visit

I was lucky enough to get to go home for a few days this past week.  I, of course, look forward to these opportunities for my own selfish reasons, but it also keeps the grumblings about not seeing my growing boys often enough to a minimum.  :)

I am always thrilled to see my family (can't get enough!) and spend the majority of the time with them, but I also treasure time spent catching up with good friends.  After college, I was surprised at how I drifted apart from many of my friends that I'd grown so close to.  Blame it on a good chunk of miles between us or that we were too poor to have cell phones (They were still a big deal at that point.  Yeah, I'm THAT old.), but it happened.  When it came to this move, I was determined that wouldn't happen again.  Thanks to the world of facebook and texting, it's a lot easier to stay in touch.  Though I can see that maybe 1 or 2 may not remain as close, I have some amazing friends who are a fabulous support no matter the distance.  -and it's such a treat when I get to see them in person!  Thank you to all those who act like it's no big deal to save a meal time for me when I come, even though I know you have crazy, hectic schedules going on.  It means so much!
Here's a pic of a few of my favorite people.

This was actually taken on the previous trip, when the girls got together to meet Ben and shower him with tons of gifts.

I may have posted this pic before, but it is a favorite.  

I love these people!!

This trip also marked the first trip of the year to Kings Island!  It was fun to see Drew reaching the point where he can ride things like the Scrambler and Monster on the adult side as well as the rollercoaster on the kids' side.  Kristin, my mom and I put aside our desire to vomit on a few of the rides so that the boys could explore new favorites in the park.  Well worth it!  (I have great memories of riding those exact rides over and over when I was a kid.)  I especially enjoyed a few auntie/nephew turns!!

My sweet Lucas.  We giggled away on the Monster!

My nephew, Isaac.  First trip to KI for rides (outside the belly).

What an awesome grammy to have enough energy to go all day long at KI with 4 kids.   ....and she does it all summer long with the kids she watches.  Never ceases to amaze me.

If you click on this pic to get a better look, you will see smiles and joy on the faces of Drew, K, and Lucas.  Normal, right?  Now look next to them.  Of the many pics I snapped while they were on this, their expressions never changed.  At all.  No crack of a smile.  No connection to what they were doing at that moment.  Very odd...