colin meets cousins

Can you believe we haven't traveled anywhere in 7 months? We discussed a trip to Mammoth Cave in early March but I was hesitant to be far from home (and deep underground) while pregnant. Since then, traveling has seemed both risky and logistically challenging. Except for the 2 nights Dan and I spent at the hospital for Colin's birth, we haven't been away from home. While she takes it in stride, I feel bad that Mae has been isolated from friends and family so much. We finally decided to take a short visit to my parents' house, so Mae could play with her cousins and they could meet Colin!

We spent the first few days hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa. We went for walks around the neighborhood and on a nearby trail. We went to the city center a couple times for a little change of scenery and window shopping.

Unfortunately, a week before our visit, Christopher and Emily found out they'd been exposed to COVID. They were careful to quarantine for two weeks, and fortunately none of them got sick and they tested negative. Since one of our main reasons for traveling was to see them, we decided to extend our visit by a few days. They were able to finish their quarantine, and we had some fun playdates!

Auntie Em and Uncle Christopher got some great snuggles and smiles meeting Colin for the first time.

Oliver and Archie were very excited to meet him also. He loved being serenaded by them as they sang the alphabet song! They were so gentle and sweet when they held him.

The kids (and adults) had a great time making s'mores. I bet Mae could polish off a whole back of marshmallows on her own!

We also went to the pond in Christopher and Emily's neighborhood to try out Mae's new fishing pole that Grandma and Grandpa gave her. Uncle Christopher and Oliver fished with hooks while Mae practiced casting with a little weighted fish. The kids also had fun decorating the nearby cement culverts with sidewalk chalk.

I'm so glad we had this little chance to get away from the house for a bit. We had so much fun visiting Grandma and Grandpa, having playdates, and introducing Colin to his aunt, uncle, and cousins!