The Smiths Go Camping!!!

I wish I had taken a picture of the Prius as it was packed to head off on our camping trip!  We packed it all in!  We decided to spend Memorial Day weekend camping with the Bashores to squeeze in some extra hang-out time before they move next month!  After MUCH searching, we settled on Abrams Creek Campground in Mt. Storm, WV.  It was the perfect distance--about 2 1/2 hours away which was far enough away that we felt like we "got away," but not so far that we had a super long road trip to contend with.  Josh took me camping for the first time right when we started dating, and we went a a few times right when we were married, but we hadn't gone AT ALL since moving back to Virginia!  It made me not so nervous going with another family, so we all would have company :) 

 Graham was quite anxious to help unpack the car too!  SO cute when he tries to tag along with the big kids :)

Out to investigate the creek while Mommy made beds.

I think Jackson looks SO tall here!

Totally my child since he organized the firewood by shape...

Ready for bed on the first night.  Of course, moose footie jammies were in order :)

The Big Kids!  How did they get this big???

Quick dinner for Grahammers.  Booster seat attached to the picnic table, so we were able to restrain him for a few minutes here and there!  We cooked hotdogs over the fire the first night for dinner, followed up by smores for dessert :)

Roasting marshmallows!

The first morning!  The boys slept MUCH better than I anticipated.  Graham went right to sleep in the Pack-n-Play in the tent, and while he did fuss a few times during the night, it didn't take much to get him back to sleep.  Alternating with his waking, Jackson got a terrible cough from the smoke of the fire, and he woke up several times with coughing fits.  I even LEFT THE TENT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT to get him some water!  The things Motherhood does to you...  LOL  I was praying as we went to bed for Graham to just wait until daylight.  They both made it until 6:30, which is not super early in our family.  YES!  We all got up, and Josh got the fire going.  The mornings were the chilliest part of the trip for me, even though it got nice and refreshing at night :)

Good morning!

We finally rallied and took off on a "short" hike before lunch.  Well, Graham was not thrilled about the hike, and we ended up with a nice soundtrack of him crying as we traipsed along and tried to enjoy the scenery.  Avery and Rachel stayed at the campsite with Matthias to have a little special time playing catch.  I think Jackson really enjoyed having some one-on-one time with Reagan as we hiked.  

A peaceful moment.  Personally, I think that backpack is the way to go on a hike...

We came back from our hike for lunch and Graham crashed for a nice, long nap!  I was so thrilled because I didn't expect him to be able to nap in a tent with daylight streaming in in the middle of the woods.  Rachel and I hung out at the campsite with the littlest boys while the daddies took the girls and Jackson to play in the creek.  Then, more playing while we got ready for dinner.  The kids played in the back of Jake's truck pretty much the whole time!  They were playing "Little House on the Prairie!"

Ready for night #2 of dinner!  Jake put together a  yummy dinner of sausage, potato, pepper, and onion packs topped with Heinz 57 sauce.  SO yummy!

Ring Pops by the fire :)

I love sharing something Josh enjoys so much with him :)

Morning #2 snuggles :)  We didn't do much this morning.  We enjoyed the fire, played some more, and got ready to pack up and head home!

We have been SO blessed to have these friends two houses down for the past three years.  We are SO sad to see them go next month :(

Mother's Day Weekend!

My sixth Mother's Day kicked off with Mother's Day Tea at Jackson's pre-school.  We were out of town last year for my dad's retirement celebration, so we missed the Mothers' Day Tea.  I was extra excited this year :)

There were more classes this year, so the Mothers' Day Tea was split between two days.  We attended on Friday with some of Jackson's classmates, as well as some of the children in the 3 and 4 year old classes.  

They sang three songs to begin, and of course, it was really sweet!  

Then, the tea began.  Each class was in charge of something different to help prepare.  The youngest class mixed the dip, the middle class decorated the cookies, and Jackson's class made the PB&J sandwiches.  There was also punch to drink.  The centerpieces were tissue paper flowers in vases made my the children.  Each of us had a special placemat, and while we were eating and visiting, Mrs. MacHenry came and handed us a little interview she did with the kids.

This is a riot!  LOL  I would love to remember to ask him the same questions from here on out...

 Jackson, Alex and Lillian were three of the few kids that attended school five days a week.  They formed a sweet little friendship, and I am so thankful for my friendships with their moms!  I so looked forward to seeing them each day and just getting even a short little chat in!

Lucky for us, all four of these ladies followed us home for some more hanging out and a little lunch.  

 After a fun morning and afternoon, we headed to the Yanceys' for some dinner and party prep since Rachel's SIXTH birthday party was the next day!  It was an adorable Ice Cream themed party, and Susie did a wonderful job on the decorations and games!  So, we hung out Friday night, and then we went right back Saturday mid-morning to party!  We went home for naps, and then we attended a neighborhood friend's 1st Communion party.  The weather was beautiful, and we hung out in the backyard and caught up with other friends.  Jackson and Josh took off for a geocaching event, and they returned with a delicious bottle of wine for Mother's Day Eve :)

 Tulips, my favorite, a sweet card from a friend, a glass of wine with my partner in crime, and some leftover cake :)  

 Josh and I relaxed and enjoyed the first kind of wine we have found that he liked!  Let's keep it comin' ;)

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Ah, another soccer game during a "holiday..."  I actually didn't mind having games on my birthday and Mother's Day.  I love watching Jackson play, and our team has been great!  We had plans to head out to a new park and pick-up pizza after naptime, but neither Graham nor Jackson seemed to be in a great mood.  

 This guy might have just been a little off.  It never amounted to much.  I did get in some good bedtime snuggles :)

 This poor guy had a terrible ear infection, that of course, really started bothering him late last night :/  We FINALLY got him to sleep, and then it was straight to the doctor this morning!  He did have a lot of fluid in his ear, so we will hope antibiotics do the trick!

Birthday Weekend!

We kicked off my birthday weekend with a gorgeous morning spent at the Manassas Air Show!  It was so fun, and it's already on our list to repeat next year!  There were tons of airplanes, helicopters and other flying machines available to check out and some to climb in.  Then, there was a full-blown air show, that we didn't get to stay for all of, but it was SO fun watching the pilots perform awesome tricks!

 Checking out the inside of a medical helicopter

 Getting a better view

 Some of the plane owners were really nice, and they were happy to have kids traipse through their cockpits :)

 Waiting for a turn to drive the fire truck

 Jackson's head is just peeking up on the right side

 Fire Captain Jackson!

 Trying out an old-timey fire truck

 We got Graham out for this last one, and he was much happier than at Touch a Truck when we tried to let him sit in the big trucks!

 Pilot Brothers?

 Photo op :)

 Planes!

 Watching the cool tricks

 Daddy has an arm and shoulder full, and I know he wouldn't have it any other way :)

 We went home for naps and to get ready to have the Sacbibits over for dinner.  Jolene crafted this adorable gift: three mini-tongs, a mini spatula, and a fold-up trivet all arranged in a cute glass with tissue paper fluffed to make it look like a bouquet :)

Yesterday was my birthday, and I had a lovely day!  The boys let me sleep in and brought me a delicious breakfast in bed.  Then we headed off to soccer, and then got ready for our Date Night! 

  We went to Burke Lake Park to try our hands at Frisbee Golf!  The Yanceys joined us, and we had so much fun!  It was really nice out, and we just enjoyed being out...and counting down the minutes until it was time to have Red Robin for dinner!!!

 Action shots!

 We are definitely not ready to go pro, but it was a fun outing :) 

 Group selfie!

This time we got the Frisbee golf basket in the frame.  Thanks for helping me celebrate my birthday!  I had such a fun day!!!