yay for family!!

melinda (russ's sister) and eliza came to visit us last week. we had the BEST time and did a ton in the time they were here. we played outside with sidewalk chalk, played a ton in our backyard (eliza absolutely loves to slide and swing), went to the park to take pictures of the kids, played at the park, saw the bellagio botanical garden, ate pastries at the paris, swam in the jacuzzi, made crafts, ate out and just had a plain ol' good time. we REALLY appreciate them making the effort to come and visit. it's so great to be together, which made it hard to say good-bye.

georgie is seriously intense with chalk (and crayons). i'm hoping he'll be an artist :)

eliza's first experience with sidewalk chalk

my pretty little lady

what a cutie

stud

cute cousins!

eliza only really smiled when she found this pine cone

so grown up!

i love this kid

this picture cracks me up!!!

mama and daughter

these are george's new favorite pajamas. he wears them EVERYWHERE. he loves to push the button and then pops his arms out like wings.

melinda was tickling george's toes, and he was laughing hysterically!

rub a dub dub...

cheesy grin

we have thin blood...george had to bundle up in 60 degree weather.

bellagio botanical garden

making a wish...

making a wish...

this chihuly ceiling is one of my favorite pieces of art. i think it is incredible.

i was letting eliza kick me in the butt while she was swinging. she thought it was pretty dang funny. i don't think i've ever heard her laugh like that. she kept saying "kick katie!"

egg garden

i do a lot of crafts with the kids to keep them occupied, especially when mia is on track break. one of our most recent crafts was an egg garden. the kids planted grass and sweet peas. my original thought was that we could transplant the sweet peas to the flower pots in our front yard, but i had no idea these things grew to be 5' tall! i guess that's what i get for not reading the package. if anyone wants some sweet peas let me know :). after the plants had grown for about 2 weeks i told mia and george i wanted to take some pictures of them with their garden. george flat out refused to be in the picture, and mia went upstairs and put on this get-up. how are my 2 kids so completely different?