13 Hours of Family Fun

Saturday we had a family fun day with Milo's siblings that (for us) lasted 13 hours! It was great, not nearly as bad as the title makes it sound. We met in the 'big city' that is about an hour and a half away and our meeting place was The Big Red Wagon, 11 am. The kid have seen it before but sadly we have never taken the time to let them play on it. An now that I think about it, they only went down the slide a couple times. Once everyone was there, we started the hunt to find a suitable place for some family photos.

We took some family photos with all 23 of us but they are on Shaila's camera (I'll post some when I get them). We set up the tripod and worked at getting the whole crew. At first we used the timer and finally when someone walked by we were able to use them for a few seconds and they took a few more. Then Marion requested a grandkid photo and I'm so glad she did. Isn't this cute? Eleven grandkids; 8 boys, 3 girls. This was a hurry and set them there kind of thing but I think it's so funny. One boy on each end and 6(!) in the middle. This isn't the best one (that's on Shaila's camera too) but I still love it.

And the four babies.

Emma- 10/13/07. Reed- 12/23/07. Grayson 1/10/08. Winston-2/2/08

The 'big city' we went has rides and such. The kids had a blast because there were no lines. They were able to go on every single one and once they got off, they just went right back on. Brianne reserved us as a group so it was cheap too. Gotta love that.

Marion was a champ and went on so many rides. Nathan pulled her all over the place. I'm impressed that she didn't get sick. I used to love rides but I seriously can't handle them anymore. I guess I'm 80 cause I was quite content to just push Reed around in the stroller.

They have a really old carousel (someone correct me but I think over 100 years) there and the kids had a blast on it. They picked a different horse every time and Kathryn grew quite fond of this goat. I went on it twice and while it was fun, after those two times, I took a seat. Can you say boring mom?

Here they are waiting to get on the carousel for one of their last rides. They don't even look that tired. I think they rode that thing at least 30 times. Those $9 passes paid for themselves over and over.

I talked Milo into a SP while we were letting the kids go just 'a couple' more times. I'm sure they sneaked in 5 or 6 rides but by this time of the day, we just didn't care. The last hold outs for the day were us and Matt and Shaila . I can't believe we the kids were still going at 5:30. Dane and Quinn (the frequent offenders when they are tired) were starting to get a little hungry and ready to go. We had to keep Dane away from the man sleeping it off under a tree and Quinn was getting awfully close to the road. Well it was dinner time so where do you head when the adults are out numbered by children 4-7? No not McDonald's, not us.

We braved The Olive Garden. And I cannot believe how good everyone was. So, so good! Every single kid ate their dinner, didn't throw a fit, no one cried and just plain used good manner. I'm sure it had nothing to do with wearing them out the entire day. Who cares. Matt did have a good point about not being able the adults being able to talk to each other. We said in the future, Kat will be in charge of all 6 boys on the other end of the table and then we can talk. Ha, we had a good laugh over that one.

By the time we got home it was almost 13 hours after we had left the house in the morning. The kids were amazing, I love that they are getting older and we can actually have day outings without all the craziness of tiny kids that can't do anything. There were a couple meltdowns getting them into the shower and into their bed. But it was all worth it in the morning when they all 4 slept in until 8:30!! They never do that, especially on a Sun. No they usually reserve the sleeping in for a day they must be woken up. It was a fabulous gift after a long day. I hope we can plan days like this every year. I love my cousins and the times we spent together as kids (even when they made fun of my dramatic ways, ha) and I want that for my kids. Days like this is how it happens, so thanks family for making memories that last.

Easter 08 and #200

We had a wonderful Easter. I love this holiday. I love the turning of winter into spring and celebrating each day that He Lives. What a precious gift he gave and I am eternally grateful.

My mom spent this past week (her spring break) up here. She was at Kyle and Heidi's until Friday and then stayed here the weekend. It was great to have her even if only for a couple days. She helped redo Kathryn's bedding (she loves it and makes it every morning), babysat while Milo and I went on a date (rare these days) and cooked a yummy Easter dinner. Kyle and Heidi spent Easter Sunday here too, it was great for the cousins to play. If only we had about 800 more sq feet then maybe we wouldn't hear so much of them, ha.

I wanted to take pictures of the kids before church but we ran out of time. Luckily Heidi waited for after church too so we did the whole bunch. The men were not happy about it. They just wanted dinner (surprised?). We knew after sitting through 3 hours of church our window of opportunity was closing fast. We started with Kyle, Heidi and kids since Kate is not known for her cooperation when it comes to photos (are any 3 yr olds?). I was trying to be the funny aunt and get her to laugh so I hid behind my mom (well not really since I'm two of her but you get my point) and jumped up and yelled 'BUNNY'. She thought it was so funny and there were a few pictures of her looking at the camera with a genuine smile. So dang cute. But the funniest was a couple times throughout the day she hid behind something, jumped up and yelled, 'BUNNY'. It was a crack up. I'm afraid she's going to yell 'BUNNY' when she sees a camera now.

The best ones with my kids are with my mom because we did them first. I tried taking just our 4 last and they ended up with Reed crying and Dane sucking his thumb. Lovely.

Three Men & a Little Lady

Sweet Baby Boy 3 months old on Easter Sunday

Grandma DeeAnn with her gang
I can't wait for Marion to take some shots like this when summer's here.
She'll be holding 4 babies!!

The Girls-
Kate & Kathryn

The Boys-
Nathan, Dane, Reed & Preston

I just have to add, this is my 200th post! It has taken me almost 18 months to the day but I'm so glad to have all this documented. I've missed a ton but I don't want to dwell on that because I'm so happy of all I do have. That's it, I love my blog and all 200 posts.

Safe and Sound

I've been posting lots of baby business around here but other than the dull drums of laundry, dishes, more laundry and more dishes, there hasn't been much to report on. Milo gets home tonight after being gone since early Tues and can I say, YEAH!! I can't wait. The kids and I have missed him and I'm not going to lie, the reinforcements are needed around here. I'm tired!

We had a serious baby boom with cousins in the last 4 months and they have all made it here safe and sound (What a blessing!). There are 4 new babies around to brag about, five when we count Reed (and of course we brag about him). He is smack dab in the middle of the bunch that have been born to both sides of the family (1 on my side, 3 on his).

Here's the kissing cousin lowdown....

Preston started it all and he belongs to Kyle (my brother) and Heidi. Here he is with Reed (2 days old and a little red) on Christmas Day. They both got these matching pajamas for Christmas, from opposite sides of the family. Heidi and I thought it was so funny. And of course for torture down the road, we had to dress them alike.
His stats.........10-6-07.........8 lbs 13 oz

Preston now at 4 months, such a cute boy. He joins Kate (almost 3) and she is ready to be his boss and a darling boss at that! He has the cutest moon eyes when he smiles, I love them.

Emma was born exactly a week after Preston and she belongs to Leisha (Milo's youngest sister) and Richard. She's the only little girl in the bunch. I can't wait to see her at 3, bossing all the boys around and tattling when necessary. It's handy to have at least one girl amongst the boys. Here she is with Reed on New Year's Eve '07
Her stats...........10-13-07...........8 lbs 12.5 oz

Emma in all her smiley glory at 3 1/2 months.

We haven't met the 2 newest cousins to join the family but we hope to soon.

Grayson belongs to Landon (Milo's brother) and Holli. He is their first baby and gets all the attention. Lucky boy. And his mom can nap whenever (I presume), LUCKY mom!
His stats........1-10-08.........6 lbs 14 oz

And rounding out cousin-ville....

Winston Clark was born just last Sat and he belongs to Shaila (Milo's sister) and Matt. He joins the house with 2 brothers, Malcolm and Quinn. I love this photo of Malcolm kissing his new brother, so sweet.
His stats..........2-2-08..........7 lbs 7 oz

Can you imagine how loud life will be when all these boys grow up and play together? I'm hoping the get togethers happen when it's nice outside. They will have ample energy to burn!