Cousins Reunite!

 Brandon's parents came up to visit in May for Memorial Day weekend.  We had a jam packed weekend of fun, but of course that was over two months ago so I am not sure I totally remember all of the events of the weekend.   They arrived on Friday afternoon. We only have one picture from that day, but I am pretty sure we played, ate, and stayed up late!  This time everyone stayed at our house, so it was one big party from Friday until Tuesday!

Friday night happenings.

On Saturday morning the girls were going early in the basement.  They made up a routine that we recorded and really enjoyed doing the ninja course together.

Two cuties!

M: I just love to style men's hair.

This is his classic look for Brandon.

Cousin A was very brave on the rollerblades.

 

While the girls were rollerblading, the guys went to the school to do some track and field.  Big A is in cross country and needed to train and M tried to run too.  It was a very chilly weekend.  M just decided today that he wants to be in cross country this fall too.

M: Long jump isn't easy.

When they finished rollerblading it was time for more swinging and flipping.

Go Grandpa Tom!!!

On Saturday I received this photo of my brother and his bride!  He got married in Las Vegas!

On Saturday afternoon we learned about pulleys.  We are very thankful for a science expert in the family.

Everyone had ideas.

T's muscles at work.

Can we work together to lift Grandpa?  They did for a second. (I thought it wasn't a great idea) 

Time for some ball at the park!

Tired kids and the end of a full day!

Sunday was packed with adventure.  We started the day with church.  It was fun to see the kids together.  T has on some pretty high heels which allowed the girls to look close in height.

A precious view!

After church we did a photo shoot.

Cousins!

I love this picture!

The kids wanted to do a fun pose.

This one was a bit shadier.

Silly kids!

The rest of the morning was spent eating the church snacks and relaxing. 

T: Who doesn't love Big Nate?  (me)

When Brandon came home from church he got involved in some intense whole group wrestling.

M's all in!

Brandon is victorious.

After lunch the girls and Tom checked out a new park. 

Then it was time for Frankie's Ice Cream!

 

 

 

 

 

The whole crew.  It was a bit chilly for ice cream, but that stopped no one!

After the ice cream we decided to walk down to the lake.  The girls were very fascinated by the fish cleaning station and asked the family MANY questions about the process.  Judy and I took the boys to the park where they were playing and wrestling endlessly.

T: It was a bit smelly, but fun to watch!

Cousins!!!

While taking the photo above I was reminded of a photo taken MANY years before just about a mile down the beach.  We decided to do our best to recreate the photo.  How do you think we did?

Memorial Day 2013?

Memorial Day 2021... a bit bigger!

What a beauty!!!

Skipping rocks.

Working together on something exciting I am sure.

Searching for the most round rock.  I am pretty sure I won.

After time by the beach we all went to the park together.

Getting dizzy together.

It takes some teamwork for Brandon to be moved. 

Climbers have to climb!

T isn't the only climber in the family.

So much wrestling!

A cold campfire which was really just a vehicle to burn sticks.

They all love playing with fire!

Making torches.

The kids stayed up late playing games in the dark.  

Monday morning fun at home.

Watching the girls do a ninja show most likely.

Playing and singing hymns together.

We decided to head back to the park the girls went to the day before.  We ended up going to an additional park as well. There are some huge butterflies that I imagine are there as decoration, but to T they were meant to be climbed.  I think some of the parents were not impressed with her doing this, but she made it safely down again.

First the big butterfly.

Then one of the smaller butterflies.

One more time.

This spinning ball of fun... or tummy aches!

After two parks we headed home for some ball at the park and dinner.

Hmm... stick ball?

The kids were pretty wild that evening.  99 bottles of beer was being sung loudly and they were paid to stop singing. They might get wild, but I have to smile because they are having so much fun!

Constant movement.

So sweet.

They love their Grandpa Tom!

We decided that the kids should go outside to get some energy out and play basketball.  It was pretty chaotic, so Grandpa Tom and eventually Brandon went out and they played an actual game which I think they all really enjoyed.

A nice pass to A.

We had another late night.  On Tuesday morning they packed up and left and everything became pretty quiet once again. The photos end the way they started, with another Magnatile creation. We are so very very thankful to time together with family!  What a treasure.

Magnatiles are the gift that keeps on giving!