East Coast Trip ~ Part 2: Visiting the Hollandsworth Family!

Part two of our trip was anxiously awaited (by our family and the Hollandsworth family).  We left DC after the parade and headed over the Chesapeake Bay to the tip of Virginia.  The first 2.5 hours of the trip were silent as mommy drove and the kids slept (I can't imagine after being up all day in 90+ degree heat for the parade).  Mary and the family drove part of the way to meet us, which was a blessing for me.  I was not looking forward to a stop with all three kids by myself.  We met for a quick dinner and then headed back to their house (another 2 hours away)....thankfully Mary drove and gave mommy a break and William sat in the back - keeping the boys company and Jennifer happy!  It was late when we arrived at their house but the boys found energy when they realized we were at a house AND they had Rescue Heroes to play with!  The kids couldn't have been happier to have a house to run around in and friends to play with.  This was vacation for mommy!!  


The next morning my boys jumped out of bed ready to play!  Thankfully Henry, Emma and William were all willing to play before they left for school.  Tom took the day off work to take us on a boat ride.  The boys were very excited to go on an adventure!

Riding the boat to our own island...before all the water and waves hit!  The boys weren't so sure about all the salt water that splashed in our faces.  We were all drenched by the time we got to the island - but we were ready for some fun on the beach!

Thomas on the boat ride!

Hey...is this life jacket really my size?  

I can't move...I think it might be a neck brace!

Thomas inspecting the treasures he found on the beach.

Blowing bubbles

Mommy and the busters after getting off our wet ride to the island.

The boys throwing shells into the water.

It's fun to throw sand when there isn't anyone else around!

David carrying a shovel full of sand to the water.

Mary and Jennifer

Thomas playing Rescue Heroes

David

Thomas

Thomas loved being able to run free and explore.

David loved playing on the beach.

Every spare moment was spent playing with the kids and reading books!  I was so thankful to have Emma, William and Henry to play with the boys and help with Jennifer!  It was so relaxing to be with the Hollandsworth's!

William reading to David and Thomas

William was such a good sport letting the boys climb all over him.

Playing with Henry and William

The boys couldn't have been happier having so many people to read books for them.  

Mary was happy to pull out some of her favorites to read to the boys.

Mary and Henry loved teaching the boys about all the toys.

All of the boys playing Ninja turtles.

William and Thomas...best buddies!

Best Buddies!!

William and David  ~  Henry and Thomas

Not only were lots of books being read but when the boys each wanted a 

different book read there was more than one reader to accommodate the wishes!

A captive audience!

Henry reading to Thomas and David

Hey...check me out!  I'm a big girl!!

Jennifer and William

Jennifer, David and William

Day two brought a rainy day and time for fun inside.  William stayed home from school to enjoy some Buster time!!  I am not sure who was more tired by nap time...William or the boys!  They had him playing cars, reading books, running through the house and playing Rescue Heroes!

We took a trip to the donut shop in town - YUM!!

David ate all of his donut, split a second with William and ate the rest of Thomas's donut.  

Hey - it's vacation!! Enjoy the sugar!!

Pretending to sleep with Jennifer!

Hey brother - I'll kiss you and then you kiss Jennifer!

Every morning Thomas sought out the boys for some "pre" school playing.

William and Thomas playing cars one morning.

Jennifer hanging out watching all of the playing in the kitchen.

David - playing cars with the boys.

A Trip to the Chesapeake Bay

On our last day in Virginia we took a trip to the beach in the afternoon.  The boys were so excited to get in the water and make sand castles...but before we got there we stopped for the best smoothies!  YUM!  The boys love smoothies and thought this was a great treat.  Then it was off to the beach for some fun, sun and sand!

First time touching the Chesapeake!

First visit to the beach.

Just like my mom - I love the beach!!

David playing on the beach.

Yummy...sand!

David and Thomas getting water to build sandcastles!

Thomas enjoying the sunset.

Busters enjoying relaxing by the beach.

Playing with William and Emma.

Jennifer helping build sand castles.

Hey Little Sister - here's how you put your hands in our bucket of water!  

Stick with us - we'll teach you the ways of the world!

Thomas loved having water poured on his head...until he tasted the salt water!  

Then it took him a minute and he was back to wanting water poured on his head.

Building dribble castles

Best Buddies 

Mary and Jennifer

David was covered in sand - from head to toe!  

He thought it was funny to make sand angels.

How will I ever get all that sand off David?

What?  I don't have any sand on me!

The Crew at the Beach!

Jennifer loved her time on the beach!

Thomas

The busters with Henry and Emma!

We loved our time with the Hollandsworth family!  We will have to come back another time and bring daddy.  Thanks for a wonderful stay, all the help with the kids, great food, fun adventures and all the book reading!  We look forward to coming back soon.