Visiting Cousins

Sam's dad has had some health issues and had been in the hospital for 3 weeks so we decided we better head down to see them.  He is home now and doing better but it was very good to be there and to visit and help.

 Another bonus was that his brother (Shawn) and his family were here visiting from Chicago.  Seth was very glad because he finally had some boy cousins his age to hang out with.  

 We did so many fun things and I of course got too busy to take very many pictures but we had a fabulous time.  

The first night we were there we had a pizza and game night.  The kids played steal sticks for hours and then it was off to a cousin sleepover.

The next day we (or should I say most of us--Erin and I stayed behind on the hike and had a great visit) took a picnic lunch to the mountains and hiked to Cecret Lake.

That night we had a date night with all the adults (excluding Ben and Renee because she went into labor and was in the hospital).  We had a blast talking and eating some delicious food and just hanging out with everyone.  

The next day Sam made biscuits and gravy for everyone (a tradition every time we come down) and then spent the day helping his brother Chris move.  I took the kids and we visited new baby cousin Ruth in the hospital and ate a pizza picnic with Sam, Chris, and Sariah at their new apartment.

The kids loved seeing the baby and I forget how tiny they are.  She is a doll and thanks Ben and Renee for letting us stay at your house :).

Sunday we were able to go Sam's sister's baby blessing, Ezra.  It was sweet to hear his father bless him.  We spent the afternoon visiting with more family, making some yummy pies for dinner, and then eating a fabulous dinner at his sister's house to celebrate the blessing.  Then it was off to home late last night.

Now it's time to get my life together--especially since school starts in one month--yikes!