spring break

For our spring break adventure this year, we chose to visit some dear friends in Baltimore.  They have four kids like us which makes them familiar with chaos so what's four more kids added to the mix?  Somehow we got lucky with some seriously amazing travelers.  They have notebooks to work on if they want, books to read, and we listen to audio books and fun music but they're also content to just sit and stare out the window.  We don't do movies and they don't even care.  We love our road trips.  

It was so neat watching our kids play together with the Kuhls.  They did so well and made having 8 kids in one house seem like a breeze.  

The boys got to play plenty of basketball in the living room since it was cold.

Jason and Declan had some deep conversation.

These two got to have a sleepover and they were the cutest.  They met when they were babies and have seen each other a couple times since but they barely know each other and had a blast together.

These two were just hilarious and cute.

We finally got to visit the church they planted several years ago and hear Carl preach.  That was a highlight for sure.  One of the most applicable sermons I have ever heard, so many take aways and it helps when you know and love the pastor for sure.  It was such a sweet visit hanging out with all the kids and then having a chance for grown up talk at night after they went to bed.  We were all sad to say goodbye.

We continued our spring break adventure by heading to Washington D.C. which we figured just made sense since we were so close.  It was quite an adventure with so many new experiences and surprises like the snow storm that came to the city in the middle of our time there.  

The subway experience was definitely a favorite.  The kids had never done anything like that before and they thought it was the coolest.  Riding with them with so much fun.  

We did have the one subway experience that Jason and I would like to forget but never will.  The subway was so crowded and we had four kids and a stroller so it was tough getting on quick enough when the doors opened.  One time we had too many people in front of us and we were newbies so Mia & Violet hopped on and then the doors started closing before any of the rest of us got on.  We stood there screaming while they stood there staring at us and crying.  It was horrible and scary...until Jason literally pulled a hulk move and opened the subway doors back up.  It was seriously a miracle that he was able to do that, it was crazy! He barely made it in and almost got a foot stuck in the door.  I was completely freaking out as they rode away in the subway with the other 3 of us just standing there watching.  We kept in contact, thank goodness for cell phones and we were reunited soon after.

We visited the air and space and american history museums.  The kids thought it was all amazing for a short time until they got too tired.  We had completely worn them out with all of our walking and exploring in the freezing cold.  So we took it easy and slowed down to give them time to rest.

Our favorite was definitely exploring the sites and memorials.  So much to see there and Jason and I had not been in so many years.  We dressed as warm as we could and made the most of it.  

We especially had fun at the Washington Monument...lying on the cold ground just to look up and running all around it.

Exploring in the city with our people was awesome.

And my mini me brought her camera along too of course.

And how lucky is it to find a penny when you are in the Lincoln memorial.  I mean that is the coolest.  The kids were pretty convinced people drop those around there on purpose just so sweet little kids can pick them up and get super excited.

Hotel time is always a hit with our crew.  They could not wait to swim of course.

Another surprise was that we weren't ready for it to be over so we stopped in Huntington, West Virginia not the way home and had the best time.  We found a great cheap local bowling alley and so we all got to bowl which was awesome.

It took so long for Violet's balls to get down the lane but she was so stinking cute waiting for it.

And they would always celebrate together when it finally made it down to the pins.

Daddy with the win obviously.

We had some extremely worn out kids when we began our trek back home.

We couldn't go all the way home until we made a pit stop in Kentucky to visit Sara, Mark, and baby Jonah.  It was so worth going off route for those baby squeezes. 

So many new experiences, old friends, smiles, and sweet memories.

vacation

Vacation is an amazing thing and we are so thankful to be able to spend a week in a little slice of heaven each summer.  We have kind of mastered the vacation, the beauty of going to the same place each year.  We leave thinking it can't get any better and then the next year it is.  The stopping on the way there and home makes the road trip completely bearable and extra fun.  The kids travel like champs and when we get to the hotel, they are pumped and can't wait to get into that pool!

We visit Fuddpuckers each year mainly for the gator beach because the kids love it so much.

And at 3 years old, she was just not quite ready to do vacation without a nap.  She just fell asleep whenever she got a chance, sweet baby girl.

Taking walks in the evening to dinner is a family favorite.

Oh, how I love looking at these brown babies all ready for the beach.  I love walking behind everyone just to observe and take in all the sweetness of those walks to the beach.

And then there is the flip flop photo that I just have to take each year.

I get really into picking out their swimsuits for the summer.  I realize it is silly and doesn't matter at all, but I have fun with it and love coordinating them at least while they will still let me.  I was pretty excited about the mint greens and blues this year.  I could photograph them at the beach all day, it's too much fun for me.

These two love to be buried and it cracks me up.  Jason gets them all nice and snug in the sand and then they have busting out of it.

Why, oh why does she have to grow up?

There are really only teeny tiny white shells to be found on this beach but the kids continue to search because you just never know.

I even got in a photo and it makes me smile so big.  Precious memories.

Little buddy got to turn 8 at the beach.  Best birthday ever.

He chose Pompano Joe's for his birthday so that is where we went.  We walked and ate overlooking the water...it's a dinner tradition each year made even better with the celebration of our little man.

It really is no wonder people stare at these children when we are out...I know they are mine but they were created completely by God so I can safely say, he outdid himself and they sure are fun to look at.

There is even a photo of Jason and I...probably should have had the kids take it, rather than attempting a selfie but it is definitely better than nothing.  He is the best man and I am incredibly blessed to call him mine.  

My whole heart right there in the ocean.

And to them, you can't beat eating pizza in your hotel room on the way home.  It's their favorite thing.

And my favorite thing is seeing them cuddled up on a big bed together.  The cherry on top of an amazing vacation sundae.  Until next year...