5 kids - 4 and under, 3 adults and a needy dog

As Matthew headed to Atlantis (yes, in the Bahamas), the kids and I headed to Boise, Idaho. It sounds like we got a little gypped, but really, it was my choice. The convention at Atlantis was too far to take the kids this time...it'll be there again in 4 years. We'll rip the kids out of school for that one, for sure! So, we went to Boise to visit my good friend Marisa and her family, who moved there from the Bay Area last summer. I know I can't write as eloquently as Marisa, so if you'd like, please check out her family blog. I echo everything she said! I will, however, add a little more about what we did:

The kids were spectacular on the airplane, both going and coming. You really can't beat the portable DVD player...or "traveling TV" as Wyatt calls it. It kept them happy the entire time. I don't think Annabelle actually sat back in her seat for the hour and forty five minute flight!





Annabelle made herself at home very quickly by donning Jake's batting helmet and working with his stamps and markers. (Have I mentioned her affinity for hats?! She LOVES them!) The boys picked up where they left off from their last visit together and started playing outside right away.

The household was busy, what with 5 kids, 4 and under, 3 adults, and a dog that was feeling very dejected. We were invited to a birthday party of one of Jake's friend on Monday evening. After a day of hanging around the house (it's HARD to coordinate that many kids and actually go anywhere!!!), Jake, Wyatt and Annabelle were really ready to hit the lanes at the bowling alley. The party was fun... the kids had a great time.

I was woken by Marisa in the middle of Monday night...she said Annabelle was calling for me, but didn't sound unhappy. I went to check it out...when I got in her room, she had taken her jammies off. I told her that it was still night time and she needed to go back to sleep. Her reply to me: "They all barfy." Hmmm... I turned on the light, and sure enough, barf all over! So, I did what needed to be done, and she eventually fell back to sleep downstairs with Wyatt and myself. She hung in there for the next day, and was sick only one or two more times, and then followed the next 2 days with it coming out the other end. That poor thing...she catches it all! She and I didn't go anywhere on Tuesday, but Marisa, bless her heart, took Jake, Faith and Wyatt into town to a bird sanctuary, lunch and ice cream.

Wednesday the weather finally started clearing up, so we hit BoDo (that's Boise's effort at a hip name for downtown Boise - apparently you can't find anyone who lives there that uses the name!). The kids had a great time "fishing" in a sculpture pond w/blue heron statues using twigs and whatnot, walking and running around the area where there's a fountain that wasn't on, and generally making things up as they went to entertain themselves. Who needs a park?!

Later in the afternoon, the kids had a fabulous time running through the sprinklers. Annabelle didn't actually get her body through them, but she liked putting her hand through them!

All in all it was a great trip. We didn't get to really SEE Boise - it's tricky with that many kids, and extenuating circumstances, but we did get to catch up and commiserate about life. The kids were great travelers and Marisa and Brian made us feel right at home. Thanks for the great visit, and we can't wait to see you in Tahoe this summer!

This weekend...we're off to San Diego to root on Matthew at the Rock and Roll Marathon!

It was a BUSY month!!

My brother and his family came for a visit mid-April. It was so great to have them here. Sean was nice enough to offer to pressure wash our patio and seal it...of course I took him up on it. He and Wyatt spent all of Friday working on it. Joelle and Karleigh were able to squeeze in a little shopping, so I think they were happy!That Saturday we headed to Alcatraz. It was the first time for the kids as well as Sean and his family. It rained a LOT of the day, but no one was worse for the wear. Everybody had a great time and really enjoyed the tour.

The kids were left in withdrawl when Uncle Sean, Auntie J and Karleigh-Barlie left. They keep asking where they are and when they will see them again. But...

The next weekend Grandma and Grandpa came for a visit. They had a great time, as always, being entertained by the kids. I'm not always sure who has more fun...

Again, the kids were sad to see Grandma and Grandpa go. They love having visitors around!!! Mama and Papa are soooooo boring!

This past week the taping and make-over was done on our family room for the HGTV show called Color Splash. It was a lot of work getting rid of furniture and clearing the room, but nothing compared to what the crew did to our family room! Our Tuscan-inspired family room came to life! We love what they did, and are so happy to have been able to have the experience. We'll find out during the summer when our show will air. Who knows how dorky we'll sound on TV!!!!

Last, but not least, Annabelle is pretty much all the way potty trained...except for nap and bedtime. Wyatt was pretty easy, but she was even easier! I'm knocking on wood, just in case, because really it's only been about 2 1/2 weeks since we started, but so far so good!

Oh, and Wyatt...he's taking showers now. The other night, as he's standing in the shower all by himself, he said, "Mama, I feel all grown up!" Aye-yay-yaye!!! Also, during lunch today, he asked me how the baby gets in a mommy's belly....GULP! He really is getting all grown up!