We're here! We're back! And we survived!

Hello my dear, faithful G-ville readers! I have left you all in the lurch and I so apologize. We've been having too much fun on our midwestern adventures and then back again in the lovely state of Virginia. How fantastic to return home, sigh deeply, and hear from one of the kids, "Mom, it feels good to be home." Yes, it does. Yes, it does.

But boy did we have a fantastic time!

Put aside the two urgent care visits--one for our little lady for an ear infection and stomach virus (she clued me in to the virus while in the waiting room at the urgent care clinic. I was expecting the ear infection and not the puke!) The second was for our T man, who had a severe case of tonsillitis and ear infection. Good news: this case qualified him for a tonsillectomy and mom can't get it on the summer schedule fast enough! I'm doing my tonsil dance!!

Put aside the other two and their bouts with the virus mid-week! Put aside the many wake-ups that come with children sleeping in different locations. Put aside the nosebleeds T has been having lately... Put aside some behavioral hiccups we had involving children and bugs and a photo shoot one afternoon. I swear, though, we really had a great time!! :)

Highlights for me included:

*spending time with my fam--they are the BEST support system a girl could want. This includes the extra time I had with my sis at week's end. She is a wonderful aunt to my kiddos and gave them such love. She also helped me to laugh through some pretty crazy scenarios while on the road! I needed humor!

*participating in a FLASH MOB at a First Friday event in my sister's town. We learned a dance to Dynamite by Taio Cruz and joined in the dance at one of the city's intersections! Too fun--wish I had pics, but I accidentally left my camera in my car. If you want to watch the event, check out the YouTube clip here. Pretty cool! I am in the second row on the right-hand side in the white skirt.

On the way back from the event, we had the fortune of watching a train pass...

And the boys tried their lot at putting out a few fires...

*seeing my girlfriends who are my HEART! Dinner Wed. night was so special. Loved seeing my girls. Then coffee on Friday night with good friends, Amy and Kati, took the cake. We stayed at Starbucks 'til 1am, when Kati and I had to BIKE home. lol. Needless to say, our journey involved Amy following us in her car, tons of laughter, feeling like we were twelve again, and, get this, being pulled over by the police!! lol. We needed to have blinking lights on our bikes. LOL. I could barely see riding home, I was laughing/crying so hard. What a great way to end the week!

MG and buddy, Griffin, at a friend playdate

My best girls' kiddos! All together for a playdate.

*time in PA to visit my grandparents and see my dad's extended family! We were there to celebrate the graduations of two of my cousins and it was so heartwarming to get the family together.

MG and her GP (great-grandpa)

M, Aunt Bon, and cousin A, getting to meet for the first time

My grandparents and their boy-heavy crew of great-grandchildren

They love pink as much as we do!

Overall, the kids and I logged 24 hours of driving time and managed well together. Our secret? The take-along potty. Never did I have to drag 4 kiddos out at a potty stop. We just did our business in the car, dumped our waste (and sanitized!!), and were on our way. Even after the DVD player went caput during our trip to PA, they were such troopers and never complained. I wouldn't have wanted to do it with any other crew. Love my guys!

And now we are home.

Home, sweet home.

Lookin' forward to seeing you more around here.

God bless,