Back in the middle of June we were so blessed to have my two sisters and their families and my parents here to visit for a whole week! We were so excited to see everyone and we had such a wonderful time together. The week just FLEW by. This is just a mildly funny picture from the first night because Bernie randomly jumped up on the couch and was sitting there just like one of the humans. Lol.
On Sunday we rented a double-decker from our friend Caleb and just had the best day out on the water. The kids especially had such a blast.
Grace was such a trooper! She loved the boat and the water and took a good little snooze on Mommy for quite a while! Becky was glad when she woke up, though, so B could regain feeling in her backside from sitting in the same position so long. Lol.
The kiddos had just as much fun jumping off of the top level of the boat as they did going down the slides. Not really sure if you're supposed to do this, but we made sure the water was deep enough and everyone was fine.
The kiddos really enjoyed finding lots of sea life on the bottom of the bay. We found two starfish, one of which got a free ride down the slide on his way back into the bay. :)
Everyone was just pooped at the end of the day! J even slept a little on the ride home!
Then after showers everyone gathered upstairs to watch a movie before dinner.
We went to the pool a bunch, and Grace modeled lots of adorable swimsuits and cover-ups for us!
We all enjoyed watching the Belmont Stakes race together...
Davis and Grace loved hearing Olivia read "Brown Bear, Brown Bear..." to them...
On Monday the ladies got to enjoy a shopping day at the outlets and lunch at our favorite little wine bistro place. Becky and I each got a yummy wine trio...
While back at home the boys (and two girls) did some swimming and then loaded up in the truck in the afternoon to drive across the street and watch the fleet unload at Captain Anderson's marina.
Davis loves his Popeye...
The girls loved the piano...
On Tuesday our homeschool group had a field trip to the NOAA fisheries lab that is very close to our house. We got to get up close and personal with some adorable sea turtles and even feed them! It was super hot out, but a really cool experience.
How adorable are these two? They just grabbed hands while we were walking up to the building.
The fisheries lab raises these babies here and uses them to test the nets on shrimp boats to make sure the "turtle release hatch" thingy on the shrimp nets works properly. Then they release them into the gulf.
Those turtles were SO adorable. It was so cool to see them up so close. Then we went outside to feed squid to some of the bigger ones. I was SO nervous that Davis was going to fall in that water because he was SO excited and kept leaning way over! They said those turtles would peck him like crazy if he fell in!
The scientist who hosted us said that the turtles aren't really great at catching the squid when they are dropped in... they were very slow about it and those fish you see usually got to the chunk and devoured it before the turtle did. But every once in a while someone threw one just right and the turtle got it! The scientist said they're a little quicker when they are hungrier.
Back at the house with Davis doing his favorite thing... Looking at pictures of horses on Popeye's phone...
One of the nights we went to the beach after dinner to play and watch the sunset...
And one day attempted the park for a few minutes. It was so crazy hot so we didn't stay too long and went to the pool instead.
Fun rides with Popeye...
Becky and Ryan brought their dog, Stella, and my parents brought their dog, Peaches, so needless to say Bernie was one very happy camper that week. This was the only picture we got with all three dogs because they were usually constantly on the move with each other!
More rides for Grace! She was so much fun to be around... She is absolutely adorable and is at such a cute, fun age. Talking up a storm with such a precious personality! And the best hair and cheeks! And belly! :) Oh, she is just scrumptious.
Uncle Ryan bought fireworks!!! So on the last night he lit them in the street for everyone to enjoy.
The kids were SO excited.
We caught the attention of the neighbor kids who even got out of the pool to come watch!
And then we all came in to cool off and have dessert.
It was such a wonderful week! I just love having everyone here and for us all to be able to spend time together. I'm so thankful to be able to have my children grown up knowing their aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents so well and to be able to make such great memories together. It is just priceless to me. Thank you, everyone, for driving up (and down)! We love you all so much!