Schleicher family visits!

We were thrilled to have Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle Jon, Aunt Chelsea, Uncle Andy, and Aunt Beth come to meet our newest Schleicher!

Grandpa and Grandma arrived on Thursday night right before Ian went to bed. He was so excited to run outside to greet them!

Ian gave Grandma a flower bouquet he made for her.

Ryan loved meeting his Schleicher grandparents!

Ian was immediately interested in the coloring books and crayons that Grandma and Grandpa brought for him! He invited Grandma to color one page while he colored another.

The Grandmas enjoyed some time with their grandsons before Ian had to head to bed.

Grandma gave each of the boys a VERY special gift -- a homemade quilt! She wrote a loving note on the back of each one. Thanks for this labor of love, Grandma!

"This quilt is comfy," thinks Ryan.



On Friday morning, Ian saw Uncle Jon and Aunt Chelsea (since they had arrived late after he had gone to bed on Thursday). Uncle Jon quickly assumed the role of Ian's Director of Fun. First item on the agenda ... reading books!

Second up, tennis!

Look at that forehand!

Uncle Jon and Aunt Chelsea's birthday gift to Ian was a toddler scooter!

What better place to try it out than the foyer?

And why scoot if you have someone willing to be the motor? :)

Grandpa helped with Ian's special "game" ... spraying sidewalk chalk with water and having Grandpa sweep off the chalk marks.

Whee! Aunt Chelsea gives good airplane rides.



















Uncle Jon and Ian cooled down with the fire hydrant sprinkler ...


...and then they threw a soaking wet foam basketball at the fence. Fun times! Finally, they played with Uncle Jon and Aunt Chelsea's baptismal present -- a wiggly sprinkler Ian named "Caterpillar Blue."

Ian was a little hesitant at first about the spastic caterpillar arms, but he warmed up to the new toy quickly. :)

Ryan got plenty of attention throughout the day as well ...

The Grandmas made a great team in the kitchen!

After lunch, Aunt Chelsea served as the grandmas' personal trainer during some calisthenics.

Good lunges, ladies!

On Saturday, the fun continued!

Grandma and Ian read some stories together, before Uncle Jon and Aunt Chelsea took him to opening day at the neighborhood swimming pool.

Uncle Andy and Aunt Beth arrived around lunchtime!

Ryan slept for a couple of hours in Aunt Beth's comfy arms.

And then he took another nap later in Uncle Andy's lap.

Uncle Jon was on burping duty.

Uncle Jon and Ryan had a staring contest.

What sweet, beautiful ladies! Thanks for ALL of your help, encouragement, and love throughout your time with us! (Aren't their matching Grandma shirts cute??)

Ian took his scooter for a spin in the driveway,

and then Ian convinced the aunts and uncles to play a round of Hullabaloo.

Uncle Andy and Ryan served as game moderators,

though Ryan fell asleep on the job!

Grandpa and Ian enjoyed some swinging together in the backyard.

Ian enjoyed telling Aunt Chelsea about how Ryan was born in the same month as he was.

It was so nice having guests who made their own meals and helped in other ways around the house as well.

The group celebrating Ian's birthday meal on Saturday night.  We even enjoyed some of the birthday party cupcakes that Momma had made for the Three Bears party and had frozen to be enjoyed with this meal.

Ian enjoyed the after-dinner gift opening as well.

It was a team effort getting Ryan ready for his baptismal remembrance celebration in church on Sunday morning.

Our handsome little man waiting to go in front of the congregation.

Grandpa was invited to lead most of the baptismal remembrance portion of the service.  Aunt Beth and Uncle Andy, along with Aunt Sarah and Uncle Andrew, are Ryan's godparents.

We paused for a bunch of family pictures immediately following the service.  (Thanks, Carrie, for being such a willing photographer. Your pics turned out great!)

And since you can never have enough family pictures, we took even more once we got home. :)

Thanks, family, for a fun and memorable time together! We miss you! :)