Fun With the Southern Cousins

I was brave and flew with my three children by myself to stay some extra time with the Perry Cousin in Atlanta. (yep, we have Parrys and Perrys in our family). It was an adventure making it to the rental car but we did it and I would do it again tomorrow. The Perry house is a favorite to visit and I loved having some great adult time with Steph and Mike. We had a blast!

Ella showered everyone with smiles!

There was swimming,
exotic animals,
more swimming,swinging,and more swimming.

We also made 6 trips to the airport (a highlight for Jack), ate Chik-fil-a, visited the Georgia Aquarium, played at Kangazoom (twice), laughed a lot and I even got to go shopping with my sister-in-laws.

Parry Vann Cousins!!!

5 cousins under the age of 5
Jack (5), Willa (4), Addy (3), Oscar (2), and Eleanor (almost 1)
Never a dull moment.

The Vann's introduced Jack to cotton candy at the Red Wings Game and we had many adventures.

Kershaw Beach in Canandaigua

Later in the day Susan said, "I can't figure out why my neck hurts." 4 kids hanging and jumping on her in the water may have done it.

Niagara Falls

Cousins listening to the Sweet Adelines at our Neighborhood Night Out. (plus our good friend Nora too!)

I think we ate 6 dozen popsicles each.

Highlight of the week wasthe neighborhood firetruck providing some entertainment.

Not to mention a trip to Strong Museum, dinner from Dinosaur BBQ, eating at Wegmans, bringing dessert home from Wegmans, glow bracelet parties and late night talks with adults.

too busy packing

I have so many pictures from our trip to Utah and our summer adventures to share but I am excitedly packing for our next adventure with these cute cousins.

The highlight of this trip, besides laughing at kids' antics, is the sealing of this cute girl in green to her wonderful parents, Mike and Steph. Can't get much better than that.

Blessed Day

Saturday was a day full of family and friends coming together to celebrate Baby Ella.

It is tradition in the Mormon Church to give a child and name and a blessing.

We decided to bless her in our home instead of at church.
Something,I now wish, I had done with all of our children.

I got a little teary-eyed when I looked at the circle of family and friends gathered to help Ryan perform the blessing.

Family of Five.

Ella wore a dress made by her Grandma Peggy with cute pink shoes from Grandma Shirlene and was wrapped in a blanket made by her only living great-grandparent, Great Grandma Matthews.

Ryan's sister Stephanie, brothers-in-law Mike and Jay and his mom, Shirlene, all joined us for the weekend.

Grandma Peggy and Grandpa Jim were able to stay to participate too.

Dad and Daughter.

They have to go home sometime . . .

Sadly, it means they are leaving on Monday.
(So I am writing this post today before my breakdown at the airport)

We have had the best live in help for the past month. My mom came and took over all of the day to day tasks so that I could concentrate on feeding a baby and sleeping. She made every breakfast so that I could sleep a little longer. She played games, did crafts, and read story after story to the two older siblings. Did I mention that I have not done any laundry in 4 weeks? Highlight was when Addy would sneak into my mom's room and say, "Boo!" in the mornings.

In addition to all of the day to day activities she completely redid my living room. (Pictures to come) She sewed 6 roman shades, made 4 valences, recovered a rocking chair, recovered two bean bag chairs, helped pick out 3 rugs and a table, made 3 throw pillows, made Addy's zebra chair, and designed my mantle.

When my dad arrived last week, he went right to work on a to do list and so now I have vent covers that fit in my dining room, pictures hung on my walls and valences and Roman shades installed. Plus, the kids are now all reacquainted with the fun that is grandpa. He's read stories, did puzzles, played spider and gave free spats. Favorite memory was when he was trying to tell Addy that her sister was named Eleanor. Addy's response was, "No she's Baby Ella."


Come again anytime.
I promise we will have fun and not make you work so hard next time.

We love you and can't thank you enough!

Favorite Fall Tradition

We love going to Brown's Berry Patch to pick apples each fall. We were even more excited this year because we kept hearing about the unusually sweet apple crop. We were not disappointed.

Addy had to use her body weight to pull the apples from the tree.

Jack picked out his bumpy pumpkin. He plans to carve a happy face.

Can't wait to use our 30 lbs of apples.

The 3 A's

Ann, Adeline and Amy


I've decided that sisters should live near each other. Living far away from family always seems easier when you aren't reminded of what you are missing.

So I think my sisters and I should move to a tropical island and sip yummy drinks on the beach.