Trip to Richmond 2009!

My family and I took our yearly trip down to see my sister. We went in June, I know, I am a little behind on posting pictures of things we have been doing. My mind has been a bit occupied, but I am trying to make an effort to get back into blogging. :) We had a great time, as always, and the hosts weren't bad either! We were able to stay for about 3 days, and it was worth it. My kids are getting to know their little cousins more and more each time they see each other. It is an awesome thing to see! Anna, my niece, is 5 and Ethan, my nephew, is 3. They are precious and I already miss them so much! Thank you all for being so hospitable, and we love you very much!

Here are just a few of the pictures I took while we were there. The kids were constantly outside running and playing. I wish they would do that at our house! They were worn out by the end of the night!

We also took a trip to the local pool, which I think was the hit of the trip. It was kind of cool out by the time we got there, but the kids could care less. We stayed for about 2 hours and they loved it! Gabriel practiced his swimming, Ella was introduced to the deeper end (4 ft.), and Ariana felt what it's like to be able to stand in the big pool! (3 ft.) The water came right up to her bottom lip, but bless her heart she walked around, spitting water out of her mouth and then swimming over to daddy!

Oh, and I forgot to mention, my sister and her husband have their own restaurant. Yeah and it's right in their back yard! 0 My brother-n-law grilled out 2 times while we there! Rob and I joked that it was their restaurant. :) Thanks again you guys!

Well enjoy the pictures!






All of cousins dancing around with their popsicles. They were waving to me from outside. From the left: Gabriel, Ella, Ethan, Ariana and Anna. Aren't they too cute?!

My niece Anna hanging out on the hammock. Good thing we don't have one, I think I'd be stuck on it all day. ; )

The girls with money Grandma gave them


Grandma gave the kids these squirt guns, but they weren't guns. They were like pumps. Anyway, you suck water up in them and push the opposite end, and here she is filling one up. Bad idea Grandma! What did they do then? Refer to the picture below this one.

Then there was also this:
I love it!


Here is my sister icing Ethan's cake for his 3rd birthday party the next day. She did this late in the evening and I wanted to help out or watch, but I was resting in their chair with strep. I felt worse than earlier in the day and I felt so bad that I couldn't help more. She did an awesome job and I think I would like to start decorating cakes for our kids' b-days. It was awesome seeing Ethan's reaction to it and seeing how yummy it was to him! And she made it, she didn't buy it from Wal-mart like I usually do :) Thank you Wal-mart, but I really don't want you to make my kids' birthday cakes anymore. I want to!


Chowing down at the Birthday party.


Ethan opening his birthday presents at his party. I am so glad we were able to be there for it!

Peering into the pond below



Aunt Lori with the kids. Where? The hammock! I think she was half asleep ; )

Ella going through the "water park" at the pool. Jets, sprinklers, arches, water coming from everywhere in there! And I must say, I stepped in it for a second, and that water was freezing! Did they care? No, not really, especially my dear Ella. ;)

The kids minus Ethan. Right at this point they are watching my brother-n-law, Matt, do a dive off the board. He has a very unique dive if I do say so myself!

Rob with our kids in the three-foot side of the pool. You see how Ariana is holding on to him? She could barely stand in that depth. She felt insecure and scared so she kept going back to daddy. It was precious to watch. She'll get there though, that's what we kept telling her.
Just don't grow up too quick sweety!


My sister and I at the end of the trip. Love you Lori!