Play like a champion weekend!

This weekend Nathan's cousins Jennifer, Joe, and their kids Michael, and Catherine came to visit us. Now that they are living in Rhode Island we have been able to see them every few months. Michael and Catherine are so much fun to play with and really good kids. They love their cousin 'Cal-ep' and are very helpful and enjoy playing with him.

They arrived on Friday afternoon and we just hung around the house, played, and ordered pizza. The kids were very entertained with Caleb's toys, it was an encouragement to see they will keep him and his little brother amused for many years. Jennifer said the key is to hide them for a while and then reintroduce them...we will remember that helpful hint!

On Saturday, while Nathan was at his last day of school, it was a beautiful day so we went to Sky Meadows State Park. Sky Meadows has lots of rolling pastures and woodlands, miles of trails to include the Appalachian Trail, and is filled with Civil War history.  We decided to hike the Piedmont Overlook trail. The views were beautiful!

Catherine loves butterflies. She was determine to catch one, and she did!

Joe was the super trooper who held Caleb in the backpack carrier. Caleb enjoyed going along for the ride and had fun on the hike. Thank you Joe!

This was probably the only 30 seconds that I was able to get Caleb to wear his hat...

View from the top!

For the last few weeks, we have caught Caleb standing for a second, then he crashes down. Today was the first time we saw him standing on his own for a good 10 seconds. We are so proud of you big guy! Notice the intense concentrated look on his face :)

Then we made our way down the trail. Joe, Michael, and Caleb made good time on the way down.

Today was Catherine's big day! This was the first hike she completed all by herself (not getting picked up). Jenn is a great motivator and told her when things get hard, pushing through makes us stronger. Great job Catherine!

After a good hike, we all enjoyed rocking chairs, a picnic, and talking with a Union Army Soldier (I did not get a picture of him).

I thought I forgot Caleb's water cup by the car (it was really hiding under a bag), but this is why babies need sippy cups...

Haha!

We relaxed and took naps when we got home from the hike, then hit the pool with the kids. Everyone had a good time swimming. Nathan was home by the time we got back to the house, and we had a BBQ to celebrate him being all done with school! It was a tiring and fun day outside. Everyone played like a champion!

Thank you for the fun weekend Joe, Jenn, Michael, and Catherine! Come back anytime :).