Cousin Adventures!

Well, L and I had the true pleasure of spending lots of time with our niece and nephew!  Back toward the beginning of the year I had an idea to get in lots of cousin time by doing some special things with both J and H.  Luke had no idea until about a day before our adventures began but I think he loved every second of it! It was the perfect mix of solo time with each child and time as a big group!  Mit and Molly were able to enjoy each of their kiddos on their own and Ima and Sheshy got each kid to themselves too so it was a win - win!  And, Mit celebrated a very special birthday (40!!!!!!!! - declaring it to all the internet is a very sister thing to do!) and he and Molly were able to have a couple of getaways just the two of them to celebrate.  More winning!  So anyway, it was our privilege to wander and explore and be present with our very favorite kids!  Love does.

The kid room at Ima and Sheshy's!  Ima had awesome welcome bags waiting for her grandkids. 

These two would boogie board (or as Luke used to say  buggy board) all day if we let them.  

The little miss would rather shell hunt and jump the shallow waves.

Granddogs were invited also.  H laughs at Luke.  Luke loves it!

Wacky kids!

These two reeled in this big shark...they took turns at the pole because it put up a great fight!

Bedtime stories

Mit educating the kids on something inappropriate I'm pretty sure

Legoland with Luke and J!!!  They LOVED it and were the perfect ages to enjoy and be a part of the Lego world.  Such a great place for Lego lovers!

The Lego pool is a highlight!

"sleeping" on a "really comfy" bed made of Legos.  :-)

Meanwhile, back in HH

We stayed at the new beach retreat at the Legoland resort and our "neighborhood" included a lake view and a mini playground.

It was nice for L and I (and the boys too) to give them some freedom and responsibility.  They would head to the lobby/restaurant on their own and build until we got there.  Roots and Wings.

Forever silly

Ready!!

Love this little man!

This ride was hilarious!  3D.  Ninja moves that ride goers did would translate onto the screen and wipe out some bad guys.  These three took it VERY seriously.  I took pictures.  L took it the most seriously. 

Lego Safari

Sometimes I wish we had one of these

Dessert on the front porch

Our room - Lego awesome!

Breakfast 

Our neighborhood was called "Fisherman's Cove" - we thought of Shesh

Luke and J made this sign while we waited in line to get in the park

If you can zoom in on this picture you should...the faces are priceless!  I have never seen such huge smiles! And L is the absolute best Dad/Uncle!

Miniland Statue of Liberty

Meanwhile in HH

All together again back in HH 

H = 6.5

L = almost 8

J = 9

Happy Birthday, Mit!  (did I mention he turned 40?!?)  Kudos to H and Ima for this geologic wonder of a cake!

H time!  H came back home with us and we had a ton of fun!  First adventure was the trampoline park.  This little gymnast was loving it!

"We are bats!"

These two basically never shut up.  They are both chatterboxes and it was so fun to hear their conversations and take on the world around them.  Priceless

Adventure #2 :  Pottery painting

Adventure #3: Costco.  Listen, if you have never been it totally classifies as an adventure

Adventure #4: unplanned bug catching and observing

Adventure #5: the zoo

H is a huge animal lover so this was so fun for her! 

Adventure #6:  Bowling

Adventure #7: Our NEW library!  H got to check it out with Luke on his first time there!

Prepping dinner for whenever everyone arrived!  Good little kitchen helpers for sure!

Downtime with their new zoo animals...love this cousin duo!!

Everybody joined up again at our house for some more full family time and Luke birthday celebrating.  We are SO incredibly lucky to have the families that we do!

It was a whirlwind 9 days but we would do it again in a heartbeat!  Time and love...two of the greatest things.