Family visits pt. 2 - The Joneses

Kelly's brother Alex is deployed to Afghanistan, and has been there for 9 months with 3 left to go. He was given two weeks of leave at the end of February, so we were excited to fly up for a week and visit him as well as the rest of Kelly's family including his grandparents! This was the first time for many of them to meet Elliott, and our first time to meet our nephew Oliver! We missed Jess, Henry, and their new little girl Esther -- they couldn't make it out since Esther was only 3 weeks old.


Our flight to Minnesota was Elliott's first! He wore special socks just for the occasion.



Almost there! He was so good on the plane, thankfully!



Elliott hanging out with Great-Grandma Jones. Elliott gave Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa Jones lots of loving smiles!



Elliott meets cousin Oliver and Uncle Alex for the first time!



E loved his Great-Grandpa Walz. I think the feeling was mutual. :)



Uncle Chris knows the way to Elliott's heart.



E and great-grandpa.



Four generations.



E and Grandpa Jones.



Two grandbabies at once! Bliss.



Uncle Alex playing with Elliott and Oliver. The kids had fun with toys from when Kelly and his brothers were little.



Brothers.



Brothers and babies -- Kelly & Elliott, Alex & Rowan, Chris & Oliver. (Oliver is Alex's son, but Chris needed a baby since his own, Henry & Esther, were back home in D.C.)



Happy little family.


This is what happens when you try to take a decent picture. You get poked in the eye.



Almost four generations...missing Kevin.



We flew out of Tallahassee, which is three hours away, because the ticket prices from our airport were insane. On our way home, we stopped at Pine Log Forest for a little hike on a beautiful almost-spring day.

We had a great time with all of our family! It was too short, as usual, but we were glad to be able to fit in so much in so little time. It still felt relaxed, though, and we were able to spend real quality time together. We were so grateful to see Alex on his leave, and we're praying for a safe few months until he's home for good!