Labor Day Made Simple

When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses. 

 ~Joyce Brothers

...and when my kids are grown I hope that when they close their eyes and think of some of their happiest childhood memories, that they are brought back to times like this past weekend.

Over Labor Day weekend we got to spend a couple of days in St. Louis with Aunt Nina and Grandma and Grandpa Allen. 

It was wonderful and watching my kids spend time and bond with their grandma, grandpa, and aunt just made my heart want to burst at the seams.

Over the weekend, we spent an entire day shopping (fyi...I loathe shopping for maternity clothes) and then we met the family at the hotel for some dinner and swimming.

*My kids love staying at hotels...to the point that Makayla spots hotels from the road just as a normal kid would spot out McDonalds!*

Grandpa letting Mason jump into the water so Mason could touch the bottom of the pool...After Mason's toes touched the bottom, grandpa would bring him back up again.  Over and over and over again...It made this mommy very  nervous.
While swimming made Mason's night, Makayla being able to leave our hotel room to go to grandma and grandpa's hotel room and sleep with grandma, made her night.

The next day we did some more shopping (fyi...I loathe shopping for maternity clothes) and then met the family in Collinsville for some Labor Day horse races.

The kids loved it!

It's been an annual tradition to head to the horse track over Labor Day Weekend and I look forward to all future Labor Day horse races with the family.

Mason intently watching the horses round the corner.

She gets into the races just as much as an adult does.

 We had a great couple of days spending time with the family. Watching the bond between my kids and their grandma & grandpa and Aunt Nina...it's magical.  One of the best parts about being a parent is being able to see your kids interact and form a relationship like none other with those that love them so dearly.

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Here are a couple of pictures capturing Makayla's excitement when opening some of her birthday presents:

A Justin Bieber notebook.  Oh my.

A Barbie Boombox with microphones to sing karaoke.  She loves to sing and perform and I can't wait until she starts choir this weekend!