Keith's Dad's heart recently decided that it was time for a family reunion when it brought us all together for an unexpected heart surgery. We got the call mid-week and by the weekend, we were all rallied in Texas.
I'll go ahead and skip to the punch line.... Bill's surgery went well and we are all VERY thankful. VERY thankful may be an understatement.
The rally weekend happened to be Mothers Day weekend. I had a previously planned engagement in Phoenix, so I flew from Phoenix to Dallas where Keith and the boys picked me up (They flew in from Denver the day before). I was SO happy to see my boys and in turn, they offered to take me out to my favorite for a Mother's Day lunch, In-n-Out Burger. YUM!!!!
Back at Jeff and Lindsey's house, everyone was together and the guys were preparing a wonderful Mother's Day dinner.
Hailey sure does love her Uncle Keith.
The kids had a fantastic time together. The learned how to play a few new games on Lauren and Kaden's iTouch's.
William, Oliver and Lauren
Jeff and Lindsey also added a new member to the family, Miss Maggie. She's absolutely adorable.
I was so happy to be with my boys on Mother's Day. They were sure to spoil me with snuggles, especially Oliver.
It POURED nearly the entire time that we were in Texas and when it wasn't raining, it was muddy. The kids spend a lot of time being creative in William's bedroom.
Kellan and Lauren build a village out of Lincoln Logs.
Maggie had to stay in her kennel while she was in the house but that didn't stop our animal loving son from spending time with her. It is so hard that he's allergic to dogs because he sure does love them.
There is never a shortage of snuggles when Hailey is around.
There is never a shortage of rough housing when Uncle Brian is around.
Isaac, William, Kaden and Oliver on-top-Pop Brian.
Kellan and Lauren
Lauren and Aunt Carrie.
I can't believe how tall she is getting.
Meanwhile, the Dad's had been busy getting dinner ready and it's time to eat. Can't wait!!
Bill, Jacquie, Keith, Stephanie, Brian
After a fantastic Mother's Day dinner (Thanks Dad's) William and Isaac agreed to put on a concert for us. Jeff got busy tuning the violins while his brothers heckled him.
Who needs to go out when we have our own in-house orchestra and paparazzi section?
William and Isaac played for over 30 minutes accompanied by their Daddy on Piano. These boys are truly brilliant on their instruments and it's amazing to watch.
If I remember correctly, Isaac is nearing a year playing his Cello and William is about two years into playing his violin.
William
Isaac
We LOVED their performance!! It was a fantastic ending the the Mothers Day evening.
After their concert, we headed across the street to Nana and Papa's house, where we were staying. The boys had some special time with Nana as she read them a bedtime story.
The next day was Monday and since we were all their for Papa, we let him make the agenda. He asked to go to the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center.
We lucked out and the rain held off for our entire visit, even if it was overcast. This park has got to be one of the most amazing animal parks that we have ever been too. We all LOVED it!!!
Literally, you drive around the 1,500 acres and animals either hang out in the field so that you can observe them or they approach your car for a snack. It's amazing!
Sure enough, they will eat right out of your hand.
Some of the animals hadn't quite figure out the routine and they would just stare at us with nervous eyes.
Since we only drove about 5 mph, the kids were able to get up and move about the mini van.
Brian's family with Nana and Papa were in their Suburban behind us.
Kellan was ready for safari.
The emu's were a definite crowd pleaser.
They may be a little freaky, but they made us laugh the most as they would look at us with their beady eyes and dart down to take food out of our hands.
These Big Horned Sheep were like the Three Billy Goats Gruff.
They have the craziest eyes, but they sure were gentle when they came in for a snack.
These Asian Elk were crazy too! Their eyes weren't as crazy, but they knew what they wanted and they came in for it. Plus, they had the biggest, slimiest tongues of all. EWWW!
This one wanted a smooch from Keith. Hey, he's taken!
At the halfway point, we stopped at the gift shop for lunch. You just never know what kind of crazy characters you'll find there.
Tap, Tap, Tap on Kellan's shoulder.
Eeekk!!
On the patio, we grabbed some lunch. Isaac and Oliver really connected on this visit and they spent a lot of time together. Even if Isaac was trying to take Oliver's new rubber snake, he didn't mind sharing with Isaac.
Isaac and Oliver
Bill and Jacquie with their Boys and Grand Kids.
Keith, Brian, Hailey, Oliver, Kaden, Kellan, Lauren, William, Jeff, Isaac, Nana and Papa.
The whole Hamilton family.
Carrie, Keith, Stephanie, Brian, Hailey, Oliver, Kaden, Kellan, Lauren, Jeff, Nana, Papa, Lindsey and Isaac.
Back in the van, the birthday twins Kellan and William are ready to see some more animals.
What's this? A zebra?
Is he white with black stripes or black with white stripes?
We weren't sure but one thing was for certain, he was hungry!
We weren't sure but one thing was for certain, he was hungry!
The zebras had a new baby so they were a bit shy. They didn't approach the car but it was still great to see them. Do you see the baby standing down on the left?
A bit further down the road, we ran into another gaggle of Emu's before heading out.
The park was amazing and it was a great way to spend the day together.
On Tuesday, Papa had his surgery. The boys went with their Mom and Dad to the hospital while us girls stayed back with the kids. Again, it was a rainy day so we had to find indoor activities. While some of the little ones took a nap, Oliver and Lauren caught up on some homework from school time that they were missing.
Once Papa's surgery was done and everything was in the clear, the boys came home for the evening for some cribbage and cocktails.
As the rain poured down, Oliver decided that he needed his Broncos blanket for the fort that they were building. You don't realize how hard it is raining until your kids come home dripping wet.
There was plenty of time for snuggles with shows.
Lauren and Kellan
Sometimes, there was bouncing balls with shows.
Isaac and Kellan
On our final night, we took a photo of all of the cousins together one last time.
William, Oliver, Kaden, Isaac, Kellan, Lauren and Kaden.
We are SO very thankful that Papa's surgery went well. We are also thankful that we were all able to come together so quickly to spend time with him and the family.
We Love You Papa!!!
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