Thursday, July 28, 2011

Cousin Bliss

Some of you may be thinking what a bad blogger I am.  And you'd be right.  Only this time I have a valid excuse.  Mmm - hmm.  I do, I do.
 
My computer kicked the bucket.  Yep, apparently I caught a very nasty virus and it just locked the bugger up.  A friend got me up and running though (for which I am forever grateful...thanks CH).
 
So now I can continue on the path of good bloggyhood.  Or at least try!

So on to Cousin Bliss....

Yes, those words can only mean one thing....we got to spend a weekend with the cousins! 
And was it truly bliss....?  Oh ya ~ it sure was!   They all had so much fun together and it really was a wonderful weekend for the kids and adults as well!  I'm fortunate to have great Brother & Sister-in-laws and we really enjoy time together!
So we met at a fun little city that was a halfway point for all - and though it was a short stay we got to do a few fun things.

So here's a peak at just what cousin bliss looks like!

Aren't they all so cute!


MmmmMmmmmm....dinner time!  The one activity that kept them all in one place for more than 2 minutes!
Sammy learned how much fun jumping on beds can be.  I'm not sure it's a skill I wanted him to acquire...but they had so much fun I couldn't bear to stop them!

Simone and her big cousin-they were the duo of the weekend, playing DSI together, trading Pokimon cards and just being goofy!
The guys.....chilling after a long day.
Sam was chilling too....
But the next morning came soon enough and naturally we headed to the pool for some fun!
Peek-a-boo.  I spy a wild thing in the brush!
They all swam and swam....and played and played!  We were water logged and tired after our swim!


  

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We had a special visit from a cousin of Adam's and his family. They have a 2 year old boy...so for part of the trip Sammy had an extra special companion! And it was great to get to know some family we haven't spent time with!


And then the highlight of the weekend (well for Sammy anyway) was the Museum of Transportation.  We all enjoyed it, what a great place, but Sammy LOVED it!  So it had lots and lots of trains. 
Trains everywhere....


And some cars....
It even had the car from "Ghost Busters" and some other famous cars!  I didn't see much of that part...cause I was still with Sammy Wei watching the model trains!
And more trains.  Big trains, trains being preserved, parts of trains and toy trains....




And of course...as exciting as it was...somebody pulled "a Sammy". Yep he passed out cold and missed our walk through downtown as well as lunch!
But he woke up as we pulled back into the hotel and the first words out of his mouth was..."train".  Which led to the mantra of  "more trains...Mama?"  until Sammy and Mama ended up heading back to the museum for two more hours to watch the model trains go around.  I could not believe how much he loved those trains!  They had to actually close for him to leave.  He still asks every day or so to go see those  trains!

We had plenty more fun, we had more pool time, another dinner and a trip to the ice cream parlor.  But finally it was time to depart.  After an hour of goodbyes we tried to capture an ever elusive photo of the cousins.  There was no such shot to be had... below is the closest we got. 
I think my kids are in it....
So the blissful weekend ended with the promise of another meet-up soon.  Let's hope so....I love being a part that kind of magic - that kind of Cousin Bliss!
J

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Watching the Dragon Boats race

One of our favorite summer events...the KARM Dragon Boat races at The Cove!!  This year it turned out to be a beautiful day, starting overcast and cool and evolving into a hot sunny day with a great breeze.  Perfect for racing.  Oh okay....just watching the races!  But I truly love to watch them, I find it just so exciting!

Oh yes..the little fellow is demanding that his sister row!  Bang those drums Sammy Wei!  Row JeiJei...row!!
 But she prefers crafts!  Our FCC group has a craft booth that we all take turns volunteering at.  Simone spent almost two hours helping me with the crafts!  What a big help she was too!
Of course being at the Cove meant swimming in the lake and playing in the sand!

And for me...watching those races with my toes in the water!
This year there was inflatables as well, the kids went on this slide a dozen or so times.

 And we met another youngster from.......Taiwan!  I put our bag down next to the chair his Mama was sitting at, not knowing, and we ended up realizing both our boys are from Taiwan and they are about 6 months apart in age!  I am sooo excited to have this cool connection for Sam.   And they really became pals fast, sharing a snack and a blanket!

What a fun day at the Cove! 

And next year we're hoping to have an FCC boat in the races.
Row Mama, row!
J