Forever Family

I love when my family comes home!  Have I said that before?  Well, I do!  We have such a good time together and build better relationships with each visit.  This past week, my two oldest sisters and their families came home for a whole week!  My sister, Beth, had a new baby boy in May, so this was my first time meeting him.  I am in love with baby Ben!  He's such a sweet, cuddly, adorable little boy, and he looks identical to his mommy!  My niece, Holly, is also such a spunky little girl.  She is so incredibly smart and says the cutest things.  (I'm not bias or anything!)  Kyhle and I just love being their Aunt and Uncle, and cherish the time we get with all of our nieces and nephews.  

We enjoyed a few dinners out, a hike at Morgan Monroe, ice cream at Mrs. Curl, a day at the water park in Carmel, a birthday celebration for Laura, watching the kids play in Grammie and Grandpa's baby pool, flying the airplane with Grandpa, and playing games.  

The real purpose for the visit was Ben's baby blessing.  My sister and her husband blessed Holly at my brother-in-law's mom's house when she was born, and so Ben was blessed at my parent's house.  I have 9 nieces and nephews, and had only been to 2 of their baby blessings, so it was a special experience to go to #3.  Adam (my brother-in-law) said that Ben was smiling up at him the entire blessing.  Such a sweet spirit.  

The kids loved helping Grandpa fly on his airplane simulator.  Holly kept clapping for the airplane and cheering for Grandpa! 

We also took a trip to Terre Haute to visit with Grandma Rosalie, or in Holly's words, "Grandma Great Rosalie!"  After having lunch with Grandma and visiting for a while, we went on to Steve and Paula's house and had a great time swimming, visiting, and eating a yummy dinner.  It was so fun that all of my cousins were there with their spouses and future spouse! ;) The kids had a great time playing together, and my cousin's little boy Aiden and Holly really hit it off. As Aiden was running back into the room where Holly was, he shouted, "Coming my friend!"  So sweet.  

Saying goodbye is always hard, but this trip was the hardest.  I love all of my family so much, and am so grateful for my parents, all of my siblings, nieces, and nephews.  I'm so grateful that families are forever, and I will be with mine for eternity.

Cincinnati Family Fun!

While Ryan, Gwen, and Zach were visiting, we all drove to Cincinnati to enjoy our annual family Cardinals game! We love the Cardinals! My sister, Emily, her husband, Pooch, and their baby, Noah, all met us for a couple of days in Cinci, along with Laura, David, and Eli.   We had such a fun time together! 

Before the game, we enjoyed a nice (long) lunch at Mellow Mushroom, a pizza place.  After lunch, Mom stayed at the hotel with Eli and Noah, while the rest of us enjoyed the game. 

The next day, we all went to a park for a while to let the kids run and around and have some fun.  We drove through a beautiful neighborhood on the way to the park with such gorgeous homes.  Kyhle and I kept pointing back and forth saying. "Oooh!  Look at that one!"  "AH!  I love this one!" :)

We then went to Newport on the Levee and had lunch at Naked Tchopstix.  After lunch, Kyhle and I went to the Newport Aquarium with Em, Pooch, and Noah!  It was fun to spend a little extra time with them and get to see Noah some more.  

It's Only Twelve!

There really is probably nothing I love more than when my family comes to town to visit.  It's fabulous!  I am so used to being far apart from my family, as my older brother went to his freshman year at BYU while I went into first grade.  But I still always miss them like crazy, and so wish we could all live closer.  

My brother brought his 2 oldest kids, Gwen and Zach, to visit for a week in early July.  I was fortunate enough to spend a couple of days with them and get to know each of them better.  Nieces and nephews are awesome and being an Aunt is the next best thing to being Mom!  

Kyhle and I were able to go with my parents to pick them up from the airport, and then we enjoyed a fun dinner at Steak and Shake!  

My sister, Laura, and her husband moved into their new house while the kids were visiting.  Kyhle and I had so much fun taking Gwen and Zach swimming, out to dinner, and then shopping at the mall.  They obviously loved the Lego and Disney stores!  While we were at the Disney store, Zach saw a Spiderman shirt that he just had to have!  He looked up at Uncle Kyhle and in the sweetest voice said, "But it's only 12!"  (Meaning it's only twelve dollars.)  This kid knows his stuff.  Kyhle took Zach down to another store, while I let Gwen pick out on thing (she got a Brave doll) and I surprised Zach with his Spiderman shirt.  

While at the checkout counter, the cashier says, "We just got new Brave bags in this week!  Would you like one to match your doll?"  Wow!  What kind of Aunt would say no to her 8 year old niece that she only gets to see once (maybe twice) a year?  So, we bought the bags.  Gwen got a Brave bag to match her doll, and I got Zach a Spiderman bag to match his shirt.  When I handed Zach his bag, his face said it all.  SO excited! 

We went to Terre Haute to swim at my Uncle and Aunt's house and visit our Grandma Rosalie.  We got ice cream at my Grandma's club room and spent some time letting Gwen and Zach get to know her better.  

It was so fun to spend such quality time with Gwen and Zach!  We sure do miss them and their little sisters, Annie and Tori!  We look forward to the next time we get to see them!  Hoping it's sooner rather than later! 

Love you, kiddos!