Here Comes Texas {2013}

It's always a lot of fun when my sister Becky and her family come to visit us all the way from Texas.  Today was no exception.  We started the morning off meeting (almost) the entire family for breakfast.  Jason had to work so, he couldn't join in on the fun. =(  While at breakfast, we celebrated Jessi and Katelyn's birthdays.

After breakfast, we headed to the aquarium.  We all broke off into small groups, which made it nice for us to all be able to catch up with each other.  Uncle Billy enjoyed spending time with the boys.  These guys talked some serious fish business.

Uncle Billy, Evan, & Stephen

Addi got a little special surprise from Nana and Aunt Ashley.  She got a seahorse of her very own when she was checking out the seahorse tank.  She was so happy!!!  I am so happy that I got a picture of her great big smile.  =)

Addi & Seahorse

Karsyn really enjoyed hanging out with everyone at the aquarium too.  She started to get a little tired, so I put her in her stroller and let her play The Shapes Game on the phone.  She seems like such a big girl doing it!

Karsyn

All of our little groups met back up and played a game of 'how many people can fit on one bench.'  Crazy, right?  And in case you are wondering, that's 8 people. ha!

Aunt Ashley, Natalie, Papa, Jessi, Addi, Katelyn, Aunt Becky, & Payton

We decided to do a sibling picture while we were at it.  I grew up in a little family of 6 that has the same make up as ours.  My brother Billy is 7 years and 2 months older than my sister Ashely.  Evan is 7 years and 3 months older than Karsyn.  I love how God worked it out that way for our family.  I've told my mom before that I feel like I got the play book. =)


Billy, Becky, Ashley, & Me

After the aquarium, we headed off to lunch. Aunt Ashley had to leave for a short while, but she let Jessi stay with us all.  We ate at a little local diner that has a 1950's theme.  These kiddos really enjoyed sitting at the counter.

Emily, Kyle, Katelyn, Jessi, & Payton

There weren't quite enough bar stools for all of the kids.  Evan and Stephen didn't seem to mind....too much.  I love that they are such buds!


Evan & Stephen

And here's a picture of the rest of the crew! 

Addi, Uncle Eugene, Aunt Becky, Nana, Karsyn, Papa, Uncle Billy, Aunt Kary, Natalie, & Kellie

When we were done eating lunch, Karsyn only wanted Stephen.  He even had to buckle her in her car seat. Stephen had an ear to ear grin while doing so.  I'm pretty sure it made his day. We took a short break and headed home to do a few chores.  I was really hoping that Karsyn would take a quick nap, but she didn't.  We met the rest of my family at my Grandma Shirley's house. The kids had a lot of fun playing together.

Katelyn & Karsyn

We left Grandma's house and went to my parents' house for a little while.  We enjoyed watching some of the girls' dance videos.  I loved that we are able to watch their performances!  Then, everyone started to get hungry again.  The little girls had no nap.  The big kids had slept over at Aunt Ashley's house the night before. (Evan's first sleepover, Payton's second.)  It seemed to be a good time to go home for the night.  We loved getting to see Eugene, Becky, Kellie, Kyle, and Katelyn.  It's always hard when you have to leave!  Love you guys!!!