GiGi's 90th Birthday Celebration

We travelled to Illinois for Chris's grandmothers 90th birthday party.  We stayed in a large rental house with Chris's brothers and sister and everyone's significant others and kids.  That's a total of 7 adults and 6 kids (Chris's brother James couldn't make it due to a ready to pop pregnant wife).  The house was on a river with plenty of sand to keep the kids intrigued.  It was a great set up. 

 

Just last month we took our first trip as a family of 6, a road trip.  This was our first flight since Audra was born.  Traveling with 4 kids is not for the weak or unorganized.  Though it was stressful for me, the kids did great. 

 

It was the twins first time in seats of their own, and Ryan was more

than pleased to show them how to do their seatbelts.  Over and over again.

 

After a couple hours on the plane, we had another hour in the car. 

Fortunately, 3 of the 4 choose to take a short nap. 

One of the best parts of our trip was the kids getting to play with their cousins. 

And, kids of Chris's cousins, does that make them 2nd cousins? 

 I was afraid the boys were going to love this poor toad to death. 

No worries, he made it out alive.

This awesome boat was a big sandbox behind our house. 

Needless to say, the kids loved it. 

 

Nama and Audra watching the birds. 

The birthday girl herself.

Audra wishing Gigi a happy birthday.

Daddy's girl.

 

Seriously, isn't she delicious?

 

The party was held at our rental house.  Perfect.

The kids also got to catch up with all their aunts and uncles. 

Here Audra gets a taste of Uncle Mike.



The big kids also got to play with all their cousins.



All the fam.

 

Audra wasn't the smallest guest...

 

Mmmm.  Smores. 

 

This was the first time Ryan, wearing a lifejacket, floated in the water without

holding onto one of us.  This was a huge leap in his swimming progress. 

Ethan, on the other hand, is a wild man in the water.

 

Overall, the trip was awesome.  We got to see a lot of family we don't often see and the kids had a great time.