Memorial Day

We got together with family yesterday and had a wonderful cookout with hot dogs, hamburgers and steamed crabs. Yummy. We got to see family that we haven't seen in a long time, some for almost a year, others we haven't seen in at least two years. One of my cousins is in the Navy, and was on leave from 2 years in Japan, and is heading back today for another 2 years, so we were fortunate to be able to see him and his family during the short time they were home. Miles was very impressed to meet a real captain of a ship. It was nice to have several of us cousins together at one time, with all of our kids there as well. As we always say, we really need to get together more often. And maybe one of these times we can get all of the cousins there, or at least more of us.

Here are a few pics:
Miles and some cousins playing on the hammock:

Random family pics:
Miles swimming, this is the first time he has gotten brave enough to float by himself, and not only did he float by himself, but he swam (with the floaties) all over the pool. Once he figured out swimming on his own, he did not want to leave the pool:

Splish Splash

I got the kiddie pool out this morning and let the kids have fun. Also a chance for me to get some more pictures. Like I really need a reason.
Miles likes to hold the hose and fill up the pool:
Miles watering his brother:
Miles jumping in the pool:
Miles put on swim goggles to look under the water:
The boys 'drumming' the water:
Sliding:
Trying to make a water slide?:
Quincy playing with a plastic fish (a moment earlier he was giving the fish kisses):

Camping at the Zoo

This weekend our local zoo did something new and interesting, they had a night of tent camping inside the zoo. Our zoo is run entirely on donations, so this was a new fundraiser for the zoo. Originally it was just going to be Miles and I camping out, while Mike and Quincy got to spend some quality time together at home. Then it turned out that my parents were coming down to visit over the same weekend, so they joined Miles and I for our campout.
It was a fun evening, after the tents were set up there were crafts for the kids:
A hot dog cookout:
A nighttime guided tour of the zoo allowed us to see several of the nocturnal animals that are never out and about when we visit during the day. Sorry, I didn't get any pictures of the animals, but here is one of Miles and another boy looking at them:
Then there was a close-up presentation of some more animals, with a chance to feel a chinchila - so so soft! Miles is actually petting the animal here and not the man's finger:
Then time for a campfire and s'mores:
Miles somehow slept through the night. The adults had the special treat of hearing how ALL of the nocturnal animals talk through the night. Oh, and wolves howl for a very very long time after they hear any emergency vehicles. And wolves howling are very loud in the middle of the night. I really enjoyed the experience of camping at the zoo. It was a rare treat that I will always remember. If the zoo does it again next year, I will let Mike hear the animals.

All in all though, Miles loved everything. He woke up bouncing and ready to go. He was so excited to be camping at the zoo, and to be doing it with Grandpa and Grandma. And he was so excited to be waking up at the zoo and eating breakfast at the zoo, and just about everything else, at the zoo. This is truly something he will never forget.

We had a full, fun weekend with my parents - as always, sad to see them leave, and time to rest!

At the beach

My parents are in town visiting for a few days, so of course the kids are besides themselves with excitement. Yesterday was a perfect beach day so we went out and a a great day at the beach. Miles has really overcome his fear of the ocean and now has to be held back from running right in. He played in the water with his Grandma almost the entire time we were there. Quincy got a little upset at first when his feet got buried in the sand after a wave, so spent some time keeping his distance from the water. But eventually he was playing in the water as well.
There of course was plenty of time spent digging in the sand:
Quincy hung out with his Grandpa quite a bit. Here's the Q man on the blanket with Grandpa:
And walking down to the water together:
And just hanging out watching the water:
Since my Mom was there, there is actually a few pictures of me with the kids:
Miles never got tired (so he says), but apparently he did need to rest a few times:

Just playing

Yesterday the boys and I ran some errands, and in between errands the boys got a stop at a local playground. They had fun playing together.

Some swinging time:
This is the playground with the pirate body - Quincy was able to look through it finally. First attempt - he's looking through the hand hole:
There he is, peaking through the face hole:
They both climbed up this slide 'together' (well, Miles climbed up, Quincy got part way up):
Then they slid down it together a couple of times - they start out together:
Almost separate:

Then back together:

New(est) tent

And so the tent saga continues. Our (third) new tent arrived this morning. We ordered it last weekend shortly after returning the second new tent that fell on our heads. So far I really like this tent, it seems to be well made, has much attention to details, fits our needs well, and overall just seems to be a good tent. I'm hopeful that it will hold up well in rain and wind. I'm also hopeful that this is the last tent we buy for a very long time.

Here are a few pics:

It has two rooms, this is the front room:
And a view into the back room from the front (that's Mike taking a bit of a break there in the back room):