Girls Weekend

Back (a long, long, time ago) when I was in High School, I had a group of girlfriends that I did EVERYTHING with. When we graduated, one of my friends dads said that "while you think you will always stay friends, you'll end up going separate ways." He was correct that we did go separate ways, but surprisingly we have all stayed pretty close.

This weekend, we are all getting back together for a "girls weekend". The last time we were together was my wedding 14 years ago.

I'm so excited. No kids or spouses. Just us giggly girls remembering giggly girl times.

Home Again, Home Again

We finally made it home last night. After an unexpected delay, (night of two kids sick) we made the 10 hour trip home. It was a fun trip filled with lots of swimming, a visit to the Discovery Center, miniature golfing, more swimming, visits with High School friends, family reunions on both sides of the family and more swimming.

all 10 cousins together

As fun as the trip was, it is really nice to be home.

They're Coming to Take Me Away...

The drive from Billings to Salt Lake is very, very, VERY long. It went as well as could be expected. My final analysis:

• 5: the number of kids I started with.
• 7: the total number of stops we had to make.
• 11: the number of hours it took us to make what would normally be a 10 hour trip. Note: we didn't even stop to eat...just ate in the car.
• 1: the number of band-aids needed because pipe cleaners are dangerous toys.
• 2: the number of trips through the McDonalds drive thru I need because I can't seem to figure out that six people need six hamburgers and not five.
• 5: the number of objects playing noise all at once that will make me lose what little brain I might have left. Those five objects were: my music (essential noise), a movie in the back of the van (pretty essential), a little toy radio that plays the same little clip of music over and over (should have been tossed in the garbage when we moved), 2 cell phones (both of which are not mine and were being used by the seven and nine year old because "the ring tones are cool").
• 200: the number of times I was asked "are we there yet?"
• 30: the number of minutes that all four youngest kids were asleep at the same time!!
• 500: the number of times I questioned why I was doing this.
• 5: the number of kids I ended up with at the end of the trip.
• 0: the number of shots I need now that I'm no longer driving.
• 3: the number of kids I'm glad I have permanently. I can't imagine any more than my wonderful three!!

Even though the trip down went well, please, please, please, don't encourage me to EVER do this again!!!

Where's my brain?

I have been planning my annual trip to Salt Lake for some time. Normally I take all three kids by myself and Jason comes on the weekend. It is a long drive, but works well. This was the plan until last week.

Brother D calls and asks if I can take the boys for a few days next week so he and fiance J can go work on a tile job out of town. I say, "Well, I was going to leave for Salt Lake on Monday." (and then instead of just leaving it at that, I continue with no brain function at this point and say, "Why don't I just take the boys with me and you can meet us there on the weekend."

I will let that settle in for a minute.

I purposefully proposed that I would take FIVE kids all alone on a 10 hour drive.

Where the %$&*@ is my brain?

In my attempt to entertain five kids on the drive, I bought pipe cleaners (because that's fun, right? right?) and lots of snacks. As I was trying to find snacks that wouldn't melt, weren't too messy, likeable, etc. etc. I asked Papa Echo what he thought I should get. His one and only suggestion was CHOCOLATE COVERED ESPRESSO BEANS. He thought it would be funny to have a "pinball effect" going on in the van. Thanks, Papa Echo, you are so. very. helpful.

My kids are very excited to have their cousins for the drive. I have high hopes for a calm, smooth drive. But, in "reality world" I think I need a lot of luck.

Either that or a bottle of cinnamon schnapps waiting in Salt Lake.

Quick Update

Well, it's been unusually quiet around here. It's the same old, same old. Between Papa Echo's job ANOTHER paycut, the real estate market slump and still owning the $#%&@ house in Big Timber and the bills piling up, I haven't been in the mood to write. So, here's an update with no whining about the above issues.

We went on a quick trip down to Salt Lake a couple of weekends ago. I needed to go see my newest nephew before he grew up. The kids had fun with all their cousins, and I had fun holding baby Jackson. And no, I'm not "baby hungry". The kids helped Grandma and Grandpa plant flowers and clean up the yard. (not that there was much to clean up...)

Caitlyn and Alyssa

Alyssa and Jessica


Jonathan and Caitlyn helping Grandpa

It was a quick trip, but great to be with my family.


Easter Weekend was productive and fun as well. The kids and I did a lot of yard work here at the new house. We pulled vines off the house, off the fence and out of the borders . I can't wait to see what it looks like in a month or two. We also started a big drainage product. We had to dig dirt away from the bottom of our house and in doing that needed to grade said dirt so that water would not pool at the foundation. (Can you tell I'm married to an engineer?) Bottom line is that we worked together all day Saturday moving dirt. The kids had fun and were such a big help!!
Then we decorated Easter eggs and sent the kids to bed.

The Easter Bunny brought baskets with candy and a summer clothes Saturday night, but since mom and dad forgot to put the eggs out on the counter, there was nothing for the bunny to hide. (I know, I know, we are the laziest parents ever...) So, Jason hid the eggs while the kids waited upstairs and then they went on their hunt. Jessica said it was okay that we forgot this year, but to try and remember next year.

We drove out to my brothers and spent the afternoon with his family. It is so nice to live close to Dave. (one hour is close in MT) We were able to see his new house and all the renovations he's done so far. The kids liked jumping on the trampoline and playing with Trace, Alexis and Parker (their cousins). All in all, a good day.

Well, I'll head back to deal with big grown up issues now and leave you dear blog with my favorite subject, my kids.