Nashville TN

After a week of fun in Virginia, the boys and I headed to Nashville to see Carolina and Robert. Carolina #2 was in Florida visiting family so we missed her and Tony. Things went semi okay. It was crazy getting both kids, stroller and luggage together. With that being said, the airlines lost Liam's car seat. So I had to hike it over to the other side of the airport to file a claim with all my stuff! Thankfully Liam was a great helper. 

Liam was excited for his new TSA sticker...... don't let Seamus know(hehehe)

This is how I managed. Liam pushed the luggage and I pushed Eli and carried all the other bags. Yes I know we had tons of stuff! I was gone for 6 weeks. 

Thankfully the airlines gave us a free loner seat. It was not the greatest seat but it worked. There was  avery nice gentleman that helped Liam and I out to the baggage place to wait for Carolina. I was so tired and emotionally drained that I stated crying. Thankfully he had daughters and understood. He was a great help in getting out 50 suitcases to the curb. Once Carolina arrived, we did quick hugs and loaded the car. The boys were tired and ready for dinner and bed. Liam was the most excited to see their dog Soka. 

Liam and I during one of Eli's naps. 

Eli eating some honey dew. He loved it. Soka loved having Eli around since it meant he got lots of left over spilled food. 

Liam went to check on Eli on morning and this is what I found 5 minutes later. 

Robert took us to Ft. Campbell to see the helicopters. I had completely forgotten about the 173rd memorial that was there. So we stopped by and check it out. 

This was the only picture I could get of Liam. 

Eli loved banging on the bucket of toys. 

Mommy and Eli

I was pretending to eat Liam. He loved it. Silly boy. 

These boys love to wrestle. It is cute. I am sure won't be cute once Eli gets bigger. 

Liam and Soka watching TV. 

Again Liam went to check on Eli ad I found them both in the pack n play with pillows piled high. Eli thought it was so funny. 

Look at how sweet and cute they are. 

I love that face and smile! 

Liam playing in the backyard. 

Liam and Soka

There are no pictures of this but the boys and I were able to meet up with the Warden Family. We had were stationed in Germany with them and again here in San Antonio. Daniel is now a warrant officer and fly helicopters. We had a great time catching up with them. I can't believe how big the boys have grown. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner with them. It is always nice to catch up with friends!  

We can't wait to go back and visit. We are more excited to go back and visit because Carolina is having a baby. We are super excited for Robert and Carolina. I can't wait to see this new little bundle! 

Mt. Vernon with Rachel and Larkin

Maria had to go into work one day, so we were able to meet up with Rachel and Larkin. Rachel and Larkin bought Liam a donut and we were off to Mt. Vernon. I had not been to Mt. Vernon since I was a kid. I was excited to see the grounds and house. Liam was excited to see Rachel and Larkin. Liam was even more excited to ride in Larkin's big big truck. We had a great time catching up with our friends. I am excited because they will be in VA for a little while so we can visit. 

Liam and Larkin

The Potomac River. 

The estate on Mt. Vernon. 

Liam loved seeing Rachel and Larkin. I loved seeing our friends. We enjoyed all our time with them. I can't wait to see them again. Liam still talks about Larkin and Rachel. 

National Zoo in D.C.

The highlight of our trip to Virginia was going to the National Zoo via the metro! Liam was super excited to ride the metro. We did learn that the metro not super stroller friendly! Thankfully between Maria and I we managed. 

My boys waiting on the platform for the metro! 

Once we arrived at the zoo, we payed $2 for our map and headed out on our adventure. Liam was super excited to see the red panda. We had a hard time seeing the red panda. Thankfully we had lots of other animals to see and explore. 

Liam liked the spotting scope as he called it. 

Liam loved riding on the red eye tree frog. He knew the animal from Diego. 

He needed to check out the map. 

I needed a picture of him on this bear. He is so cute. 

This seal was showing off for us. He was super cute. So cute in fact that Liam took a picture. 

We did get to the giant pandas. Liam loved looking at all the pandas. 

This is the way both the the boys look at the end of the zoo trip. 

We all enjoyed the zoo. Liam got a new animal from Maria. He picked a Cheetah named Super Fast. We so loves all his new animals. I know there are not may pictures of Eli but he slept most the time and did wonderful with his lack of a schedule. 

Virginia Adventures

We left for Virginia the end of May. We were off to visit Maria and family. I was super excited to see everyone. The boys did great on the plan. We had a layover in Chicago. It made for a long day but I was amazed at how well they did. Liam's favorites was that Da let us use his old kindle to watch movies and play games. Eli ate and napped during most flights. 

This is how most of the flight went. 

I was excited to meet up with my Aunt Meredith and her family. They live about 30minutes from Maria and it just so happened that Maria had a birthday party to attend down the street from Aunt Meredith's house. It was great. I loved seeing them. I am thankful for facebook to help me reconnect with family. We had a great time. Liam loved playing Legos. Eli just loved all the attention and the dog toys. It took Liam a few minutes to warm up. Both he and Eli feel asleep in the car ride to the house. Liam loved it once he was awake. I can't wait for another trip up to VA to see them again. 

Meredith and I with Liam. Eli was already in the car. 

Hunter gave Liam this bot to take home. It is so loved. Liam keeps it in his special spot so no one can get it. He loves it. 

Uncle Joe, Hunter and Liam playing lego. 

We had dinner with the family one night. Jonathan, Mom and Dad came over. Liam loved playing with Jonathan. He also thought it was cool that Jonathan had a Puma hat. Liam even talked Dad into taking to the playground. It was so hot so better dad than me. I sure have missed my second family.

Jonathan and Liam playing. 

Maria plays the piano. Liam discovered her piano. Wondering if I need to find some piano lessons for him. I know Maria would be thrilled to have Liam play too. I just wish she lived closer so she can teach him!

Who doesn't play piano in their underwear. 

Eli loved Maria's selection of tupperware. Yep that was his favorite toy. He loved to bang on the fireplace.

Look at that smile! 

I am not sure if she planned it but Maria's new townhouse is right next door to a playscape. It was amazing for the boys. It was so hot so it made it hard to play outside.

Eli enjoying some outside time. 

Liam playing and climbing on the playscape.

Silly faces with mom! 

Liam liked to pretend this playscape was a pirate ship. 

This is how I found Liam sleeping one night. Seriously so cute. 

Eli is so his father's son. He loved eating pizza crust for breakfast! 

So Chris collects sports cards and Liam loves to help with this hobby. Liam and Chris will watch box breaks online and look at cards. Liam loves to collect the Spurs cards. Well one of the online forums that Chris uses for buying and selling is called Blowout Cards. Well I learned that Maria's new town house is about 5 minutes from the house. So on our last day, we made a trip there. I am sure I looked foolish standing outside the store taking pictures. While I was taking pictures of Liam outside the store, the owner was in a car next to me, ask if he could help. I had to explain that we were just fans! We went inside to look around. If Chris ever owns a card shop it will look like this one. Liam loved it. We got to see where they do the box breaks and meet the guy the does them. We got Chris a pack of cards for his collection and Liam walked away with two free packs from the owner. We had a great time. We will go for another visit next time.

Liam outside Blowout Cards! 

Washington D.C. and the Natural History Museum

Maria took the boys and I up to D.C. to see the National History Museum. It was great to share all the buildings and history with Liam. We all enjoyed all the sites. I can't wait until he is older and we can spend time in our Nations capital learning and exploring. 

The Lincoln Memorial

Federal Reserve Building

Washington Monument. It is currently under renovation.

Treasury Building

Random Horse and Man Statue

The Capital Building

Liam throwing money into the pond. 

The ducks

Liam and I 

Liam was the most excited to see the dinosaurs. We had to do lots of explaining about why there are no more dinosaurs on Earth. He loves dinosaurs and we talked about them a lot during this day.

Liam loved the T-Rex

Stegosaurus

More Dinosaurs

Mammoth

Inside the museum, Liam and I visited the butterfly pavilion. It was so pretty in there. Liam loved checking for stay butterflies on our clothes. There we tons of different species.

It's this so pretty! 

All the butterflies were so active

Liam and I at the pond. 

Look at that sweet smile!