Other summer moments.

A few other takes from moments this summer: 

"I'm a shark, so that means I can swim fast." 

I love that my husband supports my shoe fettish.
I recently discovered that youth sizes will fit women
and didn't hesitate to get myself a pair of ruby red slippers.
That I wore on the fourth of July.

We fought valiantly for 2 hours.
We used 32 gallons of water.
We were unsuccessful in the campaign against the baby.
He lives on.

Lending a hand with a cranky baby and pre-vacation cleaning.

B-rox was leaning up against the wall, eating string cheese.
Holden was imitating him.

Makes you want to puke, right?

I'm not sure a caption is necessary.

Watching tv and eating lunch while I clean the kitchen.

I know, serious mom point deduction.

WE'VE GOT A BLEEDER! 

Smoothies on hot, hot days.  

We're officially halfway through our summer.  That is both a "yay" and "no yay" statement.

Excursion.

We've lived in Virginia for 6 years.  I've come to the realization this summer, as I skirt through back roads, run into friends and acquaintances while running errands, have gouge and can give directions, that this has become home.  I miss Oregon with every fiber of my being.  I miss actual mountains, I miss the "vibe" I feel while in Oregon, that it's a happier, friendlier place (mostly).  Most of all, I miss that I won't be raising my kids there, as I'd always imagined.
The thing is, I'm not really sad anymore.  I happen to think that Hubband and I are making a good life for our boys - Here.  Hubband and I carry the Pacific Northwest with us and will teach and show our boys the best parts of it.  It may even help them to appreciate what is over there even more, not having it all the time.  I know I didn't truly appreciate it until I no longer had it under my feet and at my fingertips.

Part of what has made this place home, aside from the five of us, is our friends.  We've made some great ones here.  Friends that help us be better parents, better people, friends who help make us laugh, think, and grow.

This weekend some of those great friends invited us to come stay at their parent's house out in the woods with them.  Being fans of nature - we couldn't say no.

 Water fights, pirate play structure, swings, barefoot outdoors.  Childhood bliss.

 First time ever making "real" s'mores.  The only other s'mores they've ever made was on our stove.

Dusk from the deck. 

 The views at this place were amazing.

Braxton "communicating with the fish" in the mighty James. 

Kenny, who was against trying to commune and was all about
just going after the fish. 

"ATT" (ATV) ride to and from the river. 

 How would you like to wake up and look out the bedroom window at views like this?

Just because it's not the views I grew up with, doesn't mean they're any less beautiful or special.
*Giant* realization, right there.  

More ATV riding.

Roadside dairy/ice creamery.
Dreamsicle shake.  Holy cow.
pun intended 

Silo by a cornfield dressed like corn.
Who doesn't take a picture? 

Though "thank you" isn't really enough, Thank you for a fantastic weekend, friends.

Leaving you with this.

We're off for another adventure this weekend, so I'm leaving you with this:

Voted: Most likely to become CEO of a Fortune 500 company.
On Charms alone.

(I'm envisioning an Matt Bomer type character...)

I thought the talking on the phone was cute.  A few minutes after this an actual international call was placed.  Hopefully 21 seconds doesn't cost that much.

Boston, 2012. Also, a note in how far I've come.

Not literally how far I came.  Because total mileage was big.  Not as big as other road trippers out there, but 1,029.6 miles is quite a few for us.
My parents used to love to go on "drives" and they would make us come.  There were not many things I wanted to do less than "drive" around.  So, I have a bit of a 'dislike' of road trips.  Especially road trips with kids in the car...


But, my kids are pretty awesome and we made it to Boston in about 10 hours.

On the fourth, despite my nervousness about being in a city, by myself, with my three kids - we set out. 

I was pretty determined to make this a really fun trip for them, despite the heat and my nerves.  Oh my poor  nerves.  They had no compassion for my nerves. 

Big giant flag in the Boston Harbor Hotel archway.

We got some pretty good gouge from the concierge at our hotel and managed
to snag a spot about 20 feet away from where the SEAL team parachuters landed.

The boys started screaming, "I love being American! WOOOOO America!"
And garnered almost as much applause as the team in the air. 

Oh, on top of the SEALs, we were in a prime location to watch the USS Constitution do her
once a year turn around cruise, and blast off her canons.

The Coast Guard... trailing along behind the Navy.
Isn't that just like them?
Just kidding.  I love the USCG.  Seriously. 

ANNNNNDDDDD The Blue Angel Airshow.

Pretty awesome Fourth afternoon.

On the Fifth of July, we went to the Boston Children's Museum.
We explored Peep's World.
(If you don't watch that show, you should consider it.  It's one that doesn't suck.)

Hmmm... this one seems "just right". 

I need a rock wall in my house...

Braxton can't be seen because he's at the top.  Three stories at the top. 

Pull the rope, lift the weight.
Drop the weight.
Watch it launch a ball three stories high.
Kieran did this so much his arms were sore the next day.

On the walk back from the museum.
We ate at that restaurant.
DELICIOUS lobster mac.  Oh, yum.  

Just for the bestest.  Who believes I'm Carla Reincarnate.
The food at Cheers isn't to be overly applauded, but, It's Cheers.
How do you pass that up? 

FERRY BOAT. Best $3 spent on the whole trip.
We rode this thing so many times...

1. Smoke stacks that won an architectural award in the background.
2. Duck tour that was more than worth the total $56 dollars spent.
3. Even with the long hair, I'm not sure I've ever seen Braxton look more masculine.
Very Ryder Hudsonish of him. 

WHY this was totally worth the money.  Two kids conked out.
Mommy listening in peace, with a cool breeze, sitting down. 

Amen.

Skyline from the water.

I plan to stay at this BnB someday.  

Old North Church.

Picking the handsome man up from work on the last day.
A rather Navular picture, I'd say.

A year ago, I wouldn't have been able to do this.  Just going to the mall with the boys had me in fits of anxiety rivaling what the Captain of the Titanic felt  post-colocation with the iceberg.  The fact that I wanted to do this, enjoyed doing this, all by myself, is a pretty big deal.  It looks like I'm getting around to finally being able to handle three kids...

This is the post that almost happened.

I logged on to write a post about our trip to Boston.  But, I'm too tired and there is laundry to be done.  I have priorities.  That priority is making sure my kids have de-sunscreened/sweat free clothes for summer camp, starting tomorrow.  You need a clean slate for their perfected level of  end of the day stink.  So, for now this is what I'll leave you with.

The site of the Boston Molassacre.
Just for you, Perkins.