Our favorite time of year...

....is whenever we get to see the Reynolds family! ♥


And they were just in town to visit us all!! It was so fast. But so great.



They're our family, but truthfully, they're also some of our very best friends. And, as usual, I'm always left with a hole once they go back home. A space and a heart that dreams of a day when they'll just be CLOSER. Because every time they're here and we're all together... it just feels like how it's supposed to be.

But for now, we just try to enjoy the brief times that we do have together. And pack 6 months worth of visiting into one week ;)

And holy guacamole are they troopers.

Down time? Sleep? A relaxation vacation? They have NO idea what those things are. They literally drive all through the night to get back to Ohio, and then they hit the ground running. Family here, family there, friends, parties, shopping, restaurants, outings.... They are basically going non-stop their whole trip.

And I know they've got to be exhausted, and probably do not want to always do/go/visit everywhere they DO... perhaps a REST once in a while would be nice...

But basically, they're incredible. And I hate when they leave. And I love when they're here.



And I, for one, absolutely could not love them and appreciate their effort any more.

 Mimi and a wagon full of kiddos at the Holmes County Fair!

 Holden was making sure Graham didn't try to climb out ;)

 Bunnies!

Mimi, Joss, Holden

And Graham watching some bunnies, too

 Felix, peeking through the bars for a better look

 

 And Bridger Dean! Loved the wagon ride. (Thank you Uncle Corey.)

 

Some goats...

 

 

And Graham-a-lamb. Getting down for a better look....

I'm not sure he'd ever seen a goat before!

And now getting a lift from Mimi - to see the camel!

 He was cool.

And Holden got to pet this little guy. (Maybe an alpaca? I can't remember now..)

Learning all about something from his wise Mimi ♥

Bridger LOVED the "pony". Loved.

 I think they're pretty good buds♥

And then of course we always had lots of quality, family, together time over at Mom's....

 

 Lovin' on Aunt Megan

Uncle Jared and Joss - relaxin' on the swing

 Getting a helping hand from Jossy :)

 Bridger's turn with the hula hoop!

 And now enjoying some shade with Pap Pap

 

Oooh that sneaky Mimi... trickin' those boys into a "game" of pickin' up apples... ;)

 Graham-ers.. The Dude.

 Everyone - just hanging out

 

 Daddy's so smart.

 Baby Bryce♥

 Aunt Megan and Bryce, Tyler and Emily

 

Haha. Giving some serious "side eye."

 

Us girls :)

 

And now... Boys. On the attack...

 Uncle Corey's the coolest.

And a garden full of grandbabies ♥...

 

  Bryce, Joss, Felix, Bridger, Holden, and Graham

 And more baby time

 Listening  intently to his Mimi

 And then it was his turn to "tell some stories"

 Mommy's adorable button nose.

 

Soakin' each other in... it will be a while til they meet again♥

 

And.... we have a 2 year old!!

Well, as usual, I'm late. So sue me :)

But as of August 4th, Mr. Bridger Dean is now officially two years old! (Ah, hello there Terrible Two's. How I've missed you...)

Since Aunt Megan and her family were in town visiting, we had a joint birthday party to celebrate at Mimi's house one night, for both Bridger and Meg's little boy Felix - also an August birthday. It was a fun night, complete with lots of presents, cake, candy, and even a pinata! (So, an awesome party, indeed :))

But I still like to do at least something small on their actual true birthdays, just to celebrate the day and remember how special it is. So this year, since the 4th was a Saturday, we started the day off with some sticky rolls, candles, and a round of "Happy Birthday"! And then later for dinner we had a picnic. The boys got Happy Meals (definitely a treat for them both), and we took them to a picnic area in the Kidron park. After dinner, they all played on the playground for a while, and then we had a little cake and one more "Happy Birthday" encore. And then Bridger Dean got to open one small present: a bag of Army Guys. (We're big Toy Story fans in this house, and Bridger just loves the Army Guys in those movies. So now he has his own :))

So, yes. It was simple. But special. For my Birthday Boy.♥



At least, I think everyone had fun...

 A sticky sweet breakfast and a "Happy Birthday" song. Pretty good start to a special day, I think :)

 The Birthday Boy♥

 Happy Meals

 And now Play Time! ... My 2 year old.

 Graham's current favorite interests include: Climbing, Spending much of his day in situations that I like to call: "The Danger Zone", Being Sticky, Screaming.

Basically, he LOVED the playground.

 Crazy Kids.

 He started walking away and when I called him he said, "Shade." ♥

 Teeter Totter

 Just a couple of my favorites :)

 Holden going down the BIG slide

He walked back and forth and back and forth just yelling and marching.

Over and over and over.... 

Silly kid.

 Opening his little present - Army Guys!

 Waiting for Daddy to open them up

 First thing he did?  Share♥

 Aaaar!

 I think boys are just born with built in sound effects skills...

 They were a hit.

 

 "Boys are found everywhere - on top of, underneath, inside of, climbing on, swinging from, running around or jumping to. 

Mothers love them, little girls hate them, older sisters and brothers tolerate them, adults ignore them and Heaven protects them. 

A boy is Truth with dirt on its face, Beauty with a cut on its finger, Wisdom with bubble gum in its hair and the Hope of the future with a frog in its pocket."
 

- Alan Marshall Beck

Our crazy, sweet, sticky, dirty, wonderful Birthday Boy.

♥