A Day in the life...: Second Half

The first half of our ten day trip to the beach was filled w/ Christmas stuff: cookie making, present wrapping, present opening, cooking, hanging out, shopping, golfing, boating, playing, etc…..

The second half of our trip has been spent w/ the Skinner clan and 1/3 of the Langmuir clan.

Fourteen Skinner’s (Gretchen’s sister Julie and her family) traveled from Portland, Oregon, Philadelphia, PA, Martha’s Vineyard and Lexington, KY to hang out in DeBordieu for a few days w/ us over New Year’s. Two Langmuir’s (Gretchen’s sister Jane and her husband Paul) came from Providence, RI. Both of their children and their 6 grandchildren weren’t able to make it.

We had a blast. We braved the chilly beach. The guys bundled up to golf. The guys cooked a 130 lb. pig for New Year’s Eve dinner. We served 35 ppl dinner inside the house. The kids ‘fished,’ rode bikes, played games (Wii, capture the flag, Legos, cards, Perfection, dart guns). The little kids were slightly obsessed w/ the big kids! We ate fresh oysters, shrimp, homemade soups, local pimento cheese, chili, lots of pig and plenty of leftovers.

Jack reminded us that he is all boy. He had a meltdown one night b/c the kids were watching Barbie Nutcracker and no one would play w/ him. Jack and Ben are the only boy cousins of playing age that were here this week and Ben is six years older. Jack loved hanging out w/ Ben. Todd, Jack and Ben even had a boys lunch at Kentucky Fried Chicken one day. True to Jack’s normal self he played hard all day and crashed every night, often being the first one to bed and the first one to rise. Shock.

Riley reminded us that she is a strong-willed, headstrong little girl. True to her normal self she sniffed out sugar at every turn draining her cousin’s brand new gumball machine. She once again had a love/hate relationship w/ her 2nd cousin, Izzy. Meg (Izzy’s Mom) and I are now more then ever 100% sure we have trouble on our hands as these little whippersnappers grow up together. They shared shoes and clothes and carried their matching pink blankets around. On New Year’s Eve, while all the other children (minus Jack- who crashed at 9:30) were chilling- watching a movie- Ri and Izzy were running circles around the upstairs, full of energy at 11:15. They love each other dearly and I bet they’ll miss each other quite a bit until they meet again.

It was a fabulous ten days. But we are ready to get back to normal! Enjoy some more pictures of the week.

Riley had a mild obsession w/ Lacey, once gain. Probably driving “Lacemeister’ crazy!

Emma was a big help w/ the little kids. She’s turned into such a fabulous young lady!

The pond in the backyard saw lots of action. Jack somehow tied a rope around a stick and ‘fished’ quite a few times. I think his foot slipped in the water a couple of times too.

Little Eli, the youngest of all the cousins, was a trooper. If you look close enough you can see his ‘fish face.’ All of the big kids were quick to help w/ him.

No need to bring him any toys- just throw him some plastic cups and bowls and he’s good to go.

Another day hanging by the pond:

We braved the beach one day. Riley and I stayed for about 5 1/2 minutes. I planned on taking lots of fun pics but it was too darn cold.

Enough said. She’s just so darn cute.

The Nerf Gun made a big appearance this year. My mom, Gammy and Poppy, Todd and Aunt Cindy each gave the kids Nerf Guns. There are plenty to go around now.

A great game Aunt Cindy gave to Ava.

And of course we ate. And ate and ate and ate. This family spends more time planning meals, shopping for meals, cooking meals and eating meals than any other family in history. I am convinced of that.