Bayou Bound, Part 2

The irony is hilarious, but I left the Burgh in beautiful weather and down here at Rocky Bayou, it's been an odd mixture of rain and wind overshadowing the normal sunny and warm May weather.  Oh well, the company is great and the time with Phil's girls is precious (not to mention I love my special travels with Penn!).  Last night I tried to get a few pictures of Penn and his one year, one day older cousin Eleanor.  Penn seems to not mind his curious cousin.

But I don't think this is a look of a positive reaction for Penn's curiosity in her direction.

Eleanor also helped Penn learn the ropes of her old exersaucer.  Penn might be wary of unfamiliar adults, but he is soooo comfortable with little ones.  He loves to watch Eleanor!

I got some sweet cuddle time with Elizabeth yesterday.  She is so sweet!  She even waves at the camera!

And then this one she just looks sooo perfect and peaceful!

While we were stuck indoors most of the evening (save for the awesome covered back porch here) due to rain, Doug and the boys had some post-nap playtime at a playground.  Look at how grown-up Koen looks!

And it turns out Tav was in quite the awesome mood after a 3 hour+ nap (Daddy wears this guy out!).  He was doing his "outside dinosaur voice."  Apparently he and Doug got a book about a dinosaur learning his inside and outside voice.  Perhaps it will be helpful in training our intense decibel level children?

Here he is striking another pose.  Super adorable.  I wish he didn't have the hilarious sunglasses on (cute, but oh, those blue eyes underneath!).

We all had good rests both back in the Burgh and here on the Bayou.  The boys at home woke up to another gorgeous day and I woke up to rain.  Thankfully it cleared by 10am, but before that happened we killed time taking pictures...again.

Here's some closeups of Elizabeth who had some great wake time showing off her big baby blues!

Big sister didn't want to be left out, so I invited her to join the photo shoot.  

Back in Pittsburgh, Doug had the boys helping get things ready for his mom's visit.  Nana should be a nice distraction and help while Mommy is away, although I have to say that Douglas is one talented Daddy.  The boys are having a blast.  I don't think they will care if/when I come home!  Tav was in charge of Swiffer sweeping, Koen had the Swiffer duster.  

Koen also cleaned up their room and made the beds.  Look how proud he is.  (Is it sad that I wish I could just straighten up the comforter and pull back the curtains?).

Since the house was picked up, Doug thought they should get out of there before they messed it up again.  They headed to Home Depot for some mulch.  Turns out there was a workshop going on and they got to build and paint their own little planters.  The boys loved it!

Penn has finally rebounded from last week's cold and the lack of sleep and strain from the travel day.  He is really warming up to Uncle Phil and Aunt Leah and is much more comfortable here.  Here he is just being a man like his Uncle Phil, a little Lazy Boy time never hurt anyone, right?

Bonding with silly Uncle Phil.  Penn's still deciding what he thinks. 

Well, that's it for now.  I'm really enjoying the laid back nature of Phil & Leah's hospitality combined with having one versus three of my own kids to care for.  Rain or not, it's relaxing and very enjoyable.  Hopefully I'll post more tomorrow!