The Laney Visit

Forgive my tardiness...there were too many events in too little time to put it all into one post. Jared's parents came to visit a couple of weeks ago and we didn't take nearly enough pictures...but here are some highlights. It was nice to just hang out and relax while they were here. Isaac and Noah enjoyed all the extra attention. Here they're deep in thought, listening to a story from Grandma Laney.

We went to Jump On It! along with some preschool friends, which was enjoyed immensely.

It was impossible to catch them for a good picture.

Noah cooperated once (the camera didn't).

This only came with intense persuasion. They were never this still again.

Jared even got to meet up with us once at Fort McHenry.

Isaac's worried the gate locker is going to lock us out. We stayed right up until closing.

I don't know what I would've done without Mama Laney on Halloween. She baked the pies for the Trunk or Treat, crafted a sword for Noah, metallicized Isaac's boots and performed other miscellaneous tasks of magic. Incidentally, she's definately a good person to have around when coming up with clues for a treasure hunt. Our personal favorite: "In the bathroom there's sometimes a stench, but you won't find that in the piano bench!"

That's one happy knight. Thank you, Bobbie and Ashton for the costume!

Grandpa was dressed up like a banker.

Sir Isaac and Firefighter Timmy

A frog prince with a dragon in his lap?

A knight and his dragon

Of course knights don't hug dragons, but have you ever seen such shiney boots?

That weekend Jared's brothers flew in to join the fun. Isaac and Noah were all the more pleased.

They posed

And played

And hiked

And of course eventually gave hugs goodbye.

They missed all the visitors right away. Noah could be seen at the window for days at odd times saying "Uncle went outside? Uncle! Uncle?" It was surely fun to have them. Now I'm back to being their only playmate again. And it was such a nice break, I daresay I'm actually ready and willing.

"Hey, Mom, I'm Four!"

So...Isaac's four. He tells me every day now. We celebrated several times.

While Jared's family was in town there was an early celebration (mmm, chocolate lava cake...with...tea candles on top....).

Here he is with his very most favorite gift EVER: a double barrel shotgun. It has kept him occupied about 98% of his waking hours since he got it.

We had a fun and busy day on his birthday, which ended with his first bowling experience. If it looks like the ball is just sitting there, well...that's about what it felt like to watch it wander down the lane.
It was a late night, but we couldn't skip the cake.

Then we hosted a party at preschool the next day with some friends. Silly hats weren't the only activity, but that's when I remembered the camera. He was so glad to have friends to party with!

I can't even believe how much he's grown, and not just his little body.

2 days old

1 year old

2 years old

3 years old

My big 4-year-old

I've never met such a sweet, happy, helpful boy. He surprises me every day by the things he seems to understand, the ways he's able to help and the patience he shows with Noah.

Another Happy Customer

Here's one of our latest adventures: having my Mom for a week! All very picture-worthy, blog-worthy stuff. Mostly. We went to the National Botanical Gardens in DC one day. It was impressive for the area it occupied, for sure!
Mom was in heaven!

The children's garden was, by far, the boys' favorite part. Isaac adds "I did NOT want to leave" as I write this.

Here they are, discovering what a little pumping can do.

The water squirts out of the the fish's mouth (I couldn't quite time the picture right with Isaac's sporadic pumping) and Noah was fascinated.

There was even a little person's garden shed! Don't worry; Isaac's not destroying any plants! Digging is allowed here.

The whole place was really beautifully done.

Mom discovered her favorite room here (it includes pineapple-looking plants).

Isaac's always up for a walk in the gardens, even if we've been gone from our beloved Thanksgiving Point for over a year.

I liked the orchid room.

We went to the Utz potato chip factory the next day, but we were much too fascinated by the peeling/slicing/salting/baking/packaging processes to take any pictures. You'd only see us with chip crumbs on our faces in front of unmarked machines.

Then, we braved the metros and rush hour traffic again to see... the National Zoo. The emu was the most interesting picture with a person in it. But we saw LOTS and LOTS of cool creatures. On her last full day we took Mom up to Lancaster to see the Amish at their best.

Hanging out with an Amish chicken.

We took a buggy ride tour. Here sit two very lucky, yet very solemn lads. They got to sit in front with a real farmer-turned-tourguide Amish guy named Aaron and this the look they give. That's gratitude!

First we went through an old, covered bridge.

Actually, they really enjoyed it.

Mom had more to talk about with our guide than any other customer he'd ever had, what with her farmy-type upbringing.

The week went by too quick. I think it went rather well, with the exception of Noah earning the nickname, "Naughty Noah" by spilling her most precious bottle of silver completely out (oops)!

Isaac and Noah adore her.

I'm the happy customer, by the way. I happened to be rather sick and/or worn out on a daily basis, so she did a LOT of cooking and even more DISHES! Thanks, Mom!