My sister comes to visit!!!!

My sister Wendy and her family came to visit Florida about a month ago. Yes...it has taken me forever to get these pictures posted...but the memories are still fresh in my mind....because is was SO AMAZINGLY FUN! Please move here Wendy!!!! Wendy and I are five years apart, she being older, and we have been best friends since I was about 12 or 13 (once I stopped being annoying...as Wendy puts it). Their family stayed for a week and all of them came except Alexia, their oldest, who had to say home to work. We missed you Lexi! Life is just GOOD when we are with the Hicks. I don't think I heard one complaint or argument from my kids the whole time. Ahhhh!

My kids were in HEAVEN the whole time they were with us. They are all best buds...and all had a buddy (except Cooper...though he just went from person to person...and loved it), and we did so many fun things. They were even here on Easter Sunday and we had such a fun Easter egg hunt, then went to church together, then had a great dinner (made by Darin). This (above) is us on Easter morning. How cool to actually be with family on Easter. Kennedy and Brooklyn confused many people at church with their "twinner" look. These two have alway looked so much alike and even family members used to get them mixed up when they were little.

My sister Wendy and her husband Darin

This is Kinsey and Dylan striking one of many poses. These two crack me up. Not camera shy at all. They are a year and a half apart, he being older, and they have been so close since they were small. These two had such a fun time together this visit. Dylan even went to early morning seminary with Kinsey one morning. That is true cousin devotion...or he may have been looking to meet some of Kinsey's cute friends.

Fun at the beach!!!!

We did so many fun things with the Hicks, but the beach is always a must. This is Carver and Parker...after burying each other. These two little buddies didn't leave each other's sight the whole trip. Parker is two years older than Carver, but they are as tight as brothers. I love seeing them play together. They have even formed a club (The Chubba bubbies...they are the only members), complete with ryhmes and chants. They are always having a great time. I am glad this friendship has always stayed so strong.

Kennedy and Brooklyn...are equally close. These two come up with elaborate games, schemes and plans, but also love to play American girl dolls for hours. One night they even planned a mini "Amazing Race" for all the kids to do. I think they would be great camp directors someday.

The kids love climbing on this life guard tower once the life guards go home. My College friend Carrie Haslam and her husband happened to be in Orlando this week , so they met up with us at the beach. Their kids Andy, Brady, and Emme, had a great time with our kids.

And yes...this is the way they liked to get down...over and over again.

And one of our favorite pass times at the beach...a good game of sand soccer. These little boys really gave these "old men" a run for it.

Cooper seriously does not miss a beat and thinks he is part of the "big boys". He holds his own, and can control the ball surprising well for a 2 year old. Way to go Coop! We couldn't drag ourselves away from the beach and ended up staying into the evening...which I love. We caught the most amazing sunset right before we left. Seriously, the sky was phenomenal. So pretty that it almost looked fake.

One night we went to ride the surreys at a Disney resort. We had quite the competition going on between our two vehicles. Dylan talked some trash...Brooklyn forgot to peddle on the hills, we almost ran over a few people, and fun was had by all.

Besides the beach, Disney resorts, canoeing at the springs, spending time at the pool, catching a movie, shopping, watching DVD's, and talking for hours and hours...we also hit Disney's Animal Kingdom one day. I had three free tickets so I took Kennedy and Carver out of school and we went with the Hicks. It was a fun day...and tiring. I think we hit every single ride there. Luckily we got there early enough to avoid the lines for a while. Fun was had by all.

Giant Bats, an amazing Safari ride, tigers and lions, nature trails, feeling like you are in three different countries (without the bad smells), Gigantic dinosaurs, a live broadway-ish Nemo show, and such a fun roller coaster adventure (Expedition Everest). Disney really knows how to entertain.

A little wet (well...a lot wet really), from the raft ride

Hey, how did they get this drawing of Dylan?

So yes...this "STAY-CATION" had to come to an end, but we will always remember the fun of having the Hicks family in Florida with us. Oh...and our Alligator showed up in our back pond for a special showing. The last time we spotted him was when Wendy was here last year. Hmm...those gators love her.