Long weekend in Atlanta

Rich had a training in Atlanta during the week of January 13th, so we decided that on Thurdsay, January 16th, the kids and I would fly to meet him and to visit with the Ducote family for a long weekend.  After a busy but uneventful flight, Pop Pop picked us up at the airport around dinner time. Joseph ran into his arms which was super cute-made me tear up just as I thought about how fortunate we are to have two sets of amazing grandparents!  Nona had a delicious dinner waiting for us once we arrived and shortly after that the kids were off to bed after a busy day of preschool and traveling.  

On Friday we just hung out around the house visiting and catching up.  Ella took a long morning nap so Joseph and I played outside with Gatsby, their dog, for what seemed like hours.  Both kids LOVE Gatsby!  Both of our kids are huge dog lovers and Gatsby is a miniature poodle so is just the right size for them.  He got a lot of attention this weekend!  

Joseph kept asking all day when his cousins, Michael and John, were arriving and he was just so excited.  Too excited to take a nap!  Terri and I decided to head to the mall for a bit before Daddy came home from his training and Gina and the boys arrived and of course Joseph fell asleep for ten minutes on the car ride home but that was it.  Daddy made it and then shortly after Gina and the boys arrived so lots of excitement for a Friday night!  The boys hit it off immediately and John and Joseph quickly named themselves the "pee pee brothers" as they used the bathroom together every time!  Michael is so protective of Ella and is just so sweet with her.  

On Saturday Gina, Rich and I decided to take the kids to an indoor bounce house/play area to burn off some energy since it was a little chilly to spend a ton of time outside.  The kids had a blast!

Ella hung out in the toddler area for a bit but once she discovered the bounce house there was no turning back.  She loved being bounced around by the bigger kids!

 The pictures aren't great but she was just cracking up the whole time as the kids bounced her!

Ella practiced her walking.  By the end of the weekend she was definitely walking more than crawling!

 After a long time bouncing they decided to start building and built quite the fort!

 John and Joseph-good buddies!  John is 7 months older than Joseph.

 Breakfast on Sunday morning.

 We flew out Sunday afternoon but had time to head to the park down the street from Pop Pop and Nona's house for an hour or so.

 Hard to see but Rich is swinging Joseph here while John waited patiently for his turn.

 Sweet cousins on the walk home.  They all really got along well all weekend and Joseph talked about both of them a lot during the following week.

We are so thankful that we got to see so many of the Ducote crew.  Katelyn and Greg drove in from Athens, Brent and Rhanatah came up for dinner on Saturday night, Jeff hung out a lot and we are so appreciative that Gina and the boys drove in to see us.  We missed everyone else but look forward to the next time we can get all of the family and cousins together (7 and counting!)