Joshua's First Vacation

There were many great celebrations in this past week:

• Mommy's school year ended (summertime!!) -  she also celebrated her birthday
• We took a trip to Washington DC to celebrate cousins David and Jacob's B'nai Mitzvot (they did an amazing job) - we also got to celebrate with so many cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, etc.
• We celebrated Papa's birthday
• Derek attended his first day of summer camp!

Needless to say, this post may be lengthy...but we think it'll be worth it!

Going back to last week...Mommy had a bit of a cold (naturally, the boys got it, too).  Josh was still smiles (even if he didn't feel great, and had to get his 6 month immunizations)!  Derek didn't join us at the doctor's this time around, but he still was happy thinking about Dr. Cohen!

6 month check up

Happy not to get any shots!

At 6 months old, Josh weighed in at 17 lbs 14 oz, 26.3", and has a head circumference of 41.9 cm.  He's growing well (especially his polkies)!

Mommy was surprised by her colleagues as they helped her celebrate her birthday!

Derek, even a week later, greets Mommy at the door with this huge balloon and says, "Happy Birthday, Mommy!  Do you want to hold your balloon?  Here Mommy, have your balloon!"

Joshua continues to try new foods.  At this point, he's not super excited about the food.  But, he tolerates it:

Could you see how sick he was...look at the watery eyes.

Poor Guy!

The boys helped pack for our trip to DC:

Derek picked out clothes...

...and Josh tried sitting up!

Thursday night...we were off to DC!!!  (This was Joshua's first vacation and first ride on an airplane 6/6/13 at 6 months old)!

The boys were tired and "rubby" before we even boarded.  All in all, they did pretty well.  But the last 20 minutes were a struggle (to say the least)!

We finally made it back to Safta Mildred's apartment (thanks Uncle Alex for picking us up at the airport in the crummy, rainy weather)!  Both boys (or should we say ALL the boys), were asleep by 11:30!

Josh is all snuggled up in the pack-n-play.

Derek got to sleep with Daddy!!!

The next morning, the boys were happy to be well rested and in DC!  We had planned on going to the National Zoo, but since the remnants of a tropical storm were passing through DC, we decided to hit up a Smithsonian Museum (or two).  We decided on the Air and Space Museum (and ended with a delicious lunch at the American Indian Museum).

Derek started the day by making Safta a fresh cup of tea.

Then it was to the Metro (Josh's first ride)!

An umbrella would've been wise...guess we're not too wise!

Once inside, Derek really loved seeing all of the space ships and planets and stars!  At first, Derek was concerned about going into the museum because he didn't have his "bouncy shoes," aka his moon shoes!

Daddy took Derek inside a space ship!

3-2-1 blastoff!

Checking out the Apollo missions.

Josh was at the edge of his seat stroller!

Aaron was able to join us downtown, too!

After Derek's space books he always says, "I want go to Jupiter!"

Derek fell asleep during our walk over to lunch (yes, in the soaking wet rain)...and, yes, he's Tebow-ing in his sleep!

Group shot, with Amanda, as we go our separate ways!

Then it was back to Safta's for some afternoon "tea."

We snazzied ourselves up for the Sorensen's Shabbat Dinner Celebration:

I clean up well, don't I?

Two cuties!

Guess who fell asleep on the way there?

This NEVER happens!!!

Yup, both of them!

But, as soon as we arrived, we were awake and ready to celebrate!  Derek was so excited to play with David, the Bar-Mitzvah Boy Man!

Derek immediately bonded with his cousins!

Zachary and Rachel were great with Josh!

They just loved playing with their cousin!

He was pretty fond of them and Caleb, too!

A family barucha!

Some family is more appealing than others...

Cousins table!

Caleb helps Derek tie his shoe, while Jaden looks on for support.

Hugging cousins.

Derek plays with the other Bar-Mitzvah Boy Man, Jacob!

Josh may not be old enough to eat at the cousins' table, but that's probably a good thing, because he didn't seem too willing to share his bottle, either!

The hostess with the mostest!

Andrea, like her kids, couldn't get enough!

It was a wonderful event and we truly enjoyed spending time with our beautiful family.  But, when in the DC Metro Area...there's more where that came from!  So, we went to stay with some family "on the other side!"  We stayed the rest of our nights at the Marshall's house.  Thank you Lori, Eric, Eli, Abby, Orli, and Leah for entertaining us all weekend!!!

Our Friday night arrival:

Josh is totally entertained by Orli!

Eric is "in the zone" feeding Josh some peas (Orli seems as excited about it as Josh).

Abby is already "cooking" with Derek!

Derek was so excited to have so many new toys (and cousins) to play with!

The next morning we played and dressed for the big B'nai Mitzvah!

First Leah helps Derek with his artwork.

Derek is picking us up for Temple.

Cousin Judy is excited to meet Josh!

Grandma and Josh, reunited after days apart!

Leave it to Derek to keep the butterflies from entering Jacob's body!

Jacob, Derek, and David right before the ceremony began.

The Great Grandma's are ready to celebrate!  Mazel Tov!

Yet another sleep sesh in the car (we swear this never happens)!  His cousins sure have a way of wearing him out!

David and Jacob did an amazing job and the reception afterwards was phenomenal (including an amazing video montage).  We were so lucky to be there to celebrate with everyone!

Then it was back to the Marshall's for some relaxation and play time:

Josh worked hard at sitting up on his own (he pretty much has it down, now)!

Josh with his girls (Orli, Leah, and Abby)

He was all smiles for Cousin Lori (the original Lori Barbag)!

He liked cuddling with Orli, too!

These boys were so lucky to be surrounded by such great cousins!

And it was like this all weekend long!

Check out the height Derek got, thanks to Abby's big jump!

Making himself at home with a snack on the rocker.

Derek pays special attention to Abby's Violin skills.

In two seconds, Derek has found more toys!

A very special THANK YOU goes out to cousin Eli, Uncle Sam, and Aunt Sandy for babysitting for the boys while Mommy and Daddy enjoyed themselves at David and Jacob's Bowling Bonanza!  It was so much fun!  (Mommy out-bowled Uncle Alex and Daddy, scoring 135 and only missing 9 pins the entire game)!  She had not bowled in years, so she was happy (and extremely surprised) with that!!!

The next morning, we headed over to Aunt Sandy and Uncle Sam's for a brunch (and birthday celebration for Papa)!

Everyone had on their "cool" shades on the way to the Barbag's home.

Grandma and Josh snuggle.

Cousin Matthew is excited to meet Joshua!

Josh is still enthralled by Abby.

Eli shared Uncle Sam's awesome train set with Derek!

Josh was excited to sit with such a superior softball player (Eric had a great game that morning)!

Derek was happy to celebrate with Papa (unfortunately we don't have a shot with the birthday boy).  But, Derek could not eat his cupcake fast enough!

After brunch, we headed back for a quick nap.  Lori Marshall took some amazing shots of Joshua, our little moustachioed man:

Such a serious fellow

I mean, seriously, could this kid get any cuter?!

Then we headed downtown to have a BBQ with the Godfathers, Aaron and Eric!

Derek confides in his Godfather.

Daddy and his boys.

Eric helps Derek give Pequod a treat.

Josh chills with his Godfather.

Derek and Peq "dance" to the drummers in the park!

Josh likes the beating of the drums.

Someone - Get this kid a dog!

"Family" shot!

Yet another successful (tiring) time out!

Too bad he missed a bunch of deer on the drive back!

 The next morning we packed up, had a quick lunch with Safta, and then headed to the airport.

Thank you EVERYONE for such an amazing weekend (and for wearing out our boys)!!!  We all had a wonderful time!

Last flight home = great success!  Derek was happily entertained the entire way home and Josh slept on Mommy for more than half of the flight!

We had a great time, but it's also nice to get home.  Derek did everything he could think of to stay up later on the first night back, including walking out of his bedroom and saying, "Daddy, my ankle <points at elbow> hurts.  I cannot go to bed.  I need to watch an episode.  It will make it feel better."

Let's just say...we need to get back into our routine! :)

Derek helps Josh get comfortable with his bed sheet.

Derek, ready for camp.

We know there are plenty of photos from others floating around out there, and we cannot wait to relive the weekend through those shots!  Mazel Tov, David and Jacob...you guys did great!