So we had our camping trip planned for the first part of Nate's time off, and for the last half of it, we're just doing what we feel like doing, when we feel like it :) It's been nice! We're trying to do something a little out of the ordinary, something fun, each day, to make it feel like vacation time :) Though just taking a nap during the day makes it a vacation to me :).
Monday we took the family to the "Bountiful Lake" (we were missing Luke, he was at Carter's, and we had Jocelyn, Kelly's friend and Kambree, instead). Took a while to get there, because we saw the rain clouds and then it did rain a little, so we went to the Candy Store to kill some time ;). The kids live to go to the Candy Store (aka: Ace Hardware). Once the clouds cleared we made our way down to the lake. We fed the ducks, let Buddy wreak havoc.... it was a lot of fun! The place still grosses me out though. It's so close to the dump. And we ALWAYS see an array of dead animals there! This time we saw a dead catfish, and a dead bird. Gross. I hate to think of what's in that water. It's still fun to go down there though, walk around and throw things in the water. The kids love it :). NO pictures of course :( rats!
For FHE we dropped off the friends, picked up Lukey and went to McDonald's for dinner (it was Noah's lesson :) ). Then we had ice cream for the treat. I think everyone's getting really ice creamed out. I have to point out that for the past 3 or 4 weeks, Erika has made it a point to be the one who chooses and leads at least one of the songs, usually she has to trade, but this week it was actually her assignment. She LOVES being in charge of the song! It's adorable! She likes to do the slow and fast leading. She just BEAMS when she's doing it. I love watching her enjoy that! That's what family night is for!
After McD's we went to Costco to grab a few things- we only had a half hour, so it was a quick run through the store :). But we ran into a few people from the ward and from the stake. It was fun to see people while we were having fun as a family. It's always nice when people can see our huge family in a good mood. Looks a little less awkward and circus like :). And well.... FUN to have a big family. That's always a nice little tender mercy from the Lord. Sister Whitehead, who I knew back in the 54th ward, growing up, said, "It's so fun to see you with all those kids!" I love those comments :). I love our family. I love it when people can see why :).
Tuesday we we grabbed some sandwiches and went up to North Canyon Park for a picnic! Don and Sherice and Kambree showed up shortly after we got there, so we were in good company. The kids and Buddy had a good time. I'm still wondering if there will ever be a day when the kids want to play on the playground more than they want to sit and listen to the adults chat..... so far it's not looking like it will ever come. Oh well. We had fun. Then rushed back down the hill to get the girls to their Activity days "Birthday Party" and Bradley to Bennett's house to go to Discovery with him. Once the big kids were gone, we decided it would be fun to go to Dairy Queen with the littles :). They were thrilled :). It was a nice little time there. I do enjoy being able to do fun things when there's only a few kids with us. It's a little like one on one time. We do miss the big kids when they're gone of course, and look forward to the times we can do that for them, but it is good for the littles.
When we got home, we lost the girls to Alyssa, and Noah went swimming with Don and Kambree. Erika and Luke entertained us til it was time to go to Grandpa's for pizza!
Grandpa surprised us with a cool geode! We got to smash it open for the kids and we were all very amazed with how pretty it was inside compared to the outside. That was really fun, I am going to have to get another one some time since Bradley missed it. He was still out with Bennett, but he would have loved it too.
Wednesday was our last day! We were pretty anxious to enjoy the day. We had the kids do their jobs quickly and then we headed out to the D.I. :). Sounds strange I'm sure, but it was a much needed shopping trip for many of our children. And Bradley was so anxious to get some more soccer shirts. I browsed the baby boy clothes, got LOTS for Wormie, got some pjs for Charity, And some cool shirts for everyone else. I LOVE shopping at the D.I. There's just no need to spend a fortune on kids' clothes! I wish they'd had more of a selection of Maternity as I am really starting to tire of the few things I fit in now. Not to mention my only pants wore a new hole on the inside of the thigh.... ugh. So anyway, I am now in the market for some maternity clothes, 5 weeks away from my delivery. Bugs. But anyway, it was a productive trip :).
After the D.I. we had some fun at home, then got ready to go to Ritchie's. Nate's mission President and his wife are THE COOLEST people on the planet. They really are just the sweetest, most loving and caring people to spend time with. After the Mission President homecoming this week in our ward, Nate started miss the Ritchie's! And it has been SO long (we figured the last time we saw them was before we moved to Alaska, so at least 6 years!) and a visit was well overdue. President Ritchie didn't hesitate at all to plan a time with us when Nate called them. Being with them is a little like stepping into a time machine. It always takes me back to when Nate and I first got married. His mission (and of course the reunion) played a huge role in our meeting. So it's pretty special to us. An awesome time for us to reminisce and feel a part of again. We sat in their backyard with them and talked. It was tricky with the kids. They did fine, there was just a lot of uncontrollable mishaps that interrupted things a little. Luke got stung by a bee just minutes after walking out there. They got to witness his scream of death. Sister Ritchie was so anxious to help him, she ran and got the ice and the Tums. That took a little while to diffuse and then There were a series of swing accidents, trampoline spats, and needs for drinks and bathroom breaks. It was interesting :) to say the least. I tried my best to just be patient and let Nate visit while I ran around like a crazy person. I think things were fine, pretty normal for six kids, but I had hoped it could be a little less hectic. Then the Ritchie's suggested that we go to dinner. Cafe Rio was yummy, but too loud to hear them very well, and the kids, again, were not AS cooperative as I had hoped. Things really did go well though, I shouldn't be so picky. We enjoyed the time anyway. It's always nice to get a good reset, or recharge from the Ritchie's. They have such a great focus on life. So much wisdom! They asked about EVERYTHING! I love that about them. Sister Ritchie was so sweet about us having our big family and so close together. She said, "Think how much trust the Lord must have in you to send you such choice Spirits and so many so quickly.... it must mean a lot to you to be so privileged." She hit the nail on the head with that one. We do feel very blessed. And he gave us some of his MOST choicest Spirits. I couldn't ask for better kids. I love that Sister Ritchie can see that, points it out, and then cheers us on as parents. I just love her!!! She's so amazing. I'll never forget her telling me to spit out my gum on our wedding day though, because "brides don't chew gum!" Hilarious. It was a lot of fun. I'm glad our kids got to meet them again, and hopefully we will be better at keeping in touch again now!
After dinner with the Ritchie's we hurried back for Charlie's Birthday Party. If I've said it once, I've said it a million times, y kids LOVE birthday parties! It's fun to watch them pick out gifts, get excited during the cake and ice cream, and then try their best to spoil the birthday person. They were excited for Charlie! Noah picked out this obnoxious gun (sorry, again, Sarah!), and we were struggling so much with the decision that I just gave in :). I think he liked it enough :). The party was fun, Sarah made an amazing Bulldozer cake... pretty impressive!! And we got to visit a lot with the Davis' and with my family. It was nice and relaxing for the most part. I was a little jealous of Brent and his ability to climb all over the playground and just couldn't imagine that there was ever a time that I wanted to do anything other than sitting on the grass.... but hopefully that day will come again. Steve showed up at the end, so we got to plan a lunch date with him. It was a nice day! A nice LAST day of Nate's time off. I'm so grateful that he finally can take his vacations!!! I don't know how we survived without them before!
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