How Four Became Six

In college we became the Fab Four, always up to something together and it was always fun. We (pictured above: me, Carrie, Gina, and Sarah) have had many adventures together over the years despite how different we all are as individuals. One of the most interesting things about us as a group is that on pretty much any attribute or opinion we end up in the same order:  Carrie, Colleen, Gina, Sarah. So it is no surprise to me that with kids we should end up in the same way. Carrie has three, I have two , Gina has one and Sarah is quite happy to have zero. Above is a picture of the four of us back in the day and then the six kids last weekend when we got them all together in Entiat.


We have Kaden (6), Atticus (2), McKenzie (3), Ben (1), Mikelle (4) and Halle (2) Quite the crew for a weekend of fun.

We were feeling a little bad that our kids don't really get to spend much time together so we decided a weekend away was in order. Gina graciously offered up her family vacation house in Entiat so we jumped at the chance. We were semi camping since they have a great kitchen, living room, bathroom but are lacking in room to sleep the numbers we had so our family and Carrie's set up our tents in the grass. Sleeping was a little rough for everyone since most of the kids are used to sleeping alone and in dark rooms but in the end everyone did sleep.

One of the best things about Gina's house is how close it is to the water, you just walk out the back door and down a grassy area to Lake Entiat. Here I am with Halle, Ben, McKenzie and Kaden playing in the water. The kids loved to be able to run right into the water.


Miss Halle deciding who to throw her water balloon at.


Being right on the water you get quite a view of the lake and the surrounding hills.  It was amazing to watch the sunrise in the morning. Lucky for me McKenzie got me up in time for that the first morning.


We also spend quite a bit of time in the community pool that is part of Gina's neighborhood. Such a great set up to enjoy the sunny weather with kids.  Here are Mikelle, Kaden, Carrie, Gina, Atticus and Matt in the pool. Of the six kids we had three who were able to swim around in the water on their own. Kaden is a fish swimming and jumping in all on his own, Mikelle and McKenzie can swim all over with floats and then Halle, Atticus and Ben are all like crazy monkeys clinging to whatever adult would take them in.


Atti is thinking about going in the water.


At the pool we had some chips on the table.  It was very clear the kids aren't allowed unlimited access to food let alone chips.  They were making stops at the chip table between all other activities. Here's McKenzie with the evidence of her Cheetos habit all over her hands and face.


Super serious Mikelle.  She is so tired she crashed on the couch with all the other kids running and screaming around her.


The favorite activity for the kids besides all the water was jumping on the airbeds in the tents.  That kept them entertained for quite a while. Here's Kaden resiting the temptation to jump on McKenzie and Halle. He was such a good sport with all the little ones around.


It was so fun to get to know all the kids better and to spend some time with the girls. I was glad Carrie and Gina got to see first hand how busy Ben is.  They called him the CIA baby because he was so silent and fast when he made his moves to escape. Here he is showing off for the crowd, just being his usual cute self.


We all had a great time and are planning already for next year when all the kids will be one year older.  Next year we'll have to talk Sarah into joining us, if only so she can appreciate her no kid status even more.