Summer visitors

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  Midsummers eve is but a distant memory. A reddish tinge paints the outer west facing leaves of some of the trees in my area, marking the direction from which the cool fog rolls in late at night only to hang around until the morning sun burns her way through. The days are still warm and the nights are pleasant, but there is no denying the days are becoming shorter and fall is on the horizon. Why is it that summer seems to go by so fast? It just barely gets started and before you know it,  its already over. At least in the sense that the kids are back in school. Now that I stop and think about it, we did not make it to one "movie-in-the-park" or "evening market" this summer. It is not from lack of wanting, but rather that we had that much going on. All said and done, we hosted more than five weeks of family visitors. Now that the dust is beginning to settle, we are putting our house back in order, and bracing ourselves for the onslaught of the school year. One kid is in his second year of college, another has started his senior year of high school, one entering kindergarten and a 2-year-old at home. Life can be busy and complicated around here, so we are thankful that family members are willing to travel to come and spend time with us.
  The boys were visited by 2 grandmas, a grandpa, 1 cousin, 2 aunts and an uncle. Plus we hosted a couple informal dinner parties during some of these visits. This summer kind of felt like one long party that started at summer solstice and ended with the start of school. It was so comforting to see Apollo and Orion love and be loved by their extended family. To watch them interact with everyone individually, was priceless. My only regret is that we do not see everyone more frequently.
  There were some extra memorable moments with each visitor that really strengthened the bond between Apollo, Orion, and the extended family members;
  Apollo heading out to the motorhome every morning to greet his Grandma Nana and then talk her ear off.
Orion and Apollo calling Melanie's mom, Banana Gramma.
The laughter when playing with their cousin Olivia, and the obvious affection that they have for her.
Helping Aunt Emily talk to Banana Gramma on Skype, and showing off the chickens.
Orion calling Uncle Gooch, Goochie. and Aunt Kim, Gamma (who knows why)
Nightly wrestling matches with Uncle Goochie.
Goochie teaching Apollo the word "twerking" and what it means. Thanks Gooch. Now Apollo points out all the twerkers around him. '"Oooooo! That dog is tweaking! Hahahahaha" "Dada, your a twerker! Hahahaha!"
Camping at the ocean with Gooch, Kim and some amazing family (and friend) of Kim's.
Apollo randomly hugging his Yiayia.
Orion helping papa with his cane, and walker.
Apollo and Orion taking Yiayia and Papa on walks around the block.
And just the sheer energy and excitement that the boys showed being around the family. Thank you everyone for a summer filled with fun and adventure and an excessive amount of laughter!