Rochester, part 2

So, if you happen to be reading this and aren't personally friends with my friends, you might want to skip along, for it may get dull seeing the same kids and moms over and over and over in usually an eating- or playing-type setting.  

For me, these photos are Bliss in a Bottle.

For my council, if you have time and care to see another comparison of the kids from last time we all did this, take a look here!  We haven't changed a bit, which is I'm sure what we will be saying for years and years of get-togethers.  :)

For night #1, Nicole and her kids stayed at Josh and Beth's, while Bill, Steph and their crew were at Rachel's (along with Nolan and me).

Not surprisingly, we were up way too late, gorging ourselves on air popped popcorn - Rachel's specialty - and talking about all kinds of issues of the heart.  Bless the Lord, oh my soul.  It is good to be with these sisters.

I think Rachel and Steph got up at some wee hour the next morning to go on a superfast run, but I succumbed to no such tomfoolery and stayed put on my sleeper sofa until Charlie wandered over and climbed in with me and we eventually woke everyone else up with our uncontrollable laughing hysterics (ask Bill, who was our witness!).  What a way to greet the day!

Mealtimes were a sight to behold.

Brita

Thor-Thor, my main squeeze.

Still half asleep, thank you time difference.

Rachel lives on a cul-de-sac, which is heavenly for getting kids outside.  With Bill's coaching, Charlie learned how to ride a bike!  

*Notice the red cheeks?  It was HUMID and we were all DYING. but mostly me.  Wow.

The never ending sunscreening efforts.

Heart!

Soon, Beth and Nicole and kids joined in the fun.

Owen, you beautiful boy, how are you this big already?!?  You win the award for Most Changed Since I Saw You!

Brita was melting down because Rachel dared leave her sight, so I whipped out the ABC app.  It worked for a minute.

Evelyn

Boys being boys!

Someone usually ends up crying...

...and has to regroup.  (Poor Cayden!)

Reloading.

Ben, you're too big, too!

Taking aim...

...and then getting a talking-to.  And so the world turns.

This tiny girl is the ultimate Biggie Smalls.  She weighs nothing but thinks she's one of the big kids!

Kaia showing the little kids how the trampoline works.  This was a hot item!

Rachel's yard is honestly like a park.  Gorgeous.

"This is just like my house!"

Aaaaand, clobber.

Cayden has always loved any ball!

Thank you, currently out of town neighbors, for the unwitting use of your play structure.  :)

(Beth is a great photographer!)

If you offer them popsicles, suddenly everyone is willing to sit down and smile for a picture.

Nolan's first popsicle 

"Nummy!"

I just loved watching these buddies.  Charlie and Addison.

Charlie explained the intricacies of dump trucks to Evelyn in surprising detail. He is a practiced big brother!

Matching dress photo op!  (Evelyn wasn't keen.)

Kaia, Ellie, Claire

And below, taken just over a year ago --- June 2013

Evelyn is so funny.  She reportedly is drawn to men far more than women (with the exception of her mom who she adorrrrres).  I tried to selfishly pry her away from Bill for my own cuddle time, but she was NOT having it.  She clamped onto him like a vice and shot over a "Get thee behind me!" glare.  Hilarious!  I didn't see Bill complaining.

Seeking refuge in the arms of my own child, I found him happily under the tutorship of Steph at the craft table.

I love this photo!

Bill headed back to the grandparents' house with their kids and kindly left Steph behind with us for one more night.  Sooo kind.

I have to take a moment and give a shout out to the Sviggum kids.  They had a ton of traffic through their house all week --- taking over their rooms, scattering their toys, and generally all up in their space and routines --- and these kids were amazing.  Consistently.  Rachel and Hans, you should be really proud of them!  They are as hospitable and kind as their parents!

Monkey see, monkey do!

Everything is a sword to little boys.  :)

(Totally pirated these new few shots from Beth while she was hosting Nicole at her house.  I wasn't there, but I saw these and had to have them.)

 *****

That evening, after all of the kiddos were in bed, the guys stayed home and let all of us meet up for dinner at Zzest, one of my personal favorite restaurants in Roch.  We sat on their beautiful patio and had great food and conversation.  And Sara Jaeger joined us -- an extra bonus!  God bless girls' nights out.  And God bless Hans, Josh and Chris for keeping all of the kids!

*****
That night, Steph and I shared a room, which meant we pretended we were in college.  She loaned me her face wash, I gave her some of my floss.  We chatted too long, and I woke up to her talking in her sleep.  I loved it.  Loved loved it.  Loved it.