Visit To Bakersfield To See Cousins and Special Blogging Friends

We took another mini vacation up to Bakersfield (about 3 1/2 hours away). My cousins moved up there last year and we hadn't been up for a visit yet. Also, Emily and Justin http://emilyquicknfamily.blogspot.com/ were also in Bakersfield visiting Emily's parents so we had another great reason to visit. As it turns out, Darlena and Brayden http://lehnickfamily.blogspot.com/ live only a couple hours away and also came down for a visit. So on day one, we visited with my cousins and spent the night with them sharing a couple of yummy meals. Then the next morning we drove a whopping 9 miles to Emily's parents home and enjoyed a yummy lunch and some great conversation. My visit started off a little shaky as Ella decided to show a new side of herself. Let me preface this by saying that it was her naptime. But as soon as we walked in the door, she started crying...hysterically!!! Every time Justin would do a little play yell (which Ella does ALL the time) she would break out in hysterical crying again. I have never seen her do this before. Finally, after a few trips outside, she fell asleep on my shoulder for a few minutes and then woke up ready to join the party. She finally joined the boys on the floor and started to interact. (whew!!!) I can't begin to explain how nice it is to meet up with families that I have gotten to know so well online. It really feels like we have know each other for a long time. All three of our kids are within a month of each other so it was fun to see who has mastered which skills, who has how many teeth, who eats what, etc. etc. Let me tell you what I really learned. All of our children with Ds will do things at different times and at their own pace. One may crawl sooner, one may stand sooner, one may get teeth sooner...you get the picture. But the main thing they all have in common.....beyond adorable!!! All three of these kiddos knew how to smile when the camera was pointed at them. Poor kids...obviously their moms are picture crazy!! Emily and Darlena...I had a wonderful time with you and look forward to our next visit. Emily, please thank your mom for opening her home to us. She was wonderful!!! I think my goal in life is going to be to hit the road and meet as many of my "blogging" friends as possible. Every visit fills me such joy and truly gives me another friend for life. We have a family wedding in TX coming up and we are hoping to take the long way and visit some friends in Utah (not on the way to TX) as well as meet a few in TX.

Ella sitting in the child seat in the

Wendy's bathroom on the way up to

Bakersfield

Me with my cousin and his wife



The girl cousins (minus my oldest who was
in Palm Springs with a friend)

Ella meeting my cousins BIG dog

Doesn't it look like she is being surrounded

by a pack of wolves??

Big sisters with Ella and Justin

Ella and Brayden

Brayden and Justin

Ella, Brayden and Justin right as Ella

was finally warming up

Brayden and Justin

Ella admiring her homemade bows given to

her from Brayden's mom Darlena....thanks!!

Brayden, Justin and Ella. I think Justin is

thinking about pulling Brayden down!!

Finally got them all propped up on the couch

Me and Ella, Darlena and Brayden and

Emily and Justin