We got up at 3 in the morning and took off for Arkansas. The boys slept for a good amount of time that morning and then we stopped for gas and bathroom breaks. Kayden stayed dry went potty in the toilet at the gas station. We then made it to a spot in Kansas to get some lunch at Firehouse before making it all the way to our destination.
The boys were really excited that we had finally made it to their cousins house and were able to get out of the car.
It was hot a humid and I was loving it!! Even the boys said they liked the humidity.
As soon as we arrived the boys were off to playing with their cousins. The kids had fun playing with their bow and arrow stuff and other things that were outside and or inside the house. The rest of the time we were there we went on bike rides, played in water, played on screens, games, water balloons and other things. It was a busy but good week!
Brandon brought his BB guns so we could shoot cans in John and Coya's backyard. The kids loved shooting the gun.
Bike riding at Coler State Park.
We got up and had a quick breakfast, packed up the bikes and we were off to go do some mountain biking.
It was a really fun area. There was a lot of shade which was nice with how hot it was. We were sweating buckets by the time we were done. Emmett was having a rough morning with the bike ride. He was not wanting to go up or down hills and while we were taking the trail to a specific spot that we were told to check out, Emmett was not handling things really well. Brandon's mom decided to take Emmett back down and go check out easier trails. She was so nice to do that and let me join the boys to go check out the top trail we were trying to get to. One the way up we kept running into lots of knats. Wyatt kept getting little bugs in his eyes which was no fun for him. However, we finally made it to the top and enjoyed the trail back down. It was a lot of fun. Then we did a trail that was right near the front of the park. The kids loved that one. It was pretty rough going up the hill but the trail going down was really fun. It was a fun morning of bike riding. Then it was time to leave. The kids were really hot and Kayden was done by 10. So we packed up the bikes and went to go get some drinks to help the boys cool off. We got them some slushees and then Brandon asked if I wanted a Birthday present early. So we drove around for a little while and came to what was supposed to be our destination. Sadly, what Brandon had searched for and got directions to was not there. He had tried to find me a soda place like swig. He found one but they were not open yet. He was so bummed that his surprise didn't work out. So we made our way to get soda's at a gas station. Then we headed back to the park to pick up Grandma and Grandpa since they had rented E-bikes. We picked them up and made our way back to the house to change and then go to lunch with the whole crew at an asian buffet!
Asian Buffet time!
The kids actually ate really well. I was not sure how they would do but they did good. Wyatt and Ethan were excited that they could have as many pot stickers as they wanted. haha After filling our stomachs, we were off to go home and cool off in the pool.
We played at their community pool for a little while and then headed home to clean up and play at the house before dinner.
Happy Birthday to me!!
Yes I had my birthday during the reunion I am now 34 years old. Brandon bought me a nice soft blanket that we used while we were at Coya's house. I also was given gift cards to Chick Fil A, Wendy's and Dairy Queen from the in-law siblings! It was so nice of them! I did not expect anything from them more than a Happy Birthday. So that was a pleasant surprise. Then Brandon took me out to get some breakfast.
Yummy bagel sandwich at Einstein Bros Bagels. I love their egg sandwiches. I was so glad Brandon was taking me there for breakfast and not something fancier.
Then we were off to the Rogers Aquatic Center.
The kids had a blast at the aquatic center. It was a really nice place. The other plus was that we got tickets for half price because we were a large group. So that was really nice. We made lunches for everyone and packed up and went to play in the water. We played for quite a few hours. Most of the slides had a height limit. Which was a bummer because Emmett really wanted to go on the slides but most of them were for taller kids. Eventually we saw smaller kids than Emmett going on the ones he wanted to go on. So we told him to just make sure he didn't have his floaties on and to go on the slides. He was able to go on the ones he wanted to and he was super happy after that. I spent most of my time following Kayden around. I did get the chance to go on a couple of slides while Brandon watched Kayden. Then before we knew it we were gathering up our stuff to head back to the house. I told Brandon not to worry about trying to get an ice cream cake for me this year since he would have to get a massive one. Plus he would have had to try and find a place to go get it. It was easier to just go get some ice cream instead. As we were about to leave the water park Ethan and Wyatt said they were staying because John said he would stay with the older kids. I told them I didn't want them to stay. I said it was my Birthday and I wanted to go get ice cream together as a family. When John asked why they couldn't stay I told him that exact thing and then he didn't ask again. I felt a little bad for being kind of bossy on my birthday. However, it was my birthday and I only get it one time a year. Brandon told me I shouldn't feel bad about it. He agreed that I should be able to be bossy on my birthday. haha So we packed up our stuff and went home.
Kayden was so beat that Brandon moved him from the car to this little chair and he stayed asleep. Kayden stayed asleep with kids screaming and running all around him. He was so tired!!
Trash Ice cream!!
We went to this place called Trash Ice Cream. I was a little bummed when we showed up and it looked like it was just a blizzard like place. However, the ice cream tasted so good!!!
I got a chocolate ice cream with almonds, kit kats and something else. However they blended it made it super tasty. I could have gotten a bigger size and enjoyed every bite. Brandon got vanilla with cheesecake pieces, fruity pebbles and strawberries or something like that and it was super good too. The boys were surprised how good it was and Ethan wanted to go back again another day. We never made it back and we was bummed. The next time we visit Arkansas we will have to get it a couple of times.
To end my birthday we ate Chick pot pie that Coya had already planned and already had made and in the freezer. Then the kids were off to bed and we watched "Grey Man". It may not have been exactly how I would have done my birthday but it turned out to be a fun day. Brandon tried to spoil me as best he could with us not being at home and with it being the reunion.
BB gun time!
The older kids were really enjoying Brandon's BB guns. In fact when it was time to put it all away and pack it back in the car Mady was bummed. haha
These cute kids!! They were getting along so well. It was fun to watch them playing together so well.
A little bit of Pickle ball.
We took off just after 7 one of the mornings to go play some pickle ball before it got too hot. Ethan woke up and wanted to come with us. The other boys did not want to. So Brandon and I took Ethan and Kayden and played for just a little bit. It was already getting pretty warm. So we were all sweaty after we got done playing. Once we were done playing Ethan and I walked home with Grandma.
Then we took off to go check out a different bike park. We were loading up the bikes and Pez said he wanted to come with us. He asked John and was given permission. So he came with us to this cool bike park.
Once we road around this bike park the boys didn't want to go back to the other one. They had so much fun that they wanted to keep riding. We rode for a while and then made them stop so we could go cool off and get drinks.
There were some fits thrown from some of the kids because they wanted to keep riding. Ethan was all sorts of mad because he wanted to keep riding around. Instead we got drinks and then rode down to the splash pad just down the street to really cool off.
It felt nice to get wet even if we were all in our clothes. It sure cooled us off.
The kids played in the park area a little bit after they were done getting wet and then we rode back to the car to pack up and go grab something to drink. We got a call as we were getting ready to leave that John was coming to grab Pez and take him to the childrens museum. We had heard that the rest of the crew were going to go to the museum. We didn't know how long they would be there and didn't care to spend 60 or more on an hour or so. However, we ended up buying a season pass because it works with our Fort Collins museum and then we made our way to go play at the museum with the rest of the crew.
Kayden was in heaven with this truck set up. I could have left him here for hours if there was no one else wanting to check it out. He loved it so much!
Ethan had a little fun but it was more geared towards little kids. The other kids enjoyed it a lot. John also went and picked up BBQ while we were at the museum and brought it back for everyone to eat. I would have preferred to go pick it up on our own so that we could have just bought what we knew we would eat. However, it did work out nicely so we could play a little longer without starving. The communication just was not there. I didn't even know it was happening until I saw Ty and Vandy heading over to the tables and asked what was going on. Anyways, then we were off to go back to the house and swim some more before dinner.
On Thursday morning we made our way back to the bike park for one last go around. This time we brought Pez and Decklyn with us.
The kids had a blast again. Kayden loves going down the hills and is a little daredevil. He is so cute and happy when he gets to be on Daddy's bike doing fun and crazy things. Decklyn and Pez had fun with it too. Ethan was bummed that we were not going to be able to go again. They were all in agreement that we needed to visit Arkansas again and bring our bikes. haha
The girls did makeup on Ethan and Wyatt. What goofballs.
Water balloon Volleyball.
Anytime we play with water balloons it always turns into a water balloon fight. I filled up an entire pack of balloons from Costco and they were gone in a matter of minutes. haha
Off to the Walmart Museum.
Kayden fell asleep on the way to the museum and stayed asleep on Brandon's shoulder for quite some time.
After walking around the museum we grabbed some tasty yet cheap ice cream from the museum's ice cream store.
We ate it outside by the water fountain and then made our way back home. It was our last day before heading back home. So we tried to have fun and pack up so we could be ready to leave early in the morning again.
This is what is looks like at the reunions with 15 kids in the picture. Trying to plate the kids dinner so they can just come and grab it. haha
One thing I did not get a picture of was when we went to lunch with just the adults. It was also Lee's birthday while we were in Arkansas. So we went out for an adults only lunch. It was fun to get away with just the adults for a little bit.
Ethan made this with his watermelon and wanted a picture of it so badly. haha
Grandma and Grandpa with all their Grandkids! What a cute bunch!!
To finish off the reunion we did a chalk wars on the drive way.
The kids had fun trying to draw something cool on the driveway. Especially since it was a competition. So there were prizes involved. The funniest thing about this was that at the end everyone got a prize. Wyatt said after, "So who won?" when I told him that everyone did he was bummed. He said that it was no fun when everyone wins. He was all, "What is the point of a competition if everyone wins?" haha At least I am pretty sure that is what he said. May not be the exact words. Then the kids were off to bed and us adults played a couple more games before Brandon and I were off to bed as well so we could get up really early and make the 12 hour drive home.
It was a chaotic, busy, hot and fun week.
Until next year Murri's!!
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