Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

For our vacation this year, we did something we've been talking about doing for a very, very long time!! We went to Delaware to visit some sweet friends who moved there a few years ago. This was our first time to fly with three boys. I was a little worried about how that would go, but as usual, it was much better than I anticipated. We also spent a few days in DC before we headed home. It was a very full trip, but we had a really great time!

Watching the planes.

Waiting patiently.

Before we got on the plane, we ate lunch and daddy got ice cream. All three boys were standing at his feet saying "Bite! Bite! Bite!" It was pretty funny.

When we got on the plane, somehow, Greg ended up on one side of the aisle with John and Hunter. Noah and I were on the other in the middle and window seats and another person sat on the aisle. Greg said he thought he got the lion's share of the work on the plane (which he did). And then he followed it by, "I guess it's usually the other way around." Noah totally entertained himself on the plane. I could have read something, except I was thinking I wouldn't have the opportunity, so I didn't take anything...

Hunter enjoying the flight.

Our sweet friends made us feel so welcome.

The first day, we packed a lot in. But it was super fun! We went to the bay and the kids played in the sand and the water. They had a blast. After that, we went to the ocean and the boardwalk. 

Brushing the sand off.

Looking for that perfect shell.

Briley and John playing in the sand.

Britton and Noah looking for rocks to throw

The daddies and the boys

Playing in the sand

Throwing the sand

So proud of the (dead) crab he found.

Hunter checking out the bay water

Looking at the hermit crabs

Found some mud in the water (it's like they have radar).

Looking at another (dead) crab.

Taking his (dead) crab to show off.

Father son football game.

Lunch on the beach

Josh asked Briley if she wanted to ride the boats with Hunter. She smiled great big and tried to pick him up. So cute! She has the sweetest little personality. 

Ollie and Britton enjoying the boats.

Pure joy!

Riding the plane.

This is fun...

...but not when it actually goes up in the air!

The whole crew in the car.

Noah was the only one tall enough to ride the bumper cars.

Loving the beach...until a wave got the best of him. 

First time at the ocean

So sweet!

Throwing sand...again.

Mr. Potato Head (Ollie) and John

After a few fun filled days in Delaware, we said goodbye and headed to DC. We packed a lot in...again. But we had fun.

Riding the subway. Hunter had to hold on too.

Playing in the air dryers in the bathroom...boy fun!

John likes hippos.

Playing in the dirt outside the Smithsonian.

Taking a little rest and watching a little movie in the museum. 

The whole family

Happy to be out of that silly stroller!

With my sweet babies at the Reflection Pool.

The Lincoln Memorial

The Washington Monument

At the Vietnam War Memorial (We took lots of pictures here for Poppy)

Vietnam War Memorial

Pooped out in the cab... Our ride totally 10 minutes. It only took him about 1 to go to sleep.

Enjoying the National Zoo

Our return trip started out rather eventful. Greg was spinning his wedding ring around on his finger. It slipped off his finger in the rental car. We looked and looked...and looked, but couldn't find it. Every time we'd stop we'd look some more. I think we may have spent over an hour looking for it. Somehow it went under the air vent which was under the drivers seat. Greg decided it was under there. After much searching and trying to jam our hands in and under the vent, he took a hanger and shoved it in as far as he could and made one last swipe..out it came. It was pretty unbelievable! In all the excitement of the ring ordeal, we left Hunter's monkey in the rental car. Luckily we knew before we got to the airport. Greg stayed on the shuttle and went back to the rental car stand while I got us and our luggage checked in. By the time he got back to the rental car stand, they had already cleaned out the car. Greg thought it was gone forever. But it had been set aside. Meanwhile, Hunter had heard us talking about it and kept asking for his monkey. Daddy returned with the monkey and all was well.