3rd of July FUN...

with cousins is always a good time!

We enjoyed a little Monkey Joe's and an Independence Parade. We don't see Titan and Ryker (Jason's bro's little guys) very often, so we were sure to squeeze in as much fun as possible while they were here visiting their grandmas.....

Morning of the 3rd...getting ready to take parade chairs over to the neighbors. It gets crowded and we wanted to be sure we had good seats for the show!

At Monkey Joe's...waiting on Ryker and Titan. 

This girl jumped right in....

Tay showing Ryker the way up....

Our one and only attempt at a group shot. Ryker wanted nothing to do with sitting and Tay wanted Titan to sit on her lap. Funny! Better luck next time!!!!

All ready and waiting for the parade!

Titan blowing bubbles. LOVE Ryker's expression in the background. He can't wait to blow bubble himself!

Waiving in hopes of scoring a little extra candy! Even Aunt Lori was getting into it!!! Fun!

Happy 3rd of July, Peanut!

Cuteness!

Love this pic! Titan joined on the action and it totally looks like the two little ones are scheming!!!

Capping off the night with a little weeny roasting and s'mores making. In the t-shirts they caught in the parade and all. Thanks, Daddy for getting the pit ready!!! A great night-cap on a great day!!!!

Thanks cousins for hanging with us for the day! It was a blast!!!! 

Christmas with the Weites....

happened a few days early this year due to the fact that we are still in the habit of rotating holiday celebrations between families.

It was great to be able to celebrate with Jason's Mom and Dad and his sister's family....

 

Cousin pic!

 

Silly faces....

 

Tay had a blast this year opening her presents and helping everyone else open theirs...I'd even say that she was more just as excited about everyone else's gifts as she was her own. Such a stinkin' cutie!

 

Trey lovin' the DOWK movie. Make for wonderful family movie nights!

 

New travelin' toy...perfect for the 12+ hours of holiday traveling she had a head of her...

 

Aunt Lori and the girls!

 

Grandma Marcia getting a moment to relax....

 

So excited about the dream light (even though she told me it's not really a dream light, but it does the same thing so she's just going to call it a dream light ;)

 

Tay kickin' it in her new slippers and chair....so comfy!

 

Checking out Ty's baby...

 

Hard to believe it's our 14th Christmas together....awwwwwww!

 

PaPa Ken getting in on the goods....

 

Giddy-up!

 

Family photo op...in front of the Christmas tree, which is barely poking through. Think that means it's time for a shorter hubby taller tree!

Jason's sister in Lousianna wasn't able to make it up, but we did find a few special deliveries in the mailbox....

 

Full of fun-sized video cameras and Chuck E. Cheese cards! Lucky Ducks! Thanks, Aunt Lyn....

 

Another cousin shot when were finally able to get together with Jason's bro and his family. They live in StL and we TOTALLY need to get on the SAME holiday traveling rotation!!! It was great seeing them and the boys are as cute as ever and getting oh, so big!!!!

 

Overall, what a phenomenal Christmas celebration. It was simple and sweet and the time spent together was beyond fabulous! I'm so lucky to have amazing in-laws and the kiddos are so lucky to have to many special people in their lives. Lots of Love, Weite Family!!!!

COUSIN TIME!

Even though I'm one of five kids, sadly, my kiddos don't have any cousins on my side of the fam. (YES, that is a hint to you four to get it in gear....mhhhua!) I've always dreamed about my kiddos getting the opportunity to grow up in a big family with lots and lots of cousins!!!!!

Trey, Ty, and Tay are lucky enough to have four cousins on Jason's side and anytime they get to spend time with them, they have a true blast. It's so neat seeing them interact and love on each other....and, even though they don't get to see that much of each other, we definitely cherish the time our paths do cross.

Damen and Caden are Lori's (Jason's sister down in Bloomfield) and they mean the world to our kiddos. Trey absolutely idolizes Damen and Tylee can't get enough of Caden's "girly" time, but, Damen is a SENIOR and Caden is a JUNIOR! (Yeah, I can't believe it either...I seriously met them when they were like 3 & 4 years old. WOWzers!!!) Needless to say, as sweet as they both are to my kiddos, the age difference is very obvious. My three pretty much follow them around like lost puppy dogs and Trey thinks tackling and giving Damen raspberries is cool. Damen, not so much. Poor high-schoolers having to play kiddie games....

Well, this past weekend they got to hang out with another cousin, Titan, and they were super pumped. Titan and Ryker are Nick and Nicole's little cuties. (Nick is Jason's brother and they live down in StL.) Marcia had Titan up here in Des Moines for the week and they all got to hit up Monkey Joe's, the East football game, and the backyard. They had a grand old time out back on the swing set and slides. Titan just turned two and Ty was in heaven. She seriously pulled out all the Mother Hen moves....wiping his nose and making him and Tay hug. It was ADORABLE!!!

We just don't get to see enough of that little guy....thanks for hanging with our crew, Baby Titan! We all had a blast!!!

Isn't he the cutest?!?!

Ty getting Tay and Titan to hug for probably the 10th time!!!

Ty had a blast with you, Titan!!!

Headed into the jungle....

Yes, he's having an absolute BLAST! I wish you could hear the ear-piercing screams of excitement...PRICELESS!!!

Tay a little behind Big Sis...she tried her best to keep up with them, but those legs just weren't quite long enough!

Drink break!

This is as far as Tay would go into this bounce house...there was just something about that scary blow up, purple and yellow polka-dotted dino!!!

Ty telling those two to hug again!!! ADORABLE!!!

Having a little kiddie convo!! And, I have to say that those stripes on Tay are not lying!!!

Trey showing Titan a little ELMO action....

Titan loves his fruit snacks!!

Can you tell that Ty seriously loved every second!!!

"Time to wipe your nose, Titan!"

Gettin' SILLY!

Aww....hugs for Baby Titan!!!

Everyone had a great time and I know the kiddos can't wait until they get to see their cousins again. It's definitely times like these that really make me wish that we all lived closer. They would have a blast growing up together!!!! Titan...make sure you give Baby Ryker all our lovin' for us. We know you are going to be a great Big Bro!!!! Love and miss ya bunches and see you again soon!!!!

Backyard BBQ and....

a little cousin action!!!

Two weekends ago, Nick, Nicole, and Baby Titan made visited from StL and, it just so happened, that ALL the cousins were together for the first time in a long time. Marcia and Ken hosted a little BBQ and everyone was able to get together and have a little fun...

Damen, Caden, Trey, Tylee, Titan, and Taylen...all posing in the backyard!!!

Grandma Marcia and Grandpa Ken with all the grand-kids ;) How fun!!!

Nothing beats a Sunday afternoon BBQ!!