Kentucky cousins

Jake & Max visited while we were in Kentucky. This was a huge treat - now that we all have kids, Cora & Quinn, Jake & Max, get together only about twice a year (which, actually, is probably a lot, given that we've always lived far apart). 

The fun began when Uncle Shew came to town.

Look at these hugs! Precious.

My kids love Uncle Shew.

On a walk down the road.

Superman. I bet Matt was sore after playing with my kids for a day. They would have wrestled him constantly, and he about let them.

Then Jake & Max arrived into town. The fun doubled. Quinn wasn't quiet big enough to hold her own popsicle this summer, so Cora did a great job of sharing when popsicle time came around.

Mia had a birthday to celebrate!

When I was pregnant with Cora, Mom & Dad found this never ridden Thomas the Train bicylcle at a yard sale. They paid $5 and put it away until they needed it. Cora LOVES this bicycle. Even still, when it came time for her birthday in September, I mentioned maybe getting her a pink bike. She made it clear that Papaw was bringing her Thomas the Train bike from his house.

This summer, she really learned to peddle.

Under the carport with Jake, waiting out a rain storm.

Quinn looks a lot like Uncle Shew. I don't know if you can see it here, but I see it in her expressions and profile all the time.

Loving on Max.

Cousins. Watching a movie.

With Aunt Bum.

This pic is classic. Papaw Jim came to get them out of bed. I happened to peak my head out of the room and grabbed my camera. He was carrying Quinn while giving Cora a ride on his foot.

Don't tell me he wasn't in heaven for this pic!

This night was so fun. Quinn was so entertaining. We all sat in the floor and asked Quinny for love - she sprinted from person to person giving out hugs.

This wrestling match got a little too rough.

Who knows what happened here, but Mia's face is classic.

I love this cousin cuddle pic. So sweet.

I wish we all got together more than once per year!

A Wagon Ride

Our summer in Kentucky

I can't even do the fun we had justice.
This summer, while we were homeless for 7 weeks,  I took the girls and spent 3 weeks in Kentucky. We had an absolute blast! I didn't get to stay the WHOLE time (I had a college subrosa event AND I came back to work for a few days). However, the girls clearly settled in and made Mia & Papaw's house a quick substitute for home.

I think Mia & Papaw and the entire Kentucky clan kinda missed them when we left.

My old toys are at Mia & Papaw's house. The girls love my old doll stroller.

Mia & Papaw have a swing on their porch for the girls. It's a huge hit.

This truck sings "Stop and go, stop and go, da da da let's take it slow..." That'll get in your head, I tell ya.

Mia & Papaw have a long driveway - these two love going for walks at Mia & Papaw's house!

Visiting on Aunt Lynn's porch.

What is this thing? A telephone?

I love these faces.

OK, Dad, Cora's face is looking pretty normal now.

When I'm in Kentucky, it's usually such a whirlwind that I often don't get to see old friends. Plus, many of my old friends live in Lexington/Louisville now, so it's tough to cross paths. The good thing about being there for 3 weeks is we got to have a lot of play dates with friends and friends' kids. Here, Luke Kelly, stopped by for a visit.

Cora doing play-doh with Grandma Iris. Grandma Iris ALWAYS let us do play-do at her house. She was loving this time with Cora.

Eating ice cream with Papaw Jim.

Hiding in the tent.

It's hard to see Cora, but don't be confused. This little tent held Mia, Mattie, Cora, AND Quinn!

Visiting Great Grandma Iris.

This tunnel with tent got pulled out daily. We played so hard!

Naps often happened after a ride on Papaw's "tractor".

Quinny loved playing ball.

While in Kentucky, Papaw & Mia bought Cora several puzzles. The first one was age appropriate; they meant to put the other one away for her until she was older. Boy did she surprise us. It turns out that Cora must have Grandma Iris's puzzle working gene (I suspect I have it, too). It didn't take Cora long to figure out how to put these little puzzles together, sometimes having as many as 48 pieces. She worked through stacks of puzzles at a time. The baby 12 piece puzzles Mia & Papaw bought for her. The step-up 24 piece puzzles. The 48 piece puzzles. The old chicken & egg puzzle from my childhood, and the old school bus puzzle that is who knows how old. The cheap 4-pack of puzzles we picked-up at KMart when we realized how quickly she was working through our puzzles. Cora worked through stacks and stacks of puzzles.