Andrew, Caroline, Naomi and Ellis

Caroline and Andrew were up from Cincinnati this past week and we were able to do some fun things with them while they were here. We had sleepovers, went to the zoo, made our own candle scents and did some night swimming. The kids were all so great, we all enjoyed our time with them!
Here are some photos (as Naomi says, I cannot go one day without taking a picture and she is right)

 The kids and Sue at Sting Ray bay at the zoo. Naomi's good buddy Marissa was able to to come with us to the zoo also!

 The kids were able to pet the sting rays which was pretty cool- Andrew even got to feed one!
I was also able to drop my iphone in sting ray bay...great memories. The good news is my phone somehow still worked, the bad news is that while retrieving my iphone from the stingrays my purse fell in also and my IPOD doesn't work... my own fault, kind of funny.

Ellis touching the stingray statue with grammie

The next thing we did was take a visit to the Lorikeet exhibit, where you could feed the lorikeets... as you can imagine one bird crazy kid was pretty happy! 

 Marissa and some Lorikeets!

 Heaven for this kid

 Kiki wasn't so sure about the Lorikeets...she let them drink from the cup but didn't want them on her arm. She was helping keep an eye on Ellis for me, what a good little mama she was the whole time.

Andrew and the birds (questionable shirt)

We were also able to get a lot of swimming in while the kids were here, and even a night swim!

 Flying Kiki

 Action shot

Love these girls...I am going to show their boyfriends in 20 years.... yes their FIRST boyfriends in 20 years :)

We also went to the candle lab and made our own candles, they had a good time picking out their own scents. We did lunch while the candles were cooling. I had a sitter for Ellis so we could RELAX and enjoy the older kids!

LOVE

Cousin photo shoot

Sue decided she would like a photo of all her grandkids together in one spot and wearing white...easy enough, sort of. It was fast and furious and between my phone and Jim's camera, I think we got some good shots! It was pretty funny since Ellis is always a wild card at these sort of things. The kids were great and I am glad I have some great shots to put in a frame!

 I love how Ellis is looking at Kiki and she at him...

 He got up on that table on his own....so funny, and look at that face

 And we even got a dog in one!

 Cousins!

Ellis with his tongue out...

Post picture lemon ice    

Go time

Kansas City- Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun

We just returned from our trip to Kansas City, Missouri- we met up with Jamie, Paige and the girls at Worlds of Fun.  We each stayed in some cabins on the amusement park site. Jeff was in Orlando on a work trip until Sunday afternoon, so he wasn't able to join us, he was pretty bummed about missing out on seeing everyone. I got to meet Bella for the first time and love that little diva...she is so laid back, calm and pretty much the polar opposite of Ellis. Mika and Naomi were inseparable, and I wanted to steal Shelby she was so great with Ellis. My parents rode with me in the car which was beyond helpful...Grandma catered to Ellis' every need which he loved. He calls her Gaga, so we of course called her Grandma Gaga...Lady Gaga style. And I am pretty sure he calls Pops...Pots.

I love you guys, and we look forward to the next trip...hopefully when Ellis isn't so crazy, and I am not stressed about him being so crazy :) It was a great time, and I hope we can continue to do something each year and create great memories for the cousins!

 Mika and Naomi

 Mika, Shelby and Naomi

 Shelbs was a HUGE help with Ellis... he would completely melt down while waiting for a ride (how dare they make HIM wait?)... and she didn't even mind, she held him through the tantrums even, I think she might be even better than me at dealing with them! THANK you Shelbs!

 Grandma, Bella and Pops

 Ellis on his first coaster

 Snoopy Land!

 I love how Mika has her arm around Charlie Brown and Naomi, she is so warm and friendly

 Just missing Chance, Sully and Em!

 Uncle Jamie, Mika and Naomi waiting in line

 One of Ellis' brief naps

 Outside of our cabins on the park grounds

 Face painting!

 On the Ferris Wheel at night

 Ellis is big into dental hygiene 

 I had to document the naps... 

 family pic at the restaurant

 The last night, a nice dinner with everyone

 Shelbs and the babies

 Melts my heart, look at her holding his hand...

 Uncle Jamie (in red) and Naomi on a ride together

 Gaga and her little guy (wet from a sprinkler)

 Paige, Bells and Jamie

This kid is the most laid back, easy going do whatever kid...pretty much the direct opposite of Ellis. Bells, you sure are a good little gal!

PS- I realized I didn't get one shot of them at the water park which stinks..but I think I was man handling Ellis most of the time and didn't get a picture snapped!