Family FUN!

In the first week of August, my far-away sisters (Seattle and Virginia), came to Indiana for an (almost) reunion (everyone but my brother's family).  The reason for the visit was that my sister, Beth, wanted her new baby's blessing to be at my parent's house.  We were able to spend several days together, and had so much fun with them and their adorable kids!

Beth, her husband, Adam, and their kids Holly (2) and Ben (3 mo), arrived in Indianapolis on Tuesday, July 31st.  Eli and I met up with them and my parents that Thursday at the Children's Museum.  When Holly saw Eli, she excitedly ran up to him, then stopped right in front of him and rubbed his cheek.  : )  She is such a hoot, and the smartest, most full-of-life kid I've ever met.  

Sadly I didn't have batteries for my camera that day, so all I have is just a couple of poor-quality pictures from my mom's phone.  Since the playscape is currently closed, they have Teddy Bear Land set up in its place.  There were so many fun things to see and do in there that Eli could have spent the entire museum trip in that room!  

A box of sand with all sorts of objects that you can shape into the sand.  Very fascinating to Eli!

Cousins sittin' in the racecar together.  So sorry for the bad pic!

My sister Emily, her husband Pooch, and their baby, Noah (7 mo), arrived Thursday evening.  Friday morning everybody (my sister Becky and brother-in-law Kyhle included), came over to our house to see it (some for the first time).  Of course I frantically cleaned like a madwoman beforehand.  : )  Afterwards, we drove over to the Carmel Waterpark, ate a picnic lunch, and checked out the pools!  Eli and Holly both really love water, so it was a terrific place to take them.  We had fun floating around on the lazy river.  

That evening we (along with David this time) headed to my parent's in Greenwood for the weekend.  We all ate dinner at Johnny Carino's to celebrate my birthday, and had a little party back home.

(Don't mind Dave.  That's what happens when he doesn't want to smile for a picture. : )  

Aunt Becky with Eli and Noah

Holly sat on my lap while I opened my presents.  After every one I opened she looked at it and shouted, "That's AMAZING!"  She was surely the cause of lots of laughter during the week.

Saturday morning a few of us went shopping for a little bit at the Edinburgh Outlet Mall.  All we came home with was kiddie clothes.  Oh, the life of a parent!

Saturday evening we had a cookout and played some yard games, while the kiddos had a blast in the kiddie pool!  The three of us headed back home that night to go to church in our own ward.  

Remembering the good ol' days in his bumbo--

Helping Grandpa water the plants (right before he stepped in dog doo-doo)--

Right after church (11-2), we drove to Greenwood again and made it just in time for Ben's baby blessing.  Adam gave him a beautiful blessing, and baby Ben was smiling up at him the whole time.

(Already out of his blessing outfit.)  He's such a good baby.  I hardly heard a peep out of him all week!

Ben used Eli's old carseat that week.  He also had the same pacis as Eli.  Eli thought these things were very curious, and was a bit confused.  : )

Poor little Eli.  All of the crazy schedules during the week really messed with his naptimes.  By the time Sunday rolled around he was plum exhausted and really starting to feel the effects.  We tried putting him to bed at 5:00, but he woke up crying so hard after an hour, so overtired and not feeling comfortable outside his own room and bed.  Boy it sure is hard when your kids are so sad!

David had Monday off work, and we headed with my family to Terre Haute to visit my Grandma Rosalie and spend time at my cousin's house.  My grandma lives in an assisted living home.  As we were taking her back to her room after our visit, she fell down.  It was just Eli and I in the room when that happened.  I was holding Eli, and when she fell I shouted and put him down really quickly.  He started bawling and was so upset by the whole situation.  I ran to get my dad and he got help for my grandma.  They took her to the hospital to make sure everything was okay (it was).  It was such a scary experience!  She has dementia, and most of the time doesn't know who we are or what's going on.  She just looked so confused before she fell.  It's so sad when your health starts to really deteriorate.

We were all pretty shaken up from the fall, but still headed over to my cousin's and went swimming in their pool.

Eli got such a kick out of this raft!  David spun him around on it and Eli was nothing but giggles.

Here's a video of them playing--

Eli so cutely wrapped up in his towel.  : )

Eli and Noah playing together.  But it seems Noah's being a car hog.  : )

Eli and my cousin's boy, Owen, jumping off the fireplace!

All the Metheny kids, spouses, and grandkids (minus my brother's family.  we missed you guys!)

Monday evening we went back to our house.  Emily and Pooch left Tuesday morning.  The rest of the gang came up to Westfield so we could take the kids to the splash pad by our house.  It was practically empty while we were there!  Perfect place for little tots.

Holly is CRAZY about water!

Eli and Holly became such good little buddies that week!  She called him, "my best friend ever!"  He just thought she was the coolest little kid, and was always happy to see her.

(Eli about to kick Ben in the face)

Any time spent with our far-away family is special, as it always comes too far between times.  But we're feeling very blessed to know that we will see EVERYONE in California for Thanksgiving!  Bring on the holiday season!  : )