ass back home

my sister and her family moved to France in january. (follow their adventure HERE). they will be there for over two years. which is devastating for me, beyond exciting for them. my sister is one of my best friends. ava is one of jack's best friends. we miss them terribly everyday.

thankfully, the whole country of France pretty much shuts down in august. i have no idea why and i don't really care. all i know is that tracy and her precious children are in the US for six weeks and we were able to meet up with them last weekend in chicago.

family weekends at my mom's are chaos and we love it! too many kids, too many people, too much food. it's amazing. there is nothing that makes me happier than being all together.

 (a and j picked up right where they left off!!)

 (love that they are pulling the same face!)

 (donuts for breakfast)

 

we were able to meet up with the groots one night for live music, splash park, and food! hands down one of the best nights of the summer.

 

 (these two...)

 (got him to sit still for a second!)

(one of the happiest babies i know!)

it may have been one of the best weekends of the entire summer. and we get to do it all again in two weeks, except then the workmans will be able to join us, too!!!! i'll get to meet my niece, emma. everyone will be under one roof. something that won't happen for another year....but first fun, then sadness. and maybe i'll just run out of the house and not say goodbye to anyone like i did at Christmas. that was actually pretty effective.  

 

 

 (the weekend just would not have been the same without uncle matt & auntie heather)