family. isn't it about TIME?!?

it seems like FOEVER since we had seen any extended family and so we were overjoyed that we got to have some hansens and wallworks here this past weekend. for most of them it was their first time here, so that made it extra fun =o]
the hansens arrived friday night after the kids were already in bed and we stayed up late talking and laughing and having a great time just catching up.
the next morning kent started the pancake breakfast while grammy and jonathan entertained the kids and i started feeding seth (this kid eats for like an hour every meal!)

derek and melissa joined the party just in time for breakfast. we LOVE pancakes! 

then it was time to load up and head to the beach!! it was the best day. i love the ocean. it was PERFECT weather! and the water wasn't too freezing cold. one of my favorite moments was getting to go jump in the waves for the first time in a long time. kent held seth and my mom watched the other kids and melissa and i just ran out into the water. it was AWESOME!!! i had forgotten what a powerful and joyous feeling it is to body surf. i couldn't help but laugh- it just felt so wild and carefree! and for some reason experiencing stuff like that with my sister just makes it even better. maybe it is just her =o] 

i was again reminded what a different life we will lead when we no longer have babies. there are so many wonderful things about those little people! but there are also so many great things i can imagine about none of my children crawling. =o] i am loving every stage, don't worry! just also looking forward to the next ones!!  

seth wasn't too sure lol after his first feet-deep dip he CLUNG to me for dear life each time we braved the waves! 

my uncle rodney got back from jerusalem last week and he met us at the beach. the wallworks love flying kites at the beach so i asked if he would bring one of theirs but they couldn't find them so they got this new one. it was literally a flop- i felt so bad! but it was super sweet of them to try! and it was hilarious to watch the guys refuse to fail lol

(i stole the rest of these from melissa =o])

i kept my shirt and shorts on the whole time except those 15 minutes i escaped into the ocean without the kids and i'm so glad i did because several others declined sunscreen/shirts and got super sunburned. they shall remain nameless lol

(yes this is derek picking jonathan's nose lol)

when we got home everyone took baths and showers and naps and just had fun hanging out. kent had to head to work for a bit. caleb was in heaven playing wii with his uncles.  

and i was reminded why my uncle rodney was my favorite uncle as a kid- he is just a big kid himself! seriously the kids had a blast and he was oh so patient and hilarious. it was fun to get to ask him about his travels and experiences in jerusalem. though i'm sure i could have listened for hours more than i actually got to =o]

after a dinner of salad and pizza (hostess of the year, right?) we had jenna's half birthday celebration! since kent was stuck at work i decided to forego the cake and stick some candles in the ice cream. trust me, she was just as thrilled =o]

here is aunt melissa helping with the bedtime routine. the kids were pretty wound up and ready to crash!

then everyone headed home but derek, who flew back to utah early the next morning. 

it was so great to see everyone and we miss them already! i am grateful for the Plan of Happiness. I know that families are the basic unit of society and the way our Heavenly Parents want us to live and grow. my family it the BEST for me and i don't know where i would be without them!!