Julie Barb is our niece. She and her husband, Scott are going on a cruise with Julie's parents (Mark's brother, Kevin and his wife Shauna) and the siblings and their spouses (no kids). Over a year ago, Julie asked me if we would watch her four kids while she and Scott went on the cruise.
We were thrilled to be able to help and and have these adorable kids come stay with us. As time went by ... I accepted a full-time job ... Jessica got engaged and life goes on ...
Well, ironically the day the Barb's arrive in Louisville is the same day Jessica and Tate arrive in Louisville. Jessica and Tate arrived around 3:00 PM while Julie and Scott (and kids) arrived around 10:30 PM.
Mark was home, while I had taken Jessica, Tate, Robert, and Marissa to see "Inside Out" (the new Disney movie). Everyone was asleep by the time we got there.
We had all the kids set up to sleep in the basement: Mallory and Preston on mattresses, Tanner and Logan on the coaches. Julie and Scott were in Marissa's room, and Jessica and Tate were in Robert's room.
It was crazy but Marissa was in Jessica's room for the week and Robert was on the floor in our room (because he didn't want to sleep down in the guest room in the basement).
The next day Scott and Julie left for the airport around 5:30 am. We woke much later and took everyone to church. The older twins, Tanner and Logan gave the people in Primary different names - really!!! After church we had a delicious dinner outside - the weather was great.
MONDAY: Jessica and Tate left early in the morning traveling to Michigan, Buffalo and Niagara Falls. (Lucky). We were going to take the kids to the zoo today, but the weather didn't cooperate. I went to work while Mark worked from home. The main babysitting fell on Robert and Marissa - but it didn't feel like babysitting because we just played games (inside and outside) with cousins! What a great way to spend the day!
TUESDAY: Today we took the kids to the zoo! They had a blast (and we did too).
WEDNESDAY: Today was more of a day at home. The kids played all sorts of games around the house. Volleyball, badminton, croquet, cards, Wii, ping pong, etc. I set up the doll house and some toys for the kids, but they didn't touch them. Mallory really warmed up after going to the zoo yesterday and she started eating better too.
THURSDAY: Today we took the kids to the Buckner Aquatic Center. We were there for a good 4 hours. Everyone had a great time, and best of all - no one got a sun burn.
FRIDAY: Today we had family (and kid) photos at the temple at 1:30 - they did great. Then they went back to the house and Betsy went to decorate the Glen Oaks Club House. The kids played with Robert and Marissa - they love card games and the Wii. At 5:00 everyone got ready for the reception. Betsy had Mark take the kids to McDonalds for food - and to get them out of the way (shh). Jessica and Tate went to the reception early for pictures. By this time it decided to POOR RAIN!!!! Luckily Mark and the kids got to the reception just in time. They were great at the reception. We brought videos for them to watch and kept the video player in a private room off of the main reception hall. Everything went great.
SATURDAY: Rain, Rain, Rain. More rain. Today I was going to take everyone to the pool again but we couldn't. The kids helped with some chores. We did a lot of laundry and cleaning up. That evening Robert babysat while Jessica and Tate went with Mark and I to Jenny Orr's wedding open house.
SUNDAY: This was the craziest day. Today is Father's Day, but Mark had to attend a morning meeting so we didn't get to do a special breakfast for him. I had to take Jessica and Tate to the airport while Marissa and Robert took the kids to church in the van. They were at church when Tanner went to the bathroom. When he didn't come back, Marissa sent Logan to find him. Tanner had thrown up in the bathroom and was laying on the couch in the foyer. Marissa called me and I told her to take him home and I'd meet her there. Once outside, Tanner threw up again (a lot). Robert stayed with the other kids to take care of them. I met Marissa at the house. She went back to church to teach the lesson I was supposed to teach in Primary (CRAZY!!!) and I stayed with Tanner. Tanner seemed fine after he got home and slept. I gave him some bread and he was able to keep it down. I think he just had a migraine! Poor guy.
It's sad not having Jessica and Tate around. We had so much fun with them.
That night we had a super fun time playing croquet and badminton. It was out last night with the kids. We also played Skyhene. They love that game. Everyone packed up - Betsy made sure everyone had everything that was their's so nothing would get left behind. It's been such a fun week.
Scott and Julie arrived late - like 1:00 am Betsy stayed up and talked with them for over an hour. We had so much to catch up on and share with them about the week.
MONDAY: Mark went to work, Betsy went to work. I felt so bad but we weren't there to say goodbye.
