Castle Park

The kids love going to Castle Park. I think the real name is Adventureland or something like that. The kids dubbed it Castle Park a long time ago because of the big castle there. They had such a blast and it wasn't packed at all! Very weird considering it was a Saturday and nice weather. Right before we left, it got really hot but up until then, it was gorgeous. Everyone else must have been at the pool or on vacation.

Cleaning out the van

Today I didn't have to babysit anyone. Just had my 6 kiddos so I had some free time to clean out the van. Then Jasmine decided she wanted to help me. Then Jacob and James wanted to help as well. I figured that was a good thing since they are the ones that grubbed it up anyway! I got all the junk out and vacuumed it out. Then they hopped in, cleaned windows, cleaned the spots where lollipops had been stuck (but didn't belong to anyone ~ must be Bear's then) and found about 57 pennies. And people wonder why I wanted a used van when we had to get a new vehicle when I killed our last van...

Chillin' in Daddy's chair

Such a big girl sitting in Daddy's chair all by herself. I can't believe Jaylynn's such a big girl already!

Jenna and her baby

These two are inseparable. Don't mess with Jenna or you have to deal with Bear. Well Jenna is pretty mean herself but with him backing her up, forget it! Jamie and I gave up a LONG time ago trying to get him not to lick her in the face.

Family Vacation to Alabama ~ Day 6

Visit with Opa/Opie

Today was the reason that Jamie pushed me and the kids to come. Today isn't promised to anyone no matter what age you are but my Opa isn't doing great. While we all had a wonderfully fun-filled week, this was one of the main reasons for the visit. As I said earlier, the last time we saw my Oma and Opa, Jordan was a baby. Jamie and I learned two years ago that tomorrow isn't promised and you have to take advantage of being able to see those you love when you can. Dad took Jo, Boo and I, with Jaylynn, to see our Opa.

My Opa hasn't been doing good for awhile now. I wasn't sure what to expect going to see him. I was actually expecting much worse but as Dad and Uncle Frits told us, that this was an amazing visit. One that we are so fortunate to have had. Something I will cherish forever. I will be forever grateful to my parents and to Jamie for making sure that I got to tell my Opa that I loved him. Something Jamie wishes he would have gotten with his dad. Just one more time.

When we went in, Opa was in the kitchen area. He saw us and you could tell he knew we were there and who we were. Of course there were tears, even from Opa, which made more tears from the rest of us.



We then went to Opa's room. More tears and lots of recognition from Opa. He knew who we were and would smile then weep. It was heartwrenching and wonderful all at the same time. He couldn't take his eyes off of Jaylynn. Oma kept telling him that was his great-grandchild. I am grateful that Jordan got to see him again and Jasmine got to meet him. I wish all the kids could have but it would have just been too much.

Getting ready to take the picture, see how Opa is just staring at her. It wasn't a blank stare. He was just staring at Jaylynn.



When it was time to go, Jo went up to Opa first to give him a hug and a kiss and said I love you. Opa, very clearly said, I love you too. Then I went up and did the same. Opa again said I love you too. Boo did the same and again Opa responded. Such an amazing gift we were each given. I will cherish that moment forever.

Tomorrow isn't promised to any of us. Maybe we will get another visit with Opa. Maybe we won't. If we don't, I got to say good-bye. I got my hug and kiss.

When we got back from our visit, all the Missouri family was at the house to see us off. We had some lunch and finished loading up the van. Lots of hugs, kisses and attempts to steal my kids. Then we headed for Jo and Steve's house.

Family Vacation to Alabama ~ Day 5

Beach Time Again!

We had to get in another day at the beach. I really can't believe I'm saying that as I still hate sand but the kids LOVE it. The first day at the beach, I just kept thinking "Jamie should be seeing this." "Jamie should be enjoying this with them." The beach is totally Jamie's thing. He loves it. Every day I was adding pictures to Facebook so Jamie could see what we were doing. He saw one of the pictures of Jacob boogy boarding and couldn't look at anymore. He was just so sad he wasn't there. It just would have been so much better if Jamie could have been with us.

Anyway, back to the beach. Not all of the kids wanted to go on the beach initially. Some were still burnt from the first day on the beach. Mom and I decided we could hang out in the condo with Nana and take turns going down on the beach with the kids. Plus we figured they would change their minds and we didn't want to be stuck at the beach house with a crying kid who wanted to be on the beach. It was a good thing because they all ended up on the beach again. We made sure to thoroughly lotion them each up and reapply a lot. They had another great day.



I just want to know how Aunt Janice manages to go in the ocean, boogy board and still have perfect DRY hair???



Later on that evening, we went out to the beach again for pictures. Kylie's boyfriend, Steven, is a wonderful photographer and took all sorts of pictures of us. Me and the kids. Oma and Opa with their grandkids. Nana with her great grandbabies. And on and on. I haven't seen those yet as Steven has to process them and then I think we are getting them on disk. He did give us each a picture to take home with us. LOVE it! Again, just wish Jamie was a part of it.



THANK YOU STEVEN!!