Finally Made It!

Donna finally caught a break at work & we made it down to Orlando to see my bonus mom & Donna's parents. We headed down Saturday morning only making a slight detour for Krispy Kreme donuts. (I don't know why the interstate isn't lined with KK, lol)

We got to my bonus mom's just before lunch time. The boys got a big surprise when we arrived, their cousins Clark & Tucker were at Grandma's along with Aunt Meg & Uncle Aaron of course. 

My bonus mom has been working on a paver patio in her backyard most of the winter & now spring. I can't believe she took such a huge & labor intensive project on herself but she's a good example of what a little determination will get you. She tore out all the sod, put in drains, pressure cleaned & painted the fence, leveled the entire backyard, re-did the flower beds & layed the majority of the pavers herself. She's had a little help here & there but overall she's done most of it herself. Well we showed up just in time to cut the pavers that needed cut to finish off the patio. Our brother in law was building a fire place for her.

Donna cutting pavers

Garren helping Uncle Aaron mix cement

Caden's turn to help

So while we were all busy outside the kids all kept themselves busy playing inside, and outside a bit too. It's fun to see them all at ages that they can play together. Clark is 6 & Tucker just turned 5. I really enjoyed seeing them all play without much intervening from any of the adults. When it was time for lunch they all sat together, 3 at the table & 2 at the counter. Clark sat at the counter first & as the others got up to the table Garren decided he was big like his oldest cousin & he sat at the counter too. After lunch the boys all played some more & watched a movie.

Tucker, Kellan & Caden

Clark & Garren

Kellan, Clark, Tucker & Caden

Caden, Kellan, Clark & Tucker

In case you're wondering where Garren was, he was being a busy body, inside playing, outside helping, inside dragging more toys out, outside "helping" again...

Once Aaron got the fireplace set up he, Meg & their boys had to head back home. Soon after they left rain clouds starting rolling in & it started thundering so we cleaned up for the night with plans to finish it up Sunday morning. We were suppose to head to Donna's parents Sunday though, so Donna called her mom & dad to see if they could come to Marie's instead, allowing us to finish up but still get to spend some time with them. They agreed & we had lunch & a good visit Sunday afternoon before we had to head home too. It was a short visit but we learned that her parents won't be doing the snowbird thing back & forth between FL & NY anymore, they'll be here year round now. We always miss them over the summer so it will be nice to be able to visit them a little more. Donna & I have actually discussed me taking the boys down to see their grandparents during the week every so often this summer while she's working so they get to see more of them. I hate being away & they miss her like crazy when she works late or has to be gone overnight so we'll see how it goes, I know all the grandparents would enjoy it though.

Donna's Mom & Dad