The one with our last visit with the Martins.

We went up to see Mackenzie, the babe and Tony (and Tribbi for Luca of course) one last time before the end of our trip.  There were many plans that didn't come through before we decided on doing that, and driving up there 3 times this trip, and twice in a week was absolutely and completely worth it.  We already miss all of them!!

Lyla has changed so much already, just in the few weeks we have been here, she is turning into a real human person, and getting so dang big.  It makes me sad that we can't see her whenever we want.

Mackenzie warned me that she hated her bumbo at the moment, but I tried anyway, and what do you know--she did.  She sat for a bit before this moment, but this moment was the best, and totally worth it.

Luca got a cold somehow, and I can finally give him medicine for that!!!  That was the best thing I realized ever.  Mackenzie and I had a conversation about the medicine cups, and droppers, and how it would be a cool first for Luca that night--then she realized the beauty of the droppers after Luca knocked it out of my hand onto the floor after tasting it.

I found this awesome last day of school picture in a drawer in my old room--we had quite the car rides back then.

Seriously--she is beautiful.  She was so alert this last visit, and she just looks so much older!! It just goes so fast.

Before Tony headed off to work we took some pictures out with his Trooper car.

Luca didn't appreciate being in it at first--I hope he remembers that for later in life.  Unless of course his life leads him to want to do that for a living, by all means.  Lets just avoid the backseat.

He insisted I shut the door after a while though so he could "drive."

We love having someone to protect us in our family! Way to go Tony.

We watched Tangled the last day around because it was rainy and wet outside, too much so for Luca to go out in.

Okay--Tribbi and Luca shenanigans time.  Man alive, we had to watch those two like a hawk the whole time they would play.  Luca would eat tribes food (and later, shockingly, throw it up), splash in his water dish, or dip things in it to drink it--like Tribbis antler he has as a chew toy--yum, or just drink it.  He pulled tribbis stubby tail constantly, smacked his face, pulled his lips out to laugh at his teeth, poked his eyes, pulled his ears, and knocked him over countless times.  Tribbi was such a good sport about it all.  They took turns following each other around the yard and chasing each other.
Luca would watch in the windows to see if we were paying attention before he would do certain things--like dumping the entire food bowl out--or just throwing handfuls around the yard.

The last time they played I came out to get Luca, who ran away from me, and then got knocked over by an over excited Tribbi, and fell on his bum.  He whined all mad, and Tribbi came around again for another round, and knocked him all the way over.  I think Luca was ready to go, as sad as he is now to not get to play anymore.  They are buds.  I am so curious see if they remember each other next time!

When it was time for us to go, it got depressing and sad.  Luca was so sweet and said goodbye to Lyla, and wanted to hold her one last time.

We miss you so bad! I don't understand why our states can't just get along and be neighbors.  One day we shall live close again.  Thanks for putting up with us!!

On sunday morning, Halie was trying to sleep a little more but that is just not possible with a 2 year old around.  He climbed right under her pillow to join.

I saw the iPad when Luca was watching Frozen at one point, he had turned on the spanish subtitles all on his own--he must miss his daddy.

The one with some Lyla lovin.

Oh Lyla, I so wish we lived close enough to watch you grow up!!  You are just the sweetest most alert little thing.

We took a walk down to the park one afternoon--we thought it was cooler out than it was.  Tribbi had a ball running all around, and I had a ball watching Luca go just as far as the dog.

I tried so hard to get a good picture of him with this helicopter on his nose--I remember doing it as a kid--he didn't love it.  Oh well.

^^ thanks for that brilliance, Sara--he loved sitting there so much!

I just love snuggling that baby of yours Mackenzie.  I had to be very careful not to squeeze the life out of her like I wanted too, for the love. 

We got Luca a backpack for the plane home--we ended up returning it, and getting a different one, but oh man, doesn't it make him look so old??

We headed back to Grandmas for the week--before heading back up for Lylas blessing!

The one where Luca loves Tribbi.

This kid.  And that dog.  They are kindred spirits basically.  Too bad I love my child too much to ever get a dog again.  Nope.

He just played out there for hours every day we were there, Tony would sit out there with him, or do work out there so he had some sort of supervision, but even when he couldn't we let him go out, we were usually sitting right by all the windows anyway, and could watch him, watch us to make sure we weren't watching while he ate some dog food or drank his water.  Again with the germs.  Whatever, he was happy and occupied.

Tony said he came out of the garage at one point and they were both laying on their backs with balls--more than likely in their mouths.  I'm telling you, he loved him.

They knocked each other over constantly, Luca pulled his tail, and his cheeks basically off his face, Tribbi was such a good sport.

At one point Luca found a bunch of dog food down in the crack of the deck--and dug it all out and fed Tribbi each piece he pulled out, one by one.

Tony built us a bonfire one night, and Luca blew on it, and ate 10 marshmellows--all at once.

We walked to get ice cream later that evening--more sugar anyone??  I just got an ice cream cone--a medium one, and it was probably taller than my head, I am still so sad I didn't get a picture!

Mackenzie has the best backyard!! The swing is awesome, Luca got pretty good at sitting on it, but not for too long before he slipped off.