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Friday, July 31, 2015

UVA 10 year reunion

Can you believe that it has been 10 years since Patrick and Ashley graduated from college?  We couldn't either, but we packed up the kiddos and headed to Charlottesville to catch up with friends and celebrate all the things that have changed and stayed the same in the last decade.

We rented a house with the girls and everyone brought their kids.  They were all together for the very first time since Luke's arrival last summer.  Turns out, the kids have as much fun together as the adults.  They played trains, they swam, they ran around the house, and even took a trip to a winery.
Chuck and Luke
Patrick had to work on Friday, Ashley went solo.  Since she still couldn't get in the pool and she also had to watch Harrison, everyone pitched in to help out with Hudson at the pool.  We have the best friends!  Here, Sarah helps Hudson into the pool
Spencer and William
Emily and Luke
Chuck and William
Aunt Meredith just hanging out in the baby pool, we love you!
Group shot!
Hudson had a little too much wine and had to take a rest in his stroller.
Harrison, meet Stacy!
So picturesque!  Just one of the reasons why I love Charlottesville.
 
YAY!  Daddy made it in time to enjoy the rest of the weekend
 
On our last morning, we wanted to get all the future 'Hoos together.  Turns out, it was easier said than done . . .
 
After much bribing, they were finally all on the couch together.  After even more photoshopping, this is the best we could do . . .
From Left to Right:  Hudson (2), Harrision (2 months), William (17 months), Luke (10 months)

Finn meets Harrison, and Harrison's first Family Vacation (Atlantic Beach)

As soon as the good news spread that Harrison was home, all of his loved ones wanted to make sure they came to say hello.  Finn, Caitlin, Chris, and Kopek packed up the car and headed down to Virginia Beach.
 
Since Finn is a big brother in training, he got to practice holding Harrison while he was in town.
 
Hudson wanted to make sure that Finn was doing it right and even showed Finn how to hug such a little baby
 
Finally, Hudson couldn't stand it anymore and had to take matters into his own hands.
 
After the first baby holding session, we took the party outside to pick the last strawberries of the season.
 
For some of the harder to reach berries, we had to call in reinforcements.  Lola and Lucy were more than happy to help forage for the ones we couldn't get so easily.
 
Hudson shows off our harvest and then offers some to Caitlin. 
 
Chris finally gets a cuddle in with Harrison
 
After the McGurns left, it was time to pack up and head to Atlantic Beach with the Dameron family!  That's one cool traveler there!
 
Any good road tripper knows that the key to a fun road trip is good entertainment.  Hudson is perusing his selection as we hit the road
 
We are finally here and look, Daddy brought us a really fun new beach toy!  Of course, we have to try it out on the balcony before lugging all the way to the beach . . .
Not only was the balcony view beautiful, but also spacious enough for us all to play with the new beach toys out there!
I think this view will do for the week!
 

Ah, trains . . . never leave home without them!  Who knew the Island of Sodor was so portable!
 
We were finally able to pry Hudson away from his toys long enough to take an evening stroll on the beach.  Here, Hudson is making sure that DayDay makes it down the stairs safely.
 
This was a very special walk on the beach, as it was Harrison's first beach experience!
Beach Selfie--Harrison is technically in the shot too . . .
Uncle John finally gets a healthy baby cuddle
Those are some great smiles!
Sleepy baby
Early morning wake up snuggles with DohDoh and DayDay
 
After breakfast, we hit the beach, and we hit it hard!
I mean, have you ever seen such a cute beachcomber??
 

DohDoh soaking in the sunshine with her loved ones.
It is never too early to start lax lessons!
Pretty sure DohDoh and DayDay are in heaven!  DayDay just needs someone on his lap!

Just relaxing.  I think the beach life agrees with him!

Of course, we had to build a sandcastle!

More beach fun as the week continues!
 
No worries, DohDoh is not nursing Harrison, she is just protecting him from the sun.
 
What would be a trip to the beach with the Damerons if we didn't try to catch a shark or two?
We didn't catch a shark, but we did kiss a shell's boo boo
 
Still no sharks, but we did find a minnow
Bedtime stories with DayDay are the best
I think if you asked Hudson, one of the best things about our place at the beach was that a firehouse was right across the street!
 
Everyone wanted to cuddle with the sweet baby
The men did get to do some real fishing, and look who brought home the bacon!  They caught enough for us to all have dinner together at Bistro by the Sea.
 
Our Painted Ladies made the trip with us
Don't look now, but there is a whale on your shirt!
 
What a fun game of Who is Faster?  
Daddy making the towers or Hudson knocking them over?
 
I guess we can call it a tie.  The Holmes men take 5 and cool off their tootsies
Next activity--Catch me if you can!
Harrison's idea of a good time on the beach
We had to get the sand off somehow . . .
 
Poor DayDay is in a very precarious position . . . Will King Hudson be a kind and gentle ruler of the baby pool, or will he be a ruthless leader?
 
All this fun wore both of the older Holmes men out.  Is there anything better than an afternoon nap with your best boy?
Somebody looks very comfortable
NO UNCLE JOHN, NOT YOU!!
 
Hudson found out that he actually likes pepper.  Next up, ketchup with his grapes . . .
 
Just a boy picking out his first boat
Ok, Uncle John, I'll give you a break for a few minutes from my wrath since you brought Christine and you all bought me my very own kite!  I love it!
 
It is time to let the butterflies go!!
 
One of the big reasons we ended up in Atlantic Beach was Len's wedding in New Bern, so we took a selfie . . .
back at home, at last