Welcome Summer! Memorial Day at the farmhouse!

Hurray! Hurray hurray hurray! We had a wonderful weekend at the farmhouse and for the first time ever, dare I say it... it felt easy. Traveling with kids is hard. Traveling with babies is kinda torture. Farmhouse visits over the last four years have been few and far between (last summer we only went twice, ALL SUMMER). Back before children we went every other weekend, at least.

But this time the heavens lined up. We had happy kids, happy cousins, all the family, perfect perfect weather and even plans to stay the night!

Damma bought the girls matching dresses and let me tell you, they looked like little garden fairies. James wore his neon orange too, to match the crowd.

James adores Emilia (remember last summer?) and was willing to help her push her stroller on the grass.

Big bump, no problem. Chivalry is not dead.

The long grass and plentiful dandelions meant this girl was happy for awhile. She loves collecting things, and filled the entire basket with those soft summer weeds flowers. 

It is rare that David joins us at the farmhouse, but this time was special. He wanted to show it to the woman he loves. And this lucky lady?! She got a ring from David this weekend! Engaged! Woot!

Beautiful ring. 

We celebrated the engagement with champagne and a chocolate fountain. The kids were obsessed with dipping fruit. Each face looked happy covered in chocolate when we were done. 

 Yum!

Everyone spent the afternoon differently. Some went to the cemetery, others took a nap. James was intent on checking on the irrigation ditches a short walk away.

He spent a long time making sure all water was flowing and all sticks and debris was removed.

Nothing makes him happier than water.

While James continued to work on the water, Juliet and I realized our favorite horses were across the way. We've visited these horses for years. So happy my kids get to know them. (Here is a post with James feeding the same horse).

Thank you E for these shots. They make me oh so happy.

The celebrations continued with a steak BBQ. The BBQ masters hard at work.

As the sun got lower into the sky the kid's dinner was ready. The cousins sat on a picnic blanket in the shade laughing and eating and playing.

These two are becoming the best of friends.

Cousin secrets.

Messy hair, messy face (strawberries), happy girl.

My boy turned four and a half over the weekend. A, Oreo shake at the farmhouse was purchased to celebrate.

He is the best kid.

And don't these two look wildly happy in love? Wedding to come this autumn.

After a bath in the big farmhouse tub we took these two overtired kids upstairs and tucked them in for the night. James was insistent that he wanted to sleep next to Juliet and "snuggle her if she gets worried." Both kids slept all night!

The next morning we took an early morning drive to one of our favorite spots in Mount Pleasant. The kids were both in their pjs and E and I both sipped our coffee as we took in the amazing views.

This one had skipped a nap the day before (the first time in her entire life!) so she was a tad bit grumpy in the morning.

Views!

Back at the farmhouse we got Juliet down for an early nap and James and I played in the sunshine.

I tried to get him to nap too because he was exhausted, but he was adamant he wasn't tired. ;)

What a lovely weekend to spend with those that I love. Happy happy Memorial Day. Welcome summer! (New header coming later this week!)