visitors from the west

At the end of August Melanie's high school BFF got married. Melanie and Andrew came to town to be part of the wedding party and Jill arranged a visit to the homeland to coincide with the time the Staritas were in town. Almost a reunion with 10/13 of the family in town.

Will was pretty excited to hang out with the Staritas Andrew. :)

So excited to show off his school he can't look at the camera.

As per usual, we spent a lot of time at the pool.

Pool rats like us are rewarded for our excessive devotion to the pool with seriously discounted prices at the snack bar. The only snacks we bought all year. Which leads me to the next thing we did a lot of while the Utahans were in town--eating.

Oklahoma Joe's

Eating BBQ sauce with a spoon

Mom stocks up on Blue Bell when Jill's in town

While the rest of the family was at the aforementioned wedding, Jill joined us as we took in a Royals game. It was really hot.

Will really got into the game. He still talks about how the Royals are gonna beat the Nationals (the team they played that evening).

Our kids are really lucky to have so many fun aunts and uncles on both sides of the family.

Melanie brought a set of orchestra figurines that she was gifted at a white elephant exchange and Will loves them. Andrew listened to countless "jokes," (torture for all who have endured Will's jokes), taught him to play Nintendo, and let Will follow him around for hours.

Jill entertained Lauren while the boys were getting their hair cut, watched the kids for me so I could get some time to myself, and wowed Will with the fact that their names rhyme.

The days after everyone left were brutal. Not only were the kids used to extra adult attention, TJ went to DC and I didn't feel well. Writing this post made me anxious for Thanksgiving and Christmas, the next time we get to spend a lot of time with family.