Popsicles and Pirates

The wonderful thing about spending time with family is there usually isn't one spectacular event that defines a visit as successful or a bust. It is all the small moments that combine to build memories together. Here are some of those little moments.

We have stubby toes and finger toes and toes that can cross and toes with freaky nails. We have pretty toes and hairy toes and pale toes and tan toes. And we compare them, just to make sure we all know whose are best.

Girls get to wear fun bows and clips in their hair. They get Girls' Night Out and sister time. Is it any wonder that some little boys get jealous? Good thing there's a pink wig around to play a little pretend.

It is possible to gather enough children to take down a grown man. Even the baby got in on the fun and tried to run her dad over with a train.

Pirates and water go hand-in-hand. Especially when you have skulls on your shirt. And your board shorts. And you captain a canoe into the depths of the seaweed forest. Because then you can say "Arrgh!" as many times as you want and it never gets old. Nor does the phrase, "The beach is straight ahead!" Which is a lot cuter coming out with the lisp of a 4-year-old.

When you play hard, it is good to take re-hydration breaks. Especially if the hydration comes in the form of a Popsicle. But wait...what is that???

Look!! A plane!!!!! The look on his face kills me.

As anyone with small children knows, there is no such thing as a clean way to eat. So after a while, you stop trying to keep the shirts and dresses and clothes tidy, and you just take it off when you give them food. And how can you look at those cheeks and those cute little rolls and not want to pinch them?!? I can't.

There's a right way to wear a hat, and then there is the cool way to wear a hat. 'Nuf said.

One night a storm blew in from over the Salt Lake. We went out on the porch and watched the lightning. All the kids were pretty big fans. Until the thunder started getting a little louder, then some of the boys decided they were finished.

Utah in July is one steady stream of fireworks. You have to see it to believe it. Last night the plan was to keep the fireworks small and not loud. Three of five children agree that loud fireworks are NOT fun. So we did sparklers and ground blooms and snaps and snakes. And when you have a couple of inventive guys around, all of those can become aerials! The finale (well, one of them...since every good fireworks show has at least one false finale) was the Statue of Liberty.

And this is what it all comes down to. Big cheesy grins and hugs and looking forward to the next time we get to see all of the cousins, siblings, nieces and nephews who live so far away! xoxoxo