Family Blessings

The last two weekends have been filled with fun, travel, and family. The weekend after school started we got a visit from Aunt Erica, Emmy and the newest Collett, baby Joel. Harper and Jack were so excited to see Emmy that they talked about her arrival for days before they finally got here.

Erica and her kiddos decided to come up and stay with us while Ryan and Tony made the drive with Steve from Cincinnati back to Dallas, and I'm so glad the kids got to spend some time together- they love their cousins.

While Emmy and Joel were here we played with the Little People, cooked many different things in the kids' kitchen, built block towers, and read lots of books.

I think what the kids liked best, though, was the trip to the park (thankfully we went in the morning before it got too hot) and playing in the backyard with the water table (as an added bonus, Harper gave me a water foot massage while they were playing).

Harper was also thrilled when she got to "hold" Joel. Harper had been carrying around his birth announcement and showing his picture to everyone, so when she had the opportunity to hold him, she jumped on it.

Our time with the Collett cousins went by so quick; I can't wait to get the kids together again soon.

When it was time to say goodbye to our Collett cousins, we had just a few sleeps until it was time to pack up and head North to see the Quetone's for Cherokee National Holiday over Labor Day Weekend.

Nana and Pop met at our house and rode with the me and the kids; it was nice to have multiple drivers and the kids were really great on the ride. We got to Oklahoma Friday night in time to play a little bit before bed, and then the kids and I crashed- we were wiped out.

Saturday morning I got up and ran in the 5k event, and then we all went to the parade. This is the first parade that the kids have ever been to, and they weren't quite sure what to expect. Jack and Harper both wanted to sit in the shade, until they realized that the parade participants were throwing out candy and little toys (like bouncy balls, and fans); this realization coaxed Jack and Harper to walk out to the curb and check it out. Later, when we got home, Harper told Tony all about the parade and when asked about the band, Harper matter-of-factly announced that the tuba was her favorite instrument that she saw.

Saturday night after putting the kids to bed we left Pop with the sleeping kiddos and my aunt, uncle, mom, and I headed out to the Pow-wow. I always feel like my soul is at peace when we're there. Here is a picture of a Men's Traditional Dancer with a round headdress; he also had a painted face and eagle talons on his bustle. This guy was getting asked for pictures all not and helped keep us entertained in between contest songs.

The highlight of the day on Sunday was lunch with the family. My Grandpa and Mama Reba had gotten lunch reservations for all of us- all 16 of us- and we enjoyed visiting and eating (Jack liked his spaghetti quite a bit).

Monday we got to see the family for a while before leaving and returning home. My Aunt Becky (affectionally known as "the new Aunt Becky" by Harper- as opposed to the Aunt Becky and Uncle Rex we see quite often)  and Uncle Tucker and come down from Minnesota, so it was nice to have an extra day to visit with them- they hadn't seen the kids since they were babies.

Harper and Jack also had a great time playing with their cousins Bronc and Clancey, who taught them how to play hide and seek, and Blaze, who brought his dinosaur toys over (that was a hit with Jack).

The kids and I didn't want to leave, but we were happy to get home to see Tony. When Harper realized my parents and I were packing the car, she went in and got Jack's shoes, my purse, and her bag and we found her dragging all of the items down the hall while saying, "we go home see Daddy now!"

Our Oklahoma trip was a great success- we got to see everyone and the kids did a great job while we were there and in the car. We also got to celebrate my mom's birthday a little early- happy birthday, Mom!

I'm ending the post with a picture of my grandparents and their three kids (my mom and her brothers). This picture makes my heart swell with gratitude; I am beyond blessed to be a part of their family, and I am blessed that my children have these wonderful people to look up to as they grow.

So, from the Collett cousin visit to the trip to see the Quetones our arms have been full with hugs, our days have been filled with laughter, and our hearts have been overflowing with love.