Guess where I've been?

Visiting the fam in DC!  We're home and happy to be here, but we had an awesome time.  It was our first time meeting this guy:

That's our new nephew, Lukas.  He was born February 23, making him just over 3 months old.  He is GINORMOUS. That's a 9 month size outfit he's wearing there. I have never seen sweeter baby fat rolls than on this guy.  His belly is perfectly round and great for blowing raspberries.  He is quite the smiler and loved it when I'd sing to him.  It was fun to be around a little baby again, but it did make me a little sad because Dean looks like an absolute giant person compared to Lukas.  (Even though Lukas is only about 10 pounds lighter than Dean.) 

Here's one of his face:

Totally cute.

We squeezed every drop of fun and activity we could get into our ten-day visit. I'd say we spent about  70% of our time outside.  We visited a really cool farm/zoo, complete with petting area where you  could feed a pig and give a lamb a bottle.  Dean spent 30 minutes chasing this rooster, screaming "Cocka-DOO!" Poor rooster.

We also visited the National Zoo, which was not as great as last time we were there. The elephant house is closed and it was so hot that a lot of the animals were not out where we could look at them.  We did get a free, um, biology lesson from some lions who chose the exact moment Dean looked at them to consumate their love.  Marcus and I tend to have an aphrodisiac-like effect on animals, as we have seen some sort of creatures copulating every single time we have ever been to a zoo or aquarium together.  The most memorable were the turtles.  That is not a good thing.

We spent a lot of time in the wading pool and sandbox where, naturally, Dean took off his pants. (Hence the lack of photo.)  The best was the day there was an open house next door for the neighbor who's trying to sell his house. Sidenote:  My MIL and I totally went to the open house, mostly so we could see the inside, which we'd heard hadn't been updated since the 70s.  I have one word:  GROOVY.  Anyway, a nice young couple was touring the backyard when suddenly they turned to their right just in time to see Dean streak by.  (Spoiler:  They didn't buy the house.)

Marcus's mom and dad re-did their basement a couple of years ago in time for Adam's first birthday party.  It is a toy mecca. There is an awesome play kitchen, a tent, tons of Little People toys, a workbench with tools and tons more stuff.  Dean and Adam had a blast down there.  There is a fantastic park with a nature center, playground and pond just down the road from the house, so we took many, many walks over there.  Know what we learned?  Dean is fearless.  He shimmied up one of those rope climbing things like it was nothing and went down the tallest curly slide.  He's so fast and so dextrous that he's hard to keep up with.  I'm so glad he's not scared to try things--he had a blast on everything from the swinging bridge to the monkey bars, with my hand never a few feet away, of course.

On Friday night, we took advantage of the park's free concert series and saw a fun Rockabilly group.  All three boys had a great time dancing and eating all the snacks we brought and the adults enjoyed listening to songs that didn't center around things on a bus going round and round. 

Marcus and I always try to squeeze in a date when we visit either set of grandparents. We usually go shopping, see a movie or go fishing.  This time, we had lunch at PF Chang's, which was hands-down the best Chinese food I've ever had in my life.  I had almond-cashew chicken and it was divine.  Marcus got crispy Sechuan beef that was sooooo spicy, but soooo delicious.  After our giant meal, we drove to the outlet mall and found a few deals.

One of my favorite things we did was visit Costco. (I know. I'm easy.)  Dean took a liking to a pineapple, which he carried with him for the entirety of our shopping trip.  I ate my way through the store, sampling smoked salmon, salsa, coffee, egg rolls and cereal bars.  Then we had lunch at the snack bar.  A hot dog and a drink is only $1.55. You can't beat that with a stick.

Speaking of food (Oh, come on, you knew it was coming), we ate our fill of favorites like breakfast gravy, French toast, flank steak, pork shoulder with sauerkraut, tacos and chicken with dressing.  I even made meatloaf for everyone one night.  Dean survived for nearly 2 days on 1/2 a scrambled egg, a mango and some craisins, which are his new favorite thing ever. 

One of my favorite things to do in DC is visit Airport Park at Reagan Int'l Airport.  It's situated right at the end of the jetway, so the planes head right for you, then take off right over your head. It's way cool.  The boys had a blast playing in the dirt, clapping for the planes and having a picnic with their Nana.

We also celebrated my mother-in-law's birthday and retirement!  She's been counting the days to retirement for about 3 years now, so it was fun to be there for her last official day on the clock.  We celebrated her birthday at home with a yummy cake from Wegman's.  Dean discovered blue icing and him am in luv.

It was a super fun trip, packed full of fresh air, calorie-burning outdoor activities, laughs and sweaty little boys.  It's nice to be home, but Dean certainly misses his partner in crime.

Comments

[Heather]

It sounds (and looks) like y'all had a terrific time!! So glad you were able to visit with family and I know Deano had a blast with his cousins. Ahh, isn't summer fantastic?? :)

[J]

So much fun!! It's wonderful that you all had that time together. Adam and Dean make a great team. Lukas is a doll. Can't wait to see y'all next weekend!!

[andifoo]

Hey, you're back! It seems like you've been gone a month though I know you haven't. :) Good to hear from you, chick.

Looks like you all had such a good trip! Love the pics - every one you post of Dean makes me think about trying for a boy (hubs be damned) and that nephew of yours just about did me in. What a cutie!

[eva]

Um, do you not have Costco in Alabama?! We love costco too! I've been to costco in Maui, Washington State, Oregon, and California as well as many Canadian cities and suburbs. Am that easy to please just like you!

Glad you had such a great trip. Jealous of the heat - I am wearing a wool dress (lightwieght but still, WOOL IN JUNE) and boots today and carrying an umbrella:(

[rkmama]

We missed you! So glad you had a fun trip. (And I refuse to accept that that (very adorable) baby boy is only 3 months. He looks about the size of Rowan at one year!)
"Cocka-DOO!" Dean just cracks me up.

[Elisa]

Oh my gosh! Lukas is adorable!

Your time in DC sounds lovely, with the catching up and picnic... sometimes living far from our families makes it even more fun to actually visit and spend time with them, doesn't it?

[Frema]

That sounds awesome! I laughed out loud at the mention of you and Marcus inspiring lust in the animal world. (Your mom...wait, that's just taking it too far.) I also love the idea of a ten-day vacation.

Oh, and Dean is such a big, big, grown-up boy! So handsome.