So this past weekend, Jackie, Ben, and Baby Dean came to visit from Cali and I was sooo excited to finally meet this little guy! We ended up having the best time hanging out with them all. I was shocked to learn he really was the same size as Vivi, despite being 2 weeks younger. It was wonderful to see Jackie and Ben in their roles as parents–they seem to be relaxed and really enjoying it. Doesn’t hurt also that Dean is an easy baby 😉 I had to hold him and his little baby squishy-ness as much as I could!

These three got on quite well together. Everywhere we drove, Caroline asked, “Baby Dean come?? Baby Dean come??”

Here are the three peas in a pod. Caroline’s new favorite place to hang out with Vivi is in the nuna and while at first I as nervous, it’s kind of nice to contain them so you can go to the bathroom alone, refill your wine glass, you know…important things. So we just added Deam to the party! Both he and Vivi are able to sit up sortof. So propping them up works well.

This weekend also happened to be Joy’s big 3-9 so we helped her celebrate in style. Ang and John and their girls also came to VA. It had been too long since this crew got together–we missed Kelly and Nicole!:

And of course these guys were thrilled about the reunion…especially when you add in a few squirt guns:

We enjoyed the most fabulous birthday cake and relaxed on Joy and Joel’s new deck:

Mike took Caroline home when it got late, but Vivi and I spent the night so I could enjoy the high quality girls time into the wee hours. Us ladies had a great time catching up. The next morning, Vivi and I had some visitors!

And later that day, Mike and Caroline returned for quality playground and lunch time 🙂 Caroline was awestruck by Hazel and Julia, who were so sweet with her. She kept asking, “where my friends go??” when she lost sight of them for 2 seconds. They made her little presents–drawings and friendship bracelets and beaded necklaces. She just loved it.

We managed to get one group-ish shot, even though Sweet Eliza was sleeping! How do we have EIGHT children between this group?!? I also figured out that from June 23 to August 12, our kids ages go like this: Julia (6), Luke (5), Hazel (4), Toby (3), Caroline (2), Eliza (1), and then Vivi & Dean. Our little stairsteps! 🙂

So great to get (some of) the Type A Team together again!