More family. . .

There is a LOOOOOOOOOONG RV in our driveway. Julie and Toby and the boys made it this afternoon. We had a nice evening, sitting on the patio watching the kids play in the yard. At one point during the evening, I had come into the house and was standing at the kitchen sink. Everyone had gone out into the common area behind our house. Loren, Chad and Noah were playing Monkey in the Middle. Vicki was trying to help Thomas throw a ball for the dog, Ella and Evan were running around and Julie and Toby were watching the action. It was great. A yard full of people I love. It was a hot day, but a very pleasant evening. Loren and Vicki(Chad's parents) went on the hunt for a patio umbrella and came home with a great one, that has a stand on the side of the umbrella, instead of in the middle. It made all the difference! there is NO WAY we could have enjoyed the deck without that. Since having all the trees removed, it is a sunny place all.the.time. The thermometer (which sits directly in the sun) showed something like 130 degrees. I think the temp. was actually closer to 90 degrees. At any rate, too hot to sit on a wood deck with no shade. We will enjoy our deck so much more with the umbrella this summer.

Chad and I went on a date last night, while Loren and Vicki stayed home with the kids. It was nice. Tomorrow we will have a busy day exploring and playing, and hope to top it off with Chinese buffet, if we can find one.

When Grandma and Grandpa arrived, THEY had to help Ella with everything. They were promptly removed from that pedestal when Noah arrived. Ella insisted that NOAH help her brush her teeth, and that NOAH put her to bed. It was pretty cute. He tucked her in gently, said "goodnight, see you tomorrow!" She settled in with a giggle and a smile showing through her thumb-plugged mouth.

I hope she sleeps long and hard tonight. She is still playing catch up with all the visits lately. Fits are getting longer and more intense- which I blame mostly on lack of sleep and change of routine. Thomas is struggling a bit too. He was up EVERY hour last night. He is in the pack and play in our bathroom (Loren and Vicki are in his room)- so, I am not letting him cry anything out. I try to get him to stop as quick as I can, so I can crawl back into bed and try to get back to sleep. I hope he sleeps long and hard too- so I can.