Cousins!

Henry was beyond excited about yesterday's time with Evan, Anna, and Ryleigh!  As soon as their feet hit our floors, he began dancing, singing, and being all around loud and ecstatic.   Lately, Henry belts out the ABC song when the elation become irrepressible and needs an immediate outlet.  After several rounds, we convinced him to switch to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.  You can tell, though, that Ryleigh was over the spaz singing, no matter what the song might be.

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No one's spirits were more than temporarily dampered, and we got right down to silly business:

This one's way too beautiful to make an ugly face:

David convinced Henry to do some swimming, and it's not pictured, but Henry eventually let go of us and used just the pool noodle for brief periods of time.  

Those pool noodles were very popular and very helpful, actually.

We all worked up an appetite, and Henry was kind enough to serve everyone their favorite snack food--by hand.  Thank you, Grandjane, for leaving the Cheez-Its behind for us!

We ended the evening at Grandjane and Grandjoe's house for dinner and delicious homemade cherry ice cream on the back deck. 

The kids ran and ran, and even though Henry considers himself to be as fast as Dash from The Incredibles, he fell behind in some of the later laps and prompted Anna to ask, "Henry, why are you too slow?"

Grandjane's back gardens offered lots of opportunity for exploring, and they looked so cute!

The kids and adults were all worn out as we were all up way past our bedtime.  Grandjane gently closed out the evening with a bedtime story that lulled the kids (and Grandjoe) to at least agreeing to part ways. 

It's never enough time, but we are so thankful for this full day together.  And speaking of never enough, here's one more since she's so cute... Ryleigh!