This weekend, my sister and her two little boys came to stay with us while my brother-in-law (a cross-country coach for a college in Ohio) ran his team to a meet in Kansas. And though there was plenty of noise and action, the boys got along really well; it was a peaceful and sweet trip. Milo and Charlie, the oldest of the boy cousins, paired off, while Oliver and Ian played very nicely together. Emil ran between the four, acting as a mascot of sorts, just tickled to be surrounded by so much fun.
We stayed around the house, walking to the playground a few times, but mainly letting the boys run loose in the back yard and around the house while we baked, talked, and even did make-up (I have a nice lipstick tutorial to post this Wednesday, if you’re interested!).
Then, on Saturday night, we threw together a last-minute cookout for 34 adults (the whole cross country team on their way back out of town, actually) in our back yard, complete with a small campfire, hamburgers, hot dogs, enough macaroni and cheese to feed an army (they ate every last bite), salad, and a wonderful cake my sister baked. It was crazy, hilarious, and totally unexpected, but I kissed my sister good-bye, holding her sound-asleep babe, and bid them a safe drive home in the dark of the night. 
Sunday was lovely. The weather was gorgeous, so we walked to breakfast and the playground and got plenty of fresh air and exercise. These beautiful October days are by far my favorite.
I hope you are enjoying a wonderful Monday!
The picture of Emil with the coffee cup is too much. His pudgy hands! I’m dying.
Is it me or are Emil and Oliver really brewing a specific “knight brand”? Such brothers in look. Also, its clearly been a serious sister visit if lipstick was involved. Finally, those Japanese anemone are resplendent!
I wonder what brother visits your boys will enjoy when they come of age?
Andrew looks like Ben Folds in that picture!