Family Time

Have I mentioned how much we LOVE having visitors?
We had been looking forward to having Stephen's parents come visit us in June and were excited to spend the week with them. However, I think they were mostly excited to come to Texas and spend the week with Andrew. Yes, I know. We are perfectly okay with the fact that Andrew is the reason for Grandparent visits. But little did THEY know that we had convinced Stephen's brother and sister who live in Utah to fly down the same week and surprise them. His sister Erin flew in just a few minutes before them and just 'happened' to bump into them in the airport. Then a few days later, I snuck away and picked up James. It was a wonderful week and we played hard. We missed having the whole family together, but grateful for the time we got to spend with each other. Andrew loved all the attention and with countless people to walk with him...needless to say, he was spoiled. We always have a wonderful time with the Holden's we catch up on all the latest movies, play games, and laugh tons! We did manage to squeeze in a few other activities.

We spent a day at Six Flags which was a lot of fun! Even Andrew enjoyed a few rides.  With a few of them he claimed he was "all done" after a few minutes, but he sure did love riding in the old cars with Grandma.

The train ride with Aunt Erin was also another hit. 

The big kids hit up all the major intense roller coasters. This was a favorite of mine, but it just so happens that a few weeks ago some lady fell out and died on the Texas Giant. Yeah, I don't know if I'll try that one again anytime soon.

 We spent a few evenings taking walks around the nature preserve nearby. We had some nice evenings...for Texas in June. Although, I think they were dying of the heat coming from Michigan. We would go running in the mornings together and were lucky if we got out before it hit 80 degrees.

Andrew stole daddy's hat on our morning walk. 

Andrew managed to teach Aunt Erin all of his favorite games on the iPad. 

I just have to laugh at this picture of James immitating Andrew....Hil.ari.ous! 

 We also hit up the Fort Worth Zoo. I loved how up close we were able to get to see all the Animals. Andrew has been to the zoo a number of times, but now that he's older he was way more excited to see the animals.

And darling Erin, who is in the animation program at BYU loved sketching all the animals. She is amazingly talented. It was fun to see the other little kids come up and watch her quickly sketch and ask all sorts of questions.

One morning we decided to check out the new Perot Natural History Museum here in Dallas. It's only been open a short time, but it was awesome inside. Lots of hands on stuff...even for adults. It was fun to do all the touristy things when we have family in town. We loved having the house full and spending time with Erin and James.

And of course we spent lots of time with the Aunts! They are wonderful and we have loved living so close to them here in Texas. 

Then we were lucky enough for Grandma to stay an extra week! YEA!!! We did lots of relaxing and playing. Grandma got to join in for Andrew's therapy that week and see what we do each day for therapy. Andrew had so much fun with just one on one Grandma time! We were so glad that she'd want to stay. Andrew misses grandma a lot and asks to call her on the phone all the time.

Playing on the swings!

"Helping" Grandma with her Sudoku

 Playing a little hide-n-seek. A new favorite game of Andrew's

Reading books together. Grandmas are the best!