Harrison's Sip and See

Where has summer gone? It is hard to believe that June and July have come and gone. The Holmes family was so busy in May and June bringing Harrison home and then taking a couple wonderful trips, that is has been so relaxing to spend almost all of July at home. This summer, the Kings Grant Farmer's Market opened for the first time. The best part of the Farmer's Market, other than the fresh produce, meats, food trucks, and more is that we can walk to it and then go to the pool afterwards.

Did we mention there was an ice cream truck??

July 19th was Julianna's birthday. And what a party she had!  They had an entire petting zoo in their backyard, complete with pony rides.  Now, if you have ever gone to Hunt Club Farms with Hudson and his parents, you know that we have tried in vain to get him to go on a pony ride.  Apparently, if you take a poor boy horse, paint his hooves pink and put his hair in braids with a bow, Hudson will actually ride him.  Who knew!

Do you like my hat?

Summer nights at the pool.  Harrison loved his first dip in the pool!

 

In other news, now that Hudson is in a big boy bed, everyone wants to cuddle with him--Lucy and Lola included!

Lucy liked all of Peter Pan, except for the whole tying Nanna up outside . . .

 

July 20th, Hudson started swimming lessons.  He cried the whole first week, but then was such a rock star the second week.  He has made great strides in his swimming thanks to Coach Mindy and he is so proud of himself!

 

There's also been lots of activity in the garden

Is that an apple or a tomato?

PomPom returned to say hello and lay some more eggs for us to raise.

Probably the highlight of the summer for Patrick was getting to see 311 with Mike (and JJ).  It had been 16 years since these two rocked out to their favorite band together. 

Uncle Mike and Harrison, love at first sight!

 

Patrick and Ashley always say that moving to Virginia Beach was the easiest move we have made.  The reason it was so easy is that we have such great friends here.  Case in point, Brittany and Lauren threw a Sip and See for Harrison (and us) while Mike was in town.  Thanks to them, we were able to get everyone together that we hadn't seen in a while to help celebrate Harrison being healthy and happy.  They did such a great job transforming our house into the perfect baby celebration!

Cappy even made a watermelon sailboat

 

Even though we said not to, the Konikoffs found Harrison the most perfect gift!

 

What is better than an impromptu dinner party at the pool with Brent and the rest of the Moses clan?  Not much, but holding a sleeping Harrison at the pool is pretty close, right Brent?

Hudson enjoying his corn on the cob

Hudson told Daddy that he wanted to wear his backpack and walk out by himself like a big boy.  Break out hearts, why don't you!

Hudson found Daddy's ship hat

Harrison's Baptism and First Trip to New York

Our beautiful garden

As our garden started to take off, we discovered that we were going to be able to harvest more than just produce this summer, we were going to be able to raise butterflies!  These very hungry catapillars were found munching away on our dill.  Turns out, they become black swallowtail butterflies!

 

Our black swallowtail chrysalis, once again named Pompom

Pompom, you are a beautiful butterfly! Hudson asked all day long if we could let him go, but Mommy was able to get him to wait until Daddy got home.

We soon realized that Hudson was ready to hit the potty training hardcore to get ready for school this fall.  Here he is focusing on pooping with the help of Lightning McQueen. 

 

What is better than a nice summer night date with your best girl?  Dinner at the Garafalos is always fun

 

We have also been enjoying summer nights at the pool.  Mommy or Daddy get in with Hudson and the other person gets to hang out with this cutie

Our morning routine is a little different these days as Mommy is still at home with Harrison.  Daddy takes Hudson to school in the mornings, but Harrison and Mommy like to help too.  Here, Harrison is carefully supervising Hudson's sunscreen application.

For the 4th of July, we all headed up to Auburn to celebrate.  Papa promised Hudson that he could drive the boat.

Finn is patiently waiting his turn to drive

Caitlin and Chris taking the boys for a paddleboat ride on the lake.

Even Harrison got to enjoy the fireworks on the lake.

 

Happy 4th of July!

The big boys were such good sharers!

Pretty girl!

 

Group shot!  The boys look so cute in their matching outfits.  Thanks, Grammy!

Grammy on nap duty

After the 4th's festivities were over, it was time to get ready for Harrison's Baptism. 

First step, a quick dip in the tub, or sink . . .

We are so lucky that Grammy and Papa were able to host Harrison's baptism and even luckier that Father Jim was able to officiate.  It is pretty special that the same man married us and baptized both our boys.

Harrison loved getting to meet the rest of the family!

We are almost ready . . .

Showtime!

Caitlin and Chris, Harrison's Godparents

All of the baptism excitement wore this big brother out!

After the excitement of the baptism, the best way to unwind was to hop on the boat and take a spin with Papa

And feed ducks with Grammy

And swing with your family

Here he is napping in his "nest" after a very fun day on the boat and eating lunch at Green Shutters

 

Hudson takes Mommy and Daddy for a waverunner ride.  He was a little hesitant at first, but quickly got the hang of it and soon had us going fast!

Honey Grandma wasn't able to make it to the house for the Baptism, so we brought the guest of honor to her

Love at first sight, she didn't miss a beat when given the chance to hold a brand new baby!

 

Holmes family parade into Mercy

Oh thank God, we made it inside all in once piece!

Everyone took a turn on Honey Grandma's lap!

 

 

Just hanging out with our backho at Grammy and Papa's

 

Back at the lake, the girls enjoyed being able to swim and chase rocks 

(yes, you read that correctly . . .)

 

Did I mention that we were really serious about potty training?

 

Once we got home, we couldn't believe how much our garden had grown.  Hudson was so excited to harvest our first tomato!

He couldn't even wait to get out of the garden bed before taking a bite!

 

In other news, Mr. Harrison is getting stronger by the day.  Not pictured is his first tummy to back roll!

More pictures of our garden

This summer, Hudson discovered pirates!  This discovery was first fueled by Peter Pan, then Jake and the Neverland Pirates, and finally with Pirate week at school!

ARGH!

Not sure what this was from . . .