Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Batusics come to VA!

We had a fun-filled visit from the Batusic Family last weekend! They are living in Elkin, NC now, so it's only a short 5 hour drive from us. They were literally only here for about 36 hours, but we made the most of every minute!
Since they were only here for a short time and we didn't want to spend all day in the car, we decided to stay closer to home on Saturday instead of venturing into DC. After Keaton's soccer game, we went to Historic Occoquan for their "Haunt the Town" event. 
I love how Occoquan goes all out for every holiday. Halloween is especially fun because the old town has real "sleepy hollow' feel!
"Haunt the Town" was a scavenger hunt, and the kids had to explore inside shops to find different Halloween characters hiding inside.

Can't scare me! I just got my tonsils out!
So many funny decorations hidden around the town
Just the girls!
Someone from a nearby restaurant brought us a loaf of bread so the kids could feed the ducks and fish from the pier.
For the record, all these pics were taken when Melissa and I were shopping. Hence the children all hanging over the edge of the railings!
Daddys are in charge! Scary!
Gorgeous day on the Occoquan!
Me, Mel, and all our babies (from left): Mark (5), Jacob (6), Sailor (11mos), Keaton (7), Jacob (7), and Allie (4) 
 After Occoquan, we went in search of a playground and ended up at Lake Ridge park.
Next to the playground was a mini golf course that was technically closed. Somehow they found a putter and ball that someone left behind. They ended up taking turns and playing all 18 holes!
Keaton and Allie
After golf, we took a short hike around the lake.
It was such a gorgeous fall day!
Don't mind the profanity on the rock...
The kids had such a blast exploring and collecting rocks and sticks.


I love fall!
Crazy kids!
Big girl Allie even helped me get Sailor ready for bed and feed her a bottle that evening.
What a fun weekend! Can't wait to have them back in March!

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

A (poorly-timed) Surgery & Colonial Williamsburg

Waiting for the surgery. He was one nervous (but very brave) boy!
I refused to point fingers, but it was the doctor's fault! His literal words were, "Oh, he'll be eating chicken nuggets by that evening!" NOT!
 Ok, it was my fault for not interviewing some friends who had been through a tonsillectomy with their little ones to ask how recovery would actually be. Likely, they would have advised not to plan this surgery while we had company in town AND in the busiest month of our year!  But, alas, we cannot turn back time. Mark's tonsillectomy was scheduled during my mom and Mia's visit, and the day before we had a 2 day adventure to Colonial Williamsburg planned.
Waiting in Daddy's arms to wake up after the 20 minute outpatient procedure.
Tonsil free, just woken up, and enjoying the first of MANY popcicles.
I'm not going to sugar-coat it - recovery has been rough. And for the record, I have yet to meet one single person that said they were eating chicken nuggets on the night of their surgery! Thankfuly, the first few days were the easiest since Williamsburg awaited us the day after his surgery. This boy deserves a medal for the BIGGEST TROOPER of the CENTURY! He hung in there with us the whole time and even tried to have fun through the pain...
Mark helped plow a field on a real 18th century plantation!
How now brown cow?
The boys were fascinated by watching this man whittle !
Brumbra was seriously born in the wrong century. I think she would have stayed there and talked to the plantation workers all day - and moved in the plantation house had they let her.
Cousins!
Williamsburg was fascinating, and we did not even begin to scratch the surface of all there is to see and do in our short 2 day visit.
You're in big trouble, Mia!
Colonial mugshot!

Some of the locals...
Keaton was making deals with this man to become his apprentice footman. ha!

A seriously old school political rally.
We really enjoyed walking up and down Gloucester Street and visiting the many shops.
We enjoyed some beautiful fall weather!
This girl... love her.
No one would have guessed this boy had surgery 2 days ago!

SJ was pooped!
A Colonel George Washington sighting! Do NOT call him General George Washington or ask him anything about the Revolutionary War. He will not know what you are talking about and you will be brutally rebuffed. Poor Keaton learned this the hard way...
We have passes that do not expire until the end of the year, so we are hoping to make a return visit soon - when Mark is feeling more himself!