"In-Laws"

It seems like the stereotype for "in-laws" is not a favorable one.  Luckily I am not having that experience what-so-ever.  My in-laws put family first, and are giving me nothing but the best extended family out there.

The boys and I spent an entire week with the "S" family (while Craig was at home working), and we had a blast every second.  We were treated like royalty; eating like kings and queens, going on all sorts of adventures, playing nonstop, and being smothered with love. 

The week started at Aunt Dorothy's 90th Birthday party.  Truly a remarkable woman, and an inspiration to everyone who meets her, especially me!!!

Aunt Kari was only with us for the weekend (darn job!), but she made sure to play with each of her nephews and got a few giggles out of them as well.

Uncle Wally makes an effort to spend time with the boys whenever we head down to the farm. And he is always such a good sport, like in this picture for example.  The boys were getting ready to splash him 'til he was almost as wet as the people in the pool. 

Even though Grandma Birdie is approaching 100, she still is a spunky little thing.  This past visit she enjoyed showing off the boys to all of the girlfriends with whom she was playing cards.  And of course she was a hit with the boys, with all of her candy dishes and cookies.  My three little mooches even accepted a goodie bag from Grandma Birdie for the car ride home. 
  

And of course there is no shortness of silliness and fun when Uncle Eric is around!

 Grandpa Ron was our muscles the entire week, amongst many other things.  He not only threw the boys countless times, but he was the sole pusher of a double jogging stroller (that had a flat tire!) the 5 hours we walked around the Saint Louis Zoo in 100 degree temperatures.  Muscles and heart, a great combo! 

Uncle Steve treated us to a special day at the country club (golf, lunch and swimming)!  He also BBQed, helped the boys catch lightening bugs, and played played played. 

Grandma Mary, like usual, was hands-on the entire week.  She nurtured, loved, played, and cared for the boys every second we were with her.  In this picture Grandma Mary is showing the boys the race-track play quilt she made them.  One very special grandma, for sure!!!

Aunt Kristi- Even though she had three of her own children to care for, she gave Liam, Aidan and Connor every bit as much love and attention as her own (which was a ton!).  She was so fun to be around, and planned a perfect week for her nephews and sister-in-law.

 

And even though they are not "in-laws" I just had to include all the little people who made the week so special for the boys and I...

Ellie, 7-  Sooo sweet, sooo mature, sooo smart, sooo much fun to be around!

Notice the chalk drawing she made of her cousins...

Abi, 6- Even though she is new to the family, she is so interested in the boys, always going out of her way to talk to them, hug them, and love them.  She is a very compassionate little girl and we are so blessed for this addition (and of course Aunt Heather!). 

Anna, 6- Anna always asks about "The Triplets", wanting to know where they are, whether she can wake them, play with them, give them a snack, etc.  Anna is also so smart and inquisitive, and I think she is rubbing off on one of my boys in particular (Connor!).   

Joey, 5- Oh how the boys idolize Joey!  And for me, the most amazing part is that we saw him 8 days in a row, and he never once seemed tired of having three little people follow him around and playing with all of his stuff.  And even better, he seemed to really enjoy teaching them new things, playing with them, and making them laugh.  Truly a remarkable kid!  

 Sarah, 3-  Apparently I wasn't the only one who cracked up whenever around Sarah.  What a sweet and funny little firecracker!  Very polite too... SHE reminded ME several times to keep my voice down when my boys were sleeping!  LOL 

A special thanks to all who made this vacation so special for my boys and I.

A week I will always remember and treasure!!!

MY IN-LAWS ARE THE BEST!!!

Oh no! Oh no! Oh no!
I just realized that I, too, am an in-law.  The worst kind too...
The one who just wouldn't go home :-).