Amy and Liam Come to Texas

A few days after we got back from Tennessee, Aunt Amy and cousin Liam came to visit. We hadn't met Liam yet, so we were all very excited about their visit. Landon, Ian, and Liam were all born within 6 months of each other. Amy and Liam were here for a week and we had a really good time. Despite having to consider nap times of three babies and then keeping three older children entertained, we were able to do quite a bit. We hung out, we completed some projects together, we went to different pools, we went to the beach, we went out to dinner one night, and just enjoyed! Here are a few pictures of their vist.

Audrey thrilled to meet Liam:

Here are the three boys playing on the ground together for the first time. I love how you can see the different stages they're each in. Landon is mobile, Ian's sitting up, and Liam's trying to figure out how to sit up. So much fun!

On Saturday when the menfolk didn't have to work, we all braved the beach. We went early, since it gets mighty hot and it's not like the water is all that refreshing... We enjoyed quite a few hours at the beach. All the cousins together:

Here's picture overload of Ian, but it was his first time at the beach, so we took a ton of pictures. And there's so many cute ones... 

What's coming at me!

 Another wave and lots of mud:

Ian loved playing in the sand! He's never played in sand before and he was all about exploring it. And I think we only had to stop him once or twice from sticking it in his mouth.

 

We loved Liam and his shades:

Audrey playing in the sand:

She was freaking out about all this mud on her face. Before I helped clean her up though, I had to grab a picture.... And she doesn't look that upset.

 

Rachel out enjoying the waves with Andy. When Rachel found out we were going to the beach she declared she wouldn't go into the water. The last time we went, she got stung by a jellyfish. Anyhow, that didn't last long. Soon enough she was playing away in the water and luckily no one came across a jellyfish this time.

The big cousins playing:

Landon and Ian playing with their buckets:

Our family of 5:

We so enjoyed our beach day! After a few hours, the babies were worn out and ready to go, so we packed up. The big kids didn't want to go though. I would really like to take a beach vacation next year as a family. I know the girls will love it and Ian will be old enough to play longer by then. Plus, when you stay at a beach house it's easy to take one back for a nap. As soon as we strapped Ian into his car seat, he was asleep. The girls of course didn't sleep a wink the whole way home, but they were happy.

On Saturday evening we grabbed some pictures of the siblings and their babies and kids:

We're so glad that Amy and Liam were able to come down and visit us. We love visitors!!! I really enjoyed watching Amy as a mom. She's a wonderful mom to Liam and has stepped into motherhood beautifully. Amy has now moved back to Utah, so we are excited that we will for sure get to see them whenever we make it up to Utah.  I am looking forward to seeing these three little boy cousins spend time together throughout the years. Ian has really lucked out in the cousin department. Out of all our kids, he's the only one who has three cousins (2 on the Smith side, 1 on the Michaelson side) his same age. There's lots of fun memories to be had!