Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Lots of Family and a Backyard Barbecue

Saturday was probably one of the busiest days our kids have had, and they did great! We spent all day with extended family and they didn't get an afternoon nap...gasp! Yet they still managed to hold it together.

Thank goodness. Because I honestly thought the day was going to bomb. 4 Toddlers + No Nap = YIKES!

We started the day off as we normally do, and then put the kids down for their morning nap. We let them sleep extra long to try to give them juice to get through the rest of the day. Most of them took advantage of it (we did too! I love naps!).

Then we headed over to Pa and Ma's house (Sean's parents house) for lunch and a visit with the kids' great-grandparents who had driven in from St. Louis for a visit.

And Ellie started screaming the moment we arrived. Happily, she perked up after lunch and was a bit more agreeable!

Photo with the Great-Grandparents


After that, we drove about 45 minutes to the other side of town for their second-cousin, Morgan's 2nd birthday (follow all that? *smile*) This was the kids' first successful backyard barbecue. We tried to have a barbecue at our house last summer, and the kids only lasted for about 20 minutes. They didn't want anything to do with it. This time, it went much better!

And that is where Sean's cousin, Michelle, got some awesome photos of the kids! I had my camera but was so busy trying to keep up with the kids, that I forgot all about it.

We got to the barbecue and used the Choo-Choo Wagon to easily get the kids to the backyard. I seriously love that wagon! The party came to a dead halt as soon as we rolled in. The kids were a little overwhelmed and spent a few minutes taking it all in.

Someone said, "Why are they all just sitting there?"
So I answered with, "Because they are wondering why you are all staring at them!"

What? You haven't seen four kids before? Hehe!


There was lots of exploring...

Abby in the play house looking at the window box of flowers.

And lots of eating....

Morgan, The Birthday Girl, and Elijah eating a veggie stick

And, of course, lots of bounce housing (once the kids warmed up to it!)!

 Aw! I love good family photos! :)


 And then the kids tackled Daddy.


And Ellie thought Daddy was more fun to bounce on than the bounce house!


We also discovered all that is amazing about backyard swings!

Ellie thought it was fantastic and giggled all they way through her turn!


There just isn't a description worthy of the look on Elijah's face. Haha!!

Random extra pic. This is a photo of Uncle Brandon (Morgan's dad) helping Abby put back on her sandles. I really love this photo because it's a great example of how Sean's family always makes sure they are available to help us with the kids at family events. Brandon was barbecuing and hosting, and still stopped to help Abby with her shoe. I appreciate all of our extended family for such small acts of kindness like this! It certainly doesn't go unnoticed!

Understandably, the kids started to wear out as the party continued. They wanted to ride in their wagon instead of play in the bounce house. Sean and I took turns dragging them around the yard. Thankfully, they love their wagon, so that let us stay a bit longer. Look how cute this photo is of the kids looking at Daddy in the bounce house. Lol!



Michelle also got some great close ups of the kids!

Caleb


Abby


Elijah


Ellie


And then we headed home. The kids were flat out tired, but held their own quite well. As the Mommy, I was really, really pleased with how the day turned out. Yay!!

Does this mean that we can stay out a bit longer and explore a bit more when we go on our adventures now??? I hope so!

4 comments:

  1. I never realized before, but with the picture of them all together, Ellie has much darker hair than the other three. Also Elijah, Abby and Caleb look so alike. especially in those three individual shots! Congratulations on getting out for a longer period of time and I hope that it continues.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks!

      Yep, Ellie has more of my coloring than the other three kids. I guess one out of four isn't bad in terms of a mini-me. :)

      Delete
  2. It was such a pleasure to have the crew over for Morgan's birthday. Thanks again for making the trip out. :)

    ReplyDelete

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