mimi & papa.

were with us for 8.5 days.
the boys were spoiled ROTTEN by them.
i'm pretty sure mimi & papa spent the majority of their time :: on the floor playing with ty ty's.
and now they think i am to spend all my time :: on the floor playing ty ty's.

not.gonna.happen.

 

the four of us got away two nights sans the boys and enjoyed some adult beverages and some yummy food.
we spent the first saturday morning/early afternoon at the pool.
holden wanted to show mimi & papa his new jumping skills.

 

adam and papa spent two afternoons taking in some of the great golf courses in the area.
the boys, mimi and i went to the splash pad and to the boys favorite park.
the jump house in the basement was utilized often as it was crazy HOT here.

 

adam and i snuck away for two nights :: it was wayyy overdue.
we SO appreciate mimi and papa allowing us to go.
they said the boys were good.
i think they all enjoyed their time together.
but were thrilled may have been happy to see us return.
we sure were happy to see those two smiling faces.

friday night was one of the two nights we went out sans the littles.
we went downtown to the great lakes brewery.
it's a favorite place to take company.
especially beer drink'n type of folks.

saturday morning we got up:: and headed back downtown to the westside market.
this was our second visit, mimi & papa's first.
it too will be a regular stop with company.
it's just that amazing.

that evening we enjoyed a delicious dinner compliments of our finds from the market.
after the little boys went to bed.
the big boys started assembling the boys belated {so.worth.the.wait.} birthday present.

sunday morning :: we headed to the zoo.
the weather finally cooled off.
the boys were up way past nap time, but were troopers the whole time.

 

after nap time the boys got to see their present.
papa had planned on building them one.
i showed them one in a magazine i had seen and really liked.
we decided to buy it for a couple of reasons :: we liked the canopy. the cover for the sand.
and it would take WAY less time to put together rather than build.
we LOVE our home made toys from papa.
but for this particular one :: buying it kind of made sense.

this thing was the biggest hit EVER.
they played nicely. by themselves. no whining. no big messes. for a couple of hours that first afternoon.
the next morning i let them play after breakfast.
i was inside cleaning up the kitchen.
papa was putting up an extra lock on our front door.
mimi was upstairs getting ready.
i could see them from the kitchen.
and only had to referee a couple of times.
another glorious. successful. sand box play time.
this thing is amazing.
we all LOVE it.

we had a great 8.5 days with mimi & papa.
the saying holds true :: you never know what you have until it's gone.
we totally took them for granted when we lived closer.
we cherish each and every visit we have with them.
we are SO thankful they enjoy {and have the means} to come visit as often as they have.
the boys love mimi & papa with all their little hearts.
the first thing that came out of holden's mouth this morning as i opened the door was :: see mimi?!
i had to remind him mimi went up high in the airplane yesterday.

thank you so much for coming and spending 8.5 days with us.
thank you for loving on our boys. playing ty ty's 24/7. for their beloved sand box. for the wonderful meals, both at home and out. for letting adam and i get away for a couple of nights. for all our choo choo ice cream treats. and for all the other things i missed.
thank you for reminding me what family looks like. what it means. and how it should be.
your example means more to me than you will ever know.

we are already counting down the days until october when you return.