Strutt Family Vacation

For Christmas last year, us five siblings decided to give Mom and Dad a family vacation as a present. So we got to planning (well, really Becca got to planning) and settled on a time for everyone to get together and just hang out. It was pretty amazing to get everyone together since we live in five different states and have six different family schedules. I'm so glad we did though. It was a great time and made me want to do it again, soon. (Get ready family!)

We decided to meet at a resort in Iowa called the Honey Creek Resort. A few of us had been there a few years ago (to celebrate Becca's graduation from Law School) and decided it was a good place to stay and entertain all 10 grandkids. We got two four-bedroom cabins right next to each other, had all the meals planned, and got together for five days and four nights of family time.

We arrived Saturday and everyone got settled in before a yummy fajita dinner prepared by the Vargas clan. The set up was really nice because we could all hang out outside, or inside, even after the kids went to bed.

Sunday we made a trek to the beach for some lake swimming. It's not quite the Mississippi sandbar but we had fun anyway. They had a nice swimming area roped off that the kids enjoyed. And for those that didn't like swimming (like Patrick) there were sand toys and plenty of sand to keep them occupied. We had packed a sandwich lunch and ate lunch on the beach before heading back for afternoon naps. Since 8 out of the 10 kids were 3 or under, afternoon naps were a must. It gave the older boys some extra time at the indoor water park that afternoon. 

Attempt at grandkids picture. With ten kids, it is quite the feat.

We also planned to celebrate a very special birthday (a month early) since we were all together. So, I made a cake, we sang "Happy Birthday", and had a small celebration. 

Monday we took all the kids to indoor water park. It was a little hectic keeping track of 10 rambunctious kids but I think everyone had fun. And when it was time to leave to get lunch and naps, everyone was ready to sleep. 

Tuesday morning we ventured over to the playground at the resort and let the kids run around and climb on things. The adults got to play too. Someone decided it looked like an American Ninja Warriors course so we took turns trying to master it. Some had better runs than others. Those things are really hard. 

After the kids ran around for a while, we headed back to the indoor water park again to cool off. I think the kids really like the water. After naps, we headed to the hotel restaurant for our final dinner together. I'm sure we made quite the site as our party of twenty-one. 

Then we headed back to the cabins and had fun roasting marshmallows and making s'mores. Yum!

Did I tell you how perfect the set up was for everyone? It was fabulous. The kids had a lot of room to run around and play. There were also a lot of toys to play with and things to ride on. 

They had great porches for the kids to play on (Uncle Jon brought a hammock the kids thought was pretty fun) and the parents had a shaded place to sit to watch it all. 

Playing with water and pans. Who would have thought that would keep them entertained for so long?

A big hit of the week were the bat and ball set Grandma brought. It kept Grandpa busy outside all week long. Everyone got a turn to play ball.

The kids got a lot of cousin time in. I think they really enjoyed playing with all the kids. 

And of course, there were bubbles. Who doesn't like bubbles?

Wednesday morning we said our good-byes as everyone headed off in different directions. It was a great few days. I am so glad I got to hang out with everyone. It had been too long seeing some of them. Hopefully we can make this a regular thing. We really do have fun hanging out with each other. 

Thanks for the fun vacation family!

(If you would like to see all the pictures from the week, head over to www.weldons.shutterfly.com)

4th of July

We had a nice 4th of July at home. We started the day out at the local parade. Joe saved us seats while we grabbed breakfast from Starbucks. 

They put together a nice parade. The boys loved all the trucks and cars. 

After the parade we met some friends for lunch and then I took the little boys home for naps while Josh hung out some more with his friends at a park. After naps, the two little ones helped me make these 4th of July dishes for our dinner. 

This is dip. It was really good. 

After Josh got back we headed over to the Weldon's for dinner and a cul-de-sac party. 

My and my silly boys.

The neighborhood set up chairs in the cul-de-sac and took turns lighting off the fireworks they had purchased. It was really fun and a nice evening. 

I'm pretty sure this is the first time my kids have seen sparklers. I'm not sure why. But they really enjoyed them. I mean really, what kid doesn't like to play with a stick on fire?

It was a fun evening. I guess we wore this guy out. 

Happy 4th!!