Philly

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Our trip to Philly started out with the usual- a flight with six otter pups on their way to Six Flags.  Ruby and Owen made a visit up to their front row seat- pretending to go to the bathroom, of course. The trainer also made his way around the plane with them out of the crate.  It was pretty exciting.  Ruby and Owen still mention the otters from time to time.

And well, after an eventful flight like that, Ruby and Owen were feeling pretty confident that the rest of the trip should be just as exciting.  Oh, what's that?  Mickey Mouse just happens to be at the park we are visiting?  Must be for us.  Let's join the party!  I think Ruby and Owen danced more than the birthday boy...luckily the parents were pretty open to our party crashing ways.

Here is the gang we came to visit and really play with!  Hilariously (yup, just made that word up) enough, this is the closest thing we have to a group photo from the whole week.  Tina isn't in it, John isn't looking- nor is Ruby for that matter, and we are on a see saw for goodness sake!  Oh well.  Good memories nonetheless. :)

That's a little better. ...the girls...

and the boys. 

This is the stream that flowed through the park we hung out at a few times.  LOVE it.  It smelled like home.  Both Chip and I grew up wandering through the woods playing in creeks and streams.  The shallow lukewarm water full of little minnows and slippery rocks.  The humid air holding the scent of earth and the sound of a steadily flowing creek filling your ears.  Mmmm...was so fun to muck around and spend some time with Ruby, Owen, and family in this setting throwing rocks and exploring the shores.

Awww...love these two special ladies. :)

...And this special gal.  I can't believe Madeleine.  She played with Ruby and Owen constantly, attending to their every need.  She was way more vigilant about their safety than I usually am and they loved her! We called her "Maddie" (easier to say than Madeleine) and they still talk about her- almost daily.  I remember playing with HER when she was Ruby and Owen's age!  Seems like yesterday.  This whole thing is crazy.  

Aunt Mindy- she is such a finder of all things adorable and fun.  She found this awesome fun skirt for Ruby and couldn't resist!  Ruby couldn't resist either!  She loves it. 

Exactly how many layers does this thing have?!

And check this out- I mean really.  Just going for a stroll around Oma's neighborhood.  These two make quite the presence on this suburban street. 

Evan is really too cute for words too.  He has such a sweet and caring heart and demeanor.  He also played endlessly with his little cousins.  Ruby and Owen are some lucky kids to have so many great cousins.   

A random shot of Owen playing at Oma's with his favorite toy she had there, wearing Maddie's slippers.  We all, including Evan and Madeleine all week, stayed at Oma's house.  It was so fun and worked out great! She had so many toys from when Evan and Madeleine were young and she knew all of our routines and what we eat.  She went way out of her way to get everything she knew we liked and even pureed food ahead of time for our smoothies...just like home!  Amazing.

We also visited this great pool in their neighborhood a few times.  Slides of all sizes, play park, diving boards, and a lazy river.  What more could you ask for!

Castle Park was a total hit as well.  The biggest park I have ever seen BY FAR.  I don't think we got a great picture of the ginormous castle structure in which you could run, slide, and hide in its many cubby spots.  Ruby, of course, particularly enjoyed the good ole swings- her favorite.  She also enjoyed watching her cousins swing and go FLYING off the swings. 

We met Ali, Tyler, and Dylan there one day for some serious playing.  You can see from the smiles on Ruby and Owen's faces that they were very happy about all this.  Too cute!

All the swimming, and playing at the park, and chasing my big cousins....makes me tired.  Can't I just go to bed early?!

One night, mom and dad got off to hang with the adults as Evan and Madeleine gave a bath.  Like I said, they were amazing!

Our last night, we got to see Madeleine play a soccer game into the setting sun.  That is her playing goalie in the picture below.  It was so beautiful we couldn't leave the field when the game was over.  We stayed to kick goals, run around the field,  pet random dogs that walked by, and enjoy the crimson sky on this warm and final evening together.  

We love you all and miss you tons!!!

"Cousins by blood - friends by choice"

-Darlene Shaw