Labor Day Picnic!

Yo and Rob's church had a picnic for Labor Day. They had relay races set up, a scooter track AND a pie eating contest! Harrison wanted to join the fun. He put up a good fight but, it was lemon pie (not his favorite) and he couldn't gag the rest down. Needless to say in the middle of the night he ended up throwing up :) Don't know if it is from the pie or from all the other june he ate that day :) Yo and I entered the contest too, but neither of us won. Her friend, Sarah, won but it was a close match. I think I finally found what I am good at! Eating! :)

Labor Day

Labor Day weekend was spent at the Ruch's house in Pennsylvania. We went to an awesome park with a three story slide and some pretty cool swings. The kids had a blast! It also had a scavenger hunt throughout the park that kept them entertained. So fun!

Baltimore

Ok...We found the coolest candy store called "Sugar" in Baltimore. This dress is made entirely out of candy! They had several mannequins with different dresses. Pretty cool ey? Keean is screaming about the world's largest gummy bear! They had just as much fun going through this store as they did going on the ships!

When we were on board the USS Constitution, the tour guide put us all to work! On one of the decks there were 8 cannons on each side and he showed us how the troops would load the cannon. He gave us all jobs and we reenacted how they would get ready for battle. Our tour guide was really into it, really played the part well in ordering us what to do....probably much like the military. He made a point that we all had a specific job and everyone needed to follow through or it would't work. We were depending on each other to listen to directions and follow through :)

We went to Baltimore just before school started. We went aboard 4 ships, The Chesapeake, the USS Constitution, The USS Torsk (a submarine), and the 4th one...can't remember the name. The kids loved the sleeping arrangements in all the ships! They had fun bunk beds and one of them had a whole floor of hammocks! We couldn't get them out of them because they were so comfortable :)

This summer frogs were EVERYWHERE! ....in our yard, on the street. Lots of hours of entertainment for the kids to try and catch them and keep them as pets (never allowed inside...by the way)....However many times they would end up like the picture below....dried up or squashed by cars :) It was the kids idea to post this one. Sorry if it is gross!

This is Ireland and Charlotte (friend across the street). They found out that they each had the same dress (both hand-me-downs) and just had to take a picture of them scooting around the neighborhood.This is Keean......FINALLY riding his bike! He was very against the idea but we convinced him to learn by bribing him with a new toy :) He can ride now, but still doesn't like it. His friend across the street rides his bike all the time and is slowly convincing Keean that riding isn't soo bad :)

Shortly after school started we were hit with an earthquake origination in Virginia...5.9 on the Richter scale! The kids and I were at the open house for school when it hit. A couple of days later Hurricane Irene swept up the east coast devastating landscapes and homes! Here in Maryland many houses and building were hit with flooding and trees falling on top of them. School was out for several days. Aedan's birthday happened to be one of those days :) We was ecstatic :) We were without power for about two days. Luckily we were able to get a generator before they sold out of them. We were told to fill our tubs with water and stock up on water bottles. Many people here have well water and would not be able to access water without power. Trees were down everywhere. There was a road that was flooded and people brought out their canoes and kayaks to get across! Quite the experience! Luckily our home received absolutely no damage or flooding. We are truly thankful! We will never forget this one!

first day of school cupcakes

This is some of the kids on our street getting together to celebrate the first day of school with some delicious cupcakes! They had a great time!

Ireland's first day of school

We forgot to post for Ireland's first day of school because she didn't start until a week or do after everyone else. She gets her style from Cici and Rocky on one of her favorite shows! She had a hard time going at first but now loves it!

First Day of School

The boys started school on Wednesday. All three boys go to the same school for first time. Aedan is in 5th, Harrison is in 3rd, and Keean is in 1st.











Before the boys leave for the bus. (They left 30 minutes early!)






Our bus stop! The bus was overwhelmed by the amount of kids (73). We now have to have 2 buses come to our neighborhood to pick everyone up!







Waiting for the bus!

Extreme Girl Makeover!

Today Ireland got her hair cut! For a few days now Ireland has requested to get her hair cut. One of the girls Ireland likes and plays with on the street cut her hair short, so Ireland wanted the same. I think the hardest part was convincing Monique!




Before - Ireland preparing for her first major haircut!


Washing the hair! Don't get too wet!


A work in progress! Ireland remained still the whole time and did not smile or say a single word.


After: The final unveiling!
Where did my little baby girl go?

Ireland learns a new trick!

Yesterday we went shopping for school clothes for the three boys. While we were looking for shoes, Ireland found a pair of pink glitter high-tops. I told Ireland I would buy them for her, but she would have to learn to tie her shoes before she could wear them. Well Ireland sat down with Monique today after church and was able to pass off how to tie her shoes. It only took a few minutes. It just shows how quick you can do something if you are motivated.




Ireland demonstrating her new talent!


Ireland in her new shoes and dance outfit.

Bike Ride

Today after work, the boys & I went on our first major bike ride in Leonardtown. We loaded our new camel water packs and took off in attempt to find the secret path to the town center. We were able to find the path and went up and down hills. We went past the St. Mary Hospital and ended up at the kids new school. It total it was about 3.5 miles long. Both boys were good sports about it and did not complain once. Not bad for their first major ride.


Still smiling even after the ride.


The water was a major help in the heat!

Leonardtown Wharf

Tonight we took the family and the Ruchs down to the Leonardtown Wharf for the first time. The kids loved it and had a great time throwing rocks into the water. The kids now want to buy a boat so they can go on the water and not just on the Wharf.


Keean & Ricky ( Cousin )!


Sun setting in the west.


View down the walk way.


Harrison trying to find his way with the compass in the brick.

The Women's Gardens

A picture of some of the kids at the statue gardens. The kids had a lot of fun playing here. They all thought the statues were a jungle gym! :) Ireland is saying "Daddy!"

The next day we got to go on a horse drawn wagon ride through the streets of Nauvoo. This was the highlight for Ireland! She still remembers her horses' names: Jed and Jasper.

The Elzinga Family got together this year in Nauvoo. Piet and Sarah have friends that own a house right across the street from the Nauvoo Temple. The house was big enough to accomodate all of us. The were able to catch a lot because the bugs are pretty slow. Above is Aedan finally catching his first lightning bug :)

The next day we went to Carthage Jail where the Prophet Jopseph Smith was martyred. It was a solemn feeling being there as the missionaries bore their testimony. I hope the kids were able to feel the spirit and know of the Prophet's love for the gospel and for Jesus Chirst.

Wright Brother's First Flight

Our last stop today was to visit Kitty Hawk, the location of the Wright Brother's First Flight. We went to the visitor center and got the kids their passport stamp. Then we climbed the long hill to see the memorial! The kids did great considering it was well over 100 degrees when we made our visit.




Group photo!


View of the memorial from the top of the hill.


A statue of the first flight!


The journey begins! Yes we walked the whole way up the sidewalk to the hill top in 100 degree temperatures.

Cape Hatteras

Today we visited the Mid & Upper Outer Banks. We traveled down the island and visited two light houses. We were able to climb the first light house which is the largest in the U.S. The boys and I went up because Ireland was not tall enough to go in. The view from above was awesome!




Group picture!


The light house!


The boys on top of the lighthouse. It was 256 steps to the top. (The boys counted just to make sure the ranger was correct!)


View looking down the middle.


The second light house!