Shakespeare visit

We were very fortunate to have the Shakespeares come for a visit this last weekend. Will is pretty darn busy with his job and doesn't have many days off. So we were happy that they decided to spend them with us Boise folk.

Travis and Zoe had a Daddy/Daughter Date on Friday night. I was helping with it, so we were all gone. Luckily Laura suggested that the Shakespeares stop at their house for dinner. It worked out great. Also, Steve and Shawna watched the kids for us while we were gone. Thanks guys!
The Shakespeares didn't get here until late Friday. Of course once the cousins saw each other they were super excited and rowdy. We didn't get them to bed until midnight! We had a little talking time, then went to bed.

I have to put in how cute Sammy and Lydia were. They were dear friends last summer when they saw each other. I wondered if they would get along again. Well, we found them on the top bunk in Lydia's room talking and laughing and just being exceptionally cute. They spent both Friday and Saturday night up there enjoying themselves. We heard them say things like; Lydia: "Sammy, if we get scared, maybe we can just hug!" and Sammy: "Lydia, you look so beautiful when you wear that crown!" Not to mention they both have adorable laughs and faces.

Of course all the kids were up right on time. We made pumpkin pancakes for the kids, which they ate quickly before heading upstairs to play Nintendo. The adults enjoyed a skillet with turkey bacon and lots of yummy veggies, with a V8 to wash it down. Unfortunately that was the last healthy thing we ate all weekend (at least for me).

Will and Travis headed out for a run while Jill and the girls and myself played make-up and dress-up:)

It was so nice to be together. But it is difficult to get anywhere with 8 kids (how did you do it, Mom and Dad!?) We hooked up with Richard and Laura and kids and eventually decided that because it was super cold out that we would do an indoor activity and we headed to Carl's Jr. for lunch and playing. This Carl's Jr. has a playplace unlike any I have seen before. I have never seen one so large. I went up in it at one point and could easily stand up. In fact there were several adults up inside. I think the kids had fun. It was good for them to get out of the house.

We went home for naps and television, then got back together for dinner. We made bean burrito filling and had a burrito/nacho bar. Also, for dessert we had root beer floats.

We got the little ones (Felix, Henry, Sammy, and Lydia) in bed and played Apples to Apples with the adults and older kids. It was rowdy and fun. Then we got the older kids to bed while we continued playing games. I don't remember the name of the one Richard and Laura brought. It was a fun thinking/guessing game. After a round of that Richard and Laura left to get their little ones to bed. I wondered how Ethan did at 9 o'clock church the next day after staying up until 11?

We chatted a bit, played our version of Choose Your Own Adventure MASHO, and watched some old New Years videos and got a little giddy (at least I did).

The next morning our 11 o'clock church snuck up on us. Shakespeares just got everything packed before we headed to church. It was snowing pretty hard all night and morning. They came to the first hour of church with us, then headed home.

I always wonder if I add too many details. I know family will be interested, at least.