Visiting the Vondys 2018

I took way too many pictures of all the cute kiddos playing and having fun together. So heart-warming to see them get along so well!

Hailey, Miranda, me, baby Blake, Chrissy, Dakota, James, and Owen!

Not pictured: Jason taking photo, Kevin trying to get them smiling

Jason, Blake, and Kevin talking serious business

Playing in the backyard

 

Pretending to drive

 

Princess Hailey and Princess Miranda

Princess Dakota!

James thought Blake was the greatest thing since puppies

Lunch for 10!

So cute!

 

Twister fun!

 

Besties

 

Playground time!

Swinging

Blake is amazing!

Seesaw fun

Striking a pose

Flying to New Jersey according to Hailey

Happy Hour with the Vondy girls

Pajamas and Ice cream!

The End!

Baby Dakota 2016!

Dakota is such a gift! She entered the world the third beautiful baby of two exceedingly amazing parents, Chrissy and Jason.

Their babies have the best lips. I want to smooch her so much.

You can tell by looking at their family that she was meant to be with them. Not only will she have amazing parents, a wonderful brother and sister, but a huge village of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. I hear that three kids can be challenging, but if anyone can handle it- and not just handle it but excel at it- this team can. Welcome to the world, Dakota! You are very lucky!

Five beautiful people- inside and out!

The cutest three siblings: Dakota, Hailey, and Owen. This picture makes me squeal with glee.

• When Owen was born, and when I met him!
• When Hailey was born, and when I met her!

Owen and Family 2014!

My friends Chrissy and Jason's 4 year old Owen IS CANCER-FREE! This is simply the best news ever. We were so excited when they came to New Jersey and had some time for us. So excited! The trip did not disappoint one bit. I practically cried with joy a hundred times.

Gwen's family + Regan's family + Chrissy's family + mine!

Seeing Owen and James play is such a sweet pleasure, and it was the first time I met Gwen's daughter Alana. It was Miranda's first trip to New Jersey and everyone's first time meeting her.

Chris brought the bubbles- brilliant!


Owen chasing bubbles! I love it!


Alana and Hailey


Even Miranda got a bubble!

With so many kids it was great to have so much room. The kids played in the front of the house, the backyard, and the basement. I have so many childhood memories of my own at Chrissy's house (even my Sweet 16 was here!) that it was so fun and strange to see our kids playing there. Especially, since my kids have never been to the places I lived as a child.

A weird kick ball game that involves two balls!

Two little birds laying eggs.

Pretty mamas and their littlest ones

I wish we all lived closer so we could do this all the time!

Indoor chaos is fun!

Great visit!

• The previous visit to Chrissy's family in October 2012.
• The previous visit to Regan's family in February 2014.

Meeting Hailey 2012

Chrissy and Jason, and their two kids Owen and Hailey live in Ohio, so when we heard they would be visiting New Jersey we jumped at the chance to go see them and their family. For one thing, I needed to meet my new little girlfriend Hailey.  She's 3 months old now, the same age as her brother Owen when I met him for the first time.

Meeting Hailey! What torture to have to wait so long! 

Our wonderful husbands and cute little boys played some street kick ball while the 3 ladies had girl- time.  When we were inside we also got to spend some time with Gwen, her little boy Matthew, Mr. Kaulfers. (I know that theoretically, "Walter" would be okay now, but unh-uh, I'm still 13 when I'm in the Kaulfers' house.)

Our boys playing

Auntie Gwen, Cousin Matthew, Grandpa Walter, James, Kevin

Owen and James have a 16-month age difference between them, which makes things a little touch-and-go right now, but they can rally around cartoons together. I caught this photo of them snuggling up to each other.

I love them!

I love group pictures. We took one with the Vonderhaars just last May, and now look! There's another little Vonderhaar to love! (Full disclosure: Absolutely none of these children wanted to take this picture. But look how cheerful the adults look!)

Hailey at 3 months, Owen at 2.75 years (33 months), James at 17 months