Mimi & Poppi's House

This year Brian and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary! The original plan was for us to spend a week in Hawaii, but with the adoption and several other expenses that have come up, that wasn't going to happen. So, we settled instead for a week at home with no kids! Just as good, right?! Sometimes it is.  More on that topic in another post.  This one is all about the kids and their time spent with Mimi & Poppi!

The kids and I met my folks in Texarkana on Monday.  We have a normal meeting spot at McDonald's right off the freeway. Some of the workers even remember us we have met so often! Or maybe my kiddos are just that memorable! After a lunch, we loaded up their car and away they drove with my babies. I tried very hard not to cry and only let a few tears slip. I knew they were in good hands, but a week is a long time to not love on my babies. Thankfully, Natalie didn't cry or cling to me. She jumped in the car and was ready to go! Whew. I knew Joaquin wouldn't know the difference.  I also knew they were going to have MORE fun with them than at home with me!
Here is how they spent their week:

Monday and Tuesday that spent hanging around the house and playing outside. In fact here is the text mom sent me Tuesday morning: "We played in the sand, watered flowers, played house, swung, and all before 9:00. Now we are on the porch with the favorite bird watching humming birds." Ha! cracked me up. I told her it was going to be a LONG week=)

 

 

Wednesday and Thursday was cousin fun time with a little trip to see Granny.  They did a little swimming, playing on the floor with Joaquin, watching movies, reading with Aunt Ashley, and napping with Uncle Josh.

 



 

I'll have to admit I was a little bit sad to be missing all the fun and memories. But she was probably better off without me there making her cranky (because that seems to be what happens when I'm around anyway)!

I'm very thankful to have these sweet memories for the kids to look back on. It's all Ashley and I ever wanted for our families.

 

 

This boat picture of Natalie absolutely cracks me up. A big ol' pool and she prefers the dinky kid one! Now I'm convinced if that is all she had, she wouldn't want it.

Poor JZ has gotten left out of most of these activities due to his infant ways, so here is a couple of collage pics of his time with Mimi and Poppi.

 

He and Poppi are pretty tight apparently.  That is one sweet face to snuggle with!  Love how Poppi always gets on the floor with them.

And Nat's trip to Mimi and Poppi's would not be complete unless she got to ride "the big red truck" at least a hundred or more times=) She loves that thing and every grandkid has fallen asleep on one of those rides. Good memories, indeed.

Mimi is getting her workout here with NJ!

Besides playing with Natalie (doctor, school, babies, etc) this is the other way to win her over......popcorn! It's her new favorite thing and she gets super excited about it so we save it for special times!

 

What a great week for the kids while we worked our tails off in the garage. Wishing family was closer but thankful they are only a half day's drive away.