5 Kids, 3 Days

Last weekend I traveled to Charlotte to keep the Burchards and the Rouses. Which for those of you that don't know means a 1 1/2 yr old, 4 yr old, a just turned 8 yr old, a 9 yr old, and a 13 yr old. It was really great to be able to go over and help out both the families and just spend time with the kids. However it wasn't all birthday cake and ice cream. The first night Grey woke up every hour and all of the other 3 younger kids came in to the room to sleep with us throughout the night. I also had to take a trip to the Apple store to get my computer fixed. I did manage to bring the wii so that brought some good fun plus we broke out Abby's Easy Bake Oven and made cookies. Also Sunday I was able to go to Ridge and just be a part of that community. It is neat to see how it has grown and the steps they are taking to reach out to the students now. Plus Saturday night I was able to just sit with Tina for a little bit and that was a special blessing. I love you lady you are such a mentor in my life and I wouldn't trade you for the world.

Girls Night In

A couple Fridays ago a couple of the girls from the youth group came up to my house to have dinner and hang out. We played cards, the wii and made brownies. It was a lot of fun and gave me a chance to get to know them a little bit more. I know I have said it before but the youth here are really great. Here is a picture of our night. Somehow we managed to end up in some lovely outfits. Simple entertainment. :)

Small Noodle Casserole

The thursday before last I picked Kinsley and Selah up from school and took then back to my house for the afternoon. We had a snack then played the wii and colored. Then I made Tina's small noodle casserole for dinner and Marty, Patti, Cassi, Shaun and Tegan joined us. I was a bit nervous even though Tina tried to tell me I couldn't ruin it. Luckily I didn't ruin it and it tasted oh so yummy. It was nice to have everyone up to the house. It was Marty, Patti and Cassi's first time there. Tina here is a pic of it before. I am pretty sure yours looks prettier. haha

Broken Apple

Ok so I had great plans about being more consistent with my blog however a few days after my last post my computer screen went out. So I didn't have it for like a week and a half. However after going to the Apple store on Thursday they sent it away, fixed it and already got it back to me. So this week I will be updated you on all the things from the past two weeks. Here are some of the things you can look forward to (haha)... pictures of the dinning hall progress, small noodle casserole, girls night in, five kids for three days, and maybe some other randomness!! 

The 12 Days Of Vacation

A little over due I know but here is my Christmas Vacation post. From leaving Robbinsville to returning I had twelve days of Vacation. This is what took place...Tuesday Katie, Jess and I left Robbinsville and headed to Florida. I met their parents in Bartow and then headed home. All in all I think it was a 13 hour trip. We enjoyed it though. Well Jess and I enjoyed it, Katie slept most of it. :)On Christmas Eve I did some last minute shopping with my mom and then that night we had a wonderful dinner with Andrew, Marie, my moms cousin David, Uncle Walt, Aunt Lisa, one of their friends and Lexi and Sofi. We had a standing rib roast which was phenomenal!! It was nice to get to see the girls they are growing up so fast and I miss being a part of that.Christmas morning we got up and all got matching PJs to wear for the morning, and surprisingly it was my dads idea. At least that's what my mom swears by. David also came down to open presents with us and Andrew and Marie had spent the night. Of course before presents we had to have the traditional french toast breakfast. Well my favorite present of the day would have to be a George Foreman 360 Grill. The most random present would be a jewelry armorer that almost comes up to my shoulders. My mom got it for me because a while back we had looked at little jewelry boxes. Needless to say it was a good laugh and brought out many jokes for like five minutes. I asked my mom which daughter she was thinking of when she bought it and my dad just kept laughing. then Andrew or Matt were telling me I could put my socks and underwear in it. Priceless. Then that night we had a game night at my house with some of my friends. Always a GREAT thing when that can take place. I miss them a lot.
We decided that we would just go to the lake for family vacation and just hang out there and go to Disney one day. So Friday I loaded up my car and left Ft. Myers. The above picture is from our dinner Friday night. Jess ordered this brownie dessert and when it came out it was MASSIVE and loaded down with Chocolate Syrup. Four of us ate it and we didn't even finish it.Friday at dinner Jess and I joked about going to Vero to kidnap Katie and surprisingly we got a hold of her really late Friday night and Saturday morning we went and picked her up. Saturday we went into Frostproof to go to the thrift store. While we were in the car Jess popped Katies bubble and her gum got in her hair. Randomness I know but it was funny. Especially when she cut it out.
We spent Saturday and Sunday just hanging out on the boat and laying out on the dock. Some of us even got in the lake. Yes I know the above picture has an alligator in it, but it's Florida what do you expect. None of us were eaten so its ok.
Also my dad had borrowed his friends mule so we did a lot of driving around and exploring. With the occasional orange stealing also. Sara came up for Saturday and Sunday since I only had like 48 hours in the Fort and never got to see her.
Monday we went to Disney. We got the park hopper pass so we went to both MGM and The Magic Kingdom. There were a TON of people there but it was still fun. This was in the Honey I Shrunk The Kids playground area. It was really pretty at night with all the lights.
Katie left Tuesday and Jess left early Wednesday morning. Walt, Lisa and the girls came up on Tuesday so I finished out the week just hanging with the family. Plus Uncle John and Aunt Shannon and Jonathan and Allie were there. Of course in tradition Walt lit fireworks and we watched wondering if something would go wrong. haha.
Friday night Jonathan and I left and went to Ocala. We stayed the night with Josh and then I headed to Atlanta to see the new nephie. He is so cute and tiny. However most of my time was spent with Ryne but it was GREAT. He is such a funny, good kid. We read and played with almost every toy in his room. Then we watched a movie and lined up all the toys so they could watch too. Then Saturday evening I headed back to Robbinsville. The trip was a lot FUN.
Woo Who I know that was a lot but there it is, now you know.

*Lou I hope that was enough reading material for you!