Just the Ten of Us!

We had a very full weekend. Jason and Jennifer had the privelege of going on a trip to Midway, Utah for Monavie. It was an all expense paid trip, and they were gone for five days. Kim and Mark took their kids for Wednesday and Thursday, and then we had them Friday through Sunday. We decided to have a campout Friday night. Bryan set up our tent in the backyard, and cooked hot dogs on the BBQ. After dinner, everyone got to roast marshmallows on the BBQ and have smores. The kids caught many a marshmallow on fire as you can see from the picture with Tyce. Thankfully no one's hair caught fire from the flaming mallows! Chloe stepped on one of the discarded marshmallows that had caught flame and then fallen off the scewer onto the concrete. She had a big black marshmallow clump stuck to her foot; we had a good laugh over it. The smores were definitely a hit with the kids and they had their fair share of them!













Here are the kids getting ready to settle down for the night. Not sure that smores was such a good idea before bedtime. They were pretty hyped up and ready to go. Parker however, was exhausted from all the excitement as you can see from the picture. I found him like this passed out on the floor, so I just had to take a pic.



Saturday morning Braxton had a soccer game, so we got the kids all ready and went over to watch him play. He still hasn't gotten too into the game, so mostly we watched Braxton watch the ball go back and forth down the field. He's still unsure of himself, but he also can't find it in himself to care about it either, I guess?! He just comes for the snacks, actually that's why the rest of us come too. Parker and Carly love the orange wedges they usually hand out.

Saturday afternoon, the kids played outside a lot, and Bryan and I attempted to watch General Conference. The few things I did hear were very inspiring, but we're both going to have to watch or read the talks again. That night we got pizza and watched Speed Racer while Bryan went to Priesthood session.

Sunday was hectic. I think everyone was going a little stir crazy. Our house isn't very accomodating for 10 people. So we packed all their stuff up after lunch and headed over to their house where we stayed for the afternoon and that evening Bryan stayed and put them to bed and waited for Jenn and Jason to arrive which was around midnight. All in all, I was glad we survived, but actually as I got ready to leave them, I felt sad. I had enjoyed getting to know my nieces and nephews better, and I knew how much fun it was for my kids to have playmates for those few days.

I came to a few realizations though during those couple of days:
1. Jenn stays thin because she doesn't have time to eat. I hoped I lost a few pounds because when you're feeding that many kids, by the time you sit down to eat, somebody else wants more or needs a drink, or is done and wants dessert, etc., so you never get to eat much yourself.
2. A playroom would be really useful.
3. I'm only planning on having one more, but could probably handle 5 total and am hoping the Lord does not want me to have more than that.
4. Having a husband who is willing to help with the kids and is willing to campout in the backyard with them even if it means a few cast arm slams to the head while sleeping is a tremendous blessing! (Bryan slept next to Tyce in the tent who has a broken arm.)