Hotel Keyes

We've had so much company lately!  It's been great to have the non stop entertainment, but I think MJ has gotten a bit spoiled.  He wants to know who's coming to play with him next.  :)  Any takers? 

We're quite blessed with family and friends who travel often to see us and love on our children.  Since Charlotte has been born we've had both sets of parents, Uncle Jeff, Grandma and Grandpa Keyes, The Backes Family, Aunt Kelly, Meg, Mindy and Derek, The Walmsley Family, The Saylor Family....okay, I'm going to feel awful if my tired mama brain left anybody out, but I think that sums it up. 

I haven't been the best picture taker at all of the visits, but it has been wonderful to have so many friends and family visit us.  We are SO thankful!

My dear friend, Kelley, and her three children drove from Lakeland, FL to meet Charlotte and spend some time with our family.  One mom driving from FL by herself with three kids?!  She's crazy, but I love her for it!!!

 Kelley and I met while teaching together in Lakeland.  We'd only known each other a very short time when something just "clicked".  She is such a gem and I am incredibly blessed by her friendship.  I think making friends as adults can often be challenging, but our friendship has been quite effortless from day one.  Working together was an absolute blast!  Her, along with another one of our friends and colleagues, were quite the trio at our school.  We were usually inseparable, and the two of them were by my side and so helpful as I went through IVF and then faced MJ's challenging beginning.  When I think back on that time I wonder how I would have gotten through it all if it wasn't for them. 

I digress though (as always), so back to their visit...

Kelley loves her some baby cuddles!



 Kelley's girls, Abbey and Aubrey, were my little babysitters for the few days they were here.  They were more than happy to hold and entertain Charlotte the entire time and Charlotte was happy to oblige!  When I left Lakeland, Abbey was just preparing for 2nd grade and I was supposed to be her teacher.  Now she's going into 5th grade!! 

MJ is used to having to have "quiet time" (aka nap time on a good day) every afternoon, but he was way to in love with the non-napping big kids to oblige, so the compromise was quiet time on the couch each afternoon while watching a movie.  They were all so cute camped out on the couch.  Robby, Kelley's youngest, and MJ played cars all day long!  They all played so well together and Kelley's kids were great about taking a little break so MJ could be forced to rest.  We had such a wonderful visit and made some great memories!  Kelley and I spent her last night here sitting out on the back deck just chatting and visiting.  How I miss that!! 

I'm already looking forward to when we can all meet up again!  Oh, and I'm also curious to see who will be the first guests at Hotel Keyes, new location.  ;)