"Friends are the family we choose for ourselves" - Edna Buchanan.

A few days ago I mentioned a recent trip to see our "extended family" - The Grahams, Jordan and Sarah and their wonderful children - Isabel, JJ, Nora, and Talia.  The truth of the matter is, they aren't our biological family at all.  However, I have known Jordan and his family since he was in middle school...as long as I have known my husband.  My husband has known him longer than that.  We can tell many a great "Remember when..." stories that involve us all.  I am still learning the recipe that makes up one's Family concoction, but what I do know is that this family is an ingredient to our Family recipe.

I took the kids to see them one day while my husband was at work.  I came home to tell him all about our trip.  I couldn't express more to him how well mannered the Graham children are.  His response to that was, "well, their parents are good people."  I couldn't agree more.  Unfortunately I got so caught up in taking pictures of all their little ones, I didn't take pictures of Jordan and Sarah - or the family all together like I originally planned...or maybe that is just my way of needing to see them again soon to get the family portrait.

It took about -2 seconds for the kids to warm up to us, even though the two year old twins probably have no memory of us at all.  It was like a breath of fresh air.  They treated us as if our visit was a weekly occurrence - much like family, which further extended my thoughts of them as family.

Without further a do...the cast of the Graham family...

The great Isabel.  I can't get over this girl and her ways.  I can't put my finger on one thing that I love about her - it's the total package.  I love her adultness...I love her imagination...I love the way she is such a first born (like me)...I love how smart she is...I love her smile...I love how she is so helpful...I love her ways.

Off in deep thought.

Then there is JJ...

I kicked myself when I realized this was the only good picture I got of him.  {That is such a middle child thing}   But again, a good excuse to see them all again soon.

We went to the Indianapolis Zoo with them that afternoon.  At one point Sarah leaned over to me and said, "I think JJ likes Alyssa".

I thought it was SO cute...from that moment on, he was her little shadow.  JJ is the only boy that is allowed to like Alyssa :)

The twins.  One of the reasons I would refer to Sarah as Super Mom.  Four children under the age of 5 years old - with 2 of them being two year old twins.  Don't worry Jordan, I think you are super too...don't get me wrong...but carrying those children inside you for 9 months...delivering them...breast feeding them...that is all just the tip of the iceberg, I'm sure of it.

Nora & Talia.  Fraternal Twins.  Who wouldn't want to be a twin?  That has to be awesome.

They are just as charming as Isa and JJ.

It had been a long time since we saw the Graham family.  After this lovely trip, I promised myself I would never allow time to slip away like that again.

Thank you, Jordan and Sarah for having us for the visit, treating us to meals and the Zoo, and being the wonderful people that you are.  We love you all very much and look forward to seeing you all again soon!