two much fun

Ok, I am finally back. After two weeks on the move and one at home, I am ready to bullet blog all about it.
So, here it goes.

Wednesday, June 2 - Ron kisses us all goodbye for our two week journey out west. He passes us off to security with 5 bags, a diaper bag, 5 "purses", two carseats, six children, and one mom. The man at security asks for ID's. I put mine on the counter and he says, "You're the only one with a driver's license?" My only reply was, "Does it say stupid at the top?" Airplane leaves at 9:35 pm with 7 exhausted, yet excited passengers.

Thursday, June 3 - Arrive at hotel at 12:01 am with Jill still bright-eyed. Managed this through many Max and Ruby episodes on the I-Pod. Time with cousins, Nana and Papa. Zach's white Missouri skin being kissed by the sun at Tate's. The kids visiting with Jesse the dog. Sam catches up with Bryson and Jadon. Rice Krispie Roll-ups, Hannah and Tatum P. loving Anna, and good food with friends.

Friday, June 4 - One man band thanks to the Peels. The big day. A wonderful wedding topped off with Mangoes afterward. A reception with too much good food. Sleepovers and fun for kids.

Saturday, June 5 - Spelunking for Zach. Fun with girls for Maggie. Swimming at the hotel. Finding all possible Star Wars toys at the Blackhurst's for Casey. Grimaldi's and the essential Sprinkles Cupcake.

Sunday, June 6 - Long drive to Utah made shorter by Porter's. Miranda keeps me company the whole time with others being shifted. Nate is seranaded the many versions of "diarrhea" by Zach for 10 hours. The beginning of Jackson 5 fettish. I have now listened to ABC nearly 2000 times.

Monday, June 7 - Sam goes to Basketball Camp which is a huge success. See the Yeager's from Montana times. Pick up Nana from airport in prep to be my helper back to AZ in a week. Hit Stan's, Stan, and Bajio. Quick visit with the Aunties. Casey's toys invade the Porter's to stay for a week. Remember how great UT is in the summer.

Tuesday, June 8 - Cold front hits Utah. Lots of twister, monopoly, card games, Simpson's clue, hide and seek, statues, toy store, sidewalk chalk, walk by the river, and all sorts of Porter fun.

Wednesday, June 9 - The spoiling of kids by all Porter's continues. 7 Peaks water park for Zach and Maggie. Quick visit in between scouts with Spencer and Ralina.

Thursday, June 10 - Zach works with Nate, treats at The chocolate, Jo suffers from horrid allergies, fun times with Bella and Noelle, Hannah counts down, swings on the hammock, murder in the dark (hooray). Hannah and Nik get back and Casey is ultimately attatched.

Friday, June 11 - Gateway with the girls, Bowling at the Wilk courtesy of Nate, Casey and Jill sleep at Aunties with Nana. Casey vomits leaving a mess for Nana to clean up. Pizzaria 712 for lunch that I still am craving. Frosty's at too late to mention.

Saturday, June 12 - Guru's. Visit with the Ohlund's - boys want to move in. Jill vomits in the car. I get to see Paige the vampire as she rides with me to get the boys. Nik makes Italian.

Sunday, June 13 - Cold cereal at the Aunties, and Avatar, the Last Airbender, marathon begins.

Monday, June 14 - We stay an extra day in Utah because of the kids begging. Pizzaria 712 and the most delicious rhubarb cobbler. BYU bookstore, visit with Shari, and packing up to go. Finish half of Avatar season two. Hike up Bridal Veil that Casey "wants to do everyday."

Tuesday, June 15 - The long drive back to AZ with the temp inching up every hour. Baby screams for last hour. Rosa's with cute Mina. I use the last of my pack of 77 wipes bought on day 1. Sam vomits all over Nana's carpet leaving a putrid smell that will last until eternity - sorry Peels.

Wednesday June 16 - How much can we cram into our last day? Huge party with at least 43 children at Thelissa's house. Pizza and Snickerdoodles. Maggie feeling sick. Basketball camp with all the fun it brings. Driving past the old house. Kisses to the airline worker who checks my bags for free. And, the x-ray operator at security saying, "You're traveling alone with 5 kids?" Sorry, lady, try 6. Maggie vomits on the plane, but is very brave. We all collapse into Ron and sleep until 10:30 the next day.

It was so great and I appreciate all of the help from friends and family. I would definitely do it all again, minus the few vomits.

80 in numbers

1 surprised Grandpa
2 kids in the super roller (amazingly 0 broken bones)
3 days of travel
4 years since we had seen Kristin, Karen, Sara, Jean, and all those who belong to them
5 hours of Jill wearing Anna's tutu
6 kids asking "are we there yet"
7 of us visiting North Carolina for the 1st time
8 times 10 making a wonderful life for a fantastic man
Happy 80th Grandpa!

Answers

1 - Maggie
2 - Casey
3 - Sam
4 - Jill
5 - Sam
6 - Anna

Mag or Jill?

Jill is forcefully positive this is a picture of her. So, don't argue with her or she might bite you.

Zach the artiste

Zach is feeling really good about his skills. This piece of artwork was chosen to be displayed at the state capitol for Youth Art Month. I like how some of the windows are dark and some lit. I would choose the top right lit wondow to be my NYC abode. Anyway, we think you are awesome Zach!!!

Random ramblings of the last week

Can you guess who said . . .

1. "For Halloween, I want to be Captain Underpants."

2. "When I am a dad, I think I will make the best chicken nuggets."

3. "Hee hee hee." (When he/she forgot that I was picking up from school for piano and rode the bus home instead.) Or, the famous " . . . wait. . ." with a puzzled look on his/her face.

4. "I just ate some poop." And, "Teddy does not wear any clothes because he is furry and naked."

5. "I feel like all I have done today is pick up everyone else's stuff."

6. "coo" and "goo"

Tired, Cold, and Grouchy . . . not a good combo

I swear I am swearing off St. Louis. No more trips for a while. I am tired of seeing Hillbilly Hilly, Bourbon, with a capital B, and a million dead armadillos on the side of the road. The kids and I, minus Sam, made the trek to the St. Louis temple for a Primary activity. I really wasn't going to go. But, how could I deny a cautious Zach waking me up and simply stating, "I really want to go." So, I hustled and rustled the rest of the kids out of bed, piling them into the over-worked car and drove 3 plus to participate in the temple activity. The kids had fun building a temple bank and enjoying the temple grounds, then we swung through Target and Pei Wei and made our way home with a brief stop in Rolla for refueling a baby and the car. Hopefully, it was something the kids won't forget anytime soon.
When we got home, I was given an early Mother's Day present - a totally clean house. Sam and Ron worked the afternoon away to have the house looking great. I cringed as I saw all of the laundry done, but after inspection, Ron did a great job. He said he even separated the light pinks from the black church pants.
Sunday began with an unending supply of homemade cards, planted flowers in plastic cups, a colored noodle necklace that I got to wear to church, pipe cleaner creations, a song/poem and jig by Zach, and other fun things from the kids. They were really my favorite gifts. Ron made me the best stuffed french toast with strawberries and buttermilk syrup. (I have the recipe if anyone wants it. It is fabulous.) We had our favorite chicken picatta for dinner with a devils food cheesecake for dessert. Totally, totally off the diet. I think Ron is trying to fatten me up so he can eat me.
After all of the eating and frolicking through Missouri, I woke up this morning tired, cold, and grouchy. There really isn't a reason other than it is rainy and cold. Two things that I just don't much care for. So, as I sat on the couch being grouchy, Casey asked me if it was time for Jill's nap. I said yes, so he took her by the hand to her room and told her to climb into her crib. She willingly did. I heard a sweet little song by Casey and then the door clicked. Thank you Casey for giving me my last Mother's Day present. I really do love that kid.
So, a Happy Late Mother's Day to everyone. Hope the sun is shining for you today.