Labor Day Weekend!

Brandon's family came and visited for Labor Day weekend.  We had been planning the trip for months.  When GG passed away there was some talk of canceling it since we just saw all of them, but thankfully they were willing to come and visit.  It was such a special time, made even better because the kids had seen each other so much and were eager to play together.  They arrived very late on Friday night.  Brandon and I were up late so we greeted them but quickly went to bed.  

Saturday 9/2/17

The kids were very surprised to see Grandma and Grandpa in the morning.  They thought that Tom and Judy were the only ones visiting.  

M:  I couldn't believe we were getting to see Grandma Judy again!

Adrienne and Chris and their family were staying at a local hotel.  They arrived later in the morning and the kids were super excited all over again!  It was so sweet to see and hear their joy in reuniting with their cousins. 

Shortly after hugs the boys went outside to play and the girls changed into princess dresses and joined them. 

Sweet Baby A is so grown up now.  Wow!

M:  It is fun to play baseball with A.

T: A and I love to be fancy!

T: We also love to pose!

T: We love to swing!

T: I wish A could live with us forever!

They rode bikes A LOT during their time here.  Things were a bit tricky on Saturday because we had 3 bikes and 4 kids.   At first T was very excited to share her bike with A and help her learn to ride, but the excitement wore off fast.  

T: I will give her a push Aunt Adrienne!  (and she did)  M: I shared my bike with A. 

After a bit of biking and biking drama we decided it was time for lunch.  We walked down to a new brewpub on the Lake and enjoyed a great lunch.  Our friends own it and it had just opened in August.  It was fun to see their dream become a reality and to share that with our family.

After lunch we decided to take a walk out to the lighthouse.  We all made it all the way out.  It was a cloudy day, but a great day to be on the Lake.  There was some sort of a a sailboating event going on and there were MANY boats to watch.  It was fun for the kids and the adults!

The whole family at the lighthouse!

Sailboats everywhere!

M: This is GREAT!

After our time at lighthouse we started the walk back home.  The smell of the popcorn store lured us in.  M was getting pretty tired and grumpy, but some popcorn cheered him up.

The kids all love popcorn, just like Grandpa Tom. 

After we got home it got a bit rainy.  The timing was OK as the kids found things to do inside.  They all decided to make projects with wood and they got out the rock-en-bok and played with that too. I was cooking up a storm upstairs.  It was a group effort in the basement!

T: First we pounded in nails...

T: Then we yanked them out!

A: Sawing takes FOREVER!

T: Aunt Adrienne helped me with my doll bed!

M: I wanted to try cutting the wood too.  It was really hard. 

T: My baby LOVES her new bed!!!!

After dinner and a bit more playing, then cousins and parents headed back to the hotel and M and T headed to bed.  

Sunday 9-3

We started the day off with church.  It was actually Brandon's first Sunday preaching after the sabbatical.  It was fun to have family with us in church.

Unplanned Father/Son Twinning!

After church our dear friends said we could use a couple of their bikes so that each kid could have a bike to ride.  What a wonderful gift!  

A made A LOT of progress throughout the weekend!

Grandpa Tom wanted to try the bike too!

T: I love this bike!

M: I need a bike this size now.  (It was way too big for him)

After lots of biking we headed to one of our favorite restaurants for lunch.  After lunch Tom and Judy took our kids to the hotel to swim with the cousins.  Brandon and I headed west to the wedding of a dear friend.  Brandon officiated and I was able to enjoy some kid free wedding fun.  We left right after the ceremony, but it was still a precious time celebrating friends.  The kids had a GREAT time at the pool while we were at the wedding.

T: I love to swim!

A fun crew!

Sometimes Grandpa Tom takes naps...

...and the kids try to sneak up on him to wake him...

... and he startles them and they play the game over and over again. 

Two tired guys!

The picture that screamed... "I need a lower dose of meds mom!"

Sidenote:  M was so tired and we realized that we needed to lower one of his meds.  He is much more alert now.  We are noticing the lower med dose for sure, but is wonderful to not have him so tired all the time.

Three kids on back of Adrienne!

A different combo!

T: I could stay in the hot-tub all day!

M: We loved jumping in!

M: We even jumped in holding hands!

After the time at the pool the kids and Grands came home and showered and were clean, dry, and in PJ's when Brandon and I got home.  PJ's didn't stop them from playing outside!

T: I learned how to push A on the swing. 

M: A and I couldn't get enough bike riding!

Tuesday 9/4: 

The day started off with time with Grandpa cuddles.

Tan kids snugging with Grandpa. 

As soon as the cousins arrived it was time to bike.  A came so far in her biking skills!

A: I am doing it!!!

Brandon and Adrienne took A and M over to our friend's home on Monday morning.  Our friends have some bike jumps and the kids LOVED their time there.

No Burley Carts this summer!!!

They all left at about 11:00 am.  We were sad to see them go.  It was so fun to have family around.  It is such a special blessing that the kids each have a playmate and they truly get along so well. What a wonderful way to close out the summer!!