Beach Trip #1 of Summer:)

We all know that I am a HUGE fan of the beach.  One of the things that we love most about the East Coast is our easy access to the ocean!  A couple weeks ago, Courtney and I reunited with the kids back up at the New Jersey coast at her aunt's beach house.

Although it was awfully COLD part of the time, we still had lots of fun.  We climbed a lighthouse, had a nice breakfast out, watched movies, went to the park, played on the beach, & survived life with five kids and the two of us.  Abby managed to get sick while we were there---I was thinking it was some major teething since she is 15 months AND finally getting her first teeth but once Andrew caught a fever the morning we were heading out, I knew it wasn't just teething.  Thankfully, it was a viral bug & didn't last long once we arrived home.  It was a fun week with our long lost friends and hopefully we get to see them soon!  

Here's just a glimpse into some of the pictures.  A lot are on my iPhone and I haven't managed to download them yet.  It's been a BUSY summer so far.  We arrived home from NJ, welcomed Grandma Rogers for a very short visit while she was out in DC working.  Then had a crazy packed week last week before heading to NC on Friday to visit my mom, grandma, sister & her kids!  It's been a WILD weekend & we return back tomorrow before flying out to Iowa for 2 WEEKS!  

I really should be sleeping but I'm savoring my only quiet moments of this trip to share some pictures with you!

Summer Days

So far a lot of our summer has looked like this...

And maybe a little of this...

And this...

We kicked off last Monday with not three kids, but FIVE, in this house.  I babysat all morning for a friend so she could run kid-free to the doctor.  Five kids under five but sometimes I find it easier to have kids over because my kids love having friends over & enjoy having playmates.  The rest of Monday was spent relaxing & enjoying a laid-back summer day.

Tuesday, the boys had tennis & met some of our dear friends at the park after.  The kids ran like crazy until the rain came upon us at around 1:30 and we rushed home to a quieter, rain-filled afternoon.

Wednesday, we hit the gym & store in the morning and headed to our friends in the afternoon for some more water fun & dinner for all.  It's always easier to kill long husband work days when you have a friend...

Unfortunately our battery light came last week on so Thursday morning we woke up and me and the trio headed to the car repair shop to get it checked out.  Trust me, when you take three kids five and under, you get the service you need and fast.  New battery is installed & we are ready to travel this week.  After we left, we headed to Subway to grab a quick lunch and to another fun park in town for a lunch play date with Aiden's classmates.  We miss seeing his friends (and the moms!) everyday!  The rest of the afternoon was low-key including a trip to the library for some new books.

And Friday, Aiden invited a friend over for the morning where we spent time in the pool, riding bikes, & just playing.  He left after lunch and then the kids and I scooted out to get ice cream and play at the park while our cleaners came to do their magic.  We arrived home back in the mid-afternoon to an amazingly clean house.  It was a BIG day because I was leaving for the weekend and Chris was playing Mr. SuperDad all weekend.  So I said good-bye to the wild & crazy kids before another wild & crazy adventure where Courtney and I attended our first ever blog conference.

Thankfully, Chris survived the weekend (and me too!).  He even got all three dressed & arrived at church early (which never happens & Abby even wore a hair bow & tights.  WHAT?!?!)    

Another fun summer week ahead as we are heading to the Jersey shore tomorrow for a few days of fun with friends for the kids and I!  This weekend, we are excited to welcome Meme Rogers for a VERY short, but sweet, trip out to DC:) 

Our First Week of Summer

Our first week of summer has come and gone.  We kicked off summer with a wonderful, wonderful visit from my mom, MeMe:):):)

 We had a great (but too short) visit with my mom.  And also were excited because Jill & Jack came down to visit for a few days as well.  Lots of cousin time and lots of grandma time is the perfect way to kick off the summer (plus a fun birthday celebration for Grandma!)  We took Grandma to the airport last Wednesday...boo, and then headed home to say hello to a full summer of me and the three kiddos.

We are starting to find our summer rhythm, but keeping three kids busy ALL day everyday is one challenging task.  I'm definitely tired by the time Chris arrives at bedtime!  We started off the summer easy with lots of play time, heading to the gym, & just enjoying the freedom of no school schedules or school routines.  

Fun in the Sun...

Check out our new play structure that I found from someone in the local mom's group.  Worth $100 to keep these kids busy and moving in our backyard this summer.  We have been toying with the idea of what to buy knowing that we are moving next summer (AGAIN!) & renting one more year, do we invest in something & if so, what?  And then, this popped up in my email!  I know Chris is glad that I volunteered for us to buy, disassemble, & reassemble...but we finally have something to climb in the backyard!

And it's perfect to slide into for our own "deluxe swimming pool".  Sorry northern VA but we can't afford to wait seven years on a wait list for the local pools.  Our backyard pool is as fancy as we can get!  

And having fun in the sprinkler.  We have been playing in water almost every afternoon!

Thursday was a rainy afternoon so we spent some time jumping in puddles waiting for Daddy to arrive home.  

And Friday, we attended our first Town on the Green concert in our downtown.  Music & takeout, the perfect night with the kids.  We are working on our DC/Northern VA "bucket list" in case our next move takes us to yet another new town & area!  Never a dull moment in the Rogers' life!

Looking forward to a month of great sunny weather, lots of travel adventures, & hopefully lots of happy memories!