The Rowe Family: Grandma Julie and Papa's house

Elizabeth and I went to visit Grandma Julie and Papa, who live near Chicago. We stayed a couple weeks and had a great time!!

We started the trip with a Wedding! My step brother Nick got married to Becky. They have been together for a long time, and have 3 kids together (Alex, Sidney, and Zack). We spent a lot of time with them as well Elizabeth's other cousin, Callie. Here are Elizabeth and I all dressed for the wedding!

Here is Nick and Becky along with Grandma Julie and Papa!

Elizabeth was trying on some of the boys shoes.

Papa and his girls!!

One of Elizabeth's favorite games was "night night" where she would lay down on the bed and cover up. The game even has pretend snoring, but usually ends up with lots of giggling and cuddling.

Max is Grandma Julie and Papa's Golden Lab. Elizabeth was terrified of him when we first arrived, but after a couple days Max quickly became Elizabeth's best friend! She was constantly asking to pet Max. It was the first thing we asked for when we woke up and the last thing we mentioned at night. Many of our prayers had a thank you for Max. Max is an amazingly good dog, and was very patient with her. Max likes to give kisses, and Elizabeth loved them, yelling out "I lick you!" everytime he gave her kisses!

We spent a lot of time playing outside with our cousins!

Elizabeth is varooming away on this bike!

No, Elizabeth is not driving! lol the buggy was stationary!

All the cousins snuggled in at bedtime (Elizabeth did not remain in the living room with them, although I am sure she wanted to!)

Here we are about to go on a nature walk! Elizabeth and Zack are the two youngest in the front, and Alex, Sidney, and Callie are all in the back row :)

Trying to get everyone together for a picture while on our walk!

With Papa on the tractor!

Kisses from Papa!

Grandma Julie and Papa's pool attracts frogs, so we saw quite a few during our visit! Here is a bigger one the kids found

Here is a baby one they found a few days later.

Elizabeth was surprisingly gentle!

Grandma Julie wanted a picture with all 5 grandkids together - and although the final picture turned out cute - it was quite a feat getting there!

Dinner together!

Sleepy after a long day!

Elizabeth watching Callie play on her dad's phone...

Callie watching Elizabeth play on my phone!! lol

Cuddling with Papa

Cheese!!

Grandma kisses!!

What a beautiful girl!

Elizabeth became quite the swimmer while there - which is good, we were swimming just about everyday!

Pool time!

Playing Motor boat with all the kids!!

Splash!!!

Grandma Julie took every opportunity to have all 5 grandkids together!

All the kids loved being able to go down the slide - Elizabeth did it over and over and over!!

It is fun to swim with Grandma!!

Mommy hugs!

John came up for a couple days, and we were glad to see him!!

All the cousins took to John too!

We did lots of coloring at Grandma's house!

Here are my two step brothers, Nick and Dino :)

For the 4th of July we stayed up late to catch fireflies and watch fireworks. We couldn't see the fireworks, but we had lots of fun catching fireflies! Elizabeth called them butterflies :)