Cousin Camp Day 1

I decided to host Cousin Camp at my house this week.  I don't know why.  Call me crazy.  At least I limited it to the kids that are close in age to my kids.  The kids have 14 cousins on my side ranging in age from 22 to 4.  I don't think I could wrangle and entertain such a diverse group!

Our craft to day was Cousin Camp pillow cases.  They were a hit.  I just used Office Depot iron ons to make the transfers, and had the kids color them before we ironed them in place.  I have no idea how well they will hold up in the long run, but in the short run, they were thrilled.

"But Auntie Gina, I didn't bring a pillow.  I brought a pillow PET."

"Well, let's stick your pillow pet in the pillow case."

"Oh.  OK.  Hey!  He has a sleeping bag, too, now!"

 All the cousins posing for a group shot.

 Tent mates in the younger boy tent

 The girls in the girl tent.

 The older boys in their tent.  Let me assure you that the baby did NOT get to sleep there.

 If I close my eyes then I can't hear you....

The Camp director's Cabin (AKA: The play house)  I dragged a twin bed down there.


Running off our s'mores.
Sharks and Minnows

Red Light, Green Light.

Now, all the tents are blissfully quiet.

Family Camp Out III

One of the most fun group activities was going a town swimming pool.   They had a little water slide and a diving board, a shallow pool for the kiddies, and a regularly deep pool for the bigger and biggest kiddies.

And I realize that even though this was a group activity, I only have pictures of my kids.  I guess I just like them best.           Or, I'm just not very good at thinking outside the photo box.

This was the day that Jesse was sick.  Every time he got vertical, he puked.  Either that, or he only got vertical because he had to puke.  Either way, we left him at the campground with his dad and sleeping baby brother.  He was feeling much better the next day.  I think it must have been a mixture of exhaustion (only home long enough from a vacation with his friend to repack and go camping with us) and heat exhaustion.  I kept him supplied with gatoraid, and he was up the next day.

Sebastian took a bunch of guys on a morning white water run down the river, and took a second bunch on a run in the afternoon when we got back.

And a great time was had by all.

Family Camp Out II

Friday morning we took a hike with a group of church friends.

I just want to put a disclaimer that these pictures were taken solely by my children.

 I am not sure why my son felt compelled to take there less than flattering pictures of me, but, here they are for posterity.

Group shot.  I do not know why I am not in it, but let me assure you that I hiked all the way to the top.

 Overlooking the town below

Trying out nifty camera features.  Like I said, My kids took all the pictures, so I still have no idea how this works- but it does.

Family Camp Out

At the end of June we did something new.  We went on the church family camp out.  The camp out was held on the warm side of the state, and the church got their own section of the camp ground.  It was nice because we didn't have to worry about disturbing anyone else, and we also knew that wherever the kids were playing, they were close by and with other kids we knew.  AND (and, this is a big one), we got to know some families a lot better.  MUCH better, and for that, I am grateful.  So, here are some pictures for you to enjoy of our kids at the camp out.

June 29, 2012

Stupid People and Margaritas

When I walk through the store or down the street, I draw stares.  Not that I am stare worthy, more that my entourage is large.  LARGE.

I have 6 kids ranging from taller than me to sitting on my hip.  And, if that wasn't enough, they have friends.  Sometimes I am that crazy lady with 12 kids in her yard, and only half of them can go home.

People used to say the stupidest things.
Things like,"Do you know what causes that?"


So, here is a list of stupid things people have actually said, and the answers I wish I could give them.


How many kids are you planning to have?
Well, I'm only planning to have 2.  I'm just trying to figure out which ones I like the best before I kill the rest.  It would be a pity to find out down the road that I killed the wrong ones.


Do you know what causes that?
No.  Would you mind telling me?


You must be a saint.
Nope.  Just really horny.


What about adoption?  Don't you know there are starving people all over the world?
Have you looked in the mirror lately?  Maybe you should sent them some of your food.
(Besides, one of my children does not share my biology- I just can't remember which one.)


Are you Mormon/ Catholic?
Yes.  You should see how many kids my sister wives have!
Yes.  Tell the Pope I want birth control, PLEASE!


Don't you feel selfish with that many kids when there are people who cannot have any?
Believe me, they can come get some....


People tend to keep their stupid comments to themselves more as the kids get older.  I'm not sure if they think we are all just hanging out together, if they think I am the babysitter, or if they have figured that the girl with 6 kids, extras, and a bottle of tequila and margarita mix just should not be messed with.

I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly.
Winston Churchill

8th place