Mam-maw and Marilyn Come to Town!!

Mam-maw and Marilyn came to visit us in July, quite a treat since they hadn't been all the way here since we lived in Durham! We got together last summer in Atlanta, but we were glad to have them in our home and spend lots of time together. We worked hard getting ready for our family to come:

Cake to celebrate being together!

Blueberry coffee cake for breakfasts.

The boys and I made a welcome sign for our door!

Flowers and bath salts to welcome them... it's not every day someone drives 12+ hours to see you!

They arrived Wednesday afternoon, July 3rd, and we had homemade pizza, salad, and cake for dinner. We helped them get their baggage in and sat around and talked for a looong time that night. Also, the boys enjoyed jumping on the blow-up mattress we had put out for them to sleep on! 

Thursday morning, on the 4th of July, we had Runner's Camp! It was an especially rainy week, so we used that day to make up one of the previous days that had been rained out (there is usually no Runner's Camp on the actual 4th). I went to camp that morning while everyone hung out at the house. When I got back, a festive hot dog lunch was ready that we all enjoyed eating. We settled in that afternoon for naps and relaxing, then prepared for July 4th festivities that evening.

Playing outside before leaving for the 4th festivities.

Such a handsome boy... so thrilled that he and his brother are mine!

We ended up going to the Rolesville July 4th celebration, which was so much fun. We were all impressed and will definitely go back next year! We took a picnic dinner and a huge watermelon.

The girls

Cutting the watermelon

Henry with the free fireman hat the boys got

Mmmmm....

Henry with some goofy glasses at the Exchange Church photo booth.

They were taking pictures of people dressed in the July 4th accessories they had and sent them out later in the mail for free. We got the cutest picture of all of us!

The live music- Whiskey River. They were a great group.

Across the parking lot from where the food and music was, on the other side of the ball field, was a field with several inflatables and other kid stuff. It was fun to watch Charlie jump and play!

Jumping in the "little" jump house

Charlie went down this slide over and over and over. The guy running the slide didn't make us pay for the repeat slides! Here are Marilyn and Charlie going down.

Once again! Happy campers!

Disregard the woman in the front. Daddy and Charlie are at the top waving hi!

The cutest picture ever of these two. On the train!

Charlie's Choo Choo!

Henry throwing the ball around. Basically, this is how he entertains himself a lot.

After playing on the inflatables, we set up our blanket and chairs on the ball field to get ready for the firework show. We had lots of watermelon to eat and Bettra treated us to some strawberry lemonade that was awesome.

The boys had fun running around and playing, especially with Ashlyn and Bryson.

It was the perfect night for bare feet.

Such a sweet little guy. I love this picture!

Me and my love

After a spectacular fireworks display, we rode home (via Sonic, for some refreshment...) and went to bed exhausted but happy for such a great day.

Friday morning Jimmy headed to work and I headed to Runner's Camp, so Mam-maw and Marilyn had time alone with the boys. Bettra also treated me to afternoon grocery shopping by myself while she again stayed home with the boys during naptime. Once Jimmy got home, they all came to see me during my Olive Garden shift!

Saturday morning we got up and headed to downtown Raleigh to show them Pullen Park and the Farmer's Market.

Watching the balloon lady make balloons.

Both boys got one!

My family (minus Charlie who I'm sure was running around...)

Cheese!!

Enjoying the train ride around the park

Climbing! He loves climbing these days... 

Whee!!! Down the slide with Mam-maw...

...and Daddy!

The carousel that is beautiful but goes too fast... I'm glad Bettra wanted to take this ride!

Look at the ducks! It's so cute to hear him say "Quack, Quack!"

Watching with Aunt Marilyn

This was the delicious restaurant we went to at the Farmer's Market. Fresh seafood!!! Then we walked around, stocking up on goodies to take home, and finished off the afternoon with dessert.

Sunday Bettra came to church with us, even helping us in the nursery! She had only been there for our wedding, so it was neat to have her there. We cooked spaghetti for lunch and then relaxed for a while. After dinner later that evening we went to Lumpy's for ice cream and then watched The Hobbit.

Monday morning Bettra and Marilyn packed up, and we headed out to Cisco to meet Jimmy for lunch. We had a nice time there and then had to say good bye in the parking lot.

Getting kisses from Aunt Marilyn

Telling Mam-maw good bye

We knew we only had to say bye for several weeks, though, because I decided to take the boys out to TN to meet their cousins and the rest of their aunts and uncles!! The blogpost for that crazy-but-fun trip will be posted in a few days!