The memorable Memorial Day weekend

Oh gosh this kid.

He's a handful of fun, but a handful of work.

He jibber jabbers all day long, and makes a lot of messes to clean up, but we sure love him

We welcomed our Memorial Day weekend with a huge thunder/lightening/rain storm.

Out neighbors even called to see if we wanted to stow ourselves away in their basement,

as there were tornado warnings. Don't kid yourself, they do happen often. (warnings that is)

We had some of our favorite people over for dinner on Saturday night!

The Vance fam came to our casa for a bbq and swim party.

Look how darling, the girls even had matching swim suits!!

It is always so nice when kids play so well together.

We got to chat, while the kiddos kept so busy.

Sunday night our friends invited us down to the annual National Capitol Concert.

It was a blast! We ate, played cards, and let the kids run free.

Charlie showing his police badge from the officers.

Lucy had such a great time with the girls. Look at that laugh.

As we now know, summer time means humidity.

However, despite the humid/hot weather, it was really pleasant down town.

There was a slight breeze, and with the sun setting it was magnificent.

We woke up bright and early to attend the annual Falls Church fun run.

Its a CRAZY packed race, with a free T-shirt at the end, so you know who went!

The race kick starts the events at Cherry Hill park.

There are bounce houses, food, carnival rides, PONY rides, FOOD, bands, concerts, FOOD....

(let me say he did CHOOSE to ride the pony. From the looks of things, this was punishment)

and a parade!! I must be a Sloan (well, actually just a descendant of Dixie),

as I LOVE me a parade!

Luce and I left the sleeping boys and headed out to the parade.

As far as the weather, the heat index was up to 103~ so it was a scorcher,

but we had ourselves some shade.

Things I cry for.... sirens, motorcycle brigades, and parades!!

Its just crazy.

Something about all these people coming together for one common purpose.

So...yes, there were tears.

So fun to be with my Lucy girl

Jeff made our FAVORITE skewers for our BBQ that night.

Yummie food, way to hot weather, and great company.

Henry trying to seduce the ladies to sneak their chocolate cake.

(Really, he took it anyway)

This showed how we all felt at the weekends end.

Ready to just relax, and let the food, fun and energy settle.

Hope everyone had a safe and fun holiday weekend.

Our Grannie came to town!

Wow. I think we've been breathing the same air for 15 days, and its been beautiful!

My mom came to visit, and thats just what she did, visited.

This was the site every morning. The kids would run into grannies bed, and snuggle.

Something very fantastic happened while my mom was here!

Jeff grew a mustache.

Well, really, that was a side note to our Anniversary.

We celebrated our 8 YEAR anniversary! Its CRAZY!

I really really REALLY love everything about Jeff more now then I did,

and am thrilled that we are the Sanders Family.

I could not be happier.

This is an introduction to a future post.

BEHOLD- the bubble drink.

Its from the Eden Center aka the china town of the east.

Were still not sure exactly what these bubbles are, but we'll be back! (Maybe thats the secret)

Happy Anniversary my love!

My mama and I went here.

The fabulous Fords Theater.

I ushered with Auds, and though this production was a must see for my mom.

Once again, it was a fabulous night, at a fabulous price!

It was a hilarious spoof on the 11th founding father. I'm hoping this world premier makes it way to your neck of the woods.

Making bird feeders with Grannie.

Hunting for worms

We took grannie to Old Town Alexandria.

Here, is for the kids, a piece of heaven.

Candies Candy shop.

Picnic at the waters front

Feeding the ducks

As if anyone needed more candy.

Grannie got us the game "Candy Land"

I'm sure this will be our new favorite thing.

Really, is this not the coolest thing!!!

After one of our dozen outdoor picnics, I had put out a candle, and from the ash got this

amazing finger print.

This is me, according to the United States.

This is Jacquelin Sloan Sanders.

All that you need to know about me is right here.

Pretty amazing!

Rockin the stash, Jeff.

At our Civil War Day and local farmers market.

Gor-GEOUS weather here! I'm tellin ya!

This picture may be a bit misleading.

Henry took some time to warm up to our grannie.

But once these two found the block puzzle game, they were BFF's

We to grannie to see the Temple, and also some friends she new

on her mission from New Zealand.

If there is one thing you need to know about me, its that I love me a picnic.

Jeff puts up with a lot of them this time of year,

but hun, if mama aint happy, no budy aint happy.

My darling darling boys after yet another picnic

And if there is one thing you need to know about my mom,

its that she loves her some clean grandbabies.

Here she is with her famous camp washes.

Its been great weather here. Not quite bug season, which we're scared for, but until then, you'll

find us out back, dipping our toes in the water.

(Ha! Chars. he was anxious for a turn down the slide)

Thanks Grannie, we had a heck of a time!

Can't wait for you to come back!!!

10 CRAZY days

If there were one phrase I heard from Lucy everyday, it would be

"can I play with Hay-Hannah?" Lucy loves these girlies.

Our gorgeous back yard. They were collecting all the different flowers.

I think they ended up with about 12 each! 12 different flowers in just our back yard .

This is the result of Luce not taking a nap. It was about 4:30, and she was in the process of taking off her swim suit. So much for that.

And look who came to town!!

My sister Audrey and her hubs Cam came to our casa for 10 DAYS!!!

The second night they were here, it was 31 cent scoops at Baskin Robins.

We all snuck out of the house, and grabbed ourselfs a few scoops.

Notice the broken plate.

Guilty as charged.

Cam and I were just in the kitchen talking, Chars on the counter,

and CRASH! Charlie fell in the sink. And with his hard as a rock skull, cracked the plate.

Cam and I had such a laugh, but managed to get it wrapped up and bandaged nicely.

A boys night out to Bens Chilly Bowl.

Cam, Jeff and Chars hit the streets for a cardiac attack.

Auds and I were not short on fun.

Oh my gosh, I love my sister!

She is teary eyed from laughing so hard, just as we got off the metro.

We had been down to Fords Theater, ushering for a play!

BEST NIGHT EVER.

Thanks Auds!!!!

While here, we headed down to Appamattox.

Don't fret if you've never heard of this place.

Its where the Civil War officially ended.

Jeff INSISTED we stop, and I'm thrilled he was able to tour by himself,

while the kids and I mowed the grass.

The Maiden Voyage.

We took big Bess, the tent, on her first trip of the year.

Kids all did great, and we're taking notes in preparation for our 10 day camp trip,

coming up in July.

Henrys GQ face

Abe also made a brief appearance for 4 days.

If you look at Luce, she is just beaming with joy.

This was one of many birthday celebration meals.

Both Cam and Abe had birthdays while here.

Oh how we love these peeps.

A picnic dinner catered by Rocklands BBQ, historic scenery and dreamy weather.

Ahhhh

Henrys found a new love `

`

Great place to spot planes, Iwo Jima

The men, strolling along the path once taken by Thomas Jefferson, at Monticello.

Our day trip on Saturday

The girlies

These kids were so good.

All nap less, hungry, and tired from the 3+ hour car ride, but really,

I'm constantly amazed at how well they are.

Just bidding a farewell to a founding father

We got out our pool, picnic gear and party plates to welcome

the gorgeous weather we've been having.

The day at the zoo.

And what would a trip be to DC with out a stop in Georgetown, to DC cupcakes?

It was well worth the wait, and we're looking into getting Cam sent a PB & Chocolate cupcake.

The men quietly enjoying their cupcakes.

We cut and colored Audreys hair.

And last but NOT least, celebrated mothers day!

I am a happy mother of 3 healthy children.

What more can I say.

I am so fortunate.