Sunday, February 27, 2011

Last month John and I enjoyed 4 days visiting friends in beautiful, warm Arizona while Scott and Erica Brenay watched our 4 kids.
This week was our turn to pay them back by watching their 4 kids while they enjoyed 4 days in Arizona.
The first two days I was feeling awesome.... got through all the drop off/ pick up madness.
The weather outside was actually nice so the kids ran and played outside with the neighbors after school... no biggie, I can handle this!
But then we had 2 days of crumby weather... freezing rain, snow, and COLD wind... no one wanted to go outside. So what do 8 kids and 1 mom do on a Saturday snowed in...
We had already worn out the play doh, coloring, Legos, and wii soooo we
PAINTED ROCKS... had to get real creative.
found out that the Brenay kids all have slippery fingers.
One by one each Brenay kid (except Owen) dropped their rock
and of course it had to fall from shirt to pant to sock to floor...
I tried scrubbing it all out, sorry Erica:)

I'm not clapping because I'm so happy...
I'm actually rolling balls of pb cookie dough together in my hands
gotta feed the animals...
shocking how much food it takes to feed 8 kids
Ashlee made registration forms for the other kids to sign up for daily activities taught by her.
Today was Karate with Ashlee
imagine 8 kids doing karate in your living room, each one trying to be the loudest;)
So glad we have this fun family living so close (love them to pieces) but so glad we live at different houses!
Don't know how my mom and dad put up with 8 kids on a daily basis...
I have a new respect for them.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Valentines Day Cruise

We had the opportunity of going on a Royal Caribbean cruise
with all of
my married siblings and my parents
over Valentines Day
we met up in Miami


first stop.... JAMAICA
some Jamaican dreads for the bald man... i just love my dad!
climbing the falls, maan...
we all had the song
"don't worry, about a thing, every little thing, is gonna be alright"
stuck in our heads all day long
such a show off
i love this picture... all the bro in laws helping John up...
love how Jeff is working so hard to hold up the tree
lunch at an out door Jamaican restaurant


next stop... Labadee, Haiti
everyone was a little uneasy when we heard we were going to Haiti
but it turned out to be one of my favorite places
Labadee is a gorgeous private island off of Haiti...
our own little private cabana...
perfect for curling up with a good book
or soaking up some vit. D
the water was nice... yes, i got in
i'm a super big wimp when it comes to cold water
but i braved it
when we arrived on the island all dad wanted to do was have some time
rowing around in his own canoe
he was so excited to see a canoe sitting right by the water in front of our cabana.
we were all busy situating our beach towels and rubbing sun screen on when
we heard our Haitian waiter yell out "heelllooooo, Kiiimmm... come baack....
that's my rescue canoe"
we turn around, dad is already 10 yards out
he shamefully turns the canoe around and paddles back to shore...
such a rebel


last stop... Bahamas
we loaded a sail boat and sailed out to a snorkeling spot
just chillaxin'
i have to admit i did not get in the water here.
it was a little chilly out and the water was even chillier...
sorry, couldn't get myself to do it.
i loved on sweet baby Heath instead.



back on the boat...
so much to do... shows, ice skating, swimming, flow rider,
mini golf, arcades, shopping,
rock climbing, playing cards, food, food and more food
modeling their stylin' rock climbing shoes
preparing to try out the climbing wall...
a game of volley ball while waiting for his turn to climb...
lookin sweet in the helmet
johns favorite activity on the boat... riding the flow rider...
nice posture
wipe outs were the funniest
waiting so patiently for his next turn
the view from our balcony...
this picture doesn't do justice for the amazing sunsets that we saw.



Great vacation but glad to be
back home with the kiddos...
thank you uncle john and uncle caleb for taking such good care of our babies...
they are all missing you



little added treat:
just a sample of what we had to deal with on the boat...
no shame makes for some excellent people watching
yes, he is wearing socks and shoes and yes, that is an ice cream cone in his hand