Brandon's parents came for a very short visit in the fall. We were outside or masked all the time. It was hard on the kids, and quite cold too! Tom, Judy, and Brandon were all fully vaccinated and I had one vaccine, so we decided it was time for them to visit. Cousins A and A had been doing virtual school so they were able to come up as well. They arrived late on Wednesday night and went straight to the Airbnb down the block. It was hard for us not to see them.
Thursday (and Friday) all four kids did school as usual. They were all itching for 2:30 when the cousins would finally be able to come up and visit. The kids were so excited to see each other and be together again. The grandparents received lots of cuddles too. It was just so special to be together safely indoors.
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M: I love cuddles with Grandma Judy!
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T: Everything we do together is fun.
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T: We taught each other some piano songs.
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Take out food for the win!
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Huge amounts of chips and salsa! Yummy!!
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M: Don't worry, I had plenty of cuddles for Grandpa Tom too!
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The kids worked on a lovely gymnastics routine on the bars. The boys helped with some lifting.
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Two peas in a pod!
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When they are always moving, photos tend to look like this!
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| Teamwork! |
While the girls did flips, the guys played some ping pong!
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M: I still can't believe that A was really here!
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M: Grandpa is pretty intense and knows all the rules!
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On Friday we celebrated Brandon's 42nd Birthday! I am not sure how that happened because it seems like yesterday I was making a cake for his 25th Birthday! I guess a lot has happened since then. I sure am thankful he was born! It was a special blessing for his parents to be here for his Birthday!
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T: I made Daddy this card!
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Buttercup: I had to investigate the stranger in our kitchen!
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A family shot for Brandon's Birthday!
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The kids were thrilled to have sleepovers on Friday night since they didn't have to have school the next morning. The girls slept here. When I came home from my morning walk, this sight greeted me at the top of the stairs.
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T: It seemed like a good place to sit and read!
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The boys stayed at the airbnb and enjoyed lots of pancakes for breakfast.
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M: More cuddles... yes please!
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T: I love Culvers and sitting close to A!
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As you can see, she was much closer than needed!
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In the afternoon the girls did science and played at home while the guys went on a bike ride and played at a park.
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It looks like things were a little backed up on the slide!
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They made it to the bottom. Tom is a good sport!
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Parks never get old!
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The biking crew!
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After the bike ride we had another round of dental appointments. This time we were able to be indoors. Yes, Tom is still wearing a mask. Dentists have all worn masks for decades! They wear N95 masks every day with or without a pandemic! I think sometimes our brains forget than there are occupations who wore masks before 2020!
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| No cavities! |
The humans were thrilled to have the added company in our home. The feline members of the family were a bit overwhelmed. Four loud children and 100's of new smells after 13 months of little change was a bit hard on them. The picture below was the sight I saw as I searched for the cats at night. Under our bed, or rather inside our bed is their safe place!
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He looks cozy!
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On Saturday night all four kids slept over at the airbnb. Brandon and I had our first kid free night in 363 days!
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M and T: We both love Grandpa Tom's pancakes!
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It was fun to watch church with more people than just the kids!
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The church crew!
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Four focused kids!
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Great to have a cousin shot, even if they are mostly in PJ's!
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Judy had some other positioning ideas!
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A great crew! I am so thankful they have each other!
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Before they left they had to have a little wrestling session.
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Everyone takes down A!
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A pile of cousins!
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It was such a wonderful weekend with family. The time seemed to go very quickly. We are all hopeful to see each other again this summer.
