Jake's parents are so amazing. They offered to watch our kids for a weekend while Jake and I went to a conference as long as we brought our kids to their house. On the drive down Reesa kept saying how excited she was to see her cousin Katie... well she wasn't going to see Katie at Grandma's house. So we got this brilliant idea to take Katie back with us and stay til the family reunion almost 3 weeks later. It turned out to be one of the best ideas EVER!!! Katie was so easy, she required nothing really she is so independent. She knew how to do lots of things and taught my kids through example to do dishes, sweep floors, clean up, etc. We had so much fun with her we want her to come back every summer!!!
I asked her to smile and got this cute grin!!!
We packed in as many fun things as we could think of. It was easy for me to do with one extra helper!
Art classes at the Children's museum...
Jansen and Mitchell in their matchy, matchy clothes. (notice Mitchell's glasses around his neck... he's learned how to pull them off and NEVER leaves them on anymore!)
Katie's fancy hair!
Petting the Sting Ray's at the zoo...
Dino dig
Jansen the pirate!
Tubing at Hensley lake
Paint class
Swimming twice a day! We did swim lessons at the YLP pool, and they let Katie join Reesa's class even though she wasn't at that level yet. Reesa did such a great job of helping her make friends and feel included.Cousin Annie came to visit... Reesa loved her! she's just making her "funny face."
Darby, Angel, Aunt Molly, me, Eli, Reesa, Jansen, Annie, & Molly (visiting from Saudi Arabia!)
Coarsegold Dental sponsored Friday night at the lake and we all got CGD shirts and toothbrush bags!
Of course Jake won the pie eating contest! GO babe! So proud of you!
More boating pic
Katie was such a help because she made all our toys seem new again to my kids! We did "no TV" almost the entire time this summer and the kids just played and played. It made it really easy for me to take care of all Mitchell's needs. She was like an instant friend for both of my kids and they loved having her around! What a fun summer!