Amazing Family

I love my family so much!!!

We met at White Marsh, MD for a quick get together to celebrate my niece Rhiannon's 7th birthday and also just to catch up before the school year gets into full swing. We will all be very busy this fall. So for a last summer hurrah we headed up and met at 1:00 sharp at the mall in White Marsh. Well, okay...it wasn't exactly 1:00 sharp. But somewhere between 1:00 and 3:00 we all eventually arrived and got together. After a quick shopping trip (yeah...I got to use 3 coupons and I didn't even spend a dollar) and an inevitable trip to the toy store we left to go to dinner. Jonah and Kaden were so happy to see each other. Well, Jonah was happy anyway. He immediately attacked Kaden by grabbing his hair and yanking. Kaden started to cry. Jonah: Strike 1!!!

Dinner was...well interesting. Despite a "cupcake hostess" that was sending us dirty looks and talking about us to the other servers we had a nice time. But seriously...my sister, Katie's kids really have to go to the bathroom a lot. Jonah eats a lot and stole a french fry right out of Kaden's hand. Kaden looked confused..."Where did my food go?" Jonah: Strike 2!!!

Next we walked over to the fountains and pretended to throw each child into the water but managed to somehow keep everyone relatively dry. A few coins thrown in for good measure and a quick present opening session for Rhia. Loved Aunt Emme's gift. Loved Nannee's gift. Ummm...thanks Aunt Amy. Jonah behaved but only because he was being held.

After being scared away from the fountains by a creepy dude checking out our kids we took a trip to the bookstore and received very strict, VERY LOUD instructions from Aunt Emme that all children were to stay in the kids section and not to leave...EVER...UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY A PARENT. (Steven was at the time walking back and sitting down behind the creepy man and debating if he wanted to punch him out for being so gross. Common sense won and he just stayed long enough to make sure Gross, Creepy Dude wasn't following our kids to the bookstore.) And then...believe it or not...Katie's kids had to go to the bathroom AGAIN. They are little peeing machines. Jonah and Kaden were playing on a blanket. Jonah rolls over to Kaden and physically pummels him down to the ground. Kaden cries. Jonah: Strike 3!!! YOU'RE OUT!!!

After that comes a 45 minute discussion about where to go for ice cream. Seriously...can't we just make up our minds. "I know" says Aunt Emme, "Let's circle the mall and look for the Friendly's or the DQ."......Well, none of that worked. How about Frosty's from Wendy's and a nice spot to loiter in the mall parking lot while the kids run around and we all talk and laugh.

By the way...who's idea was it for us to have a cartwheel exhibition??? I can't do a cartwheel as I so grandly displayed to my whole family....the good news...Kyle and Iain are almost as bad as me and Teagan is even worse!!! Go Mom for showing us all how it's done and Dave...you rock. Don't worry Honey...yours are still my favorite!

I love each member of our family and had so much fun seeing you all. I miss you so much. Thanks for all making the trip to White Marsh for a fun day! I cherish each of you! And Jonah...don't worry Kaden will pay you back someday!!! :-)

Blessed to have such an amazingly fun and awesome family,
EMT