Welcome Home, You Are Loved

While we were in Maryland last month, Erik's family hosted a welcome home soiree that was on the same scale of a small backyard wedding. The devil is in the details, as they say, and there so many little details that made it special. It was a beautiful summer evening leading into the Fourth of July weekend and it was wonderful to see so many faces.

Ironically, as with most soirees, we didn't get to catch up with everyone one-on-one, but it was enough to hug close friends and family that we sadly don't get to see very often. I didn't even get a picture of the man of the hour that night - woooooopsieeeees. I took most of the pics in the "calm before the storm" moment. Also known as the "before my hands are busy holding a beer" moment.

Thank you to Marian, Ingrid, Lloyd and everyone who helped plan for such a fantastic evening. I think we can officially say Erik has been welcomed home. 

Pennsylvania Treasure Hunting

I kick myself every time I leave Pennsylvania that I didn't take more pictures. I just think it is one of the most scenic places to come home to, especially in the spring and summer. The rolling hills, the lush farms, the wildflowers ... and it's all just so spread out. Nothing is piled on top of each other, save for the hay bales and manure. I sat on my dad's back porch and listened to an assortment of birds while I sipped my tea in the mornings. A cardinal would pop up now and then - surely a sign that my mom is there in spirit. 

I did take some pics on the day Uncle James came into town and went geocaching with us. I kind of dominated the geocaches early in the day (*brushing shoulder off), so I had to let the boys win some towards the end. Wink.

Taking a break to eat some ice cream and taunt roosters.

Happy to check off another found treasure on our geocache phone app.

Happy to have consumed ice cream (with a little to spare on the forehead, apparently).

Ice cream hug. Kids looooove when you get them ice cream.

James finds his first 'cache in the fence post!

More chicken taunting.

When did my little babies grow into little guys?

Love.

Let's Go O's!

While visiting the East Coast last month, we were wonderfully gifted with four club level tickets to an Orioles game by some dear family friends. It really was a great opportunity and Erik was so excited to share the Camden Yards experience with the boys. My mommy radar was on red alert ("The day after we get home from a beach vacation?! The game starts at 1:30, right at our normal quiet time?! It's an hour drive into the city?! We were just in the car 8 hours yesterday!"), but I told that voice to stuff it and get its panties out of a bunch. Once in a while I can do that and it pays off: we had a great time.

Sure, the boys were kinda funky and punchy at times, but it's nothing that some peanuts couldn't address. We owe at least four hours of innings due to peanuts. Kids love to shell peanuts. Anders wasn't even eating them, but we still let him do it because it bought us time. That, and a lollipops, hot dogs, french fries, soft pretzels... all the typical ballpark fare.

We also stopped by the visitor's center on Eutaw Street to pick up the "My First Orioles Game" certificates and absorb the excitement of a Sunday afternoon ball game. I'm used to my boys being the only ones in Orioles hats where we live, so there were some "Where's Waldo" moments in a sea of orange and black. Good news: we didn't lose the kids. 

Looking a bit dubious as we enter the stadium.

Turns out an 8 foot bird can cause fear in children.

Well, lookie here! Somebody got his name on the board! Thanking higher powers that the camera didn't pan to us - half of us would be picking boogers, the other half of us wiping at beers spills. 'Murica!

The O's did win and it also happened to be one of the quickest games in O's recent history - the power of positive thinking!

Peanuts.

Peanuts.

Charge!

Getting into the spirit.

High five with Dad!

The face of a peanuts and lollipop overdose.

Trying to keep it together to make a commemorative penny.

High five with the bird! The painted one, of course, after the other bird incident.

Going in.

Coming out.