Comings and Goings Part 2- Aunt Jia and Kin

My very best girlfriend in the whole world, Jill (Jilly, Jilly Beans, Aunt Jia) lives all the way in Houston, Texas so we don't get to see each other very often.  We go way back- I mean all the way back to the playground in 5th grade!  But we have made it a point to visit each other once a year since she's been down there.  I love it, because I have been able to see her relationship with her husband Brad grow stronger and more beautiful, meet their adorable son Ethan and then a few years later their daughter Kinley.  And I know she'd say the same about getting to see me and my family.  Even though we don't get to see each other as often as we'd like (I mean, we wish we could be next door neighbors!  Or at least live in the same 'hood) when we do get together we totally take advantage of our time :)

This summer it was Jia's turn to come up to the Lou and visit us.  Last year she came up with an almost one-year-old Kinley and K and G loved her.  This past winter Kennedy and I flew down to visit and the girls were fast friends, so this trip Kinley came to visit again!  (and I'm a bad girl, I didn't get it into the blog.  I'll have to add some pictures later)  The kids were inseparable, except for when they were fighting over toys and sippy cups :)  It was so very precious, and made me wish we lived closer for yet another reason!


The girls flew in late Wednesday afternoon, and we got some Imo's pizza to celebrate our friends' visit.  It was the first time K and G ate pizza!  Thursday we chilled around the house, went for a long walk, and then my MOST AMAZING HUSBAND TIMOTHY MICHAEL took on babysitting all three munchkins so Jill and I could go to a Thirty-one consultants meeting together.  :)  Very cool (the meeting and the husband).  


Friday Tim was most amazing AGAIN and worked from home in the morning.  Once we were all up, we decided to make some Chocolate Muffins (see previous posts!) and the kids were happy to help again.  We got a chance to play outside in the pool before Tim took on the munchkins again so Jill and I could have some girl time.  We went to Jilly's Cupcake Bar... ah.ma.zing.  And then some shopping to work our lunch.  We're dangerous when we get together!  ;)

Umm, don't mind me- I'm concentrating on measuring.  Baking again, the kids sure had fun!

Kinley helping to make our chocolate muffins!

these kids had an absolute blast together.  They made a MESS!

:) 

I just love this girl!

and so do Graham and Kennedy!!

p.s. this was right before bed time and they were literally jumping off the walls- at least the padded fireplace!  Maybe it was the sugar from the cupcakes we brought back from Jilly's? 

two very sweet girls

Awwww!  Maybe future daughter in law?  Hmmmm...

Jump!

While they were in town we decided to do some crafts we found on Pinterest (are you shocked?)  We made butterflies (and messes!) with their hands and feet.  Aren't they adorable?!?  And the pictures are pretty cute too :) 

Kennedy was so proud!

Chillin' on the last day before we headed to the airport

Saturday was the girls' last day with us.  Tim was Mr. Incredible again and manned the house while Jill and I went to a Zumba class together.  It reminded me of old times when we used to dance together ::sigh::  After an amazing class, we headed home for lunch with my parents and grandpa.  They love Jill almost as much as I do, and they were really excited to meet Kinley!  The kids got some down time together before nap time and before the girls had to head home to their family.  

As soon as I dropped them off at the airport, I missed them so much.  But I cherish the time we DO get to spend together, and I'm already looking forward to the next time!  

Love you, English family!

Welcome 2 our Zoo!

Welcome 2 our Zoo!

We wanted to celebrate the Kennedy and Graham turning two with family and friends- so our house literally turned into a zoo!  So our little monkeys fit right in :)

lots of balloons and cupcakes, stuffed animals hanging around- the house was festive if nothing else!

we had tons of cupcakes- so many that my cupcake tree couldn't hold them all!  So I turned to pinterest for some ideas... some cardboard from the bakery, scrapbooking paper, cans and ribbon- viola!  Cupcake tower!

 I'm glad I made such a big one- we needed the room!

We had lions... 

And Ah-ahs (monkeys)... 

and Jo-Jos (giraffes) for Kennedy

... and i think the elephants were by far the cutest!

I spent over 10 hours on these lovely cupcakes- we baked 4 different kinds and had 4 different animals... so if I ever decide to quit teaching to open a bakery somewhere, will someone kindly remind me of the animal cupcakes?  I don't think people would be able to afford my creations!  :)  But there were rave reviews and everyone said they were delicious- and even more importantly the kids absolutely loved them.  So time very well spent!

 We were so happy that so many people were able to celebrate with us- luckily it was a very nice day outside, so a lot of people enjoyed the weather in the backyard.

the Short cousins- Kennedy and Amelia 

having fun in the playroom with our friends

Momma and the birthday girl 

our friends Emily and Jen

Jean Marie and Paige

Uncle Steve, Aunt Theresa, and Jacob

cousins Adalyn and Amanda

we finally got to dig into our presents- it was hard to wait!

Graham loved his new Cardinals jacket- he had to stop opening presents just to put it on!

in fact he loved his jacket so much, he cried when we made him take it off so he wouldn't get cupcake on it!

but Kennedy had no problem digging into her cupcake!

lovin' the giraffe!

... but don't worry- Graham finally got to eat his cupcake :) 

our friends Angela and Sophia and Aunt Becca singing Happy Birthday

Angie and Rachel waiting for some cupcakes

we had time to play outside with some of our new toys- we got a really cool pirate ship pool from Uncle Chris, Aunt Megan, Grandma Kim and Grandpa Don.  We can't wait for this summer so we can go swimming!

 And we got an awesome new wagon from Grandma Diane, Grandpa Glenn, Great-Grandma Aubuchon, Aunt Becca, Uncle Chris, Uncle Steve, and Aunt Theresa

we love it!  we got to take turns getting wagon rides in the backyard with our friends

 everyone had a blast playing with our new slide, too!

Graham was pretending to shoot water out of the cannon on the pirate ship :)  I just LOVE watching their imaginations grow by leaps and bounds!

and last but not least, we got this great picture of cousins Abby and Graham that Uncle Chris sent us.  Aren't they cute?!?!

Our Visit With Jill and Kinley (A much overdue blog post!)

Once a year we head to the airport to pick up Aunt Jilly for her Annual St. Louis Trip to the Horstmann's.  It's a huge event for us ;)  This year (in July), Jill brought Kinley Rae with her!  Kinley will be 1 year in a week or so, it's great that they're all pretty close in age.  Kennedy and Graham were SO excited to have a friend to play with! 

our sweet little ones sharing a snack, literally.  Everyone drank each others juice and ate each other's goldfish.  It's all in the family, right? 

Graham and Kinley taking time to pose for the camera. 

Three of my favorite girls- Kinley, Jilly and Kennedy!

The first night they all needed a bath, so into the tub they went.  It was like they've done it every night of their lives.  Aunt Jilly and Aunt Heather had so much fun playing in the suds with these cuties!

We take a time-out from our regularly scheduled program... the Friday night that Jill and Kinley were visiting, Tim took K and G to a family wedding.  Kennedy is showing off her sassy outfit!  She looks ready to salsa :)

Graham looks as handsome as ever.  I think he's saying "Oh Dad, let's get this over with"

Saturday the girls all went out shopping- we hit our old stomping ground, Chesterfield Mall and shopped 'til we dropped. (I stole this picture from Jill's blog- thanks girl!) We had the girls dressed in matching pillowcase dresses. They were so cute! All day long, we were asked if they were twins. We finally just told people they were cousins. I mean, they might as well be!

 

The last night Jill and Kinley were in town the little ones had a great time playing together and sharing Puffs, a favorite bedtime snack. 

Kinley and Aunt Jilly being silly girls.  They made us laugh all weekend, and we had so much fun!  We already can't wait until next year!  Love you, girls!