A visit from the Smiths

My friend from Whidbey Island who now lives in TX came to VA for a wedding and we were fortunate enough to be able to spend a few days together. Michael and I actually baby-sat her 2 boys while they were at the wedding. It was a really hot day, but we managed to spend a short time at a very neat park in Mclean. It was a big challenge to keep track of all 4 of them. Luckily, Bradley doesn't move very fast yet and Zachary wanted to be carried by Daddy most of the time. I had packed a picnic, but by 11:00 we were too hot to sit outside and eat it, so we ended up in an air conditioned Wendy's instead. Then it was time to drive around and see who would nap in the car. Zach and Mikie were out for the count, Bradley fell asleep towards the end of the drive, and Jack enjoyed the scenery for a few hours before having to stop for a potty break. We had so much fun with them and were sad to have to drop them off at the hotel when their parents returned.

Zachary was not feeling well and the heat only made him more cranky.

Jack and Bradley enjoy the airplane.

Bradley and Zachary take a ride.

Zachary finds a monster truck.

Jack was all over the place exploring every piece of equipment. Michael and I took turns keeping track of him while carrying one of the littler ones. This is just a cute short video:

The boys pose in front of a "Quiet Zone" sign. You don't think we can get kicked out for disobeying that sign do you? Seriously, who came up with that one?

Mikie was so excited when he found numbers from 1-100 that he could run on.

In this amazing park, there is also a carousel. All the boys enjoyed spinning in circles.

Bradley really enjoyed it!

Lynn and the boys came to stay with us for a few days after they sent Eric back to TX. We drove down to Richmond and met up with the Lyons at the Children's Museum.

Here are the boys listening for their echoes.

Mikie and his favorite dinosaur.

Dino pictures are always fun!

This was an apple tree that the boys could "pick" apple balls out of. They had a blast at this exhibit and probably would have stayed there all day if we hadn't enticed them into doing other things.

Zachary could only reach about 2-4 holes while standing on his tiptoes.

Jack and Mikie

Gunner and Mikie

Zachary liked the water but couldn't reach anything on his own.

Zachary, Jack, and Mikie excavate some dinosaur bones.

This was a fun stegosaurus slide.
Amber, we could have done this for Tate's party.

The boys show us their scary cave exploration faces.

Mikie and Jack enjoy playing together with funnels and shooting water.

Feeding the animals the carrots made them make sounds.

Our babies aren't so little anymore!!!!!

We miss you all so much!

After a few short hours at the museum, we ate lunch at Gus' Bar and Grill. The boys were all very well behaved (read as: extremely exhausted with hunger setting in quickly while waiting on the world's slowest waiter. Thank heavens for Carrie's bag of tricks and treats!)

Back at home, Mikie, Jack and Bradley play in the sprinkler in our front yard.

It was so fun to watch the boys play together again and to hear their conversations. I was really preoccupied with getting all my VBS stuff put together that I'm afraid I wasn't the best hostess or company for that matter. Lynn, we thoroughly enjoyed having you stay with us and please know that you are welcome anytime! Your boys are so sweet and polite. You've done an amazing job with them! I wish we lived closer so I could take lessons from you.

"Jack Jack", you will forever have a special place in my heart. I love you!