17 under one roof - and lovin' it

We had 17 people in my parents' cabin this weekend - my best friends/roommates from college and our kids. 8 adults and 9 kids (all 5 and under). It was awesome. It could have been hard between kids, but somehow they really did great. The guys get along. Us girls just love time together. We hiked and did a campfire. The guys went canoeing and played games. The girls laughed till be almost peed our pants. So grateful (and not too bad to get time with Adam too)

Too early for a drink?

(photos of cousins and friends that bless my time in Colorado greatly)

You know it is going to be a peachy day with your kids when:

Lukas: sneezes a few times

Anna: Lukas....you allergic to something?

Lukas: Yeah - Adelaine.

Then he looks at Adelaine and says, "Don't look at me, touch me, or talk to me"

WOW - nice start!

THANK YOU GOD that overall my kids are fun and obedient kids. THANK YOU GOD that they have a great time when I nanny my friends' kids (who are also fun and obedient) and my kids are nicely distracted from eachother. THANK YOU GOD for these things because on the way home the roles reversed in who the mean sibling was:

Adelaine: (makes obnoxious annoying sounds to tick Lukas)

Lukas: Adelaine, please stop doing that

Adelaine keeps doing it

Lukas: Adelaine, please stop doing that

Adelaine begins to sarcastically pet his head and in a sarcastic voice say, "Sure sweetie, I'll listen to your words. I'll do what you say. Sure honey...It's okay."

Needless to say 2 kids were in bed pretty early for the night and I have indeed concluded that there REALLY IS NO LIQUOR at my parents' house. I knew they said it was true, but I didn't believe it was true. Well - I think it is true.

Sibling Love

Having lots of fun with friends still....and though are bedrooms change...and every day looks different right now....one thing remains the same: The frustration my kids have with one another (note lovely top photo)

Courage of a Lion

Our time as a family has gone by way too fast, but I wanted to just Praise God again on what he has done in my kids' lives. Adelaine and Adam's relationship is beautiful to me - she is more into him then ever. Also - Lukas has been gaining courage to talk to new kids more. Today (as seen in the background of the picture) he rehearsed how to ask someone to play with him. He ended up doing it and it was great. Very proud of him. Huge steps for this kid - I'm so grateful.

No one like Daddy

Adam came in yesterday and I'm already sad that he'll be leaving in 2 days, because it has been so amazing. The kids have just been overwhelming him with love (and vice versa). I love having my husband (and my children's father.....two different roles that I miss when he is gone) here. He even came with an amazing care package from our caregroup in Oregon. Just some picks of our time so far with Adam and with great time with his sister (and her puppy dog).