Visiting My Family Before the Baby Comes

My parents with all of the cousins together.
(l-r) Dietrich, Atticus, Lincoln, Clark, Lilly, Grant, & Felicity

Last weekend was our annual visit to see Aaron, Lindsey, Lilly & Grant at my folks. My brother Aaron has been "stationed" down in Laredo, Texas for a couple long years now and is only able to travel up here once a year. The last few years my parents have organized an informal picnic where anyone from our homeland (Northern Illinois) is invited to come visit with us. Every year there is a different mix of family and friends. I was so excited this year because my cousin Ginger O'Rourke was taking our family photos. She started a new family photography business this past year called Gingersnapps (she and her business are on facebook for anyone interested), and she is so so so good. Here is just a hand-full of the pictures she was able to get with 7 little cranky, crazy cousins ages 4 and under. She is so patient and so easy-going and, did I mention, GOOD at what she does.

My sister-in-law Lindsey, brother Aaron, niece Lilly, & nephew Grant

These guys came up despite Aaron having a big court case rescheduled for his family vacation so he had to leave halfway through the week -- AND then the f.b.i. ended up post-poning the trial date AGAIN (non-refundable airway tickets) and re-re-scheduling it for their only other family vacation to visit Lindsey's family in southern Illinois. (Again, non-refundable airway tickets). Can you believe it?! And Grant was teething and "off" all week so poor Lindsey had to make it work best she could. I am so glad they came anyway -- Seriously, Aaron & Lindsey are two of the funniest people I've ever met -- Brad and I were laughing so hard during one of their stories that I couldn't breathe and ended up very-pregnant-lady-like pee-ing my pants. Oh dear. I wish they lived down the street.

My sister-in-law Robyn, brother Jonathan, Nephew Clark, & niece Felicity

Robyn & Jonathan live with my folks and I very much enjoyed getting to know Robyn better this trip. She is so good with the kids -- patient, easy-going, hard to fluster, and sweet. I'm glad Clark is getting old enough to start playing more with our boys (-:

My crazy sister and her crazier hair -- really? Could two women be more different in temperament and aesthetic? But I love her and was am glad she is part of our weekly lives up here in Minneapolis.

Thank you, Ginger, for getting a picture of me pregnant with my daughter that I feel like I can share with everybody and won't be too embarrassed of when she's a curious 9-year-old and wants to see a picture of me right before she was born.

We all stayed together in my folks little house. Thankfully a distant relative of Robyn's lent us a pop-up trailer with electricity so Brad, I, and the kids could have beds to sleep in. Unfortunately, I delayed make a final decision about the length of our stay, and ended up staying two nights longer than the camper was available. But at least Lincoln & I had a very comfortable couch (-: (The boys did fine on the floor in sleeping bags.) Brad went home Sunday with Bekah -- They both needed to be back for work. It would have worked out fine except I managed to catch a nasty nasty cold that I ended up giving to Lindsey and her kids as a Bon Voyage present -- nice. So they all have it now that they're back in Laredo. )-: Still I think it was good to stay a couple more days so the kids could see more of each other. Next year I think we will all need a little more space -- I think that would help worlds.

Felicity

Dietrich, Lilly & Atticus

This was the first year Dietrich was part of the older-kid brigade and he was a bit infatuated with Lilly (and a little jealous of Atticus).

Grant

At the picnic -- silly ice game with the cousins...

Brave Lincoln...

My completely handsome husband in one of my favorite outfits on him...

Oh, really, I shouldn't post this picture because I will make everyone so jealous -- Seriously, how handsome is this guy. Five years married -- tomorrow!!! -- and it is only getting better and better. I can't believe he asked me to marry him. I can't believe I actually said "yes". I wish I knew even a taste of what this relationship is the day of our wedding.... So so good.

Oh this is a cute kid...and even though he always glares in family photos...this is his real smile...and I get to see it all the time.

Lincoln at the top of the slide laughing in gleeful anticipation ...

Look what these goofy boys asked for -- a very silly push-a-me-pull-ee (remember Dr. Doolittle?).

Clark thinks they are hilarious...

An extra visit & out for dinner with my cousins Lisa, Jason, Ian, & Ellie

Grant reading

Music & Dancing before church on Sunday

Lilly napping with Grandpa after falling asleep while reading a book together

Concert in the park in Dubuque

Grant totally dancing to what I would like to think was the Loretta Lynn cover in the set

Next morning at the Potosi town park...

A baby bird learning to fly

Felicity eating grass...

Creative slide usage...
The kids went down in clusters tumbling over each other like cubs...pretty funny