Outnumbered

Last weekend we spontaneously met up with the Burns and Taylor families. We had been trying to get back to Pigeon Forge like we did in 2012 when the babies were 3 months old, but that just wasn't panning out. And then Abby was able to reserve a lake house on Herrington Lake, just south of Lexington, for the weekend. Best part? It was FREE! How? Well, the lake house is owned by the in-laws of the youth pastor at the church Abby works/attends (I think this is the right connection). And these people are so gracious to have let us stay there for the weekend. To say the house is gorgeous is an understatement. It was perfect, and right on the lake so the views were stunning. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and enjoyed the time spent with good friends. We didn't leave the house and basically unplugged for the weekend. We took turns cooking and cleaning, played games once the kids were in bed, did puzzles, colored, played, painted fingernails, had dance parties...and just relaxed. The grown-ups stayed up way too late each night playing games, drinking wine, eating junk, complaining of the new wrinkles under our eyes and reminiscing of the days before kids. The seven kids, ranging in age from 18 months to 6 years old, were so so good and memories were made for them too (well, at least the older kids). We let the 4 "big kids" sleep by themselves in a room in the basement...and they had so much fun with that! We took a ton of pictures but neglected to get any of the big kids' room set-up. They really enjoyed it and us adults got a good laugh at their antics when we closed the door. We had three monitors set up so we could spy on them, and they were hilarious. We took turns "regulating" and threatening bottom pops when they wouldn't lay down and go to sleep, but really they all did great and even napped down there together! :)

OK, so on with the pics...there are a million. But they are all important to me...and rather than break this up into several posts they are all here.

On our way to see "our friends" (as Keagan would say). They look super happy here...and Keagan is a trooper, the best little traveler. But shortly after this picture was taken Finn started screaming. And he screamed the whole way there. Sheesh. By the time we got to the lake house Josh and I were frazzled.

Our first morning there. Seven babes around a big round table. We eventually moved the big girls to the bar so the adults could have a place to eat, but this was how our weekend started. And our marveling at how much our lives have changed started when we saw all our babies 'round this table...

Puzzles with "uncle" Joshie.

Candy Land with the big kids.

The babies LOVED the trains!

Greyson was pretty much obsessed with the choo-choos! He seemed to always have two in his hands. This picture makes me laugh because he looks like he's doing yoga!

Checking out the girlie hair and beauty set.

This picture has many elements. First off, Kennedy's hair is amazing. :) And then Finn and Grey standing side-by-side...you can see what a beast Finley is! They are the same age!!

Trying to do the world's hardest puzzle. We made some headway but never finished it. Plus, it was fr-fr-freezing down in the basement where the puzzle was! I could only stand to be down there a little bit.

One day we bundled the kids up and walked down to the lake to throw stones. Let me just tell you, it was so super cold it was painful. I think about 20 degrees and windy. It was horrible. The temperature, not the activity. Despite the horrid wind, the kids really enjoyed themselves. Here's the front of the house. The back of the house is down a little ways.

Kennedy found an old fishing pole.

This picture is from the day before we got there. Kennedy is channeling her inner Roosevelt. "Speak softly and carry a big stick..."

Toddler dance party in the foyer! (my! how our Saturday nights have changed...)

Group bath time...we were missing a few kids though!

Happy to see each other! I think one of these kiddos had just woken up from a nap (likely Adalyn...she's a good sleeper! My kids are not.)

Coloring! (unless you are Finn, then it is eating.)

Beauty shop. Abby, I love that look!

Football on Sunday. Well, Kinda... (it must be so hard being a guy.)

Stunning.

Finley found a book and his booster seat. He is in heaven.

Watching Dora on the computer...veg'd out?

Bump-it sisters. Ha! ok, inside joke...Lindsy taught me how to elevate my hair with a teasing brush. so this is the close-up of my first try. (Tim took this picture, ultra-zoomed in.)

Our Triplets (Cayden, Finley, Greyson), in order of appearance. Grey was such a cheeser throughout this whole photo shoot. Super sweet!!

Our sweet boys are no longer babies. They are toddlers. What?!!! They are all nearly 18 months old here. It is crazy how time flies...

And then the "big kids." This can also be interpreted as "Keagan. The Ladies Man." (but you gotta say "ladies" with a lisp.)

All our children. Cayden was not thrilled. And Finn and Grey are a bit concerned about him.

Check out the personality in this picture. So cute!

And a decent shot of all the kiddos, looking at the camera (!), in birth order. Kennedy, Keagan, Adalyn, Avery, Cayden, Finley, Greyson.

Triplet mommas. A look down memory lane. This adventure couldn't have been more scripted by God...the three of us were friends before babies, but our friendship is now so much deeper. Being pregnant all together, with due dates nearly the same day, and then having our 3 boys within 2 weeks time....it is so much fun. And even more fun to watch them grow and develop into their own little people. I love that we text and share milestones and use each other as sounding boards...but I love even more that we are eternally connected despite the miles between us all!

29 Weeks preggers with the triplets (May 2012)



Triplets - 3 months old (November 2012)

Triplets - 11 months old (June 2013)

AND NOW!!!

Just girls?! It feels kind of naked not having any little people around! :)

The whole gang...adults are outnumbered by one, thanks to the Taylor crew! :)

Fireplace s'mores. And vino. This is the kinda stuff that happens when the kids go to bed.

On our last morning, Linds took my camera out to get a shot of the sunrise...it was too cold for me so I manned the kids. ;) But she got some gorgeous shots from the back porch.

The last sleepy morning of cartoons with his friends, snuggled under blankets. Keagan was so very upset to leave. And he said we'd be going back in "three days." I wish! It was hard to say good-bye. But we know it will happen again, so it was less of a "good-bye" and more of a "can't wait to do this again!"