Just one more post to round out my summary of our visit with out-of-town family. With parents, siblings, spouses and children we were a group of 26, 14 of those being children 10 and under. Needless to say, it was a little intimidating to think of going anywhere with that size group. The logistics of vehicles, food, naps, etc was just a bit overwhelming and most of the activities we thought to do will no doubt be fun in five years, but not this year.
So we more or less stuck close to someone's house to allow easy access to bathrooms and cribs. :) Here's some pictures, in no particular chronological order.
We spent the afternoon at my mom's lake house. It was on the chilly side, so Amanda was the only one who braved the water. Avery gets runner-up for putting her suit on, but she couldn't quite get up enough nerve to go swimming. (cousin Johnny having a deep conversation with the girls).
Uncle Lee is known as the "peanup" uncle. He brings a bag of peanuts and he and the kids have a little ritual they do while shelling and eating them.
Amanda swam and swam and swam and jumped off the diving board by herself dozens of times. Shaun has slowly been taking out sections of her life jacket....so far, so good.
Making tye-dye shirts...
Giggling girls...
My brother Tim and SIL Elizabeth
Nathanael and Aiden having male-bonding time...
One of our only "adventures", and by adventure I mean outing because, let's face it, EVERYDAY was an adventure with this crew. We caravaned to Harkness Park where there was an enormous grassy picnic area and also a beach.
It is mind-boggling to me that me and my three siblings have produced this group of incredible children.
We have: Colombo, Juliet, Madison, Nathanael, Allison, Avery, Trevor, Alaina, Amanda, Katie, Trey, Levi, Rocco, Aiden, ages 10, 8, 8, 5, 4, 4, 3, 2, 2, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0.
On the last night, we celebrated the September birthdays. Tim and his daughter Lainie, Bethany and her daughter Allison.
In addition to the '09 Boys Club we also have an '06 Club. The three kids are five months apart.
As you can probably tell, we had an incredible week together. It can be scary having a whole family together...and we've had our share of problems, but this week was wonderful, nearly seamless....and God gets ALL the glory for that!Don't you see that children are God's best gift?
the fruit of the womb his generous legacy?
Like a warrior's fistful of arrows
are the children of a vigorous youth.
Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children!
Psalm 127:3-5
I loved seeing all these pictures and I have to say that I am a bit jealous. these is much more stress than fun when my whole family gets together.
ReplyDeleteYou truly are blessed!
I like the one of the kids on the bench and the "pinwheel" of kids on the grass. The one of Juliet and Aiden is priceless. The Bible verse says so much.
ReplyDeleteSuch wonderful memories! I love how you ended the post...so poignant and true.
ReplyDeletei'm liking Sara's comment, those are wonderful pictures. and the fact that you all have a great time together is a real blessing.
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