Rinn Family Weekend

David and I were thrilled to host a Rinn Family Weekend at our house over Labor Day weekend.  

Jon, Kristy, Griffin, & Sawyer flew from Chicago, and Nana & Papa came from Colorado on Friday.  Isaac loved sitting in the "way back" of the Tahoe with Griffin, and Sawyer and Emma sat in the middle of our Tahoe.  Kristy took this adorable picture of Sawyer holding Emma's hand. 

I think my favorite part of our weekend together was watching Isaac and Griffin play together.  Isaac hasn't stopped talking about Griffin since he left!  He has asked me more than once, "Mommy, why couldn't Griffin just stay here forever?"  

On Saturday morning, the three Rinn brothers and Papa headed to Top Golf, while Kristy, Nana, and I took the kids to the Trophy Club waterpark.  Later that afternoon, the dads watched all the kids while Kristy, Susie, and I went out for smoothies and then went shopping at The Plaid Peacock in  Roanoke. It was so fun!  

That evening, we all grilled and swam at my parent's house.  It was a blast!

All the guys created some sort of game where they stood in a square and tossed Griffin and Isaac back and forth!  What a workout!  I'm really not sure who had more fun--the big boys or the little boys.  :)

I think Isaac is asking Griffin, "Hey, Griff, want to see a new trick?"  It's going down the slide...backwards! :)

Emma loves running and jumping into the pool with her daddy!

Isn't Sawyer so cute?  One afternoon, while Isaac was crawling beside Sawyer, I asked him if he'd like to have a baby brother.  He patted Sawyer's back and said, "Yes, just like him."  :)

On your mark...

get set...

GO!

SPLASH!

After all that playing and splashing, these little guys were ready to eat!

On Sunday morning, we all went to Keystone Church.  

Isaac loves riding the trolley at church!

And, of course, church is a perfect place to ask someone to take your family picture!  I love how Isaac has his hands on Nana's neck!

I love this family!  And, I am thankful for every one of these people.

On Sunday night, my parents babysat Griffin, Sawyer, Isaac, and Emma so that we could all go out to dinner.  It was such a fun night!  We took everyone to our favorite Mexican restaurant (Pappasitos, of course), and then we all went to Cheesecake Factory for dessert.   I don't think the "adult Rinns" had ever done anything like that before, but I think it needs to be a tradition when we get together.

I'll end this with one more picture of Isaac and Griffin.  These cousins are adorable together!

And, we can't wait for our next Rinn get-together!  :)

Dishwasher Team

Every morning after breakfast, Isaac unloads the dishwasher.  He sorts the silverware and then empties the bottom and top racks of the dishwasher.  Isaac puts everything away that belongs in drawers or lower cabinets, and he sets dishes that belong in upper cabinets on the counter.  Emma usually wanders over and grabs a few things out of the dishwasher while Isaac's working.  But, yesterday morning she started taking each piece of silverware out one by one and handing it to Isaac.  It's darling!

"Someone, please take this knife!" 

Emma usually claps after she hands Isaac a piece of silverware.  

 When the silverware was finished, Emma started handing Isaac dishes from the bottom rack.

Whenever Emma picked up something heavy, she grunted and made an awful face.  She is so determined to do anything Isaac does!

And, she wanted to help with the top rack, too.  I love my little helpers!

A Visit to Minnesota

Emma and I took a quick trip to Minnesota earlier in August.  Dave & I so appreciated both my mom and my aunt Bernie for taking care of Isaac during the days I was gone while Dave was also at work.  

waiting to board the airplane with my little traveler 

Emma and I flew into Minneapolis late on a Tuesday night.  By the time we rented a car, drove to a friend's house to pick up a pack and play, and then drove to my grandma's house, it was nearly midnight.  Emma was such a trooper!  Emma slept in the next morning, but I woke up early to see my grandma!  Sitting at her kitchen table, drinking coffee, and chatting is one of my favorite things.  My grandma is 93 years old, and she has always been such a special part of my life.  I know that I won't always have the treasure of spending face-to-face time with her, which made this visit even more meaningful.

Emma Victoria with her Great-Grandma Dolores

One evening, my aunt and uncle, Barb & Steve, came over for dinner.  They brought along their dog.  Emma quickly warmed up to him and giggled so hard when he licked her hand.  I think it's so cute how she's watching him so carefully in this picture.  (Plus, I think she's just about the cutest thing ever!)

Barb & Steve's granddaughter, Helen, is just one month younger than Emma, and she lives in Alaska.  They enjoyed watching Emma for an evening, especially since she and Helen are so close in age.
(Yes, Emma is wearing a jacket.  The warmest it ever got during our visit was in the mid-70's, and it felt wonderful!)

Emma stayed busy at my grandma's house.  One morning, I turned around in the kitchen to find her STANDING on the high chair tray!

She also loved unloading condiments from my grandma's fridge and carrying them around.  :)

My grandma and I played countless games of UpWords.  I later found Emma playing UpWords by herself...there was only one letter tile in her mouth.  :)

My grandma and I also drove over to the cemetery where my grandpa is buried.  We talked about some of our favorite memories of Grandpa Ozzie and both cried a little, and then my grandma prayed.  It was a sweet time.  Even though my grandma is anxious to join my grandpa in heaven, I'm so thankful God is allowing her more time on earth.  My grandma has been able to meet and spend time with both Isaac and Emma, and that is truly a gift from God.

One morning, I drove to Princeton to visit one of my dearest friends, Audra.  Emma loved playing with Audra's three girls!  And I loved having face-to-face time to catch up with my precious friend.

Audra's girls dressed Emma up in their princess accessories...I absolutely love how excited her face is!  She loved playing with the "big girls"--and I know what should be on Emma's Christmas list!

my favorite little princess

two sweet girls! 

I'm so thankful for friendships that stay strong, even when friends are separated by thousands of miles.  Thanks for a fun morning, Audra!

And, I'm especially thankful for an opportunity to visit my grandma. 

 I love her dearly and am so thankful for the blessing she is in my life.