Go Blue

Smurfs that is.  A brand new movie theater, the new Smurfs movies, with friends.  Fun.

That morning, Luke decided to go blue for the Smurfs movie.

The kids did find out (thankfully after the movie) that this theater has special tickets/theater rooms with chairs that move with the movie. The theater entices you by providing a sample experience in the lobby.

The Slide Pool

This pool was what Luke has been waiting for all summer.  Last summer he was not tall enough to go down the slides or do some of the activities at the pool.
Well this summer...

He went up and down, up and down, up and down, climbing the big set of stairs to go down the BIG slides and Carter joined him.

Then he headed over the lily pad crossing, this year he could reach the ropes.  First Carter showed him the ropes.

They played in the pool, so did Brayden and of course we all did the lazy river.  Brayden loves to be anywhere around water. 

Fun was had by all, especially Luke...it was a big day for him, he was so excited.

Loudoun Fair with Friends

Several Waterford families headed to the Loudoun County fair for Kids Day.
Three hours, only three shows, one game, yummy treats...we never even made it to the rides or animals.
The first show was Fire Safety, then they got to "practice" going through a smoke filled hours.  One fabulous Waterford mom purchased fire hats for the boys.

 Next onto the animal show.  Mouths hanging open looking at the massive iguana.  But before, they had to have a snow cone.

Last was a BMX show, Luke requested only flips.

We did hit up one game and we each picked out a snack.  Popcorn for the boys, cotton candy for mommy.

Brayden was there showing his support of farming with his John Deer t-shirt.

VBS - Big Apple Adventure

Our church was transformed into New York City for Vacation Bible School for 300-400 children.  Carter and Luke were thrilled.  The lobby was Grand Central Station.  Tickets booths to sign in.  Roads laid down.  Street signs.  The City on stage.  Even that orange fencing.  Snacks were NYC street food like pizza and soft pretzels.  Kids even got a caricature drawing done of themselves.  Lots of great songs.  A concert from Us2 (fake rock stars but real to the kids).  Luke was thrilled for his first ever concert!  The kids got t-shirts, like I ♥ NY but instead said I ♥ VBS.  No detail was left out.  Carter and Luke has so much fun and were sad for the week to come to end.  Most importantly, they learned wonderful songs, Bible lessons and verses...very enthusiastically.

Football Camp

Football Camp, this week in the evening.  The camp for their football league. 

Luke is thrilled to finally be in a tackle league.  

Zoo with New Friends/Old Friends

Oh those college days...
We had a little visit from some college friends, the Formans with their three children during their epic road trip.  We headed to the National Zoo in Washington, DC for the day.

 Then back to the house to play in the pool, dinner, ice cream and even some late night fireworks.  Carter and Luke were thrilled to have these new friends (although they claim to remember them from a trip a few years ago).  Once kids were in bed, we spent hours sitting around the table laughing and sharing stories...which became more entertaining the later it got.

Pool is fun!

Well, we are now the proud owners of a pool.  A pool in our backyard.  Ask us if we like it...well ask after the trauma of having it built is long in the past.

The boys are enjoying the pool.  Non-stop action.

The first weekend we could swim in pool became interesting...

First we had a massive storm hit the area...not to mention our pool, that we cannot vacuum yet.  So we, by hand and brush, picked out many, many branches, twigs and leaves.  Surrounding the pool deck is still mud since landscaping has not happened quite yet, thus lovely Loudoun clay has washed upon our new pool deck and into the pool.

After all the cleaning, the boys rode their ATVs around in the backyard.  Having fun but we know to watch Luke.  However we did not watch Luke close enough because he ran into the new fence...brand new pool fence, taken out by Luke on his ATV.

We did talk to him about riding safely.  He told us, he has already, "fallen off the ATV some but it is okay because I roll away a couple of times and I am fine."  Oh boy...

Back to the pool.  We are slowly getting to the stage of fully enjoying it.  Oh and the dog sneaks in a swim...and will not get out.  The dog has not been allowed in the pool or inside the pool gate but on hot days if the boys (Luke really) does not close the gate fast enough, in comes Gander, down the stairs of the pool paddling away.

Garden Time

Our garden is growing.  Carter and Luke are picking and picking...more vegetables then we know what to do with but they are enjoying it.