The Holmes Family Blog: July 2014

Summertime is definitely here, and that means plenty to do outside!!!

We keep busy picking blueberries

We have outdoor movies

We get brain freeze

Sometimes we just lounge around in our underwear

It's the time of year to BBQ

It's the time of year to celebrate our nation with your most patriotic clothing!

It's the best time of year to be out on the water with friends

All of those activities mean getting our stuff down off the walls and finally putting them to use. Bikes, grills, chairs, kayaks, strollers. Everything gets used in the summertime.

Even though it's summer, we still do have fun IN the house...

Mommy reads us books

Where the wild things are!

We cuddle with our favorite robotic friends

We nap on Patrick's side of the bed

We do some summer cleaning

We love to clean!

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We make arts and crafts

We act goofy and put on costumes....

TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER!

One of Hudson's favorite places is the playground. We kick back, put our hat on backwards, and chill out while sippin on some sippy cup

we go down the slide all on our own! Not without a kiss from Mommy though.

This summer also marks 1 year of being in Virginia Beach!!!

As Hudson gets more independent, we get to try new activites. One of our goals this summer was to get him in the Kayak!!!

First, some training sessions in the driveway...

All loaded up and ready for adventure!

We weren't quite sure what was happening at the boat launch....

And away we go!

Ashley: "Hold on, let me take a selfie"

Speaking of new activities.... Okay Hudson, you're driving home...

Our backyard is slowly turning into a water park!

Still, in Hudson's mind, one of the greatest activities of summer would have to be picking berries. Where else can you enjoy an all you can eat buffet of one of your favorite snacks... for free!

Lola agrees. Blueberries are the best berry

Blueberries are the best!

Baby Bird wants some more berries!

Even a busy blueberry faced toddler has time for a quick kiss. Even if Mommy is on the other side of the blueberry net

All this activity makes for tired boys and tired dogs

Even Grammy and Papa came down to get in on the action!

The Holmes men check out some WWII planes while in town

As Hudson and his friends get closer to big birthday #2, we have some fun Birthday parties to go to. Hudson insists on dressing as much like Daddy as possible!

For this particular party, "Gammy, Papa, Cake, and Feen" all piled in Patrick's car and hit the road!

King of the castle!

Of course, Hudson is very quick to take advantage of willing readers while they are in town.

And when they aren't reading to him, his highness is being pulled around by his doting followers

Parties in the play room become private events with 2 big furry bouncers at the gate

Sometimes even though he's playing, he has to conduct his business. Here, Hudson interupts play time to take a very important phone call

Of course, living by the beach means that there is always time for a quick trip to either jump in the waves, build a sand castle, or just get some sun!