Albuquerque Hobbs: July 19-26; August 1, 2024: Sam and Kiley's visit to Albuquerque

Sam and Kiley visit both sides of their families every summer and during the Christmas or New Year's holidays. Kiley visits more often when she can, like during spring break. We love to get the siblings and the cousins together to get form lasting ties and to make happy memories. Sam's children are the youngest of all of our grandchildren, which makes it harder for the older cousins to bond with them. But they love each other and have fun together.

This past summer while they were here, we had them join us at my mom's house the evening after they arrived (Saturday, July 20th) so they could be with us while Mike and I took care of Vernon. They played games with us and my mom, which was fun.

On Sunday July 21st we had a big family BBQ and a boy cousin sleepover. The following week we had two girl cousin sleepovers (one without Elise); a movie outing, a few lunch outings; a lot of playing in the Swim Spa and on the sports court; and nightly Canasta games with Sam and Kiley when the kids were in bed. We tried to have Jess and Jacob's families join us whenever possible.

Sam flew to San Antonio on Thursday July 25th to return to work. Kiley stayed until Friday the 26th and then packed up the kids and their belongings and stayed with her parents for the weekend. They left for Colorado on Sunday the 28th to spend time with the Kartchner family at their family cabin. And we had company again on the 26th through the 29th--this time Dave and Paula Castle who had moved to Utah and were visiting for the weekend.

Sam is our Mr. FUN Guy

Our youngest grandson, 3-year old Noah, is spunky!

Kiley's oven accident while making birthday cupcakes
She was mortified and felt so bad, but we got it cleaned up

Saturday, July 20th: Playing Sequence together at Grandma's house

This was the night that Vernon smiled and laughed a lot while watching little Noah play with his old toys. That made my mom very happy!

Four generations represented here

Monday, July 22nd: Family breakfast after the boys' sleepover

Pancakes, bacon, fruit, and juice

Pool time for the boys

Monday, July 22nd: Girl cousin sleepover, minus Elise

Grandpa holding the girls

The girls holding Grandpa

The girls' beds upstairs in the game room

They were SO EXCITED about sleeping upstairs and watching TV

Boys' turn to swim

Cousin time

So darn cute to have ALL the girls together

Movie outing with Sam's family to see "Inside Out 2"

Kiley's turn in the pool--with all four kids!

Sam and his dad on the court

Bedtime routine with the kids

Lovely flowers from Shauna and Jacob

Noah playing grocery shopping

Eli creating potato head characters

Wow! Check it out! Great job Eli!

Eden and her food truck business

Joseph in the clubhouse with a hoola hoop

Magnet creations!

Eli enjoying our neighbor's BIG swimming pool

Eden and Noah in the big pool with big water guns

Joseph the Penguin in the big pool--heehee

It rained this weekend, and I caught this cute little frog in the street. I put it in a large jar for Joseph. He was so excited to take his new pet home, but his dad released it by the next day so it wouldn't die. I was sad for Joseph.

After the Kartchner's return to town from their Colorado cabin, Kiley and the kids spent one more day with us on Thursday, August 1st. We went to the temple grounds; had lunch at Freddy's with Jessica's kids; did some toy shopping at Walmart; and played in the arcades area at Skidmore Holiday Bowl. Joseph's favorite part was winning tickets and cashing them in for little prizes afterwards. He was good about sharing his winnings equally with his siblings. Afterwards, the kids played in the Swim Spa one last time. It was a full, fun day for all of us!