Beating the Heat

Escaping the heat in the middle of a Texas summer is sometimes difficult with 4 energetic tots. So far, this is what we have come up with:

Turn off all electricity except the AC so the energy bill won't be so bad.  Actually the electricity went out Sunday night for about 3 hours after a thunderstorm moved through.

(Mari trying to get through the fourth and final Twilight book...will it ever end?)

Cool the palate with a refreshing popsicle

Paint our toes.  Even the boys love it.

(Noah's blue piggies)

Watch the neighbors' lawn guys do their thing. 

 It's all about lawnmowers right now.

Pretend we're Jazzy (or daddy) in the "doghouse"

More popsicles after an afternoon in the pool

Yes, we watch Jon & Kate 

(it's one of the few shows the kids will watch for more than 1 min)

Pick and smell the plumeria

Relax with a good book

The Dallas Dozen

We just returned from an amazing weekend in Dallas.  We packed up our munchkins to head to the Big D for a marriage conference and to spend some time with the Steeces'.  We had planned to take over their house for the weekend, but unfortunately their AC went kaput; luckily a cool front dropped the temps to 96.  With some good ol' help from Priceline, we scored 2 hotel rooms for the price of one for weekend.  All 8 of our kids finally met and took over the Westin by storm.  It was so fun to see them interact and mimic each other and sleep in some pretty cozy conditions.  We decided to put all the kids in one room (5 pack-n-plays and 3 "tents") so the padres could hang out in the other room at night.  It all worked out so well with the rooms right next to each other and being able to use the video monitor to watch the kids chit chat way past their bedtime.  We are amazed that all the kids did so well, being in a new place, around new people, missing naps, and staying up late.   

We also had the opportunity to go to the Gerwers' one-and-a-half birthday party.  There were children galore - 4 sets of quads (Gerwer, Urech, Steece, Goerlich), and several sets of triplets and twins. I wonder what the neighbors would think if they peeked over the fence.

We are so thankful to have the Steece's in our lives and we can't wait for our next family reunion, complete with hugs, kissies, and high fives.

Pool Party!!  

(Savannah and Noah)

Ice Cream Eating Contest

(Cohen and Sophia)

Can You Imagine?

Party of 12 - 4 Adults, 8 Kids

Flirting Finn Makes His Move

(Savannah and Finn)

The Dudes

(Chris, Robbie, Joe)

The Chicks

(Suz Steece, Mari Goerlich, Casey Gerwer, Misty Urech)

Room Service

You Expect Us to Sleep?

Precious Cargo Aboard the Luggage Cart

***All photos are courtesy of Suz Steece - of all weekends to forget to charge the camera:)***

Back To Reality

Parents Night Out

Papa, Grandma, Mommy, Daddy, Auntie Em & Uncle Jim

Our Sparkling Cousins!

Jakob, Makenna, Josh & Hannah

After spending nearly a month away with our family in Iowa we are home at last!  The kids and I had such a wonderful time and we didn't want to leave.  What a gift it was to be with the family and to get so much help with the kids.  We kept busy and the time flew by too quickly.  We are so thankful for Auntie Em and Uncle Jim giving up their house for the past month and for Jakob, Hannah and Josh for loving and entertaining our little guys.  It is funny how much kids learn from other kids.  Every night, Hannah, Josh & Jakob would throw on their favorite tunes and dance their hearts out.  Yesterday, we turned on some music and all the kiddos started bustin' a groove and shouting "Hannah! Hannah!".  Sophia is even trying to do some of their breakdancing moves - although it looks more like some Jane Fonda leg lifts to someone who hasn't seen their cousin Makenna's hip hop routine!

After this great adventure, Chris and I, the toys and dishwasher are back to reality (and only being able to play outside between the hours of 7:00am and 7:30am).  We miss everyone like crazy and can't wait to get together again.  

Barefooted Bus Ride

Sophia, Mommy, Noah, Finn, Cohen & Daddy