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.

Reality Once Again

Warning....Looong catch up post. Feel free to skip ahead. I didn't want to forget anything.

{Mike and Nathan roasting marshmallows. It gets dark late here in WA state so the kids never used their headlights and had to make s'mores while it was still light outside. It just isn't right!}

We got back from the family reunion on Sunday and it has taken me a couple days to recover (both in duties around the house and in attitude, so tired and worn out). We had such a good time, the place was perfect. We went to a church owned property called Ensign Ranch (sound Mormon?). Our cabins (& tent sites) were close to most of the activities and the kids loved that part of it. They even had a fort with a slide and swings. We really only saw them if they were hurt or hungry. Doesn't that make it all worthwhile?

Speaking of getting hurt, Dane pulled a little funny within the first 2 or 3 hours we were there. The kids and I drove up Thurs morning and Milo was planning on meeting us up there on Friday (no time off in the first six months of this new job). I have made no secret of my non existent camping knowledge and knew I would have to rely on some help to get my stuff set up. So Marion and crew came to my rescue and helped me find a place to put my tent (I have no idea what constitutes a good spot). Thanks guys, I needed you! While we were deliberating Dane was hanging out in a metal framed hammock that an aunt brought up. We were laughing at the kids earlier because they couldn't seem to make themselves stay in it. He was thinking he was big stuff at first because he managed to stay on it, for the time being.

So as I'm 'attempting' to help be productive with the tent business, Dane starts screaming behind us. I don't jump up but go over there and but when I do get there, I find him dropped out on the ground underneath the hammock with blood on his mouth. Great I think, we are in the woods! So I take him over and by then his mouth is so full of blood I can't seem to find where it is coming from. I start to panic a little and say stupid stuff like...'I hate the great outdoors. They suck!' And then in a really sarcastic tone I add...'Wait, I just love the great outdoors. Yeah, they're the best.' He has split his lip almost right in the crack and every time he cried it would split open and start bleeding all over again. Ugh, I was not loving life at that point in the game. Now everyone starts coming to my aid. Milo's aunt had children's motrin, his grandma had super glue to get is closed and Gramimi snuggled him so that I could calm myself down a little bit. Thanks for the snuggles!!
I swear boys! You would never know that this was taken right after we glued the wound shut. He looks so happy here. I have no idea who was making him laugh at this point but really they were my hero. Oh and he chipped a tooth too. Luckily it is just a small corner out of one of the front teeth (you can kind of see it if you click this picture to be big) and of course they are still baby teeth but really is all that stress for a mom necessary?! All I can say is to raise these two boys I need nerves of steel!

{Kat loved the water slide too, she never wanted to come back to camp}

There is this fabulous redneck water slide that everyone had a blast on. Think skateboard ramp out of dirt, covered in heavy tarp with sprinklers all along the top. See what I mean about being resourceful in getting a water slide in the middle of nowhere? Grab a tube and down you fly. I didn't go on it because well I'm not into fast rides with a queasy tummy but in the past with girl's camp it is a blast.

Dane thought he was getting off of the slide sneaky here. It was funny. He was a little timid at first but ended up quite brave. This was his favorite way to ride...

Milo had just as much fun as the kids. Well all the men did really. They had races like 10 yr olds. And this is what Nathan came up with for his favorite way to ride...
I think it might have been encouraged by Milo but even still he was slapping his backside like his dad was a horse. Oh what good times at the reunion!

I needed a close up of Nate and this is the best/cleanest one I have. I should post a dirty one, the kid became a magnet for filth out there. The family makes t shirts every year and they make a big deal of the reveal. Nathan got the honors from Gramimi and the look on his face says it all.

Kathryn and cousin Kristin helped get out last dinner ready. They helped Grandpa shuck corn. They were so proud of themselves for it, they said it was their favorite part of the trip. Wow, that left an impression. Must have been Grandpa's funny stories!
Milo and Mike took the kids fishing too. They didn't get anything but they still had fun. Dane had his heart set on catching sea weed too. Funny boy.

Oh this post is long but just a few more funnies.

-On the way home when we were driving on the freeway (that is lined with trees and patchy forest land) Dane asks...'Are you guys looking for bear tracks because I know I am.' (See what I mean about being deprived of evergreens in the Evergreen state. They are not on our side.)

-After we got home we all got cleaned up (thank heavens) and took long peaceful naps. All 5 of us. So that night Dane had a rough time getting to sleep. He kept getting out of his bed using all methods of stall tactics. He finally came out and moped over to Milo and I and said in a pouty voice...
Dane- 'Do you know why I love camping the mostest?'
Milo and I- 'No Dane, we don't.' (insert eye roll for the stalling once again)
Dane- 'Because you get to sleep in a tent and that is weally cool.'
Milo- 'Pretend your bottom bunk is a tent, you have a covering so it could be the same thing.'
Dane- (extremely annoyed & yelling now)- 'THAT'S NOT THE SAME DAD!' He exits with a door slam and never comes out again. Oh well, at least he fell asleep.

- Kat wore shorts over her swimming suit every time she went on the slide. The tarp was a little rough and she said she likes the shorts. When we got back to the tent the second day she was getting in her pj's and told me her legs were sunburned because they hurt really bad. I thought it was weird but had her show me. She shows me her legs and they are majorly chaffed from the shorts rubbing for two days. OUCH! I wasn't laughing at her, I just couldn't believe that she could walk around for hours and not tell me until bed time. I hope she learns to one day, who knows!

I know I'm forgetting some of the funny stuff but I am getting tired tonight. Maybe the reunion requires a second post. I know the laundry has taken more than 2 days so maybe the retelling of it does too.

I just wanted to post that I am feeling so much better. Thanks for all the well wishing and concern. It feels good to be thought of. The meds that they have given me have seemed to help a ton and I have only been getting sick once or twice a week. Huge improvement! I can feel my belly getting bigger too (duh I know), I can't sleep on my tummy much anymore, which I love and the Dane keeps patting my ever growing roll and telling me where the baby is. I'm glad he's here to remind me! While I was at the reunion I split open a pair of pants at the seam (so embarrassing!). For the record (and my justification) they are really thin denim and were overstressed at the factory. I can tell myself that right? I was like this with both boys, I hate the first 20 week and somewhat enjoy (using that term very lightly) the last 20 weeks of aches & pains and getting fat. Oh pregnancy!

No More Neglecting

I finished Harry Potter 7 last night. And I'm admitting it right now, I could NOT put it down yesterday (the other days it wasn't so hard). I had some serious neglecting issues. The house, the kids, dinner. You get the idea. I did manage to cut the boys hair, do a couple loads of laundry and I even thought about packing for the reunion. No real packing was involved since I was reading every spare minute. Kathryn even asked me if I was going to read all day. Well...not ALL day but... most of it. I loved the book, it was great. She has an amazing mind to me, how did she come up with all of it? So I am sad that it is over but since I know I missed stuff from reading so fast, I'll just have to read them again someday. Just not in the too near future. You know for neglecting reasons.

And this is where we are off to today. I love trees and forests since we don't live anywhere near them (a Washington myth that they are all over the state). My bars are in the oven, the kids stuff is piled up and I'm working on my own. Here's to no mosquitoes, good food and family fun!

The Sour Cream Banana Bars are sinful so beware. They are in the Summer Cookbook put together by Elizabeth and they come to me via Jane that put her family cookbook together and from a lady that used to be in my ward. Somewhat like banana bread only you cook them in a jelly roll pan so they are thin and then you frost them with a brown butter frosting. Oh no, they probably aren't that good for you but they are GOOD! If anyone wants, I'll post the recipe when I get back, I must get off this computer!