Mini Carlson Family Reunion

Over Memorial Day Weekend, we had a chance to get together with a lot of our Carlson family since they were in town for Chad's wedding.  It was soooo great!!! 

But first...just a couple pics from earlier that week

Emmalyn playing doctor with Landen

Maxwell eating with chopsticks for the first time.  He loved it and was pretty good (with the little helper tool)!

Unfortunately we weren't going to be able to go to the actual wedding because we had already planned on doing a Color Run as a family on my mom's birthday.  Luckily there were other opportunities to spend time together with our extended family.  We met up with everyone at the site of the wedding and joined in on a pizza lunch.  (I didn't get any pictures) 

Then we headed over to the hotel everyone was staying at to spend more time together.  We decided to go swimming since it was something everyone could do and we didn't have to go somewhere and spend money.

The kids were already making friends and having fun.  Emmalyn had a couple of the "older" cousin girls who were happy to mother her.

Angelina, Vanessa, Emmalyn, Landen, Max, Hayden, and David

We hung out in my Aunt Sue and Aunt Nancy's room.  We weren't prepared to swim so I ran to Wal-Mart with my cousin Melissa to get supplies for her kids, my kids, and Brittany's kids.  It was fun to have a few minutes with her sans kids!

We got there and most everyone was already swimming.  Britt's boys just jumped in wearing their shorts but of course, Maxwell my rule follower was eagerly waiting for me to get back because he would only go swimming with a suit.

All of my Uncle Rob's family was there except the bride and groom who were off doing things.  Many of them I have not seen for years!

The pool was filled with my much loved Carlson family.

Unfortunately the water was not heated!!!  It was soo cold but that didn't stop everyone.  I was glad Emmalyn's little mothers got into the pool with her so I didn't have to.

She had fun but it was nerve wracking not being in the pool even though I was watching like a hawk.

Maxwell out of the pool on a quick break (note his purple lips!)

Emmalyn finally was too cold and so she got out and bundled up with Angelina

Uncle Rob tossing Maxwell in the air, just like fun uncles do.  :)  I have some really great uncles who are not only great uncles but great grandpas and treat my kids as if they were their own grand kids.  That always really touches my heart.

Finally pulled this kid out of the water and he was coooooold. 

Some of the group

After swimming, Britt and I took the kids and went home since it was bedtime.  Late that night, the Kenyons got to our house to spend the long weekend.

The next morning we all met back up at a park halfway between the wedding and our place (since we were more than an hour away) for more time to play together and visit more.

I found the park by just googling... No one had been there before but the pictures made it look like it was a decent park.  It ended up being AMAZING!!!  Lots to do, a variety of toys for many ages, tons of places to sit, trails to run for the runners, and a splash park too!

Emmalyn was constantly entertained by her cousins, it was great!

Vanessa, Emmalyn, and Natalie

They did a great job of taking care of her.

Maxwell also benefited by having lots of cousins around (even though some of them he didn't know before yesterday) to challenge him and inspire him to play in new ways than he had before.

Peter wanted to hold Jackson.  Maybe he's ready for another baby??? (Hah - NOT)

Why splash at the splash park when you can splash in the muddy puddles?

Some of Grandma Carlson's great grandkids.  It's amazing how many there are and then you realize that there are so many still missing!  There was representatives at this informal mini-reunion from each of her children/their families (and mine).

We finished off our fun morning with lunch at in-n-out.  Luckily they had some tables outside and I had a bunch of blankets in the car for the kids to sit on.  We were a big group!!!

Natalie and Maxwell

Landen, Hayden, and David

Jamie, Lindsey, Morgan, Anna, and Cadence

Park of the lawn crew

The table crew - mainly adults.  :)

Gotta love in-n-out!

I am so grateful for these great people in my life who, while technically are not blood related, are my family and have always acted like such.

Utah trip continued - Aquarium and more visiting!

On Monday morning we hung out at Tammy's house and the kids played.  Then we went to lunch at Crown Burger.  It was AMAZING.  I love that place.  Then we spent time running around the valley picking up outdoor (coats, bibs, boots) gear for playing in the snow from a couple of my friends from high school who had generously offered to lend it to us while we were in town.  It was fun to see them if only for a few minutes.

We spent more time with Grandma Nelson, it is wonderful seeing her and never enough time.   She spoils the kids (just like she would spoil me and my siblings when we were over there). Maxwell knows to ask for chocolate milk when we are there.  (you know, the really good stuff made with the Hershey's syrup..)  We also got to see my cousin Brandy for a short bit. 

Emmalyn cuddling with Grandma

Grandma and Uncle Terry gave Maxwell and old cell phone and so he was having a fun taking a bunch of pictures.

Not sure what's up with sticking her tongue out but it's starting to happen more often

That night Peter and I stayed up late working on a puzzle at Tammy's.  I LOVE working on puzzles but can't really do it at home with the kids.  It's been really enjoyable working on them during this vacation.

It's snowing!!!  Normally I would be happy to avoid the snow but I really want the kids to get the full snow experience on this trip so the more snow, the better!

Cleaning off the rental car in the morning.

That morning we met up with my cousin Julie at the new aquarium in Sandy.  I was so glad we were able to find some time to get together even though it was a short visit.

Emmalyn with Julie's kids Nathan and Erica

Guess my kids were too interested in the display to smile for me. 

Riding a whale with Nathan

All of Julie's kids - Nathan, Erika, Robby, and Jacob

  

Emmalyn loved watching the penguins

This aquarium was great!  So many, varied things to play on/look at.

He went VERY slow but he eventually made it!

There's that tongue out again

And more tongue...is she trying to catch flies?

seriously...this tongue thing!

Love this adorable girl.  She was great and stayed really engaged and interested.

Two cute little kiddos

The whole group!  (Max was SUPER tired so he wouldn't look for the picture.)

We went for lunch at Arctic Circle (gotta have that yummy fry sauce when in Utah!).  The kids BOTH had fun playing on the play place.  Usually Max does not like going down the slides so I was proud of him for going down!

Emmalyn, of course, was all about going down the slide.

Jumping off the stairs.  He was all kinds of brave today.  :)

Capping it off with a kids cone.  (I got a cookie butter shake that I still drool over just thinking about it.)

Full-face enjoying that cone

After Arctic Circle we had to make a stop back at Grandma Nelson's to pick up a charger for the old phone she gave Maxwell so that he could keep it charged and take more pictures.  We also had another stop to pick up more snow stuff.  I really appreciate the snow stuff and the money we are saving but running around getting it has been a bit of a hassle.

Sweet girl was wiped out.  She fell asleep in the car cuddling with the cute little purple turtle we got her (a good pair with Max's favorite stuffed animal - his green turtle.)

We went back to Tammy's and dropped off the kids and then Peter and I hit up a bunch of thrift stores looking for some snow stuff for us.  (Luckily the D.I, Savers, and Goodwill were all super close.)  Finding snow stuff is hard in Texas so much better to look in Utah.  :)

Then, we went over to Shannon's parents house for dinner and to visit.  The kids had fun playing with her niece and nephew that were also there.

Dance party!

The kids are similar in age which makes it fun.

Maxwell just loves his Shannon.  :)  (and we are excited for her engagement to Colt!)

When we got back to Tammy's there was a fresh dusting of snow on the ground.  Keep bringing it, Mother Nature!

We finished another puzzle.  :)