More pictures in two days than have been taken in TWO YEARS. *Side eye to little sister*

One of my favorite parts of vacation this time, was the fact that I got to see my little sister, little brother and finally meet my nephews.

I met J.Michael in utero - but he's now over two.   Baby Ezra is just a few weeks old now, but I'm ever so glad to have spent a couple of days with them.
My heart hurts sometimes at the fact that the cousins aren't growing up together, down the street from their grandparents.

Mush. Over.

Now, on to pictures.  I took MANY because little sister apparently has a titanium memory and doesn't need a camera to remember all those precious moments.
If only we could get an eye-fi card in her brain so she can just upload them to us.  


Guilt trip over.
Also, the pictures were all taken with a point and shoot.  I also wasn't like super into trying to make them awesome.  Deal with it. 

Cheese!  

Sand castles on the beach.

"I belong on the beach, mom.  Because I'm a pirate surfer, and you have to have a beach
to be a pirate surfer." 

Baby Ezra

What?  Looking at the camera is hard to do! 

If you had known my sister when she was this age, you would understand why I laughed my pants off.
This is the exact face his mother made all. the. time! 

Leetle brother.  Who isn't little anymore. 

finger in the nose...

finger in mom's mouth!
Bwahahahahaha! 

Bear hug! 

Just like his big cousins... 

The only picture with ALL of us in it. Oi.
I failed, mom.  Sorry.

It was super good to see you, Burt.
I miss you tons.
Now TAKE MORE PICTURES.
AND POST THEM!!!! 

Partay!

This year we eschewed the traditional McDaniel Boy Birthday Bash in favor of a special outing while in San Diego.
So, we bought them a special behind-the-scenes tour of Sea World.  

A few highlights:

Walrus BUTT!!!!

Dolphin that we were about to pet.
If you've never heard an actual dolphin talk, I suggest go forth to Sea World.
It might be the cutest sound ever.
EVER!

Very cool.  

Very cool, again.
[for the record, we all got to touch and feed - but it's hard to take a picture of yourself doing it...]

Feeding the eels. 

Slightly less sure about this particular feeding. 

All in all, I was told it was a very successful birthday party.

I was going to make the pictures pretty, but let's face it. I have kids and consider making it to the shower every day an accomplishment, so I'm going to post as they are.

Yeah.  That title pretty much sums it up.

Now, onto vacation pics.  Because I know you want to see them.

Leavin' on a jet plane... 

View from our deck. the first evening in the condo.
Bliss. 

Even Holdeezy dressed up for the occasion. 

Seeing them in tuxedos made me cry.  

Handsome, handsome and handsome.
Also, those badges?  They say "Official Ring Security".
Cutest. Thing. Ever. 

Baby, first on the floor.

McDaniel women.
We be awesome.
(Me, MIL, SIL, New SIL, Gramma Jane, CousinIL)

Kenny cuts a rug. 

B-rox doin' a little breaking. 

We. Are. Sexy.
Also, somehow, beaverlicous even at weddings. 

This kid and his condors.  Seriously. 

Safari park lion, thinking we look tasty. 

Safari park tram.  I swear, we were having fun. 

"Mom, take a picture of my teeth!"

"Mom, I get to ride a bird of prey.  The kids at school will think this is SO cool!"

Ok.  We'll end here.  This was many pictures.