Summer Solstice = Party Weekend

After a Long, COLD, Historic Winter, we are so happy that Summer is finally here! To me, nothing says "Summer" more than family BBQ's! This weekend we had multiple parties to attend and had to miss one in order to keep my sanity (I mean, keeping track of a 2 year old, while trying to visit, is kind of exhausting. Plus 1 family was hosting 2 parties on 2 different days, which kind of worked out quite nicely.) 

 

 First up, A Summer Solstice BBQ, at Jesper and Lisa's house (Lisa is Mark's sister) I refer to this party as, "If you can kill it and grill it, it will be served BBQ" Over the years, Jesper has become a master at smoking meats, his BBQ is something we won't miss, it is so good and so laid back, it is a perfect way to spend an afternoon!

 Steps away from Jesper and Lisa's front door is a beautiful walking trail that leads to a beautiful arboretum So after stuffing our bellies, we set off for a walk. The last time we were here was at Easter, it was neat seeing how much it has changed since everything is growing now.

Those specks are the kids enjoying the trail. It is such a fun place for the kids to be kids.

 



So I tried...and failed, to get a picture of Megan and Joey.  I liked how the sun was shining and thought this picture in black and white would look neat....if only I had a little boy that would smile nicely...oh well. These pictures tell a story too.

 

By the time we got back from our walk, all of the kids were fed, and they were ready to play! There were about 30 kids at the party and all of them played very nicely together, it was awesome to see.

The trees were used for climbing, hiding and for kids to plan what game to play next. If you couldn't find your kid...look in the trees!



 Joey found a bow his cousin made during a previous visit. (The "cousins" have an ongoing Hunger Games game so there are bows hidden all over. Along with random Easter Eggs that take months to find.)

 

 No, no, no...it did not turn into a take your clothes off kind of party...Joey spilled lemonade all over shirt #1, so I took his shirt off to eat a popsicle. There was dripping ice cream inside...I needed a wipe able surface!

The next day, we were off to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Mark's Aunt & Uncle 

 I am pretty sure Joey was inside for about 5 minutes before he charmed Grandma into getting him a plate of fruit. Umm, how cute is his little outfit!?!

 Cornhole anyone!?!

 

 The party was at a house that backed up to a golf course, so the view was beautiful! Leave it to my kiddos to trample through the landscaping :)

 

 Recall earlier, when I said keeping an eye on a 2 year old, while trying to visit was exhausting...yep, find Joey in this picture...

 

 ...there he is, 2 doors down...on an active golf course.

 

The kids at Sunday's party played perfectly together, no matter their age.  I didn't get any pictures of the hide and seek game they all played, but it was fun to watch! They are all distantly related, but they hardly ever see each other, but they played together as if they see each other once a week. That is why I love Summer, family filled parties! Kids play, parents catch up and everything is good simple fun!