family, family everywhere

monday was the big family gathering. it was the same crew from last night (aka "my family" and their families) plus my grandma (aka "big pop's mommy"), aunt star and aunt su (aka "big pop's sisters").  it was a full house and it was a lot of fun!  i am so thankful that we were all able to get together for a visit.

maddux and mason making some 'joyful noise'.

they were cute all three playing at the piano.  i even played them a few songs from my old books.

mason wanted his "car" to get in on the piano fun too.  and maddux thought that the piano was one of the greatest things ever!

i guess big pop and grandma's neighbors have everything ever invented for kids.  and they have been willing to share what their kids have outgrown - not to say that big pop and grandma wouldn't have gotten a bounce house on their own...

ford eating alone.  i just thought that it was funny to see him sitting at the table with all of the food. (the dip is buffalo chicken and amazing!)

uncle josh got in the pool with the kids.

maddux getting/giving some love with his great aunt su.

big pop and grandma's new 'playroom' filled with grandkids.

grandma at the head of the table with her most favorite dining companions (sorry, big pop).

so we were watching a dvd of home movies from my dad's (aka big pop's) childhood and it occurred to me that almost his entire family has curly hair!  i guess i had always assumed that my grandmother had a perm, but her curls are natural.  i was kind of embarrassed that it never occurred to me before, but maddux could very easily get his dark, curly hair from that side of the family too!

here is my beautiful grandmother with each of our kids. (i think i get my nose from her after looking at these pictures.)

the kids paired off into boys and girls more today.  i think it happened naturally based on their interests more than one group excluding another.

mason and ford were just laying like this and i had to get a picture but i couldn't get them both to look at the same time.

jude being silly.

madelyn, briana and annabell
this cradle turned out to be a huge hit.  i think everyone took a turn being the 'baby'.

all four boys were playing the piano, but jude walked away before i could turn my camera on.
jude, mason, braydon and ford

as with any family gathering, i wish that i had taken more pictures and had more conversation.  i remembered to get a picture of each of our kids with my grandma, but i failed to take one of me with her...  love.