Go west, young girl!

Elizabeth boarded a plane last month and headed to California.  She had THE BEST TIME, oh, you have no idea!  She stayed with Mary and Mark first - they went to Santa Cruz, where E "accidentally" fell into the ocean and therefore needed her aunt to buy her a new outfit; San Francisco, where E was fascinated by the architecture; and a nearby water park ....  Then she spent the night at Kim Reeder's house to visit Ansley, her partner in fashion shows.  Then she was off to Tiffany and Bennett's house for more laughing, playing, shopping, and volcano erupting until her week in CA was over!

The Top 10 list of highlights from her trip pretty much all involved her cousins: Aaron, Kate, Sam, and Elise.  Elizabeth is completely enamored with all of them - she loved the way Aaron was always laughing (see video of him dancing below), how Kate took care of her fluffy dog (very appropriately) named Fluffy; how Sam always wanted to read and be read to; and how Elise made up clever games with her cars.  I don't think E experienced an iota of homesickness the entire 8 days.  :)  Zoe, however, did miss E - she whined by her empty bed each morning and burned 2000 calories jumping for joy when she returned. 

Super sister, super family, super fun

Mary's family visited - yay!!!!!!!!  Oh, how happy we were when that awesome family arrived, how sad we were when they left.  Elizabeth and Michael would have gladly given up their beds the rest of the month if their cousins could have stayed with us all that time.  Birthday Boy Aaron, who turned 5 during his trip immediately bonded with Zoe; each day he patiently, kindly played with her, talked with her, fed her, and chased her. Kate loved dragging Zoe around by her toy - see very cute video below. Both kids loved the water - at the water park, from the blaster fights,

and from the golf course's sprinkler system behind our house.  Last year Kate was just learning how to speak; this summer she was constantly spouting 10-word sentences: unbelievable.  Aaron had been talking about Michael's Gator since last summer, so he spent some of each day chauffeuring willing subjects (including Zoe) around the property. 

Kate was the perfect assistant when Mary and I went clothes shopping - Kate pushed the shopping cart, which was easily twice her size, while pointing out the "pretty" colored clothing that we should wear.  Mark's work station was waiting for him, where he steadily whittled his way through the list of computer problems I've had in the past year since his last visit - oh, how I wish I had his knowledge.  Mary was Mary - always beautiful, funny, supportive, and gracious.  I love my family!!!!  We miss you all already.

St. Louis Visitors

It's been several years - waaaay too long (four years?) - since we saw Uncle Al and Charlotte, who visited from St. Louis this week.  It was sooo good to see them again.  Zoe enjoyed Charlotte's toes, while Uncle Al provided a lot of scientific information about whatever topic of conversation we had.  I was quite relieved when he showed up without his slide projector (you know what I'm referring to, siblings!!). 

They really were the easiest guests, even taking us out to eat, after which we caught some real (?)country music downtown.  Mom stopped by to see her brother (that would be Uncle Al) on her way to Cousin Katie's wedding in Connecticut.  They're both so happy, funny, and kind.  The world needs more Uncle Als and Charlottes. 

Holiday World

For the third year in a row, we went to Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana.  We love that place - it's half amusement rides and half water park.  Michael headed straight for the bumper cars, while Elizabeth's first ride was the spider (officially called "Paul Revere's Midnight Ride" to make it fit with the area's nice and kitschy theme).  Lines were short, so life was good.  I actually went on 2 rides - the Liberty Launch, during which I screamed "I hate this!" the entire time, much to the operator's bemusement; and a log ride, which everyone in the family loved - we went on it together at least 8 times.  I tried to get a photo of the log ride but was scolded by an attendant for not putting my camera in a locker.  The next time I tried, they took the camera from me.  I may have embarrassed my children with my rule-breaking, but I didn't ask.  I was happy to be the photographer and hat holder the rest of the time. 

On the first day, Michael said he wanted to spend his allowance on one of those scam basketball hoop games, to try and win a basketball.  After watching a bunch of people miss and miss and miss, he went against my obviously-not-sage advice, walked right up, sunk a basket, and won a UK ball.  I was stunned (not that I don't believe in my son's basketball abilities; I just don't like the tiny little rims that you have to hit perfectly in order to make a basket.)  The next day, he told me he wanted to spend more of his allowance and try to win a jersey.  Against my vehement yet still-not-sage advice, he sunk 3 of 5 balls and won not only a jersey but also another UK basketball. 

All roller coasters were avoided (whew). Lots of blueberry ice cream was devoured.  Zoe spent her first night away from us since we got her, happy to be at Rosemary's in Shelbyville.