Grandparents are the greatest!

Holy smokes!  It has been more than three weeks since I posted last.  During that time, we have had visits from Nana and from Gramps and Grandma.  Debby/Jed's mom/Nana came to visit us from April 8-21.  She had a conference to attend during a few days of her visit, but the rest of the time she spent with us.  She generously let us use the pool at her hotel while she attended the conference.  It was Hosea's first time in a swimming pool and he LOVED it.  We predicted he would because of the sheer delight he has when splashing in the bathtub.  Some highlights from our time with Nana: a trip to the National Zoo, Metro ride on a stormy afternoon to Crystal City Underground shops (which were closed by the time we arrived, but we still got to enjoy a nice dinner together there), several walks around Falls Church with the boys, admiring the beauty of spring, Bethany & Hosea watching Nana and Jed play tennis together, a trip to Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets, a trip to IKEA to purchase Hosea his first real crib/toddler bed and enjoy their delicious cafeteria for lunch, Palm Sunday service at The Falls Church and a yummy Italian lunch at Pistone's afterwards, and lunch at Great-Aunt Rebecca and Great-Uncle Arlyn's house.

On our way to the National Zoo with Nana

Cousin Cam with his Grandma and Hosea with Nana



Enjoying the pool at Nana's hotel - it was Hosea's first time in a swimming pool and he was in heaven!

Dinner at a restaurant in the Crystal City Underground shopping area

Enjoying spring beauty after Jed and his mom played a game of tennis

Gary & Nancy/Bethany's parents/Gramps & Grandma visited us from April 28-30.  Originally, we planned to see my parents over Easter weekend.  They were staying at a timeshare in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and invited us to join them.  About three hours into our journey to Myrtle Beach, we learned that the timeshare did not allow dogs (even on the premises) and we had Caesar and Poncho with us, as usual.  Bethany's parents generously offered to end their vacation at their time share a few days early and drive to Falls Church, VA on their way back to Wisconsin from Myrtle Beach.  That way, we wouldn't have a stress of finding alternative care for our dogs, we wouldn't need to continue our long road trip with a kiddo who dislikes the car, and they would still get to spend time with us.  We were bummed about not getting to spend time at the beach, but it ended up working out to be a blessing in disguise.  We called Przemek, my Polish brother, who is in the Navy and stationed in Norfolk, VA, and he was going to be around the following day.  So, we spent the night in a motel in the Petersburg, VA area and then drove to Norfolk, VA the next morning.  We got to spend a few hours with Przemek, getting a tour of the Norfolk Naval Base and more importantly, a tour of his ship, the USS Gonzalez.  It was amazing! 

Przemek giving us a tour of his ship, the USS Gonzalez

"Your picture taking is distracting me from important work." - Hosea

All three of us trying to cram into Przemek's bed - I couldn't even bear to watch :)

Przemek told us that we were only 20-30 minutes away from Virginia Beach, so we decided to stop there on our way home.  Hosea got to experience an East Coast Beach after all!  We drove though the touristy area of downtown Virginia Beach, but actually got out and walked the beach just north of town.  It was a beautiful day.  Hosea LOVED the beach...the waves, the textures, the wind, and mostly...the sand.  He successfully ate and swallowed an entire fist-full of sand.  Wow!  We arrived back in Falls Church Saturday evening and were able to enjoy Easter service at our home church here, The Falls Church.  It was a wonderful weekend, despite the change in plans. 

Hmmm...this beach has sand

AND water...

YAY!!!!!

This is the best!

A fist full of sand goes in the mouth

Not bad

What a fun family afternoon!

Celebrating Easter!

Grandma & Gramps arrived on Thursday late afternoon (April 28th).  We had a great time with them.  We enjoyed a family dinner (with all members in our house) on Thursday night.  Hosea and I went shopping with Grandma on Friday morning.  We looked for a dress for my mom to wear to my brother's wedding this summer and we found a great one.  While we were shopping, Jed and my dad visited the National Air and Space Museum in DC.  We met up with them later in the afternoon and enjoyed lunch and a walk around the US Capitol and the Supreme Court.  We also walked around the Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress, which was really spectacular.  We enjoyed Memphis-style BBQ take-out for dinner and crashed after a busy day.  On Saturday, my dad and Jed worked on building Hosea's first crib (which converts to a toddler bed).  It is a super cute, practical one from IKEA.  My parents and Jed's mom gifted Hosea this crib for an early birthday present.  Hosea was getting a little too long for his port-a-crib, so it seemed like the right time to get him a new bed.  I found some clearance fabric at IKEA and our Aunt Ann Hoppe, whom we live with, created a beautiful duvet cover, top sheet, and matching pillows out of it.  It looks so wonderful! Hosea is really enjoying his new bed.  He still wakes us every two hours at night, but he is enjoying those two hour stints of sleep much more.  :) 

Hosea & Grandma walking through the outlet mall

The ceiling of the Thomas Jefferson Building - Library of Congress

Outside the Capitol

Jed & Gramps building Hosea's new crib

With Grandma & Gramps next to the new crib & bedding

Hosea loves his Gramps!

Hosea loves his grandparents and I think the feeling is mutual.  :)  Jed and I have also enjoyed having our parents around.  Their presence is a gift.  We are so thankful for parents who love the Lord and who love us so well...more than we deserve.  A big thank you to Nana and Gramps & Grandma for visiting us.