Fun with cousins

The best part about our trip to Gainesville was the opportunity to spend time with family. For the adults, that meant trying to sneak in conversations when the children are happily playing with each other. This was relatively easy to do while Amelia, Jack and John were having fun at the pool.

Amelia and Jack were jumping buddies, constantly running and jumping together into the very cool water. John was looking on and splashing in the shallow end with them in between jumps, and having fun even though he is not confident enough of a swimmer to jump to the 6 foot deep end like Amelia and Jack.

Ready, set, go! Notice how Amelia has her tongue stuck outside of her mouth in deep concentration, which is a trait she gets from Scott.

The pool in Laura and John's neighborhood is very nice, with both a large pool and a small children's splash area with crazy fountains. The kids love running through the fountains!

Laura brought darts to the pool, and Amelia and John took turns being the leader at throwing the darts out into the water for the others to capture. In the photo below, John is throwing the darts and Amelia and Jack were capturing them around the pool.

Cousin Henry did not make it to the pool, but we got the chance to catch up with him later back at John and Laura's house. I know I am a biased aunt, but let me just say that Henry is an adorable and CALM (!!) baby. Love him. Love his sweet personality.

And I really love the fat rolls on his legs. Look at how lucious those legs are!

After playtime at the pool we took the activity outside where grandma had the genius idea to get the kids to race Jack's trucks down the sidewalk outside of Laura and John's house. This was very popular with all of the big kids, and Henry watched happily from grandma's lap.

Later we returned inside and John (my John) convinced Uncle John to play Star Wars Wii (which we brought from Texas) with him.

Jack had an awesome haircut (a short, athletic boy buzz cut) that I admired. I asked Laura where Jack got his hair cut like that and she remarked that she did it herself. John was definitely in need of a haircut, so I asked Laura if she could cut John's hair like she did Jack's. Laura agreed and so we turned the garage into a hair studio for 15 minutes one evening. Amelia served as Laura's assistant and all was good! John has received so many compliments on his hair since we returned to Dallas. Thanks, Aunt Laura!

Another day the kids amused themselves at grandma's drawing with sidewalk chalk. This was before John's sporty haircut.

And last but not least, the obligatory photo with grandparents and grandkids. Sweet Henry was asleep in the swing inside so we didn't bother to wake him for the photo, and I was happy that all of the older kids cooperated and smiled for the shot. I love how John and Jack look like twins in this photo with their boyish and fun short hair!

We had an AWESOME time in Gainesville, with the highlight being visiting with family and having fun together. Many thanks to grandma and grandpop, as well as Laura and John, for being such gracious hosts. We appreciate the fact that you welcomed the crazy Wilson clan into your homes for the weekend.