Playing, Packing, & Picnicing

Last week I took the kids on an adventure.  Well at least it was an adventure for me!  I drove 4 hours North to my brother's house in NC.  Did you read that little word there? "I"  So maybe some of you don't think it is a big deal to go away from home with four children ages 6 and under  with one adult, but I was a little nervous about it.  I mean, what if I got a flat tire or Annalyn had a major blow out?  Good thing I don't live by the "what ifs", because I would have never gone! So here is a little window into what went on during the week when the Mansell cousins and the Appel cousins got together.  I'm sure the grandmothers are going to love this post!!!

Oh~and before I go on, I would like to say a big Thank you to my darling hubby who stayed home to work and repaint our bedroom. More on that subject to come!

I tried to capture the trip with some photos. Now I didn't get every moment; like trying to get 6 kids to quickly and quietly sit down at the table and eat lunch, or getting 3 adults and 7 kids ready on time in the morning to meet up with friends for a picnic, or even the conversations between two adorable 4 year old cousins who have a serious Love/Hate relationship. But I did try and get a few shots of what our little trip was like.

Hope you enjoy!

Annalyn's spot for the trip.  She did great on the way to NC, but the way back she decided she had quite enough of this little cramped spot and she screamed for about 45 minutes!

Here is a shot of some life sanity saving people! Our dear friends and adopted grandparents from church were headed the same way on Monday morning so they graciously stopped at the same rest area with us so that I could feed the baby and use the rest room without having to worry about the older three kids jumping into this very pretty lake.

Finally after a four, better yet, make that five hour trip, we arrived!! Praise the Lord with no mishaps or melt downs too. Not even the kids had a melt down!  

Notice my little friend in the window? Yes, a GPS is a must have in my opinion!

Emma was my big helper during the week. She loved to hold, talk, and sing to Annalyn.  Even when Emma rode in the car with us she would just sit and sing to the baby.

Alyssia was in girl paradise the whole time as my brother has three girls and LOTS of girly toys! 

DOLLS, PURSES, BARBIES, SHOES, DRESS UP, JEWELRY. . . You name it, they got it!

This is my youngest niece Makayla. Isn't she a cutie!

My brother is an inventor at heart. Check out some of his other creations here.
This right here is a 'custom' built "spray park". See that little red and yellow thing? It shoots water out and spins at the same time. Then there are two slides and a kiddie pool to splash into. The kids had fun getting wet and splashing each other.

Eventually they tired of getting wet and decided to try racing each other by foot and on mini four wheelerish things down the hill behind the house.

Even my brother, Richard got involved.
He is definitely still a kid at heart and I believe he always will be!

My little man who thinks knows he is super cute!

One main reason why I went to my brothers, other then the part that I miss my family, the cousins wanted to play with each other, our house was finally getting fixed from storm damage, my darlying hubby wanted to paint our bedroom for me, and I was just crazy enough to want a road trip, was to help Angie pack for their move to Virginia.

Word of advice: If your kids are ever bored, drive down to the nearest convenience store and ask for some boxes. Your kids will be happy for hours. Throw in a few blankets, pillows, and some crayons and they will be in heaven!

So while Angie and I packed, and packed, and packed, and packed some more boxes, Jason and Kayla made up their spots for taking a nap. Don't they look so cute, cuddly, and quiet? OK, so quiet doesn't start with a C, but it has a "k" sound!

The older four enjoyed pretending by  making tunnels, tents, and turtle shells too!

While we didn't get the whole house packed up before I left, we did get off to a good start.  There were stacks of packed boxes in every room before I left. I was happy to help, but makes me thankful that I am NOT packing to move anytime soon.

But we couldn't have all work and no play right? So off to the mall play area we went!  Two moms and seven kids, I think some thought we were bringing a day care to play at the mall!

Can you tell that being 'hams' runs in the family?

Emma and Lyssie's relationship is very unique. I do pray that some day they will become best of friends.

Now Abigail and Jacob are best of friends and love spending every available minute together.

After playing for about an hour we had to stick to Mansell tradition and get some ice cream before heading home.  Notice who they each chose to sit with? 

On our third day in NC, we packed a picnic and drove over to a park in Gastonia where there is a Real 'spray ground'. We met up with some old college buddies and had a wonderful time. One of my favorite bloggers was there too! Renee from Living, Laughing, and Loving.

We finally managed to get a couple good group shots of the seven cousins too. 

And of course they had to do a 'crazy' one!

And here is a little special message for their grandparents!

Before the kids and I headed home we stopped by our favorite food joint.

Chick-fil-A

The cow was even nice enough to make an appearance, to which the kids were thrilled about!

Annalyn bonding with her aunt!

The Mansell and Appel cuties!

   I have truly been blessed by  having my brother live only four hours away for the past four years. I am thankful for the Lord leading them to an assistant pastors position in VA, but I will miss our 'last minute get togethers' we have been able to enjoy periodically since our move to GA four years ago.  I don't think I will be doing an eight hour trip by myself anytime soon either.

I will leave you with this funny story.  When it was time to leave CFA, Angie took Makayla to the restroom, so Richard and I walked out to the vans with the other six children.  At the same time a father and his five-year-oldish son were walking into the store.  We over heard the boy say, "daddy that sure is a really big family!"  

Praise God for family!