Cousin Time = Fun Time

A Continuation of our awesome trip....

Day 8 - 

Jason flew home that morning so he could go back to work.
Mid morning Harrison all the sudden asked, "Hey, where's dad?"  When I told him that daddy had gone back home he started to cry.

Mt. Hood from the air as Jason flew into Portland.
 Home Sweet Home

I took the kids and went over to meet Kristin with her kids at one of their pools.  We had so much fun that morning.  I did realize quickly how much more difficult the rest of vacation was going to be without Jason around to help.  Kristin is 8 months pregnant and I had a nursing baby.  Between us we had 8 kids running all over....well, just 7 running around while I was holding the 8th.  It was a tad stressful.

At one point I was sitting on the edge of the 1 foot deep kiddie pool nursing Theo.  Bennett was standing in the middle, and feeling very uncomfortable.  He wouldn't even take a step, or play with any toys.  I got distracted for a second by another kid in the big, deep pool.  When I look back at Bennett he was under water.  He had lost his balance and couldn't get his head above water.  I ran into the pool and grabbed him.  I had Theo in my other arm, and my naked chest hanging out.  Obviously when it comes to being modest or saving my child I choose the latter.  It was a terrifying experience.  Needless to say, Bennett didn't stray so much as an inch away from me the rest of the time we were there.

Harrison had fun in the kiddie pool too.  1 foot deep is not too deep for him, like it is Bennett.  It was perfect for Harrison, as he is just learning how to swim.  He was practicing holding his breath, and seeing if he could make it from one end to the other.  He went up to another mom sitting on the edge and said, "Hello, I'm Harrison!  I sure am learning how to swim."  Then he dove under the water and swam to the other side.  Then, he looked up at me and said, "Mom, clap when I come up every time, OK?"  After that every time he came up above water I had to clap for him, or he'd get mad at me.

After swimming we went to Isaac's house to get changed and have lunch.
Jake showed up in the Living Room dressed as Harry Potter.  He was waving his wand around and casting spells.  This was funny, I had to take a picture because Lily who is a complete Harry Potter Know-It-All, was just laying there reading while correcting all of Jake's spells.  He got really into it when he realized how useful her knowledge is.  He started asking her for all kinds of spells.  She was kind of reminding me of Hermione Granger at this point.

 After casting spells Lily gave Jake and Jimmer a horsey ride.

It didn't last too long, but it did help create lots of giggles.

Kristin and I fed the kids lunch at home, then took them to the nice, new Chuck E. Cheese close to their house.  Because they had all eaten, we just had to buy tokens and watch them play.  It was awesome!  The kids had a blast.  I was happy to be in the air conditioning, and get a break from swimming.

Lily found these glasses at Isaac's house, and wore them for days after.  She was nice enough to share them with Bennett.  He really liked them.

So glad that Paige came with us too.

Maxwell had a blast playing ski-ball.

 Harrison on a fun Horse/Game/Ride.

The kids were sacked out  after.  Bennett fell asleep on Paige, while the others had a fun time watching her play her video games.  I didn't let them play any video games while on vacation, so they were thrilled to at least get to watch Paige play video games.  

Day - 9
The next day Jackson flew in.  That morning I took the kids to see Hugo with the boys.  We met Kris and her boys there.  It was a $1 movie.  We loved it!!!  I can't wait to see it again with Jason.  I was seriously so surprised at how much I loved it!  Even Max told me, "Mom, I loved it so much that I cried."
When we got back  Jackson was there waiting for us.  My kids were thrilled to see Uncle Jack!
We LOVE him!
Jackson coolly admitted that he mostly bought the plane ticket just because he wanted to meet Theo.

 I think Theo likes him back.

Day - 10
The next day was the Fourth of July!!!
Sadly, because of the wildfires in the Denver area, all fireworks and hometown parades were cancelled.  The day felt like any other day to us.  We relaxed, went swimming and had a barbecue.
That morning my dad and Isaac left super early to go fishing.  I was sleeping at Isaac's house, and watched all our kids that morning because Kristin had to work.  I had a very funny morning with Jake especially.  I wrote a special journal entry all about him so that I can read it to him and everyone at his wedding.  That kid cracks me up!

At about 9am Jackson, Paige and Mom showed up to make French Toast and stuff for breakfast.  The kids and I were all thrilled!

We then drove to my parent's place to go swimming.  I noticed that Jake and Harrison were comparing silly faces in the back.  Harry has finally met his match!

Jackson put Bennett's swimsuit on for him.  When he turned around we saw this.

 Obviously Jackson needs to get more practice dressing a two year old.

Harrison took this of Bennett before swimming.

Jake, Max and Jimmer in the pool and Harrison in the chair watching them play.

The little boys had a blast with their cousins.

Bennett kept picking these flowers out by the pool.

Grandma and Theo in the pool.

 Theo in another one of Glenn's old baby outfits.

Kristin made this yummy Red, White and Blue Berry Trifle for our Fourth of July barbecue.  It was the most festive part of our day!  Thanks Kris!!!  It was delicious!

That night we had a rockin' game night.  We played "Pound Pound" with Jackson, and also taught Lily.  She is officially now an Alldredge.  I brought Italian Soda stuff with me from Oregon, so every night during movies and games we could have some blackberry soda's.  Isaac loved it!

Day - 11
Jackson flew home this evening.
Earlier in the day I had gone to Hobby Lobby for the first time ever!  I was so excited!  My two partners had a list of stuff I was supposed to find there for our Gourmet Club event we are hosting in November.  Sadly I didn't find anything worth buying.  That might be because I was in there with Max, Harry, Bennett and Theo.  Worse kids ever to take into a craft store!  The funny thing is that Harrison found a Mermaid Coloring book for himself.  He chose to get that rather than waiting to buy the Star Wars one for him I had promised for the trip home.  He said it's because this one had dream girls in it.

Harrison told me, "Mom, I don't really like Buzz anymore.... BUT I sure do like his outfit!!!"

Most of my day was spent doing laundry and trying to gather all our stuff left between the two houses, and load up the van.

Day 12 - 

We woke up super early, and said good bye to my parents.  I was glad to be starting our journey home, but so sad to leave them.  The kids did great on this travel day.  They slept for the first couple hours, and the older kids were so helpful with the younger kids.

We stopped at Little America in Wyoming for lunch.  I used to stop there when I was younger.  I grew up out East and in the Midwest, so when we would drive to Utah to visit family in the Summer we would stop at Little America.  I had to stop there this time, and treat the kids to an ice cream cone.

We had a party when we crossed the border into Utah!

We got to Grandma Ritz's house at about 3 PM.  The kids were thrilled to get there!  She has an awesome Grandma house!  Also, Uncle Loren lives there, whom my children adore.

Grandma couldn't wait to get her hands on Theo.  He rewarded her with lots of smiles.

Bennett was so happy to be here!

Max playing in Grandma's quilt shop.
Jason's mom is a professional quilter.  She has a shop out behind her house.  My children have been playing in there for years.  She has toys and crafts just for them so they can play while she sews.

Theo napping in Grandma's chair.
I love this sight.  Him napping amongst all her sewing, and the quilt that she is working on.  Also, he is wrapped in a blanket that she made him.

Next door is Jason's oldest brother and his family.  They have TEN children, so my kids have lots to do when we visit.

Day 13 - 

I woke up the next morning to find my children at work in Grandma's kitchen.  I was so NOT surprised!
She had them each working on a project.  Lily has been working on a quilt the last several visits.  Glenn, Max and Harrison worked on personalized pillow cases on this visit.  Harrison didn't get his finished, and will finish it on our next visit.

Glenn, Max and Harry were each given a panel of fabric with special markers to create a picture that was then sewn into a pillow case.
Here is Max working on his.  The boys each got to go "shopping" in Grandma's fabric shop, help cut, sew and iron their pillowcases.  

Max with his finished product.

 Glenn working on his pillowcase.

Grandma took a break in the middle of the projects to take us out to lunch for our birthday's.  Since we live so far away she doesn't get to take the kids out on their actual birthdays.

The kids spent most of the day playing with their cousins next door.
Here is Glenn with Hunter.  He was born a month after Glenn, and was 6 weeks early.  I have a picture of them as newborns in which Glenn is the huge one.  Things have changed.

Bennett, Hannah, Kimberly and Theo

 Kimberly holding Theo.  She is a few weeks younger than Maxwell.

Lily was so happy to have some girls to play with.

Max and Kimberly

Cory and Heidi's yard is like a park to my kids.

Harrison and Caden.  Caden was born the day after Harrison, and was also a preemie.  He's caught up to Harrison now.

Lily, Kimberly and Harrison.

All of Cory and Heidi's family came over that evening for dessert, and a visit.  I was bummed that we didn't have more time.

Day 14 - 

We woke up early to drive home to Oregon!!!!!
Our daddy was so happy to see us!
The kids did great, and we made great time.

Driving along the Columbia River headed into the Gorge.

Max bringing in a suitcase.

Family Vacation - Not for the Faint of Heart

A Continuation of our awesome trip....

Day 3 - 

We woke up after a good night's rest and went right over and visited my brother and his family.  My kids came in the door and my 5 year old nephew Jake exclaimed, "HI! I'm Jake!"  (My kids all know him fairly well, so it was funny.)  My sister Paige pointed at Lily, who happened to be right there, and asked, "Hey, Jake who is this?"  And Jake said, "Uh, BROOKE!"  HAHAHA!!!

Brooke is my sister who lives in Australia and visited this last Christmas.  

Theo was happy to meet Aunt Kristin.  She is very pregnant with his cousin Jude right now.  She is also a Labor and Delivery Nurse so she is real good with the babies.

I really cannot remember at all what else we did on day 3! I do remember feeling exhausted! I know that we went swimming, and I got lost driving around South Denver area a few times.  I cried because I was so lost, and I was so tired!  I realized that it would take me a few days to recover from the drive down.

Jason flew in that night to meet us.  Theo and I got to go all by ourselves to pick him up.  I was so excited! 

We slept at my brother's house that night.

Day 4 -
The boys were so excited to wake up, and find that daddy was here now!  Lily and Max had slept at my parents house.
I love Harrison and Theo lovingly gazing at each other in this photo.

Isaac and Kristin made us some amazingly delicious Gingerbread Waffles.  I cannot wait to make them and share them with everyone I know!

We then loaded up and went to my parents place of work.
 (Again, my mom took tons of pictures, but they didn't upload properly to my laptop... sad...)

My dad and brother own Rocky Mountain Pet Cremation.

Yes, we hung out that morning at a pet crematorium.

Jason and Isaac helped my dad unload a truck load of "you know what's" while my mom worked, the kids ran around, and I was sick to my stomach.  I think that the sweeter than normal breakfast, extreme heat and major lack of sleep worked together to make me feel super sick.  Not fun.

I did get a few pictures taken of some of the cool decor my mom has done in the front reception area.
She had several of her favorite snapshots of our family with some of our favorite pets printed on large canvases and hung.  This arrangement has Lily with Sergio one of our Newfoundland's.  My family got him when I was 17.  

This is cool and exciting.  My sister Kylie, who is a starving artist going to art school in Manhattan, has an advertisement here to do ink drawings for pet owners.  These two examples that she drew were so amazing!

 I'm hoping she will do one for us of Karl, and maybe one of our beloved Cat Rudy who passed away 2 years ago.  (Kylie, if you read this... hint hint...)

I was feeling just too sick, and I was getting worse.  I couldn't stay there any longer.

We loaded all the kids up and went to a really fun splash park.
 

 Bennett played so hard, and was so tired.  He took a lot of naps in the van between activities.

  The splash park was really amazing, but very crowded.
We stayed for a bit, then left to go swimming at one of Isaac's TWO neighborhood pools!  

(Life can be so unfair!)

Growing up, I was part of a "Swimming" family.  Almost all of us were involved in water sports.  Our whole Summer, and even most of the winter, was spent at the pool.  My dad was a swimmer and diver when he was young, and most of us inherited this from him.  My brother Isaac, just 15 months younger than I, was on swim team with me.  Also, he was on the diving team, and I was on a synchronized swimming team.
Yes, that's right, I got some moves. Hahaha.... At least I used to. I had fun showing off a little bit for Lily.  I would really love to get back in shape enough to really do some of the stuff I used to.  I really love being in the water.

One of the funnest moments of the whole trip for me was on this day when Isaac, Paige and I had a diving contest.  Jason, Kristin and all the kids were judges.  I knew that I wouldn't win, but I still had fun.  Isaac and Paige have some great dives in their repertoire.  I never did diving competitively, just for fun, though I can take off from a starting block, and I got a great flip turn. I had fun trying to teach Glenn how to do a flip turn.

I have no pictures of the diving contest because Jason and Kris were in the water with the kids, and the other adults were involved in the contest.  I really can't say who one.  Isaac and Paige did great!  Even the life guards on duty got into it.  They were really cheering after Paige did a great inward dive.

Jason is quite the opposite - he hates the water, and does not swim well at all.  Here he is with Bennett.
I love how Bennett has his eyes squinted shut.

 Jason helping Harrison while Max watches.

 

Bennett attached to Paige.

Paige and Bennett, Harrison and Jason, Isaac and Jake

One thing that my kids LOVE about being at my parents is that they have THREE cats!
After swimming all afternoon Max was lucky to receive the affections of the most elusive feline in the household.  His name isn't Little Ghost, aka LG, for nothing.

Day 5 - 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GLENN!!!!

We now have a teenager!

Two years ago when we came to visit Isaac and Kristin we made a trip to the Denver Zoo.  My boys have talked about it often ever since.  Glenn has been dying to go back.  It was a perfect way to celebrate his birthday.  

The day was by far the most stressful day of our whole vacation!
Here's a quick rundown of all the stressful hubbub.

 It was Extremely HOT!

We forgot our previously purchased zoo passes at the house.

Our cell phones were shut off due to a miscommunication between Jason and I before we had left town.
We couldn't call my mom and brother and everyone, who were waiting at the zoo, to tell them we had to go back for the passes.

Too many people, too many kids!

Trying coordinate.

Got our phones back on.

Jason and I argued way too much about everything. 

Getting more lost around Denver, hence the arguing.

The younger kids crying and upset over where we ate.

Making it really late to meet everyone to eat because....

We had been LOST and ARGUING!

In the HEAT!!!

UGH!

There is probably more that I don't remember.  I say, let's keep it that way!

I was sure that it was the worse birthday that any of our kids had ever had.   

I had told my mom how bad I felt about all of mine and Jason's arguing in the car with the kids there.  She asked the kids, "Did your mom and dad fight and argue in the van a lot today?"  They all stared at her like they had no idea what she was talking about.  Glenn finally answered with a slow and shy, "Noooo..."
It is an awful memory for us, but a great one for the kids.  Maybe we did something right that day after all.

Birthday Boy - Does he look older?

The Denver Zoo has a new Elephant Sanctuary.  It is a really awesome exhibit and set up.  We had a lot of fun playing there.

There is a really great aquarium and reptile area.  They have a lot more of this stuff than the Portland Zoo does.  Here's Jake, Harrison and Bennett looking at some BIG fish.

This is the first zoo trip that Bennett can remember.  He was really into it!  He excitedly pointed at every animal he saw.  We did borrow one of Kristin's double stroller's, but neither Bennett or Theo were in it much.  Mostly the five year old's fought over it.  So funny.

Bennett is really attached to Lily.  This is a very good situation for me.

Theo did OK, but he would've rather stayed at air conditioned Grandma's House.

The Denver Zoo has two new PLAYFUL Tiger Cubs. They were a blast to watch!

Glenn and a sea horse.

Paige, Theo and Lily

Glenn, Max and Harrison

Paige stayed at the zoo a little longer with Glenn, Lily and Maxwell.  She then took them out for milkshakes on the way to Cafe Rio as a fun surprise for Glenn.  I think their tummy's hurt later after all that goodness.
Paige also had fun playing with the older kids and the big bear.

Denver has a Cafe Rio.  It is a really yummy Mexican place with homemade tortilla's and amazing Pork Barbacoa.  If you ever run across one, EAT THERE!  YUM!

I was SO excited that this is where Glenn wanted to eat for his birthday!

When we got home Paige and my mom weren't feeling well so they went to lay down in my mom's room.  Bennett grabbed a snack and joined them.

After such a long day at the zoo the kids went swimming, and then realized they were exhausted.  They came in and watched a movie or two, had dinner and went to bed.  Lily stayed up with us, and Glenn left with my parents.

Bennett loving Theo

At this point I was feeling so horribly bad about Glenn having the worse birthday ever!  Just add it to my list of negativity above.

That night my parents needed to run up to the shop. (Shop is *code* for crematorium)  They took Glenn with them.  I felt so bad about that.  Making Glenn go to the 'shop' on his birthday to work with grandpa burning dead pets.  I am a horrible mother!

This is my mother's account of what happened.

She went back at one point to find Glenn with work gloves on, his face beaming.  He mentioned how excited he was to tell his friends, "They are never going to believe this!" he said.

After working they stopped to get cones, and a couple things of ice cream to bring home.  As they were coming in Jason and Lily were heading out to the hot tub.  Glenn quickly changed into his suit to join them.  When they came in we had ice cream.  Glenn told my mom that it was by far his best birthday ever.  It just goes to show that kids can be oblivious to all the adult stresses happening around them.

Glenn and Lily cuddled with dad watching a movie after the hot tub and ice cream.
A perfect night.

Day 6 - 

After being there for almost a week we decided it was time to do some serious grocery shopping.

Paige, mom, Theo, Bennett and I went shopping while Jason stayed and went swimming with the older kids.

Theo got fussy so Grandma carried him for awhile.

Paige got Bennett this Horsey while we were out and about.  He is very attached to it.  I have used it to my advantage.  For example on the long drive back to Oregon, when he would start his screaming I would ask, "Do you want me to take your horsey?"  He would say, "No." and stop screaming.  He held it on his lap all the way from Denver to Oregon.

He came home that day after grocery shopping, and took a nap with it.  He has slept with it every night since.

I stayed in and read and/or nursed Theo a lot on this vacation.  While everyone else was out in the heat, usually swimming, I was inside cuddling with the baby and a book.  That was my favorite part of this trip.

Over the two weeks we were there Theo really developed a good ability to giggle.

That night we went to Isaac's house for a barbecue.

At this point all the kids were sunburned and tired and cranky.
Lily especially was having attitude problems.  She was kinda tired of having NO girls to play with....
to the point where she refused to brush her hair.  I don't know how that was supposed to help.

The little boys table.
Bennett, Harry and Jake

                I think Paige made Lily feel better.  These two spent tons of time together on this trip.

Maxwell in the house!

Bennett with Isaac grilling in the back ground.

Grandma with Bennett and Theo

The kids all had a blast on the trampoline.
Lily and James

Jimmer, Harry and Jakey

After dinner I took Lily and the little boys back to my mom's house for bed.  Glenn and Max stayed at Isaac's with everyone else.  After I got the little ones settled, and Lily watching a movie, I went back to Isaac's for a classic Alldredge Family Game night.

Right after I left Jason texted me this picture of Sunburned Max conked out.

I had my porta-crib set up at my mom's, and Kristin had one at their house so that whose ever house we were at I could lay Bennett down.
Theo slept in this laundry basket.  He really liked it.

To Be Continued......