Cousin Time Continued!

We were sad to take Michael to the airport Sunday, but after loading up that van and getting those kids to Utah, it just feels too quick to turn right around and go home after a week. So we spent 4 more days with family and kicked the week off with Lagoon!

This was one of my favorite spots growing up. It took me a long time in life to conquer my roller coaster fear... didn't happen until a school trip to Lagoon in 8th grade when I just had to ride all the rides thanks to good old peer pressure. And I absolutely loved them from there on out. I didn't expect Westin to ride much based on his super cautious way of life, but he was up for anything he was tall enough for and he LOVED it all! I was shocked! And I was equally shocked that rides didn't make me nauseous, since I haven't been on one since before I had Westin. But I went straight onto the Samurai with Ali while Matthias was so kind to be with all the babies, and I was just laughing and in heaven that whole ride. A little later Logan's family met up with us and we had so much fun getting the kids to all the fun spots in the park, and we spent 10 hours there that day. Such a blast and way more fun than I even expected it to be.

The next day we slowed things down, did laundry, hung out with Ali and Logan's families some more, and ate delicious Utah food. Why do they have such yummy chains there? Cubby's sweet potato fries forever. On Wednesday the boys spent a good chunk of time in Lehi with cousins, I helped Jenny do a little bit of pantry reorganization and she totally overhauled her space that day -- new shelves and baskets and painted shelves on one wall, so fun! 

Then Thursday we made our drive home. I stopped at Swig on my way out of town and listened to The Woman They Could Not Silence and we had a great drive day. Asher didn't even cry, that angel. Though our second stop in Laramie was a total bust when we were suddenly violently attacked by mosquitos. I found myself running from a picnic table back to my car while still nursing, they came on so fast and strong! We had the bites to prove it and it was very violating. Mosquitos are the worst.

We made it home about 6 and Pam's family came over about then with some pizza and grapes and the cousin fun continued! Michael took Lily's wisdom teeth out earlier in the week while Gary was working a few days in Fort Collins. We went to a splash pad together on Friday and to the Greeley Stampede with them on Saturday. They came to church with us on Sunday and left straight from there to Yellowstone.

Back to back cousin time is what summer is made of! The boys loved our trip. I don't think they'll ever know the work behind a solo road trip with them and packing up a super full van and managing tiny children bathroom stops and keeping everyone happy on skipped naps and full days. But I do know they'll remember these highlights and they'll love their cousins forever and those things make me really happy. Trips are work and trips are the best. 

Heading into the park as soon as it opened!

These babies were troopers.

Camden took some convincing to ride rides but he was a fan of these boats

One of us had much more waterfall exposure than the others on this ride.... :)

Dippin' Dots. Ice Cream of the Forever Future

These two are just so much. So much loving and fighting and laughing and arguing and playing and chasing and it's hilarious.

Baby buddies.

Asher stealing Dallin's binky was a crack up. 
He has never taken one. He just stole it just to steal it.

Goodbyes aren't fun.

It's getting to be pretty wild with all of us around.

Ali has a bed in her unfinished basement and I was just loving sleeping down there with Asher.
It was just fun to be able to see him when I woke up, cute little guy.

Found another cool park between Ali's house and my house.
We're learning all the stops.

This was after our mosquito attack. Straight back into the car and an awkward feed and diaper change trying to keep all doors closed.

Headed into the Greeley Stampede.

The boys loved being able to get into the different cars and trucks they had on display.

Camden lives for school buses.

Try to spot Westin.

Yes, he did get that t-shirt and those shades for free from the booths.

Sending cousins off to Yellowstone!