Monday, July 16, 2018

Cousins

The day after we got home from Texas, Sharon arrived for a week of fun with her girls and my mom! (They picked her up in Colorado). Things were super crazy with 7 little girls ages 7 and under and 1.5 baby boys. Blade was an instant celebrity and everyone wanted their turn (a recurring theme for the week, it turns out).




 Sunday we had our friends, the Calls, over for dinner, witch added another 4 kids to the 8 we already had. Luckily, most of theirs are older. 


Things got a little wild.

And lots more snuggles, of course. (This was basically the best part of church. Things did not go well, with lots of crying babies, toddlers, and small children.)


It was SO hot the whole time they were here, but we didn't let that stop us! Monday afternoon we visited the park


And then summer story time at the library, where each child made 3 musical instruments. That was fun for the moms, since they each needed help with each one. Just to clarify the math, that's 21 crafts and 2 moms. 


And then a huge Sam's Club trip! 3 full carts and 6 boxes of diapers (all for my kids) later... at least we got ice cream!

Tuesday was Thanksgiving Point! We met up with Genevieve and kids there. They all loved the Museum of Natural Curiosity. 


The water table seats were a big hit for the toddlers. 

But it was too hot for almost anything on the playground.

After a brief and somewhat convoluted ice cream stop (they ran out of vanilla but didn't tell us and just kept making many chocolate cones and handing them to us?) I left with Reagan and Daryn and Blade for gymnastics. 

Maddie got to stay behind for even more fun at the farm!




 She are Cora are just a few months apart and total frenemies. Sometimes they would get in "No, me!!" shouting matches with each other. One time Abigail came over and covered both of the mouths and shushed them.

Wednesday Sharon went to Provo and we had a quiet day at home. 
Thursday was a big trip to Salt Lake! We had originally been planning the zoo, but decided it was too hot. So we decided on the Planetarium instead. Good thing, too, because the girls couldn't even handle walking across Gateway Mall.

We love the Planetarium! I think it gets better every time we go.


The Dome theater show was very entertaining.

Even Blade behaved.


Later that afternoon, Lance picked up Daryn for an appointment at Primary Childrens, and the rest of us visited the Leonardo for a little while.


We finished off another busy day with Johnny Rockets at City Creek.

Friday was the pool, again with Genevieve. I spent lots of time taking kids down the slide. Luckily the oldest 3 could go by themselves, but there were plenty of littles wanting rides. 

Blade had the best time ever just chilling in his little floatie.

And then pizza movie night, with the best homemade pizza courtesy of Grandma. Yummy!

One last round on the trampoline.

We were so said to see them go the nest morning! A few quick spins in Reagan's car before they hit the road.

Cousins (and sisters!) are the very best and we were so lucky to be able to spend so much time with them! We miss you already!

Houston

For the 4th of July, we made a quick trip down to Houston. Lance and I were a little hesitant about flying with 4 kids, but since it was a big family thing, we crossed our fingers and went for it. It went about as well as could be expected. Besides finding a poo-splosion all over Blade's clothes and carseat when we got him out at security, and two more poops from him on the plane, it was pretty smooth sailing. 

Since we cant even all fit on one row anymore, the big girls got their own side, and did surprisingly well. 

Maddie was pleased as punch to be going on an airplane. 

We got in at dinnertime and met up with everyone at El Torros. Since this was kind of Lance's farewell tour to Baytown, we tried to hit some of his favorite spots. Things got a little wild with 8 kids. 

The next morning was the 4th! Our hotel had a pool (albeit a kind of gross one) so we went swimming in the morning. 


After baths and naptime, it was party time! Lance's dad is a George Strait impersonator, and was headlining Baytown's festivities this year. We arrived at the celebrations too late for the parade, so we opted for rides and food instead.

This pic kind of makes it look like Shay and I have a giant family together. 

 Eating and waiting for the real fun to start!

Showtime! Brent played for an hour and a half and the kids danced their hearts out.



It was so fun and he did a great job! What a treat to see him perform with George Strait's band. 

We ended a late night with fireworks and all felt a little hungover from all the fun the next morning. 

We spent most of the day hanging out in the bus and swimming at the RV park. (Brent and Joy sold their house in Baytown this spring)



And dinner at Baytown Seafood.

And we topped things off with a beautiful sunset that evening before flying out the early the next morning.

Goodbye (forever?) Baytown!

More summer things

We ran into this little snake a few houses down on a Sunday afternoon walk. He was pretty mad and slithered away down a drain.

Pool time!


Blade loves his new neck floatie sooo much.


Maddie and Blade are total snuggle buddies.

The girls loved taking a tennis class together and picked up some great skills.

Wishing upon a star!

Laughing about something funny I showed them on my computer.

Cutest patriotic kids ever on the Sunday before the 4th!