memorial day weekend 2018

There is nothing better on Memorial Day weekend than sunshine, swimsuits, bqqs, and family! That was our holiday weekend in a nutshell and it couldn't have been any better! Although I will say that it started out a little rocky ... there seems to be a running trend with our trips to Meridian where someone comes down with something the day before. Last trip Nic had an ear infection and without fail, Liam woke up with a fever Friday morning. I packed all of our things hoping it would just be a 24 hour bug and thankfully it was. In fact, he woke us up at 5 AM on Saturday morning with a "Mom, Dad, I'm ready to go to Boise now!" haha so let's just say, we got a decently early start. 

We swam one of the days in a family friend's neighborhood pool and learned that Liam is in fact ready to take swimming lessons this summer. He was a little fish in that water, we couldn't get him to leave it! And then there was Lyla in her itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow striped bikini and alllll of her rolls coming out to play ... ;)

The weather was in the 70's but not hot enough for this little lady to love her first dip in the swimming pool. She cried when we put her legs in and I think it was because she got cold so my mom and I just chilled with her on a towel while the boys swam. 

If I haven't sung Nic's praises lately about what an incredible dad he is to our kids, here it goes ... he didn't just swim all afternoon with Liam in the pool, he took the time to teach him so many things. One of them being how to climb up and down this pool ladder. He showed him how to turn around backwards and feel his way down the steps to safely get into the water. He showed him how to plug his nose and hold his breath and encouraged him to be brave and put his head under. He worked with him on kicking his arms and legs as he supported his tummy. He is such a patient teacher and instills so much confidence in Liam. Love you so much Nic Williamson!

Besides getting to spend time with his dad, Liam's favorite part of all was splashing him, of course! 

Living his best life ... 

See how grumpy Lyla looks with her feet in the water. haha That and it was also too bright for her to see.

My Mother's Day present to myself ... matching bathing suits! You can bet it won't be the first time I will be twinning with my mini me!

My mom leaned over to me at one point while we were there and said, "what did we even do at the pool before we had these cute kids to watch?" to which I responded, "RELAXED!" haha I brought all of these toys for Lyla to play with while Liam swam and all she cared about was the zipper on the diaper bag. Go figure!

Besides the pool we visited the Village for some shopping! Liam has grown out of most of his summer clothes from last year so it was  great opportunity to get a few new things.

The Village was covered in flags for Memorial Day!

We also had a long overdue date to which we barely made it to 9:30 before returning home and crashing! haha #parentlife We got ice cream though and sat by a fire at the Village and acted silly together ... something I've always loved about him is his easy ability to make me laugh! 

On Memorial Day we dressed the babes in their best red white and blue! 

We played at a park with a splash pad. Initially having no intention of getting wet so we didn't exactly come prepared with a swimsuit and towel for Liam but sometimes, you just have to live a little. ;) 

He thought it was hilarious to go sit on the fountains and get his bum soaking wet.

They had this cute pirate ship pole where the flag buckets would fill with water and then dump down on the kids waiting below. The pole had this red button on it and Liam would press it over and over again thinking he was the one controlling the water dumping down. I've never seen him giggle so much and be so entertained! 

Lyla figured out how to clap on her own and it is the cutest thing ever to watch her randomly clapping and grinning away!

She has also become so mobile and so fast! We couldn't keep her on this picnic blanket or entertained by any toys. She'd book it across the blanket, on to the rug, and hurdle herself for my mom's cement patio. Look how proud of herself she is!

Nic and I played a couple rounds of bocce ball together in the backyard while Liam downed his 100th pack of fruit snacks. #holidayweekend at its finest!

Later that day we had a bbq with my dad and Edie! They took us on a walking path around their cute neighborhood and showed Liam a neighbor's chick and ducks. We visited the swing and the fountain where I captured this cute moment of Liam with grandma ... 

And Lyla showed off her teeth ... :)

We played in their backyard for a bit!

Lyla checking out Pa's goatee ... haha

Grandma and I hid balls all over the yard and entertained Liam with an "Easter egg hunt" for a bit and then we had a bbq together. 

I love celebrating holidays so much but my favorite part about them just might be that extra day off! 3 day weekends for LIFE!

To those who have, are, and will serve this beautiful country in which we are blessed to live ... we honor you, thank you, and love you! Happy Memorial Day! XO