Family brunch and a birthday

I have awesome friends that I consider family but we know life gets in the way and everyone lives so far. In order to actually spend time together and ensure that our kids grow up knowing each other, we've instituted "family dinners". Basically we make time every month to get together with our kids and catch up on life. It has been the best idea ever because we all get to hang out and catch up. despite life being hectic, we are still connected. Sometimes they end up being family lunches or family brunches but no matter what they are, we get to hang out every month.

We met up with our friend at their place. It's cheaper and more relaxed when we hang out at home. We can let the kids run wild without worrying so much about them. We usually make a dish and share with everyone. Since the weather is awesome and the kids love water, we set up the sprinkler and a water table in the yard and let them loose. Best plan ever, I swear I am going to do this 2 to 3 times a week in the Summer. It's hours of fun for the kids while keeping them cool and watering the grass, win win win :).

Well hello there handsome Bean. We found out exactly a year ago that this sweet face was going to join our family and now he is here, what a blessing.

We took the big kids outside for some play time. My Tman and water I tell you

Jbird of course always joins in on the fun

My boys doing their thing

The grown up watching the big kids play. My mom and niece came with us and hubby was holding the baby so that I could chase the big boys around

Front yard fun times with a sprinkler :)

Hubby and Bean chilling on the sidelines

After water play we went back inside. The grown ups let the big kids play with guitars

Rockstars in the making what up

After the brunch, we went to my niece's birthday party. Not the new baby niece, but my 21-year old niece. My mom married my stepdad (her grandfather) and we moved to America when she was a mere 3 years old. I can't even believe that she just turned 21. My brothers and grandma were at the party already

Me and the baby niece looking cute

The boys running around outside

We of course had to attempt a photo op with the kids. We weren't really successful but man it's hard to get 4 little kids to look at the camera at the same time

And yes my boys always match because I seriously love it and to be honest it makes my life easy. It's like putting them in a uniform. I love it even more that Bean is big enough to fit in big clothes so he can match that much sooner with his brothers.

My grandma was there too

My brother J and my dad. Bean was so hungry I had to feed him :)

The boys all packed up in the car after a day of fun hanging out in the sun

What a great weekend and a great Sunday. I love spending time with my friends and family and I love it even more that the boys recognize these important people in our lives because they spend time with them.