Castaway Club 2: Papa and Nana Visit!

We were so lucky to get visitors June 14-17.  My parents came to spend time with us and it was a welcome distraction.  The first 10 days of our assignment were rainy, busy, and getting into the new routine was a little tough.  So, by June 14, the fun of having Papa and Nana at camp was just what we needed!  It was great!  We had some great weather, so we got to enjoy the outdoors, the beach, and all of camp.  It was a wonderful time!

Bennett LOVES the water.  He keeps trying to just crawl right into the lake - head first.  Yikes!  Gotta keep a close eye on that boy.

Logan playing on the beach with our friend, Nick (18 months).

All of us enjoying the beach - John's schedule has calmed down a little since the first two weeks and he now gets to spend more time with us during the day.

Logan always loves to a tube ride - especially with Nana.

Bennett liked the tube better on land than when I took him in the water.  He wasn't too crazy about floating around.  He still isn't quite walking - although he has started to take some steps (only two or three at a time) independently.

Logan and John got to take a canoe out in the lake.  Logan was thrilled and could have spend the whole day.  He didn't even get nervous about the big waves from the ski boats.

Helping Bennett learn to walk!

Bennett with Papa and Nana.

There were some fun things going on the days Papa and Nana were at camp.  They got to see lots of the craziness we experience all month.  Logan loved showing them around and introducing him to all our new friends.  Logan and Bennett both have quite a following of fans.  Its been wonderful to see them both open up and engage, create new friendships, and build relationships with so many people of all ages.  

Playing with Papa on the private dock and on the playground!

Exploring

Fun with Nana...she is silly (fits right in!)

Papa's Boy

My boys with P & N.

The whole family.

Crazy Logan.  Wonder where he gets that?!

Logan before Club - just jammin'.  He's such a cool dude.  I was lucky to experience a lot of Club and late night activities while my parents were here.  We often took baths and did pjs right after dinner, then all went to Club together to sing and watch the games.  Then my parents would take the kids back to the room for bed while I got to stay out with John - just like the old days!  It was a blast and I was really grateful!

Logan in Club with P & N.  Thanks so much for the great visit!  It was a huge help to me, a great time to look forward to, and so wonderful for the boys!  We love you!

Fun at Papa and Nana's

We got to spend several days at Papa and Nana's while John was in Chicago for a couple different training conferences.  It was a welcome change of pace for us.  The weather was really nice, which made it even more fun!  We did a lot of playing, running outside, special trips, seeing Aunts and Uncles, and just relaxing!

Logan helping Papa make pancakes.  Papa was home just for the start of our visit before he went to Malaysia for work.  Then he got stranded for a couple extra days because of the volcanic eruption in Iceland.  We're glad he made it home safe, now!

Bennett was Papa's special boy.  There is some bond between them because Bennett got so excited to see Papa and then wouldn't let go.  He wouldn't even come back to me when Papa was holding him!  I couldn't believe it!  Its pretty special, I think, since Logan has always had an extra special bond with my mom.

Playing together...

sort of.  I think Logan must be telling Bennett "No Benny, that's not yours!"  I hear that a lot lately.  Bennett is pretty quick getting around these days and always wants to be doing what Logan is doing.  We're still working on understanding the whole sharing thing!

Flying high on the swing!

Logan loves to swing.  Bennett, not so much.  By the time Logan was Bennett's age, he loved to swing, so I am not sure what the difference is.  Hopefully this spring as we spend more time at the park, Bennett will start to love to swing just as much as his big brother!

Logan likes to walk out in the paths around the trees and in the long grass.  He calls is "The Zoo".  We do get to see some animals sometimes: deer, pheasant, lots of birds...Logan sure loves that.

Logan and Nana coming back through the zoo!

Thanks for letting us come to stay - it was great!

Logan's Adventures!

Logan was lucky to get a few days in Stillwater last week while Bennett was having his tests done.  He was so excited to stay with Papa and Nana and by the looks of it, they had a great time!  We love having family close enough to know the boys so well.  Thanks to Kyle & Ali and Andrew & Amy also for making time to see Logan while he was visiting!

After attending an impromptu music class at Rutherford Elementary, P &  N took Logan to visit the Easter Bunny...apparently its not Logan's favorite character.  He must take after John (he thinks an 8 foot bunny that delivers eggs is pretty weird).

Logan went to Kyle and Ali's house because they have a GREAT park in their neighborhood.  They were babysitting Ali's sister's dog, Mika (or Meek-up, as Logan called her!).  Logan was in heaven and didn't want to leave when it was time to go!

My parents had the fire department come out and do a controlled burn of their wild grasses...Logan was in heaven!  Here he is with Amy by the firetruck!

Logan with A & A!

We just had to add smiley Bennett to the photo, too!  This was the day I took Bennett over to pick Logan up from his stay.  He was in a great mood after lots of special attention...just like the grandparents' house should be, right?!  Thanks for the fun!

Special Visit

Last weekend, we got a special visit from "the whole family", as Logan would say!  Papa, Nana, Amy & Andrew, Kyle & Ali all came over for a fun day together.  Guys and girls took turns watching the kids while all got to spend some fun time together!  Then, after our guy/girl activities, we all made dinner together and hung out before bedtime.  It was a great day!

The girls got to shop in the morning and have lunch out while the guys watched Logan and Bennett.  While the guys were out and the kiddos were napping, us girls did some springy crafts.

When Logan woke up, he wanted in on the fun, too!

Bennett and his crazy nap hair!

Logan and Bennett kept Nana and the Aunties busy while I did some kitchen prep for dinner.  I guess the guys didn't take any photos while they were "in charge" (not surprising!).  We all had a great time and we loved having such a big group of visitors!  Thanks for coming!

So many visitors, so little time

Logan has been one very lucky boy. He's had so many visitors lately! Papa and Nana came to visit on Wednesday, which was such a special treat! My dad had been traveling for the last few weeks through China, Japan, Singapore, and India. So, he was anxious to see Logan and we were happy to have them over!

We played outside, went for a walk, met John for lunch and much more!

It was a day of fun and games!

Logan sure loves Nana...he definitely remembers her between visits and gets excited to see her!

Logan got a few gifts from the business trip - this panda bear included!

Story time was funny!

I think Logan is reading to Papa in the picture!

Thanks for taking the day for such a special visit!