Family-palooza

We have had sooooo much fun over the past few weeks!  We had Cousin Camp 2017 Part Dos with the Gilberts at the end of August, my parents were able to come visit us for a whole week over Labor Day; and just a few short days later, our party of five headed to the Eastern Shore for 5 days with almost 30 folks from Pete's side of the family.  The only reason Sus and John (and I) didn't have a sobfest when PopPop and Dizzy left was because of the promise of cousins and beach and FiggyPop just around the corner.

I'm pretty sure by the end of our week with my parents my dad was an expert at hiding from scary beasts and Bergens and my mom was completely crafted-out.  If Susannah and John weren't warning PopPop about how THE SCARY BEAST IS COMING AGHHHHH, they were asking Dizzy what craft they'd be doing that morning/after lunch/after nap/before dinner/after dinner/tomorrow/a little later/in five minutes.  There is no shortage of fun or willing playmates when PopPop and Dizzy are present.

While at the Eastern Shore, specifically Kiptopeke State Park, we had the best, most fun-filled and laid-back vacation.  Post Labor Day bay vacation is for real where it's at.  Calm and shallow water, cool temps, empty beach...it was so great.  We got to reconnect with some of Pete's cousins we hadn't seen in a long time, as well as some I hadn't even met yet!  I am so thankful for the amazing family I married into when I became an Acker -- I have yet to meet a family member I did not immediately fall in love with.

Pics!

Flying lessons 

Dizzy is the most fun bath giver!

Mary's fav toy

Perks of the padres being in town: DATE NIGHT!

Hanging out at our land

Dolly Baby or Mary Baby?

Labor Day cookout snoozin

Sweeties

Crafting with Dizzy

Like father, like son!

We went on a walk the other night and got out of the stroller to throw rocks in the creek; the kids automatically assumed the position we take anytime I'm walking with all three of them on anything paved for cars (i.e. Walmart parking lot). 

SO MUCH LOVE

Smiley Mary!

Ice cream after church last week!  DON'T YOU JUST WANT TO EAT HIM?!

BEEEEEEAAAACCCHHHHH!!!!

We were concerned that John might not like the beach because of the sand sticking to his skin, but boy were we wrong. 

I brought all the tricks to get Mary to nap at the beack: tent, sleepsuit, paci... nope.  She's a sun child and wanted to be out with the rest of us!

Just missing our Than Man!

Pete gave the kids canoe joy rides

Not a whole lot cuter than that.

These two are the sweetest buddies.  John LOVES Hannah so much.

My big girl!

Mary shoved quite a few fistfuls of sand in her mouth

Baby toting on the beach with Oksana and sweet Baby James!

Chunky girlie!

And we're zonked.  Less than 30 minutes down the road from our beach lodge, all 3 babes were out cold.  Bless them, they didn't have an ounce of energy left after that fun week!

And now we're back home, starting Mary on cloth diapers.