Hotel Wheeler

Well, Luke had to go away for 2 1/2 weeks to do a training exercise in New Jersey, so Jack and I opened up Hotel Wheeler. I would surely rather fill our time with friends and family, rather than sitting here, staying up all night with my tazer in hand ;) The first week, my mom came to visit! It was such a fun week with the three of us. I think picking her up at the airport goes down as one of the sweetest moments. I put Jack down, just because I wanted him to walk over to her when she came through the gate. Rather, he got SUPER excited and screamed out..smiling and laughing. It was heart warming to know that he recognized her...it really started our trip off on the right foot. We kept busy the whole week, as I had a million and a half projects to still do around the house, and having my mom's hands to help was wonderful! She is no longer "Grammy", instead "Nana". I try to teach Jack all of his grandparents names, just by saying them over and over again..and "Grandma" comes out "Na-Na"...much like "no, no!" Here are a few pictures of her trip here:

Enjoying the beach ALL to ourself! We liked to go early, before Jacks nap and before it was too, too hot. So we set out at about 8, and stayed until 10ish. Barely anyone was there, which was glorious!

Love this picture, especially the sky!

Even walking in the sand, which is a lot more effort than the concrete!

"Helping" around the house...not so much.

This picture captures the mischievous side of my little guy...I love it!!

We went for a nice swim!

Taking a break at Colonial Williamsburg..

Jack and I watching the sheep eat their breakfast!

This picture looks like it belongs in a magazine...minus my arm holding Jack on the fence..HA! I might edit that out!

The onlyyyy problem when Grandma comes to town is...well, she lets Jack make MANY messes. I ran into the jeweler to take care of my crushed engagement ring, and came out to find THIS! Needless to say, we picked dirt from under his finger nails for days.

                                                 

The bridge opened one day while we were at the beach. Through it came a Navy Ship..it was so cool!

If you look closely, you can see the Sailors lined up at attention..

Some quality time for Jack and myself with my Mom was special, one of those times you lock up in your heart and treasure forever! 

The following week my friend Melissa and her little guy, Colton, who is 3 months older than Jack, came to visit. Melissa and I met in North Carolina..lets just say..back in our prime! Both vibrant Kindergarten teachers, both taking 1-2 classes a day after school at the gym.. We now meet up, both run down, exhausted Mom's with wet hair and bags under our eyes. So funny! :) We had a great visit- it was so nice to have some "girl time" after the boys went to bed... We spent the week going to the Splash Park, the Bounce House, the beach..and we even squeezed in a trip to TJMaxx..ha, which lasted until the goldfish were all eaten and then we had two screaming boys in the middle of the store and we just looked at each other..I said "abort?"...haha!

..and while of this nonsense was going on..THIS beauty was being slapped up in our backyard as a big birthday surprise for Luke!! 

Luke has been talking about a firepit since we moved in, as we have a large wooded back yard..and it just screamed "BUILD A FIRE PIT HERE".  He loves it, and I was pretty excited with how well it turned out, but am more excited for s'mores whenever I want ;) Don't let the picture fool you, there is a LOT of yard work to be done around it.. The planning of it, and organization of materials was no biggie..it was dealing with the contractor who called me every day, five times a day, and said this " Umm..Miss Melanie, this is _____ I need me some money so I can get some gas" or..." Miss Melanie, let me run out back of my house real quick and see if I have some color for concrete, but I'm in my underwears..hope my neighbors don't mind seeing me in my underwears." Good times!

It worked out nice b/c others were also able to participate and buy Luke bday gifts to enhance "The Pit". The Tracy's sent skewers and moonpie/smore makers- Hallelujah! My parents bought Luke the chairs, and my brother and Jenna sent us a table, the tiki torches and a really cool citronella candle! Luke also came home to a package from his parents and the Campbells which consisted of a personal Beer Maker. No kidding, I think he loved it more than the fire pit! :)

Jack and Daddy both saying "Oh wowww"...Luke "wowing" at the beer, and Jack "wowing" at the box and mess!:)