weekend recap...

Saturday morning, Jaden was busy in his room creating...i'm always impressed with what he comes up with

usually, we have issues when it comes time 2 destroy 1 of his creations - 2 either put the toy away or build something new...he gets very upset - wants 2 save everything because he's so proud of what he's built

but he totally made my day when i was taking his picture as he finished this one up...he goes "hey ma, can i take apart my creation in2 pieces?"...surprised, i tell him of course, i'm sure he has more ideas he wants 2 build...he then says, "& because if i want to, i can always make it again!"...he said it with such pride - like he was completely aware of the progress he's making! that's my boy! ;0)

Saturday afternoon, we went 2 the park 2 celebrate Deandra's 9th birthday

i already shared her iPod cake with u...she had a really great party too!
btw, isn't she gorgeous?!

1st, we had a cook-out...then headed over 2 the pool 4 some more fun there

Jaden finally conquered his fear of the diving board & took the plunge that day too! he's a really great swimmer, so i'm not sure y he was so scared...but once he did it, u couldn't get him off that board!

the girls gave it a try too - only they were wearing Bryan's life vest

the kiddos had a great time!
we let em hang out 4 quite a while, knowing it was the last time they'd b chilling at the pool this summer

Sunday, we headed to Maryland 2 visit Curtis' family...his Aunt Faye (his mom's sister) was hosting a cook-out in celebration of Labor Day & Curtis' sister's birthday

as soon as we got there, Aunt Faye put the girls 2 work picking the ripe tomatoes in her little garden

Grandma got lots of sidewalk chalk 4 the kiddos 2 play with too

& frisbee disks that Uncle Curtis kept having 2 fetch from the roof & outta the trees ;0)

finally, it was time 2 eat...i couldn't believe how well the cousins bonded in such a short little time!

Curt & i took a walk with all of em 2 the park

then it was time 2 come back 4 cake...uh oh, Kia's about 2 start something!

oh my goodness!

we had 2 get some group pics b4 we left

here's Aunt Faye, Curtis & his sister Kia, & cousin Jerrell

Kia & her girl Shaunique, with all 5 of their kiddos

our fam

Pop & Grandma with all the grandbabies (well, all the ones in attendance anyway - Curtis Jr & Corey couldn't make it, plus Curtis has another sister & a brother - they each have 2 kiddos as well)

time 2 head home...it's a 2 1/2 hr drive - & a good hour of that is on the DC beltway...but it was nice getting 2 go over the Woodrow Wilson bridge again
(this is coming from MD, in2 VA)

this bridge used 2 be a part of our daily commute when we lived in MD & worked in NoVa for 2 years...it was nice 2 see the improvements they've made, but i don't miss that drive 1 bit!!!

we got home just in time 2 get a fire going as it was getting dark...with Monday being a holiday, we decided 2 stay up late & roast some marshmallows

Curtis was busy helping my brother out with some painting on his farm on Labor Day...the kiddos & i did some organizing & packing, then took a trip 2 our new house 2 dust/sweep/vacuum & drop some stuff off...yep, u heard me right - we're moving again!

we just decided this last week & the details surrounding our move r pretty interesting...if u're my friend on Facebook or u follow me on Twitter, then u already know what's going on...4 every1 else, i'll make a separate post 2moro, letting u all in on the news ;0)

around dinner time yesterday, we all got cleaned up & headed over 2 Nana & Grandpa's 4 yet another cook-out! that's right - 3 days in a row...i think we're about grilled out! (get it? grilled out...ok, never mind ~lol~)

we did the normal fun stuff there...4-wheelers, climbing all over Uncle Joe (glad u're back in town brah!), just hanging out & having fun!

it was a great long weekend! but 4 some reason, it still didn't feel quite long enuff! ;0) we're back 2 the grind 2day, but no one wanted 2 get outta bed this morning - it was raining & the drops on our metal roof sound so nice...makes getting up that much harder!

what did u guys do 2 celebrate the holiday weekend?
did u cook-out as much as we did?!
;0)