For one crazy-fun week in July we were able to meet up with some of our favorite people in the whole wide world…

Hooray for the Plaxico family cousins!  And Aunt Ashley and Nena too!!!  We love them so.

Nena and Pops live on the shores of the bay, where our Littles had the BEST time.  They were busy, busy, busy and happy, happy, happy.  (They were also sandy, sandy, sandy, but if you know my kids that goes without saying).

The kids played outside every chance they could get…

 Aunt Ashley and I even got to relive our (in shape) volleyball days with a friendly little competition.

I must add that Emily and I should have been granted extra points because we had the Little Mister, the Little Miss, AND Liam “on” our team…the three of whom, in a bit of sun-induced-crankiness, deemed it their special roles to build sandcastles in the middle of our court while we played.  Yep, I’m pretty sure that means we won.

(Whoever says “it’s not a competition” and “everyone wins” has not met Julie.)

It’s a good thing they’re all so darn cute.

There’s nothing like having your own personal, very large, very fun “sandbox” (as the Little Mister called it) right outside your door.  I think the kids approved….morning, noon, and night.

And whenever fuel tanks ran low we just filled them up with some yummy treats. 

Yep, sugary-goodness for the kiddos and winey-goodness for the Mamas.  (I win again!  Okay, okay.  Aunt Ashley too.)

As the photos suggest, the Little Sir didn’t get a whole lot out of the hours we spent playing on the beach.  But with two big girl cousins at his beckon call, he was A-OK.  And I’m pretty sure I barely held him the entire time.

And lest you think I took advantage of my darling nieces and their less-tired-arms-and-backs, fear not…Auntie Julie was as fabulous as ever.  One particular evening I went out to the pier with them so that I could simultaneously give Emily a pedicure AND cheer on Haley as she fished.  And then what did I do?!  Why when Haley caught a fish I pulled the wriggly, slimy thing off of the hook for her, of course!  GROSS.

But Mr. Stinky Fishy got to swim another day.  And Miss Emily had some lovely toes.

Daddy joined us for the last few days of the trip, which was super fun…and a lovely relief for this over-worked, under-paid Mama.

It was a great week.  Even if the drives to and from Annapolis were looooong and painful.  But these smiling faces made it all so worth it!

We love our family and can’t wait to see them again soon!