Indy with Daddies in tow!

After finishing up work last Thursday, Nick helped me to finish packing, load the car with our babies and dogs, and get our house show-ready before embarking on our trip to Indy.  Six hours, three stops, two energy drinks, and twenty minutes of Emmy sleep later, we pulled into the Sacksteder's driveway just a hair past midnight.  We came up with a strategic plan to move our sleeping babies into their respective corners so that we wouldn't wake Kris and JP and their babies in the process.  All was good until the dogs were placed in their enclosure.  Both Molly and Darla were hell-bent on letting the neighborhood know that they'd arrived.  By the grace of God, everyone was sleeping soundly and weren't ruffled by, particularly Molly's, ear-splitting bark.  Ugh.

The next morning, after a lingering goodbye (Andy, Emmy and Clairey weren't ready to halt their play,) we drove a little over an hour to Nick's Aunt Cindy's farm!  The gorgeous day only added to the beautiful scenery along the drive.  We were able to visit with Aunt Cindy, as well as Nick's cousins, Sam, Joe, Andrea and her new little bundle of love, Addison!  They welcomed us with open arms and showed us a really wonderful day!  We got to visit with Aunt Cindy's horses, sail on the pond, climb in the tractor, eat ourselves silly with a DELICIOUS BBQ lunch, not to mention catch up around the kitchen table.  We pried ourselves away that evening and look forward to our next encounter in California in July for the celebration of Ben and Eliana's marriage. :)

The rest of the weekend was spent playing hard.  The kiddos had a lemonade stand under the direction of their daddies (they made $7!!), they played at the park and the pool.  Bottom line, they wore each other (and their parents) out!  Nick and JP took full advantage of the evenings after the kiddos went to bed...Drinking beers, watching sports, Buffalo Wild Wings and a movie night.  Just like old times, only with five kids and a few more gray hairs.

Kris and I, of course, just find comfort in handling the crazies together.  We agree that we are better versions of ourselves when we're working side-by-side.  I feel so grateful to have had another chance to do so.  We are counting down the days until our next rendez-vous (Emmy wanted to return as soon as we arrived home. ;)

Nick cuddling his second cousin, Addison. :)

Hannah cuddling her second cousin, Andrea!

More cuddles...

We like to cuddle. :)

Serious Emmy wasn't without her cowgirl hat. :)

Next time Nick wants to ditch the boat and swim with the fish. :)

Practicing smiling at Mama. :)

Babies and two sleep-deprived Mommies! (Andrea makes exhaustion look good. ;)

Emmy reluctantly sitting on the pony.  She was feeling less brave than she did last year...

As I was buckling Emmy into her carseat, she tells me, very matter-of-factly, "Mama.  I like Aunt Cindy."

GORGEOUS! (You know when Emmy puts her own clothes on, because they are backwards, 100% of the time.)

Leading the horses to their enclosure with Daddy and Sam.

Good memories!

Preparing the sign for their lemonade stand.

Babies keeping busy.

Consuming their own merchandise.

The lemonade stand idea was conceived as an opportunity for Andy to use his cash register.

Customers besides Mommy!

Practicing old tricks!

Hannah, true to Hannah form, was game for anything.  

Father's Day cuddles!  Hannah's gift to Nick. :)

Reminds me of another photo...

Must be a two-year-old thing to crash other people's family portraits.

Love them!  Each and every one!

Our eldest is completely disinterested in looking at the camera.  She's far too busy for such nonsense.

Jacob and Uncle Nick stretching their legs.

Preparing to Skype with Papa on Father's Day...

The chaos ensues...Dad couldn't get a word in edgewise, but judging by the hysterical laughs he was giving us, I think he preferred it that way. ;)

Clairey on the hot seat playing "name that president" for Mimi and Papa.  The rules: Kris would give her a first name and Clairey had to fill in the last name of one of the Presidents of the United States.  For example, Kris: "Franklin." Clairey (a month shy of three years old): "Delano Roosevelt." She had a perfect score, which was about 100% better than my own :-P.  It was hilarious, especially as I simultaneously watched my two year old literally bouncing off the wall while playing in Jacob's baby swing. 

Giving Kris one of her patented whole body hugs on a rough parenting day.

This photo would give one the impression that Emmy slept on the way home.  But it's all an illusion.

We tried a second time (who am I kidding, we took about 40 family pictures), but a certain little person was still on a camera boycott.  At least she's smiling this time. :)