Why Don't We Do This More Often?

You know how there are certain occasions that when you are done with them, you think, "Man, that was fun? Why don't we do that more often?" That's how I feel about today. It was a super fun day in which Brayden and Mikayla got to play with their other cousins - whom they see way too seldom, and yet time is never an issue in terms of their camaraderie and fun. Particularly Mikayla and Andie. There are only 3 months between them, they are exactly the same height, and those two were peas in a pod running around all day today. Of course, us adults love the time together too.

We also were able to get some fantastic pictures today - I think the cat's out of the bag that they will probably turn into calendar presents for everyone at Christmas time next year.

Here are some of those pictures:

Brayden, with the VERY super cool hat he got from Uncle Jeff and Aunt Laura.

Mikayla, with Monster blankie, also from Uncle Jeff and Aunt Laura- I just wonder if the Monster on this blankie is supposed to stave off all of the monsters that would come get you in the night?!

Also from Uncle Jeff and Aunt Laura - a rockin' skateboard, paired with the right kind of pose from our boy.

This is such a classic picture of Leona - so indicative of the pride she has in her family, happiest when she sees them happy....

And, a gorgeous shot of Aunt Laura (Uncle Jeff's wife - Uncle Jeff being John's twin brother)

A little more direct of a shot of Laura, she is such a sweetheart, once again, whenever we're together I always wish it would happen more often....

This is Uncle Jeff. He looks JUST like John, huh? (hee hee!) But for everyone who actually questions if John really DOES have the twin he talks about having, here is proof.....!

This is Alex (Alexandrea), the daughter of Mary Beth and Tom, John's oldest brother. She was born at 28 weeks, weighing 1 pound, 15 ounces. She is a miracle to behold - now healthy as can be at age 11.

And this is Andie (Andrea), Alex's younger sister - the other pea in the pod with Mikayla....

Don't you just love the freckles on those girls.....?

And, on to the entertainment of the day - the Wii - along with the Outdoor Challenge activities, and the Wii Fit board. We were all lining up to give it a try - Jeff even setting up his own Profile (as Charlie Brown). (Surprise, surprise that our 100 mile Ultra Marathon runner's BMI is right on target.....!)


We loved getting Jeff to try the Yoga portion.....

Because then John was able to take the picture, use Photoshop, and turn it into this....

A couple more pictures of us and our nieces:


And, here are a few shots of beautiful Mary Beth, with her beautiful daughters....


Finally, our family portrait! We made three different attempts to get everyone in the shot, and with each attempt, about 6 different poses. It got a little old, so it's only fitting that the one we all liked best was the very last "silly faces" shot.... Everyone agreed the picture captured the spirit of the family....