Virginia in July

The tradition of escaping Texas in the heat continues. Especially when that hot, HOT Texas heat is accompanying a third trimester pregnancy. Get Us To The WATER! Specifically, the east coast water. With Family. Because that really is the best kind.

Jon had to miss out on the fun as we were saving his vacation days for the new baby's birth. The rest of my family assembled at my parent's river house in the Northern Neck, and we celebrated the lasting health of my mom and the future growth of our family with the addition of Courtney and Peityn (she said yes! Wedding to come...).

We had some additional Texas visitors join us for the Forth of July at the river, cousin J'Vette and her family jumped in to the action. They folded right in to the mix and made our vacation more special as Julia and Justice built even closer friendships with their cousins.

Crazy Face!

I love kayaking with my little guy. Even if my arms barely reach around us both. 

Throwing snails!!

Peas and Carrots, these two. 

Uncle Chris is training future fire fighters on that pole.

We love watching fireworks on my parent's boat. The family directly across the river put on an incredible fireworks show each year, and we are along for the ride. I love not having to commute anywhere for a nighttime show, and after the fireworks complete, we walk right up into bed!

Unless we take some time for sparklers, which make for the best pictures! The shocked look, the pretty fire, the relative safety of it all. Uncle Chris provided this wonderful new entertainment, and the kids were in heaven!

Alex is in that space of out-of-a-crib but not-able-to-sleep-in-a-railless-bed, so he sleeps on the floor of my room. I surround him with pillows and walls (and, apparently - electrical cords) but he rolls around the whole time he sleeps, so he ends up in a different position each time I check on him. He has the least amount of head on his pillow, and his body is mostly on the carpet. Whatever works.

Just a girl, 2.5 babies and a beautiful view

On the other side of Virginia, and the other side of our family, we visited Gran and Poppa and MORE cousins. This time our cousins were in visiting from Canada, again, the kids fell right in step with each other. 

We read books, caught fireflies, learned all about Pokemon Go! from cousin Josh (who knew Gran and Poppa's yard was infested with Pokemon?!?) and enjoyed really lovely summer weather. Another great summer getaway, returning to Texas just in time to venture to the next new frontier: ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.