VA to AL: Atlanta

We took the kids out of school for a week and took a road trip through Georgia and Alabama.

It feels monumental to pack it all up.  I usually have the urge to organize my whole house when I am packing.  But then its done and all the worries leave when we are in the car and on the road, forced to sit and be still. 

 Naps for the younger two but Peter is thrilled to have a whole day of nothing but reading!

First stop was Uncle Will and Aunt Emmy's house.

We went to church with them, Em & I went shopping, then had a pizza dinner at the pool.
Ben called Will "Uncle!" and Julia called Ben "Boy!" :)

 Both boys loved the time with Uncle Will.  Lily was so happy to see the girls! :)

Reading time with Sissy.  They have a Sissy too. :)

 E & P are both so sweet!

We also walked to the lake.

 The good bye hugs were the sweetest ever! 

 S'more making before we left.

Such a fun time to see & be on their turf and have cousin time together.  And a super comfy bed! :)

Thanksgiving + Family Pictures

We spent part of Thanksgiving break at my parents house.  I always love the chance to be outside there.  Its not too cold yet and just feels like a last outside hurrah before winter.

We always have to walk to ride their land- so here is Ben looking cute in the brush.

Mike took the tent and camped with the kids one night.

My brothers and their families were there so they set up a super fun zipline with Paw's truck.

         

This one is a perfect angel at school but she is wild and free and rambunctious when she has the chance.  

 Cute Sarah Kate

 My mom's birthday fell on Thanksgiving so we had to celebrate her too! :)

I think it was her favorite gift to have us all there.

My mom's brothers, my dear wonderful uncles, have both been ill lately so we relished the chance to have extra time with my Uncle Henry.

 Then our usual tradition of family pictures for our Christmas cards. 

The girls had fun being together and doing shows for us. 

Looks like Peter had fun too! 

So nice to have time with my sisters in love- and be gifted with some wild LuLaRoe leggings.  Ooo, comfy!

 We made it back home in time to get some time with the MN cousins.  :)

New York for the 4th {3rd Annual}

As has become tradition, we headed north for the 4th of July weekend for time with Mike's family.  His brother & sis in love always plan the most fun time.  We didn't waste any time and headed out for morning ice cream- because why not?! Its summer!  They live in the cutest town and I love it that you can travel so many places by this old aqueduct.  Our kid:adult ratio was a little improved for this round of community living!

 then a stroll over to the libray for a little story time with Goo/Gram

 Mike transporting the majority of the kids home.

 On Saturday we headed into NYC for a Yankees game.  It was really fun!

 It was a sweet time with this guy, which I could always use more of.

 And I got sweet time with this guy since strollers and backpacks aren't allowed.

 We had one sleepy boy on the way home.

 We always have such fun cousin time at their pool. 

Ben loooooves the water and would just walk right in if you aren't careful.

 The boys were in Lego cave heaven.

 Lily has come to know that NY means birthday time for her!

 Another day we went to a "castle" estate for a picnic lunch.  Love the personality and dynamics reflected in these pictures.  Last year Lily & Bennett spent a lot of time together.  This year the little girls are two year old.  That amount of development and Lily spend significantly more time with them.  But still a good "middle child" bouncing back and forth between them and the boys.

 The boys 

 Bubbles!!

 Love this pic of Goo and her big boys

 Ben is pushing on Liam's back and Peter is belly laughing.

 Dinnertime by the pool

 Birthday cake time.  The THIRD year of the butterfly cake and no less JOY!

 Mike handed out sparklers for the 4th.

 Such sweet summer childhood/cousin memories!