sleepovers!!!

we've made a rule for our family that we won't be participating in sleepovers. I know a lot of people have started doing this, so we aren't alone in this family rule, but my kids have had to turn down a lot of invitations and it always makes me a little sad since it was something I enjoyed so much as a child.

so when we get to be with cousins and have sleepovers, these kids are in heaven!!!

multiple sleepovers were had during our two weeks in Florida. the girls would go to Larissa's and the boys would stay at grandma's house and then they'd switch houses the next night. PLUS, all our kids had a chance to sleep at Andrew and Rik's house too! it was so much fun for these kids, and honestly, pretty fun for us adults too!

we told the girls one night we'd go to dinner and it took them forever to do their hair and decide where they wanted to go. after much deliberation they settled on Culver's. it was pretty cute to hear them discussing things like hair and where to eat... they sure are growing up!

after dinner grandma surprised them with a trip to the store 5 Below, where they were each allowed to pick out a toy. man, that was super exciting for them!

another fun part of this particular girls night was a nighttime swim!!!

they had so much fun until they realized it was a little spooky then they hopped out super quick haha.

grandma and I had to get creative to keep from being eaten alive by the no-see-um's while the girls did their night swim.

the following night, the boys said they wanted to do the exact same thing the girls did the night before! only difference was they got sucked in to watching The Last Jedi with grandpa, so only jack and ash swam in the dark for a few minutes.

bo and Larissa always make things so special when our kids are over and they feel like their house is heaven on earth. from giant bubble baths, to walks on the beach, to staying up late playing card games and of course hearing scary stories told by bo (followed by the girls staying up late trying to scare each other)! not to mention the delicious breakfasts that they always have.

something that was really special for the kids was spending the night at Andrew and Rikki's house!

while we were in Florida, Chris and I took a 1 night trip up to Ohio for three job interviews. jack and Owen stayed with rik and Andrew that night and were S P O I L E D!!!

after swimming and bowling with the family, they went home and watched Boss Baby, one of Owen's favorites. not to mention that they got to love on Frankie, the most loving and soft dog in the world. the next morning Andrew cooked up a huge breakfast that was straight out of jack's food fantasies! then they went to Golf Safari!!

Andrew even let Owen wear his red Masters hat... Owen loved it!

after slurpees they went home and played on the wii and (maybe Owen's favorite thing ever!) took frank pup on walks!

because Jack and Owen had such a fun time and because Andrew and Rik are so awesome, they invited Ellie and Charlie to come for a night at their house too!