Vacation to Virginia

Brace yourself...this is going to be a loooooong post.  

So, James got 2 weeks of leave and we headed to Virginia.  The last time we made this trip was Christmas and Hudson was awful in the car.  Not awful enough that we swore we'd never do it again with him, but close.  We were a bit terrified of how the drive may go but we ended up pleasantly surprised!  He did great! He took 2 naps (at one point, both boys were asleep at the same time...I believe we witnessed a miracle) and didn't scream the rest of the time!  He fussed a bit here and there but was for the most part ok (especially if Kemper would pay attention to him!).  

Our 2 weeks in Virginia were packed full....visiting family, friends and just trying to keep the boys occupied. We got together with cousin Hannah to have some pictures taken for Grandma Rita and the kids hit it off so well!  They played together so nicely and every time we went to Grandma's Kemper would ask if Hannah was going to be there to play.  So fun to see them together!

To keep this long post from becoming even longer, I'm just going to try to briefly caption the pictures to give you an idea of what we did to fill our time in Virginia.

A trip to get ice cream is always a good way to start vacation!  And, forget Dairy Queen, the little yellow trailer is the way to go!

Kemper was a fan of his chocolate cone!

A trip to Falling Creek Park with Pops.  We slid, swung, played in the mister and did all of the exercise things along the trail.  We had 2 tired boys (and one tired Pops) by the time we got home!

A moment of calm cuddles with Pops...but I assure you that Hudson did not stay like this for long.  It's funny to remember how Kemper would just hang out in Pops' lap and was so content just to cuddle with Pops.  No way, Jose for Hudson.  He needs to be on the move!

Playtime with Hannah at Grandma and Grandpa's!!

Grandma and Grandpa had all 3 of their grandkids together!

Hudson, Aunt Neci, Daddy, Kemper, Uncle Allen and Hannah

Ashley and Jack came over to play!  Hudson is 2 weeks older than Jack.  They were so much fun to watch!

Hudson didn't like it when Jack sat on my lap so he crashed the party.

He needed to wake up a bit more with Pops.

Noelle and Owen came to play and the babies ganged up on Kemper.  He is SO good with the little ones and I am so proud of how he plays with them.  

Poor Pops.  Lots of wrestling happened with Hudson joining in this time!

Hudson showing Grandma Peggy his eggs.  It took him awhile to warm up to her because the first time she came to visit he wouldn't even look at her without crying.  Thankfully, he came around!

Birthday dinner for Grandma Peggy at The Station.  Hudson snacked on lemons while we waited.

Kemper being such a big, polite boy while we waited.

Grandma Peggy, Mommy and Hudson

Kisses for Grandma Peggy!

James and Kemper

Pops and MeMe with the boys

Four generations.

The family out for Grandma's birthday dinner.

There was LOTS of Guess Who playing!

And more of this. :)

Playing Peek A Boo while he ate birthday cake at Grandma Peggy's.

Playing with Aunt Sarah...

While Uncle Jon and Kemper build a fort!

Then have a sword fight!

Kemper found a comfy spot for a bit of LeapPad playing time.

More games with Pops.  I'm pretty sure they tried most of my old games while we were there.

A fourth of July picnic on the patio with Grandma Peggy.

Our little firecrackers!

Family picture!

MeMe, Pops and the boys.

Being silly.

Hudson and Uncle Charlie...Kemper was so excited to play with Uncle Charlie when he came over!

Brothers taking a walk.

Homemade ice cream for 4th of July!

Grandma Peggy with the firecrackers.

Waiting on the ice cream.

Licking the dasher!

Family enjoying the ice cream.

More family...as Hudson wanders from person to person for bites.

The rest of the gang!

Kemper enjoyed the Oreo ice cream.

Grandma and Grandpa joined us for ice cream.

Uncle Jon and Aunt Sarah brought Kemper sparklers!

Concentrating!

Even Aunt Sarah got in on the Guess Who action!

We had a great time visiting with everyone!  It's always such a hard thing to balance...seeing everyone and spending a meaningful amount of time with everyone.  We usually need another vacation by the time we get back to Tennessee!  The drive back was uneventful and we took our time knowing that we were gaining an hour and there was no reason to rush.  The boys did great, both slept some (but not as well as the way to VA) and we managed to stay out of the rain until we got to Nashville.  Took a few days to get the boys detoxed from grandparent overload (and Mommy a few days to get back into the swing of things and our routine) but we're off and running now, trying to make the most of the last few weeks before Kemper starts school!!

T-ball Season 2013 - Bears

Kemper's team this year was the Bears.  We've had some bad experiences the past few years when it came to coaches....our first year, the coach was super sweet but knew NOTHING about t-ball or coaching kids and the second year, our coach quit after the first practice.  Luckily, this year, Coach Roy was awesome with the kids and really invested time and had TONS of patience with them!

Since this was technically the first year of true t-ball and he had played 2 years of blast ball, there was a lot of explaining to do.  Blast ball doesn't require a glove or for the players to do anything with the ball once they field it except yell blast.  Trying to get the kids to throw the ball to first base was a difficult task...I would say it took until the 3rd game before things were starting to click.  

Gavin and Kemper were on the same team again this year.  These two crack me up.  

Since we only had one coach, James and Jon (Gavin's dad) helped out on the field when it was our teams turn to bat.  I think James had as much fun as the kids!

We've got to work with Kemper on swinging the bat harder but for the most part, he did great at bat this year.  It took until the last game but he FINALLY hit a home run like he had been hoping all season!

This guy was a beast to deal with at t-ball games.  First of all, the majority of our games started at 7:15...that's fifteen minutes after he's usually in the bed.  Second of all, it was HOT and STICKY.  Finally, he wanted so badly to be on the field with the big kids that we had numerous meltdowns when he would get to the gate and I would stop him.  Fun times!

Defense wasn't our specialty but we had one little guy who was particularly good at fielding the ball and quite fast.  Many times, he would field the ball and get the person out by beating them to first and tagging them.  

Meltdown when I wouldn't let him on the field.  Mean mommy.

I had to miss the last game of the season but James was kind enough to text me the play by play.  

James:  Both boys to the game dressed....check!

James: Home run.  Not kidding.  15 feet in the grass.

James: Unassisted double play at first

James: Just like his momma

James: Followed by an E1 just like his daddy.

James: Then he got a tag out on what I would call a safety squeeze.

James: And then cleanly fielded another and tagged 1st

James: He is what the Spanish would call el fuego!

I was laughing so hard at his commentary!  He said that things really seemed to be clicking in his head this game and he could tell he was starting to understand what to do with the ball if it was hit to him.  As much as James and I (and Pops!) love baseball, we sure do hope that this will be a game he will come to love and will do well at!  

It was a great season and he had a blast!  He loved his coach and was super excited for the end of the year pool party we attended today.  The coach was kind enough to get each player a miniature wooden bat with their name and the team name on them.  

Up next, he's requested to give soccer a try.  I know nothing about soccer and the 2 practices a week plus games on Saturdays seems daunting to me for a 5-year old but he's excited and I have a feeling this is only the beginning of keeping up with their busy activities schedule!