Williamsburg Pt. 3 & Pt. 4

 Our last day at Williamsburg we join the RevQuest.  This is a mystery of sorts where you text for clues to your next location.  To let others know you were participating you were asked to wear the bandana. 

 After the first stop, the boys went ahead to the next while Ella painted and play stick and hoop on the green

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 After another wait for the RevQuest, Ella was able to write her name with a quill pen.  She enjoyed this.

 We had to meet a greyhound that gave us more clues to finding out the conspirator.  She made us laugh.  She was the first person to point out that your heads were out of your pockets.  Look at Garrett.  He was called out twice this day for hands in his pockets.

 Reading the last clue in the prison.  Seth is trying out the facilities in the prison.   A hole in the wall "really".

 Will was the end to the celebration that we had accomplished our task.

 The Weddines receiving their prize on stage.

 A little Williamsburg lacross

 The last day we had saved for driving to Virginia Beach.  We had to drive about 1 hour and a half to get there.  The highlight of the trip was the tunnel under water.  AHHHH!  I was a little anxious.  We were able to do it twice - going to VA beach and driving home from VA beach.  The bridge-tunnel was 3 miles long.

 The traffic to and fro was bumper to bumper.  What is up with that I have no idea but we moved at a speed of 35 to 45 mph. 

This was a fun, relaxing vacation.  Slow pace, not rushed and really felt like a break.  Any vacation with the Weddine crew is fun and exciting.  Love building memories.

Williamsburg Vacation Pt. 2

 It makes me smile when I see this - I love when they are watching the same thing and to hear their conversation about what they are seeing.  Warms my heart.  

 Making in the kitchen with some hands on work.  Ella made it over to help set the table from what the boys were cooking.

 Off to games in the courtyard.  I love how Williamsburg has plenty set out for you to do but do not make you do it.  That way you enjoy some family time, conversation, and fun together.

 This can't be a bad thing right??

 We watched plenty of reenactments during our time.  This is one of the many we saw.

 Rifles

and cannons.  The boys loved this.

Our second day was much slower than the first.  We tried to catch the reenactments and pool and fun at the resort.

Williamsburg Vacation 2012

 DAY 1

We decided back in March that we would be heading to Williamsburg, VA for vacation.  These are the events for the first day of touring.

Games on the Green were the first touch of what we were in for at this place.  Garrett is playing Trap Ball.  All the kids loved this game.

 We decided to take a Kids Orientation Tour to kinda help familiarize ourselves with how Williamsburg worked.  This kids are playing on things of old while we wait.

 On our travels, we met Will.  This guy was to fun. 

 Another thing we signed up for was The Apprentice.  This took the kids through three different trades of old.  It was really hands on.  They visited the Silversmith.  They were able to make silver spoons.

 Next was the printing press.  Ella and Seth were able to print on a paper and bring it home.

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 The last stop of The Apprentice was the Milliner shop.  Ella enjoyed this but Seth loves to sew buttons. 

 After touring three shops, we headed to the brickyard.  We were able to "mush" in clay to help the brickyard.  I really was in the "mush" as well.  Oh my!  this took a lot of encouraging for me to do.  YUCK.

 This is how you washed your feet when you finished.  Let me tell you.  I had socks and tennis shoes to put back on after mushing and washing in the lovely pool of water.  No towel, no tissues, nothing to dry my foot. 

 We had a few snack breaks

 Anytime they decide the other one is getting on their nerves, I am going to show them this picture. 

 After a full day at Williamsburg, we came back to the resort to swim and play mini golf.  As we were playing, we saw the deer right in the field behind us.  Too cool.  Ella wanted to be sure Jeff had his gun.

 The sunset as we played mini golf.

 We parked at the visitors center each day and rode the bus into the plantation.  Ella loved not having a car seat or seat belt.  It's the little things in life that make us smile.

July 4th Celebration

Little late but have to share.  We enjoy going up to our little town celebration.  I remember doing this as a child so it's really neat to now be taking my children.  Unionville has games, rides, food, music and a parade (with every fire department, tractor, 4wheeler, and horse around). 

My boys think they are too big to enjoy this so Ella and I go together.

 

A highlight for Ella is the face painting.  One year we stood in line 45 minutes for this.  We did great this year.  Only 10 minutes of waiting.

 This girl discovered Funnel Cakes a few months ago.  The best part is the powdered sugar.  Yummy!

 Ella made cupcakes to take to Noni's

 Another tradition of ours, painting toe nails to celebrate.

 After enjoying the community fun, we head to Noni and Papa with the rest of the family to swim, cookout, homemade ice cream and enjoy the fireworks

 Above:  Ella and cousin Mallory   Below:  Seth, Garrett, and cousin Will

Changed clothes and ready for sparklers, glow sticks and fireworks

 Seth pretends to be a ninja every time we do sparklers.  Dad brought his new chair to the firework viewing party.  Not to bad

 July 4th is an incredible celebration of freedom.  I love the fun, fellowship and family that comes with this special day.  The best part is dad is off of work and can be with us all day.

Ella is a Ridin'

Well this little one has been on her dad to ride the 4 wheeler.  Jeff was not to happy about it.  The day had finally come for her to ride.  These were the laps we took together for me to explain to her what to do.

After trips around the yard, off she goes on her own.  

 

This little one rode and rode.

She decided to take a break, a thumb break.  She said that is was hard work pushing the gas with her thumb so long.

She was so proud when Mr. Mike and Mrs. Jeanne, our neighbors, came over to see her doing this "BIG" thing.  They have been our neighbors since we have moved in 12 years ago.  We have seen their kids grow up and vise versa.  

This is Ella talking to Mr. Mike about the 4 wheeler.  

Mr. Mike and Mrs. Jeanne gave this 4 wheeler to Seth a few years back.  He said keep it and ride it.  Their children are now 20 and 17 so cars are more important.

Fun time in the summer.