Suite Retreat

Last weekend was my somewhat-annual Suite Retreat.  This year we all added children to our families, bringing the count up to twelve kids among us!  The youngest two - Matthew Evans (four months) and Jude (eight months) were allowed to join us while we talked and ate our way through the weekend.

love these beautiful ladies SO much!

Meanwhile, Scott held down the fort at home.  He did cool things like letting them look at the toy section while they changed the oil on the van at Walmart.  Then the new gas station next door was having a grand opening, so they got to play some games and get their faces painted.

Here is just a sampling of the texts I received from him over the weekend:

"If corn dogs were a vegetable our kids would be vegetarians this weekend"

"How do you get blood out of clothes?"

"Scott: Do you have an eta?

Me: 9

Scott: Ok good...fire department will be done by then"

He's a joker, but I am seriously glad that I have an amazing husband!  He's sincerely happy for me to get away, and he can handle three small children with ease.

On the drive back from Philadelphia, we picked up an extra passenger: my niece Caroline.  The next morning I drove Micah and Caroline halfway to Indiana to meet Nana.  (Hannah came along for the ride; Meghan graciously offered to take Smush for the day.)  Micah and Caroline are participating in the first annual "Gurley Grandparent Camp".  Scott will rendezvous with Nana tonight to bring Micah home.

Lastly, poor Smush has a nasty virus.  At one point yesterday his temperature spiked to 105!  (Fortunately, we were getting ready to leave for the doctor by that point.)  His fever is manageable today, but he's a pretty grumpy baby.  Hopefully he'll be all better by Sunday morning when the kids and I leave for New Hampshire!

Columbus Trip

Most of our summer plans involve extended family, neighbors, or friends.  While we love all those people, it's sometimes nice to have all 5 of us in one place on our own.  The Monday after Summer XP, we surprised the kids with a trip to Columbus.  Even though we could have made it a day-trip, Scott had a free hotel night from all his business travels.  (A hotel may not seem exciting to you adults, but it was a big deal for the kids!  Glass elevators, key cards, swimming pool, continental breakfast, sharing a room....it's all very exciting.)  Tuesday morning we went to the Columbus Zoo.  It was a hot one, but we were prepared with lots of water bottles and sunscreen.  I was a little worried about Smush lasting all day, but he cooperated by napping in the stroller.

Summer XP

 Two weeks ago we hosted "Summer XP", which is basically a neighborhood VBS.  If I were writing this two weeks ago, I'd go into a lot more detail.  But now I'm just trying to catch up on blogging and go to bed.  :)  So, the bottom line is that the team from the church was great; I really enjoyed working with them and having their company.  We didn't have as many neighborhood kids come as I had hoped, but I'm so thankful for the kids that did come.  We had a lot of fun, shared some truth about God, and started building relationships with our neighbors.
Each day the kids had some free play time (which included a bounce house and several games of kickball).  Then we'd do "morning stretches" together, sing songs, and have a Bible lesson.  The kids also did crafts, organized games, and had snack.  Each day ended with the "fun button" - when a kid presses the button something FUN happens!

the kids created this sign on the first day

morning stretches (with smush crawling through the middle)

this stretch is called "gravity push-ups".  lifting gravity can be hard.

our swing set was well-loved this week

kickball action

the FUN BUTTON!!!

one day the fun button was toys buried in orange jello.  yum.

 Thursday night we invited all the families to come for a cookout.  A few neighbors came, and the foam machine attracted a few more.  :)

Quite a few people have asked me if we would do it again.  I say YES!  :)

Pictures

Two weeks ago we did a photo session with AK Photography.  "A" and "K" are both friends of mine, and the photo shoots were a fundraiser for an organization that another friend is starting called "The Mother's Nest".  I get great pictures of my family, and all my money goes to support my friends.  Triple win.  :)

We think this picture captures their personalities and relationships pretty well.  :)

The Fourth and all the other stuff

Touch-a-truck during the Gurley invasion:

last soccer game of the season

Family fun night at VBS

Strawberry picking with Gramme

Daddy-daughter date

The otter slide at the zoo

Fourth of July parade

Hannah and her doll have matching outfits

Perfect weather for working outside!