Marshall Fam Vacation

We spent some good ol' quality time with Craig's side of the family in the middle of July, while Craigs brother, Matt and his wife and kids were out visiting from Colorado.  We had some crazy busy moments while everyone was together, and so much fun!  Ella and Isaac were in heaven playing with their cousins, and spending so much time with them.  We wish we were able to see everyone more often!  Here are some things we did:

The first weekend (July 7th) we went to Farmville to take our annual Marshall family pictures, celebrate cousin Christian's birthday, and play at Brooke and Dannys house.  We had a great time!  I will post the family pictures on the next post.

Christian opening gifts.  Isaac playing in the yard.

Ella and her cousin, Sydney on the tire swing.  What cute girls they are!

 

 The next weekend (July 12th) was our little Marshall family vacation weekend.  We spent a day at Virginia Beach, spent the night in Williamsburg, spent the next day at Busche Gardens Williamsburg (from about 8:30AM-8:30PM - Woo!), and from there went to Craigs parents river house, and spent the night and the next day there.  We had a ton of fun, the kids had very little sleep, and Isaac had almost no napping.  But it was worth it!  :)

Here we are leaving Charlottesville to get to the beach, and feeling pumped!

I wanted to get a nice picture of the kids smiling and ready to go, but it didnt work out that way... I like these better anyway!

 

Beach time.  All of the Marshall cousins.

That afternoon we drove to Williamsburg, showered, and let the kids go buck wild at the Golden Corral for dinner.  We got back to the hotel around 7:30... Craig had to do a conference call, and I took the kids down to the pool to swim with their cousins for a while.  They loved getting to stay up late with their cousins, and were seriously exhausted by the end.

Isaac and Grant playing in the pool.

The next morning we woke up, at breakfast at the hotel, and headed off to Busch Gardens as soon as it opened.  We had a great time!  There was lots and lots of walking... and heat... which makes things a little uncomfortable for a big old pregnant lady like myself - but I made it through!

On the tram, heading into the park

Ride time.

Isaac was pretty amazed by the first big roller coaster he saw.

More rides.

(Ella's first roller coaster)

And SHOWS!  Air conditioning, and seating... it never felt so good.  Here are some of the cousins with the Little Red Riding Hood characters.  Ella thought it was great.

... and Isaac was scared of the Big Bad Wolf.

 

 The next day was spent at the river house!  We relaxed, and just let the kids do their thing of the most part.  It was nice.  While there we took a little family canoe ride to the island not far from the Marshall's river house and let the kids play on the beach, draw in the sand, and look for shells.  Also, Ella went tubing with some of her cousins for the first time ever, and loved every second of it!

Nina, Ella, and Victoria, playing in the tube... and Isaac FINALLY getting a nap.

Craig teaching Ella and Isaac to fish.

They caught one!

Relaxing

Cousin craft time.

 Cousin chill-out-and-watch-a-movie-so-the-parents-can-have-a-break time.

The next week (a few days before they headed back home to Colorado) we had Matt and Janelle and their 5 kids over.  We got a couple of babysitters, and went out on a much needed date night.  It was SO nice to be able to really talk and spend time together with just the adults!  This will need to happen from now on!

We went to a local restaurant called Savour... and it was one of the best eating experiences I've had in Cville.  So for those of you who live here... check it out!

What a great couple of weeks spent with people we love!