I LOVE having visitors! Always have! It didn't matter if we were in a one bedroom apartment, with our guests sleeping in the living room on an air mattress, it's exciting when out-of-towners shake up the "usual day to day."
We have been waiting YEARS for the return of my brothers family. The last time they visited was when Marcelo was a baby.
We had a FUN week together! It was supposed to be turned into a movie (sooooo many pictures taken!) and I was so excited after receiving this trailer from my brother just a few days after they arrived back home in Ohio.
I thought..."he is ON it." Im not even going to need to write a blog post for this. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like he is in any rush to finish the WHOLE movie, which means you are stuck with a long blog post of pictures and long winded commentary.
*UPDATE: still waiting for this video from my brother.
Aunt Barbie is SuperMom and thinks of everything! She brought matching dinosaur jammies for all the kids, which they were excited to put on and wear all week.
Whenever visitors come, my first thought is "let's hit the Beltline." My brother has an active family of five (like us!) and I think being on the Beltline with a ton of other people really let's you experience the vibe of a bigger city.
We started at Krog Street Market and made the usual stops. Skate park, King of Pops and Ponce City Market!
Had to show the cousins the Tiny Doors around the belt line.
I just love hanging with my bro. Our humor is the same, but we are very different. LOL
These kids were tuckered and SWEATING!!!
WAKE UP PUCKWAA!!
Everyone was tired, but we did have one official sleeper...Hazel!
Something on the Ohio kids' list of "must do's" was Lego Land. We have been there a bunch of times. It's SMALL, but keeps the kids happy for a couple of hours. (#goals)
They played their little hearts out. Somehow Marcelo ended up on a ride with a stranger as a chaperone???Oh that sneaky Celi-cell.
But you KNOW the most fun thing about Legoland is that you have to exit THROUGH a LEGO store. Grrrrrrr.
Always a challenge getting them out without a meltdown whining.
The kids explored the back woods trail.....
Made time for slime......
They took a [what may be their last] bath together...haha
AND THEY SLEPT like champs!!
(Yeah...those bunk beds aren't painted yet. It's only been 8 months, don't judge!)
Uncle Bill did story time for the little girls.
We left the guys at home with all the kiddos (they were fine!!)
....while I whisked Barbie away for an afternoon surprise.
The Wednesday special at Jiao Reflexology -1 hour foot massage for 2 people- only $50!
HEA-VEN!!!
We planned to venture to the beach while they were down south and Savannah is so easy! Plus, using points at the Westin on the river is FREEEEEEEEE!
The excitement that brewed in these kids was a joy to watch! Vacation with cousins = the best!!
The Westin is on the river and crossing into downtown Savannah could not be easier with the 5 minute ferry ride leaving every 20 minutes.
Tybee Island is about 25 minutes across the bridge and worth it for the warm water and kids friendly waves.
....and they were HUGE FANS!!! This is a totally perfect kids beach....and everyone must know it because this beach was PACKED!
We carved out our spot and set up camp....literally. Sun tents are awesome!
Im so glad Barbie brought her good camera for some shots at the beach.
Wait....how did my parents get there you ask? Well....they couldn't stand that we were having fun without them, so they crashed the beach party!!
Kids were totally dumbfounded when grandma and grandpa were all of a sudden right beside them on the beach. They were silent for a few seconds, and then super excited. I have a video somewhere ....When Barbie is there, pictures are taken. Period. Im glad...look how cute these shots are!!
Even though everyone was soooooo worn out from the beach, we had to make a stop at The Crab Shak.
Sitting outdoors with a platter like this was definitely a treat!The kids fed the little crocodiles and managed to tackle this one for a picture.
Smores at the poolside fire pit were a hit with the littles.
What is Summer without ice cream?!?!
What a trip! Please make this an annual tradition Arnolds! We loved hanging with you all week!
BONUS CLIPS: