Auntie Time

Dear Anne-Marie took a week off work, to visit us. Little old us, in the-far-away-place. :) 

We were all so excited, and glad how it worked out that she could come for Sarah's wedding too! (which is in another post)

It was such a meaningful time together - she invested lots in the kids, helped me out a lot, we had fun together, and just enjoyed life. 

Auntie brought chalk to do with the kiddos. 

"Laura love" for Amy

Anne-Marie and I went for a delightful pedicure together, and had such a nice time catching up, but I have to get those pictures from her, so now it's just a description. 

Trying out the foam rollers for the wedding a couple days before. :) So cute...but they didn't stay in so well. 

At the wedding rehearsal. Katy ready to practice walking down the isle. 

Isn't he just handsome. :) 

Darling little cutie - after the wedding,

Erik has been begging us to take him to the "jump" park, so we finally did it. 

He was excited, but when we got there, a little overwhelmed with all the big boys doing their jumps. 

It took a bit for him to warm up, and the guys were nice, to give him a bit of space, with us watching closely. :)

Wonder what's going through his mind as he watched the big boys do their thing. 

And when the half pipe was free, Katy had a blast running and sliding around - just like I did when I was little...

So happy, as he built up confidence AND speed.... never thought I'd be mom of a "scooterer". 

Watching on the sidelines. 

When the guys saw my camera, they "performed" for me. :) So I took a bunch of their jumping shots for them. :) 

After the time at the skate park, we went to Dairee Delite to use up the kids verse gift certificates (from VBS). 

All of us enjoying a treat. 

Sisters.

The next day, after church we went to Brad and Diane's for our family dinner. Marv and Marlene were there, so it was a nice catch up afternoon with everyone after the wedding. 

Pretty girl with a Tonka truck. 

They were matching - an accident - but perfect!

Auntie love

Then Benjamin and Katy wanted some pictures of the two of them...after being Ring Bearer and Flower Girl together, they developed a special relationship. :) So cute. 

And a silly shot - funny how Katy has figured out that that is "cool". 

Visiting on the deck. 

Auntie Nel's kisses.

Cute Eden.

We all went to Turkey Point a couple days later, for an afternoon at the beach with Anne-Marie. 

My man who is not afraid of the water anymore. 

Laura splashing around.

Me and Anne-Marie's pedicure - I've got the red, and she's got the yellow. 

Sister Selfie

On the day that Anne-Marie left for the airport, we spent the morning at the Twin Valley Zoo. 

It was lovely, though a quicker run through the zoo.

Watching the swans.

Such a good auntie with these kiddos. 

Awwww. 

Love how Laura is feeding the deer with no fear. 

Playing with the little goats. Then home to lunch, and then....there was this...

Yup - that's a garden. :) And this is my humble moment. (one of many!)

And it's embarrasing...like totally.

One thing I hoped to do while Anne-Marie was here, was to get the green thumb, to help me get control of this mess. And she did. So this is BEFORE. :)

And we stopped for "tea" for a second - by the kids own iniative. 

And yes, this is AFTER. :) So much better.

Now I don't feel like a total neighborhood embarrassement. 

And another shot. :) I told Anne-Marie, please take a before and after. :) 

And she did this with me, right before she had to pack and leave for the airport. 

So thoughtful. Then it was a quick supper, and then time to say goodbye.

I cried. So did Katy.

We held it together for a bit. But I lost it, when we were standing at security watching Anne-Marie go through. I asked Katy, "are you okay?", then she broke down, and I lost it. It hurts when your little girl hurts, and I didn't want to say goodbye either.

It was the bestest time with her - so fun, so good, so sisterly. :) 

Now to wait for the next time! Thanks so much for coming sista!