The Wheels on the Bus

Tuesday, June 29th

After a good night's sleep, we headed to Jamestown for the day. It was very hot again. After looking around the visitor's center, we got on the shuttle bus to the glass blowing hut. With Brielle in a strong lead, we all sang "The Wheels on the Bus" on the way. The bus driver was cute and even made the wipers go "swish, swish, swish" as we sang.

We all loved watching the glass blowers create a beautiful vase. We stayed for a very long time watching that creative process, then , of course, I had to buy some of the creations. We then went back to the visitor's center and took a tour of Jamestown- the first white American settlement. We had an excellent and entertaining tour guide that made that area come to life. We explored the Archeology museum.

Shonna and Pochahontas

Captain John Smith

We then headed to Chick Filet for lunch.

We then all went back to the resort to swim in the pool there. It was fun to watch the kids. Brielle had a life jacket, so was free to swim by herself. She would dunk under again and again and again. She loved it. Nathan was fearless, jumping in and tormenting all of us by running around the pool. At one point we had that pool a stirring as we all tried to catch up to him- him outside, all of us inside the pool. Gabbi loved the water, and Caleb was so happy and peaceful there he actually fell asleep in the water.

Brian and Michelle made us pork barbecue sandwiches with salads and corn on the cob for dinner. Afterward, we had GNI and did foot massages and pedicures on all the girls. It ended up being just us five original Hintons in the room. We had such a nice visit. What fine women our daughters have turned out to be. This evening was a true highlight of the week for Daddy and I.

Other highlights of this day were:

1)At Chick Filet, the kids played in the play area after lunch. When I went in to watch, there was a father, screaming over and over and over and over again for his son Bo( that was his mistake- what kid named Bo is going to mind?) to come now, it was time to go. Bo wouldn't go. The dad wasn't able to climb up and get him, so there was a stalemate. Finally, little Nathan went to Bo and said, "Go to your Dad!"

2) After dinner, Kristen asked Nathan to pick up the cards strewn about the room. He carefully picked up each card, resting occasionally with his head on the floor (he was so tired). It was so cute to watch him determinedly obeying his mom.

Two thumbs up for a job well done!

Beach Day

Wednesday, June 30

Our goal was to leave by 8:00am to head for Yorktown beach. We did pretty well, and got there plenty early to get a good spot. We set up camp and enjoyed a fun day at the beach. Brian went running, Ken went walking, and Jared and Nathan went fishing off the nearby pier. It was a little chilly at first, but soon warmed into a very pleasant day. The kids(and adults) loved building sandcastles and playing in the sand. We visited, picnicked, threw a football, and swam a little. Jared brought his net and the kids loved catching crabs, shrimp, and other creatures. Brian and Blake built an elaborate castle with tunnels. At the end of the day, they invited Brielle and Nathan to destroy it. It was so fun to watch those kids immerse themselves in destruction. It was also fun to watch Gabbi "scoot" in the sand, leaving a little slug trail wherever she went

A Princess in her castle.

After showering, we all went to dinner at TGI Fridays where they sang "Happy Birthday" to Gabbi, giving an early start to her birthday the next day.

After kids were in bed, we played "Apples to Apples" in our room.

Gabbi wasn't sure what to think when all the workers sang "Happy Birthday" to her.

.Ice Cream is cold!

"Don't Forget Your Dad"

Thursday, July 1st

Gabriella's 1st Birthday!!!!

After a delicious "Mountain Man Breakfast" prepared by Brian and Blake, we headed for Yorktown (all except Jared, who took the kids on adventures closer to home). Yorktown was where the final battle of the Revolutionary War was. We watched a movie of the event, went through the museum and then on a walking tour of the town. We ate at "The Carrot Tree" restaurant for lunch, then some went on the battle tour and the rest of us (Daddy, Michelle, Gabbi, Me, and Kristen) went shopping in Yorktown. We went in a bead store and spent a good deal of time choosing beads for all the girls to make bracelets. Ken got tired and layed on the floor of the store and fell asleep. After paying for our beautiful bracelet-making supplies, we started for the door. The clerk said, "Don't forget your dad." It just cracked us all up, as he was still sacked out on the floor. She said she'd never had anyone camp out before.

Mountain Man Breakfast

Yorktown Victory Monument (the last battle of the Revolutionary War was fought here- Yea United States!!)

See the cannon ball in the wall. That is from the Revolutionary War. The owner of this house was a founding father- he signed the Declaration of Independence in this house. His name was Thomas Nelson.

We went back to Williamsburg where Kristen and Jared prepared us a nice dinner of Teriyaki Chicken and Michelle prepared Gabbi's birthday cupcakes. After dinner, we celebrated Gabbi's 1st birthday. She loved the presents, but wasn't much interested in the cake.

After kids were in bed, some went swimming while others had game night in our room.

A Day in the Park

Friday, July 2nd

We started the day with blueberry pancakes made by Brian and Blake. Jared and the kids had gone blueberry picking on Thursday afternoon. After breakfast, people worked on laundry, we had girls time as we made our bead bracelets and we watched The Netherlands beat Brazil in the world cup.

We then headed to Waller Mill Park- a gorgeous "heaven on earth" park where we spent the afternoon and evening. Most went out on the lake in canoes or paddle boats. Devin, Sarah, and Eva Morris (my sister, Joan's son) drove from Richmond to spend the evening with us- a huge sacrifice, especially considering Sarah had a 6 am flight out the next morning for Boise. It was fun to see the kids play together and enjoy a picnic.

Sarah and Kristen are due with their babies the same day in October.

I can almost hear Gabbi's cute little belly laugh when she slid down. She loved it!

Picnic rated 9.5

We then went to the flagship store of Yankee Candle. You gotta love a store that requires a map to navigate. It was a huge wonderland. I found my obligatory Vera Bradley bag there on clearance (I seem to get a new one on every trip) as well as a few other goodies.

After putting kids to bed, we enjoyed a last evening of games in our room.