go to the beach and not bury someone, and Zoey was happy to volunteer.

We were all having a great time, and by the looks of this picture, I need to head outside a little more often....I'm defiantly in need of a tan! There was a lot more that happened while we were gone, but I would have a hard time putting into words how much fun we had. Much needed vacation, but you know it's over when you get on that plane ride home. Cooper wouldn't sleep, Zoey had to use the bathroom 5 times, and Parker threw up....so that defiantly brought our fun Virginia trip to a close!

Vacation!!! Part 1

We were so excited for our vacation this year. Kyle had finished up getting his masters degree...and we were ALL ready for a nice long vacation. So we spent three weeks in Virginia with Kyle's brother and his family. We stayed in their home, and did three "mini-trips" while we stayed with them. It was so nice to go and relax, play LOTS of games and have lots of fun!

We started out in New York for a mini-trip. Our first experience on the subway and LOTS of walking. We headed first to the 9/11 Memorial which brought back so many memories. It was amazing to see what was actually recovered and the number of people lost that day. Such an awesome thing to have the chance to go see.

The next stop was not only for the kids, but a must see for mom. We went to Dylan's Candy Bar! It's no secret that one day I would like to own my own shop, and I hope it's half as fun as this place was! Miles and miles of candy and fun stuff to see...well worth the walk!

Parker learned about the Statue of Liberty this last year in school, so he was excited to go see it. He was excited to see ANYTHING that had to do with the Statue. So many of these people dressed up...and Parker thought it was awesome.

I stayed behind with the littlest kids, but Kyle and Parker made it all the way to the top of the Statue of Liberty. It was about 400 steps all the way to the top. They were hot and sweaty, but I was so proud that they made it up there. Kyle told me that my fear of heights and enclosed spaces would have made it a terrible experience for me, so I think I'm glad I stayed down.

This is us at the base of the Statue. It was so hot, but at least we look cool and collected. We had such a great first day...and there was a lot more to come on this trip!

Zoey's Birthday

While we were on Vacation, Zoey had her third birthday!! Thanks to my sis-in-law Angie, we were still able to give Zoey a great party, complete will all things Princess!

It was not my best cake because I was away from all my tools...but I think the Ariel cake turned out pretty nice using ziploc bags and toothpicks. Zoey was just thrilled to have a cake, she talked about it all day!

Angie really went above and beyond. Kyle, Parker and I had gone that day to Washington DC, and left Zoey home because she really wasn't going to be interested in what we were seeing that day. On our way back we stopped and I got two balloons because what's a birthday without balloons? When we arrived home however Angie had had the same idea times 10! She decked out the whole kitchen including a dozen balloons.

My sweet (even though you can't tell it from this picture) little Zoey is three. She is such a sweetheart. She loves anything pink or purple and very girly...who'd she get that from? She is such a little character and keeps me laughing everyday. She is all girl and I love her so very much. Happy Birthday my sweet little girl!!

Cooper's First Birthday

Happy 1st Birthday Cooper!!!!!

Cooper had his first birthday on June 10th, and I don't know where that year went. In so many ways he reminds me of Parker, so it's been fun having my "first" baby all over again. His first words were MaMa and DaDa, but he also says "Apple". Yes it's a combination of an AAhh and a spit, but it sounds so much like apple that of course we put him the category of genius!

I do love to put a party on, and since it was my last 1 year old party I went all out! Dinosaur cake and invitations that said "Roar invited". Chocolate rocks, dinosaur cake eggs and mini-burgers to eat. Did I mention I LOVE to throw parties?

Cooper actually put his finger into the cake, unlike his siblings. He ate quite a bit of it, but in classic Cooper fashion, when he has had enough to eat he starts a food fight and throws food onto the floor.

So many new toys and fun things to do, but Cooper was unclear why he had to put a toy down to open up the other gifts.

At the end of the day it was a great party and my 1-year old little guy was so tired that he went out pretty quickly.

Cooper you are so sweet and so fun! We love having you in our family Coop-man!