A lovely but shocking surprise...

Not long after my last post, (actually it was the day of my last post), I was totally shocked with a surprise visit from my sister and her four kids from who live in California.  Now typically when they come to visit, we plan for a few months and look forward to it, scheduling things to do, cleaning my house top to bottom and getting the sleeping arrangements planned.  So, needless to say, when a friend called me on Saturday, July 21st and asked if she could stop by because she had something for me, the last thing I expected she had was my family from across the United States!

My friend had me come out to the driveway because "she couldn't carry it in"....as I turned the corner, I saw my nieces and nephew along with my sister standing in the driveway!  Total and utter shock would be an understatement!  My oldest niece had already been here visiting for two weeks but I never in a million years expected my sister and the other kids to come.  I was so happy I cried (which isn't easy to get me to do!)

This was right after my surprise! My sister probably would not want this posted because they all look so worn out...it took about 28 hours to get here from California, thanks to getting stuck in Dallas overnight due to storms, which also sold out every hotel in the area. Imagine being stuck in an airport with 3 kids overnight! Thankfully, some friends live in the area and took them in for the night.  The photo is still priceless to me!

Cousins together again after so long....

Loved seeing our backseat full with these faces!

 The babies are together again....sharing snacks and having fun!

 Love these little faces! They make me so happy!

 Coco was fascinated by the produce farm.

 Me and my sis....love her...she just gets me!

Lots of mornings with sidewalk chalk on the patio...

Lots of bubbles...

bubbles....

and more bubbles...

cooling off in the sprinklers...

Lots of popsicles...

Max was in heaven with all the kids around

Lots of crafting...

Using Aunt Sheri's paints...

Lots of kiddie baths that this bathtub has never seen....

taking pics of the girls that will be hilarious at future parties....

Shopping days...

and girlie lunches...

with special girls...

tiring Target runs...

and of course, the regular Cracker Barrel rocking chair photos

and mini rocking chair photos

relaxing days at home watching the rain...

A visit to Brooklyn's favorite place!

Coco loved it too!

"Rawwwwrrrr" said the shark to the squid

Some sweet stops for yogurt...

...even the boys had fun...

doing whatever it is guys do!

Bike rides with the cousins....

Scooter rides (including a few crashes and minor bodily injuries)

Coffee and cookies with the girls...

Cuteness all around...

And some handsomeness too

Fun shopping trips

even Coco got into the Mister Huey action at Archivers

And Hobby Lobby

More scooter fun

And then as quickly as they came.....

They were gone.....

Thank you for indulging me in this rather long photo heavy post. It makes me feel better to share!