The Bramwell Bed and Breakfast

70 days. Out of the 122 days in June - Sept, we have either had guests or been gone. No wonder I am so tired and my guest sheets are looking so threadbare. That's more than half the summer!
I started wondering how busy we were this summer after realizing that, as of today, we have had 6 days this month without someone here or us gone somewhere. We've been REALLY busy. But it's been so fun. I really do love having company. Especially if they help clean up!
Let's recap: Five of the 6 grandparents visited. Five of my 7 siblings visited (one being on a mission, so he doesn't count.) One of Scott's four siblings visited, but he came twice and his wife came once, separately. (We are trying to convince them to move here, so they were on recon missions.) Two of my dear cousins came, with family. And two (friends) families stayed with us this summer. We went to to Idaho, Phoenix, and Newport. Scott went to Portland, New York City, Baltimore, and camping. I went to Aruba.
So then I started thinking about the entire year. Last year we traveled every month but Jan and Feb. This year it didn't seem like we had really done that much traveling...until I looked at the calendar. Again, no traveling the first 2 months of the year. March - Maryland and Philadelphia (plus guests later.) April - Phoenix. May - Idaho. June- Sept. I already recapped. Oct - Austin. Nov - Maryland. Dec - NO WHERE!! Yeah for December!

So we just went to Phoenix for my Grandmother's 75th birthday party. It was so much fun - most of the family came for it, so it turned into a mini-reunion. Good times. I love it when my extended family gets together. I cackle just like my mom and aunts and (girl) cousins, so it's really funny when we all get together.

My beautiful Grandmother, the woman who holds us all together and who I absolutely adore.

Some of the cousin crew.

Hmm...maybe it's not just the women in my family that can cackle.

You'd think these guys would have seen an underwater camera before, but I got home with a full memory card of underwater self-portraits.


So after our whirlwind trip to Phoenix (thanks again for letting us stay with you and for watching my kids, Jill and Spencer!) my mom came home with us. We played with Grannie for the week and had lots of fun. It culminated with going to Disneyland and meeting my cousin Jill and her crew there. That was the best Disneyland trip I've ever had! Sorry, Scott! He didn't go with us, and boy, did my arms feel that for the next 3 days! Pushing 70 pounds of stroller and kids or carrying kids is tiring! Since Caden is finally tall enough to ride everything, for the FIRST time in my adulthood, I did all the big rides. We went on Space Mtn, Thunder Mtn, Splash Mtn...all the mountains! It was so much fun! Caden loved them all except Space Mtn. My mom was a rock star helper, and Jill and Spencer were so much fun! Thanks for introducing me to all those rides, guys!

Jill with her daughter, Avery, and Caden and I getting ready for the roller coaster ride! Nice picture taking skills, Spencer!

While we were getting jiggy with Mickey, Scott went to NYC to watch the Yankees play his beloved Orioles before Yankee Stadium closes after this season. He had fun rooting for his team and catching up with hometown friends and family. Plus he brought back great presents, so we were all happy. ;->

Our next trip is in a couple of days, and hopefully I won't be too late posting about it! Soon enough I'll be all caught up on my blogging...you know it's been awhile when your Google reader has 24 after your friend's name. Whoops!

Until next time...