I broke up the posts into 3 for you viewing pleasure. ;)
So happy to wake up and still be at the beach!!
(Don't be deceived- she woke up about every 2 hours every night we were there. We were NOT this happy at all of the waking up times).
Will (the only 4 year old boy) was playing in the Ocean, and the girls were so concerned. Lily was almost in tears at one point, because she thought he was getting hurt. She found a stick and tried to save him.
Here is a hilarious video of them trying to save him from the 2 inches of water.
The four 4 year old girls surrounding Will and admiring his bravery. If we continue with our annual trip, it's going to work out nicely in Will's favor in about 12 years.
Cole.
The 2 and under crowd spent a lot of time scavenging for snacks.
I sat outside with my coffee and book for about 2 minutes. It was glorious. I was alone.
Our husbands surprised us for Mother's Day with a Spa visit! I know. My life is ridiculous.
It did take quite a bit of preparation for all of the moms to leave the 13 kids with the 6 husbands for a few hours. But, everyone survived!!
Russell dug a huge hole.
Singing.
13 kids.
Five 4 year olds
One 3 year old
Two 2 year olds
One 1 year old
Two 6 month olds
One 5 month old
One 2 month old
It does look terrifying, but it was awesome. Honestly.
The thing is, when you already have little people in your life, vacation is NOT vacation. We were up by 6 am every day, I was getting up about every 2 hours, leaving the house is out of the question, they need constant attention, etc... SO, we may as well vacation with OTHER little people. This way, they drown out each other, entertain each other, and there is always a mom or dad looking out for everyone. It was much more relaxing than if Hughes and I had just taken our two girls.
Here is a video with a little footage of Reese on the Beach (I think I am discussing a margarita with Hughes during it?).
We loved this hammock swing on the balcony.
Ashley (she is pregnant- next year there will be 14 kids!) and Ellie taking care of Reese for me.
Melissa gave me this castle, because she got it for $3 at Kohls. It was a hit!
Lily and Maggie had several fashion shows. This year was easier with them being 4, because they PLAYED together so much.
My sweet friends, Anna and Julia, gave Reese and Lily swimsuits to match me! Lily was off somewhere, not cooperating. It did NOT go well when she saw that Reese and I matched. :(
Oh, I think this was after she threw sand at me and Reese!!!, because she was upset that we matched (she HAS the same swimsuit but didn't want to change at that moment). So, she got put in sand time-out. Later she told me: "Mama, it just hurt all of my feelings really bad." :(
Our set up. We love Fort Morgan, because it is NEVER crowded. We hardly saw another person all week. We leave everything out all week.
Our house is in the background.
The kids would all be in bed by about 9pm, so the guys would cook (it somehow takes all 6 of them to "cook" for about 3 hours? During bath and bedtime...Hmm...) and we would all get to hang out. It was the best part of the trip, despite being so tired from staying up/waking up every 2 hours. I think I averaged about 4 hours of sleep a night.
We cook every night and never leave the house. It is the perfect vacation with little kids.
Lily and Maggie BEGGED to sleep in the bunk room together, but we made them promise they would actually sleep.
SO MUCH FUN.
Wine one night by the fire. This DID feel like vacation, despite the fact that there were baby monitors scattered all around the table.
I never actually wore makeup all week. Clearly.
Shrimp Boil. It's a tradition.
5 of us.
(Emily, we were thinking of you!)
The Hot Tub at the end of every day.
Emma, having a snack. We ate LOTS of snacks.
This is probably my favorite picture of the week. Lily flying the kite with the ocean behind her.
Ellen watching Megan and Avery.
Emily with Jack and Ella Kate.
Someone TAKING A BOTTLE!!!!!!!! Miracles never cease.
