Postcard From the Heartland

Dear Friends,

We're here in the heartland of America, enjoying some cooler weather (yet only a couple of degrees cooler this past week) and playing with our four older cousins.

We are having such a blast!  So far we have been to 2 splash pads and 1 pool, attended story time at the local library,

gone skinny slipping (I think Noah was the only one who actually went down the slip-n-slide in the buff), caught tadpoles in the pond,

took over the Children's Museum, went on a nature walk and climbed some rocks, picked strawberries or really ate strawberries from a strawberry patch,

had our first DQ cone and attended 2 parades with one more on the books for next week!

I'm pretty sure there's more but I'm so tired I can barely remember what we did just a day ago and without Daddy we have limited photos to document our activities.  Speaking of Daddy, we miss him terribly and can't wait for him to come back up here so we can drag him along on all of our adventures and actually get some proof we were there!   

Hope you are enjoying your summer and your family as much as we are!

Sending our love,

Mari, Cohen, Noah, Finn & Sophia

Father's Day Fun Times

Chris, I can never tell you enough what an awesome dad you are. You were made for this gig. You can (and do) run circles around me any day. You rarely grow tired and never lose your sense of humor. It's incredible to watch you with the kids and see the genuine delight you get from being with them - and them with you.  Happy Daddy's Day, sweetheart!  Thank you for all that you do for the entire family - we would be lost and so bored without you!

Daddies Are More Fun from Mari Goerlich on Vimeo.

Leaving On A Jet Plane

Don't know when we'll be back again....  

It's that time - our annual dose of complete insanity as Chris and I attempted to maneuver the Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport for a long visit with our family in the Heartland. This flying business is quite the challenge with four very energetic toddlers who still don't speak the same language as we do.  Try explaining to a 21-month-old strong willed little one that their shoes, blankets and wagons need to go through the security x-ray machine and we'll pick them up on the other side.  I was dragging a screaming crying bunch through the metal detector as fast as I could to try to show them that we were in fact getting their precious belongings back.  I must've been as red as their wagons while trying to nod a little thanks for understanding and yes, we hope we're not on your plane either to the passersby who were all giving me long looks of pure pity.  We made it through and managed to get everyones clothes back on and head to go get breakfast. Again we had a communication error where Cohen assumed Daddy had left us for bad behavior at the security gate and we were never going to eat again.  And again I turned a few shades of red as I tried to calm Cohen down while praying the half dozen customers in front of Chris were just ordering a cup of water. It was 3 minutes that felt like an hour but we got our breakfast and everyone was happy and ready to explore our terminal.  We let the kids run around a bit before boarding the plane in hopes they'd be tuckered out and ready to sit still.  

An Attempted Game of Ring Around The Tree Trunk

(Mommy, Cohen, Sophia, Noah - Finn was taking the Photo)

 

The games didn't quite prepare the whole bunch to sit still.  A few screams of protest that echoed throughout the plane were quickly translated as my little travel companions way of asking me to sit with Daddy instead.  So once we had those seating assignments rearranged were on our way and had quite a pleasant ride. 

Goofing Off

(Mommy & Sophia)

The layover was short but long enough for diaper changes and some lunch. By lunch I mean running around the terminal to finger paint a few chairs with the pizza we were trying to stuff in them before the next leg of the trip.  Once we were in the air we had a nice gift of four little nappers on that next two hour plane ride!  (Shout Out to Moni - Thank You!) We have never had so many compliments on how sweet and good our kids are as we did on that flight!  Thank goodness they didn't see them in Houston! 

Crusing In Style 

(Cohen)

My Sweet Snoozers!

(Finn, Daddy, Noah)

Cuddle Time in the Clouds

(Sophia & Mommy)

Traveling Together

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Friendships are some of the most precious gifts God gives to us.  He designed us to yearn for relationships. To need friendships. Friends to laugh with, grow (and shrink) with,  friends to help to guide us on the right path and pull us back over when we're headed down the wrong one.  When you find friends who will do just that they are truly a blessing like no other.  My girls, my quad momma sisters, I love you dearly!  I wish we lived much closer but am so very grateful for the time we are given together!  My boys, my quad papa brothers, you are so precious and so darn hysterical. What a joy it is to have all your jokes running through my head days after a weekend trip together!  I thank God daily for each of your friendships and truly feel so blessed to travel this journey He placed in our laps (or bellies, I should say) with each of you!

Mari, Chris, Conor, Gen, Jen, Brad, Suz & Joe

Suz, Gen, Mari &  Jen

Warning: Do Not Try This At Home

In a burst of ambition, or maybe it was temporary insanity, I decided to show the kids how to make chocolate chip cookies. We all gathered around the island and we baked Food Network style, with a play by play of what was going on.  It wasn't long until the play by play was just playing and flour was everywhere.  They kept getting into the dry ingredients bowl taking out the flour with the spoons I'd given them for when it was their turn to stir. So I thought, I'll just give them each their own little cup of flour and they can play with that and not the actual recipe.  It was hysterical. I told them "do not eat this, just play with it with your hands and spoons." As soon as I said that I turned around to get something and when I turned back everyone had little white beards from taking a big "drink" of the flour.  The laugh I got from that surprise was worth all the mess! Speaking of mess, it's been a few days since the cooking show and I still can't get all that flour cleaned up. This is definitely a project that should always be done at Grandma's house! 

Our Future Patissiers

"Mom, you should totally use this for teeth whitener, look it works!"

(Sophia)

Coco Sports A Distinguished Chefstache

"I'll take it from here..."

(Finn)

Even Jaz got in on getting floured!

Almost Done!

Aren't they beautiful, Grandma?