Family Trip

You know I just can't bring myself to say the word "vacation" when it comes to traveling with little kids. I don't think I'm alone in this! :) I love them and spending quality time with them is definitely what enjoyment is to me on these trips but boy, they can be a handful!

Anyway, we've been in Gatlinburg for a few days exploring the area and I am blogging this in the car on the way home. We had a wonderful time despite all the kids coming home with runny noses!

We did some hiking, lots of eating, some people when tubing and ziplining, and we managed to make it to the aquarium one morning. It was very well done.

Fun trip but I'm ready for my own bed and some sleeeeeeep!

What I've been up to

After being home for only four days, I packed my bag (and Noah's) and headed to Chicago to see my new nephew and his family.

I did a lot of staring into this precious face and playing "cawrs" with the big boys and visiting with my dear sis.

Then we came home.

The end.

We're Back!

No, I haven't forgotten about my blog. I was just super busy trying to keep up with everyone and everything while we were traveling!! :)

We had a wonderful wonderful wonderful trip! I feel sad if I dwell too much on the fact that my kids won't get to see their beloved RoRo, Papa, Uncle Brett, and Grandma Fern for months on end. I don't feel so bad when I plan out the next fun trip out there. Won't be too long and I'll be able to do it by myself, I'm thinking.

I am headed to Chicago this weekend (where I'll bump into my parents again) to visit my sister, brother-in-law, nephew, and new baby nephew Aaron!! I'm excited even though it will be a short trip.

While we were in Kansas, my wonderful Aunt Ronda drove to Downs and picked up my wonderful Great Aunt Flo (weird to think she's my kids Great great Aunt - anyway). They drove down for a visit and it was so wonderful to see them. The kids all had a lot of fun playing with them. Elsie even got confident enough to say "Aunt Flo" and "Ronda" but she had a hard time putting the "Aunt" in front of "Aunt Ronda's" name. Still cute to hear!

Here are the Aunts and Noah! His shirt says "I love my aunt" which I felt was appropriate attire for that day.

Noah and Papa Kurt! They shared quite a bond this trip. Noah would follow Papa around wanting to play. He guess they had a male bond thing going on! :)

While Elsie was napping we got this photo of Abigail, myself, Noah, and Aunt Flo.

Abigail was playing "doctor" here with Aunt Flo. She spent a good part of her life as a missionary nurse in Nigeria so she enjoyed playing this game. (I think). :)

Abigail loved playing dress-up and Grandma Fern loved seeing her outfits. :)

Grandma Fern's hip and knees were feeling better during our visit so she enjoyed wrangling some babies with me. This is an especially cute picture of Elsie! Yes, the girls are still in their jammies. Oh well.

We had a great time! I could use several weeks of solid sleep to catch up but then I'd be ready to do it again!

Everyone slept through the night last night. I had forgotten what it felt like to fall asleep and wake up when it was morning but I got to do that last night. This morning we have been busy as well, doing laundry, grocery shopping, discovering old toys, picking up toys, vacuuming, etc. I tried my hand at making homemade almond butter. It didn't turn out as good as I hoped but I think it is because I have a very cheap (like $20) food processor and it just wasn't up to the task. I may have to borrow one for next time. I processed the almonds for about an hour and then called it good. The recipe I was using said it would take 15 minutes but mine never did get as "buttery" as hers.

That's all for now!