We had a pirate party planned for Abingdon, but Hunter was and still is in love with super heroes. At a later posting I will have pics of his new big boy room, which is all about super heroes!
Hello captain America!
Looks better on Hunter, but moms have super powers of their own, Right?
I had a blast planning and preparing for this party. Hunter was really into pirates and wanted to have a pirate birthday party. We had all the guests come dressed in their pirates best and all the activities were a huge hit! We usually bring our jumper out for all of our kid parties. Santa brought this little jewel to Hunter 3 years ago and it has been a huge hit for all kid events we host. I am afraid that it may have to retire for his 5th birthday though. It has a 400 pound weight limit but it got a little crazy in there with 4-5, 4 and 5 year olds...especially boys!
Hunter trying to open his presents surrounded by his shipmates and crew!
It didn't take long for Lucas to realize the pinata was full of candy and exciting little treasures.
Hunter taking a swing. We had a pirate ship piñata filled with all sorts of goodies. The kids loved this activity and it took way longer than I thought it would to burst it open.
The end of our treasure hunt! Hoooraay for the loot bags. We had a really successful treasure hunt that went all around the house and ended with a treasure chest hidden aboard our cardboard pirate ship. I created a 3 step hunting adventure. I wasn't sure if the group was going to be able to do it, but they loved it and I could have added a couple of extra stops. Uncle Kevin was in charge of getting the loot bags on the ship once the hunt began I don't know who was running faster the kids to find clues, or Kevin to get the bags in the boat!
Clue number one and the kids are off to find clue number 2! I really enjoyed this hunt and watching all the excitement on their faces when they found all the clues.
My 3 favorite pirates!
Love these kids!
My pirate ship. I made a barn out of cardboard for Lucas's birthday so I felt pressure to do the same for Hunter's pirate party. This ship was HUGE!! It took a really long time and lots of begging to find folks to donate the boxes. If you haven't purchased a fridge in awhile, they all come wrapped in plastic, not cardboard. I have to give a big thank you to our local Lowe's Hardware and Holston Furniture for donating the boxes to create my ship. The kids helped paint and decorate it and it was lots of fun to play in before, during and after the party. As fun as it was to make, I don't know if I will tackle a project of this size again!
More views! Even had a captain's quarters with an inside door that opened and closed.
Pirate cake. Food City made this cake and they did a fantastic job!
Getting ready for the birthday song!
One day the Simmons and the Yo-Sims separated and we took a trip to the Jacksonville zoo. It was a fun trip and the boys loved seeing all the animals and riding the train and merry go round. I thought I took more pics but I guess not. 
Dancing at the Shops in celebreation of the fourth!
This year we splurged on a golf cart. It was so much fun and the easiest way to putz around the island!
What almost 4 year old doesn't enjoy a pirate kite?
One day I will show him how good of a hula hooper his mommy is!
Noelle and I ran the Fourth of July 5k the plantation sponsored. It was great fun and I came in first place for the women. Just needed to dust off the ole racing shoes!
After the 5K we decorated our golf cart for the 4th of July parade around the island. The kids loved it, but I think this year we should opt out of decorating and let the kids just watch and catch candy thrown by the parade participants!
Complete exhaustion! This is probably the best description of our trips to Amelia. We always have the most wonderful time. This year the kids were 1, 2, 3 and 4 so needless to say we were busy, busy, busy. The older boys have a blast playing together on the beach, riding bikes and just doing whatever it is little boys like to do. I think in this picture Hunter was acutally taking and afternoon nap. He is getting better and better and keeping up with big cousin Eli, but at the end of the day, he is still a year younger and a few bars lower in the energy department!
Lucas is was so much fun this trip! The last time we were here he was only 4 months old. He had a blast and loved the water, the sand and all the entertainment. He may be the youngest, but he has no trouble trying to keep up with the bigger kids. What a ham!
Fun at the playground.
As you could imagine the water temperature in Florida was perfection during July. In Abingdon the pool stays frigid all summer (my opinion, some folks say the cool temps are refreshing!), but the warm water was perfect for the boys. They loved it. Hunter grew more confident with his swimming everyday and Lucas had a blast splashing around and people watching.
Cuteness~I look at these pictures, since I am posting almost a year later and it is amazing to see how he has grown.
A favorite afternoon treat, ICECREAM!
Turtle watching.
I nice afternoon hike through one of the marshes on the island.
Tired and hot, but they are looking over the walkway at the hunderds of miniture black crabs that live down there.
Here they are. One day we will laugh at these pictures and the difficult time we had getting them!
Brotherly love..
Family..
Lucas decided fix his own breakfas and dumped the entire box on the floor!
Hunter turns everything into a sword, including a piece of driftwood. This is one of his fabulous smiles.
My boys LOVE pasta! Score one for me because it is super easy to make.
Usually while I am inside cooking dinner, the boys entertain themseleves on the back porch. This is so helpful, but only during really warm afternoons.
Double run and Hunter is not in the mood.
Cutie pie!
