Christmas went a week longer!!

Well the day after Christmas, my parents arrived! It was different not seeing any family on Christmas Day, but by them getting here the day after, it made Christmas seem like an extra week!!The first day after they got here, I had an early morning ultra sound and midwife appointment!!! It was our first ultra sound, and I was almost 22 weeks, so we were all excited!! We wanted Owen to see the ultra sound, so we all went, they they watched the boys until it was ultra sound time, then Owen came in to see!! We found out we are having a GIRL!!! We are beyond excited :) She is going to be a great fit to this family!! After our ultra sound, we did some shopping, got some lunch(chick fil a ) of course, and then rested at home while the boys played and enjoyed their grandparents!!
The next day, Shane and I had planned a overnight date!! It would be our first time away from both boys!! We were only staying in Richmond, so we were not far!! We got to experience some local places in Richmond, that we normally wouldn't go to with the boys, and it was great fun to just be with my husband! Saturday morning, we were ready to come home after a great breakfast at a local french place, Can Can, they had this tea that was AMAZING!! I can feel a craving coming on now :)
Saturday was spent with my family up north in VA, and swimming at the hotel they got for the night!!
Both Owen and Henry are water lovers!! I think we may have some pretty good swimmers on our hands!
Sunday we went to church, and my parents joined us. Shane and my dad watched the boys, while I went to see Les Miserables with my mom and aunt. That was a nice treat! I remember listening to my mom's tape of Les Mis when I was a teenager! Its amazing how the music sticks with you.
Monday, Shane had to go back to work, New year's eve. My planned some great activities for the boys to do to celebrate/countdown New Years!! Things like brownie making, marshmallow races, "snowball Fights", dancing, reading and making new years ornaments! It was pretty awesome, and the bulk of what these pictures are of. We let the boys stay up as long as they could....Henry made it to about 8 and Owen made it to 8;54! such party animals  :)
The next day, New Years day, my parents headed for home in the late morning.  It was a great time with them here....we didn't do anything fancy.....they just spent good quality time with their grand kids, but that is what they both needed!!
I think if we would have let him, Owen would have hopped in the car with them, or in our car and followed them back to their yellow house in Michigan. But we will see them again and the time spent apart we always find fun new ways to stay connected!!


Grandma and Grandpa are here!!! Owen is opening a toy with Grandpa!

One of Owen's favorite games is battle ship....he just loves to fill in the pegs! He taught Grandma.

Chill in with Grandpa....Being a silly goose with is legs!

Coloring with Grandma. Owen likes to manage who colors what and with what color...rather than color :)

Learning how to use the ipad!! Thanks for that Dad!!

Caught ya!!! Owen snapped a few pictures!!

Marshmallow races! Both the boys LOVED this game!! Maybe I should bust it out someday soon!!

This kid has amazing patience!! He was able to sting the bead on, without any frustration, even if it took a while!

More Marshmallow racing!! Henry had to stop and have a bite to eat :)

Mini Marshmallows have so many fun uses!!! This was our "snowball fight "Owen and Henry and Mom had their own forts, and had to infiltrate the other's fort with "snow balls!" It was great fun!! and not very cold!!

Got you Owen!!

Crashed on New year's eve!! Last night together.

"Its time for bed Grandma!!"  Owen no longer needed us for bedtime/wake up time this week....he really preferred it that way, he just wanted grandma and grandpa for that. 

First night they arrived!!! Opening up some gifts. Grandpa had a small gift for the boys everyday they were there....so there was much of this! 

Ready for bed....but Grandpa and Owen decided to play some games from Owen's folder on the ipad :) 5 mins later, he was out.

On our date!! This was Can Can, the french restaurant. We went there for dessert and for breakfast the next day!

Grandma has the touch!! With very little crying, no BM, Henry finally conked out! And stayed asleep all night!!

Inside the Jefferson hotel! The staircase in this hotel inspired the author of Gone with the Wind and the staircase in the book/movie. They used to have live alligators in this hotel, how awesome is that, but now they just use it as a mascot type item.

Doctor Owen making house calls!! Off to see Aunt Mel and Uncle Ron at the hotel. Then it was time to swim!!

Shane took this of me on our date! It was at the Jefferson hotel.



Christmas was extended this year and it was a great way to celebrate it!! A week of Christmas sounds great to me!! We were blessed by the visit and can't wait for the next one!!