Jax Howard visit--part 3

Between Bouncy House visits, Isabelle got to experience some uninterrupted floor time, and we all got to visit with Papa.  Sweet Isabelle is a very content baby and was kind enough to let Aunt Leslie hold her (despite my being told she only lets her Mama and Daddy hold her).  Papa was a good sport all day, watching the kids play and asking the girls to comb HIS hair since they were so keen on playing beauty parlor.  Lilly responded very acutely, "You have a round bald head, Papa, so we CAN'T brush your hair."  Chef Matt prepared us all a nice dinner of grilled mahi-mahi (which he had caught himself), and we even celebrated my birthday with some yummy cupcakes.  Before Papa left, we bathed the kids (boys in the tub, girls in the shower), and piled them all around him for a photo.  After Papa left, Grandma and Grandpa Howard came by for a visit.  It was nice catching up with them and filling them in on our plans for Sarajevo.  All in all, Sunday was a very nice day for all of the Howards involved!

Sweet Isabelle

"Papa, what are you doing back there?" said Isabelle.

"Caleb, you're getting water in my eyes!" said Liam.

How do you get 6 great-grandkids to sit still and smile with their Papa?  You don't.

Jax Howard visit--BOUNCY HOUSE!

Sunday was filled with Bouncy House fun!  The kids (both BIG and little) were in and out of it all day. No words can do the pictures justice, so enjoy!    

A Visit with the Jacksonville Howards, part 1

It was a whirlwind visit, for sure, but BOY was it fun!  Geoff, Liam, and I spent this past weekend with Uncle Matt, Aunt Laura, Emilie, Ella, Lillian, Caleb, and sweet baby Isabelle!  We weren't sure what being in a house full of six kids aged five and under would be like, but we should have guessed it would be a blast!  These next posts will be about our visit (since we took over 150 photos of the kids, I HAD to break the visit into smaller pieces).

We flew in on Saturday, and Liam did well on the plane despite no nap (except for one small episode where he felt the need to push the attendant call button over and over and over).  When we arrived, we were greeted by some very enthusiastic nieces and a very huggable nephew.  We chatted and visited a bit before heading over to Laura's sister's house for a small birthday party for Averie (a cousin on the other side).  The Padulas were very gracious hosts, and the kids had a ball despite some thunder storms trying to ruin the fun.

Sunday morning, the kids enjoyed a video before breakfast, and then the eldest nieces decided to give Aunt Leslie a new hairdo.  Caleb and Liam pretended to be cats while the ladies were busy beautifying me.  However, the highlight of the morning was watching the bouncy house get set-up and inflated.  (More photos of enjoying the bouncy house to come!)

 4 of the 6 kids.  (Caleb and Isabelle slept in.)

 Beauty Parlor!

 Kids being kitty cats

Waiting on the castle to inflate AND the rain to go away!

Easter part 3--the Easter Bunny's gifts

The Easter Bunny overfilled Liam's basket! Not only did he bring a book, some stickers, a lamb, a game, and some parachute bunnies, he brought a bubble gun!  Liam's first task was to open the plastic eggs.  He found some candy and some money.  The money was a big hit!  When Liam found a nickel in one of the eggs, he exclaimed, "OOOOH, hunney! (Liam's word for money)"  When he opened one that had a quarter inside, he said, "BIG hunney!"  After the plastic eggs were opened, Liam moved on to his basket.  The bubble gun caught his attention, and everything else was forgotten.  Just look how much fun he had!

Easter Part 2--Grandpa and GG

The Saturday before Easter, Grandpa and GG came up for a visit. Liam had a blast playing with his Gallagher grandparents! Building (and then promptly destroying) towers with blocks, playing musical instruments, and some sort of animal sound-themed game of chase were the favorites (please watch the video for the game. The sounds of fun wafted up the stairs, so I just had to sneak down to capture them live on film)! Liam had so much fun he lost his pants!

Easter Part 1--dyeing the eggs

Happy Birthday, Mama!

Tuesday, April 3rd, I turned 34. Yikes! (Not really. I still get carded when purchasing alcohol, and I got asked which college I attend just this past weekend.)

Anyway, Liam adores birthdays. He helped Geoff and me celebrate by singing and helping me blow out my birthday candles. Enjoy!