Today is the first official day of summer and I am trying to figure out how I am going to keep all the kids busy for the next eleven weeks and still maintain my own sanity. Fortunately (at least I think it is fortunate) we have a lot of things planned for summer, including several weddings to attend, DISNEYLAND (we gotta go now before the quints turn 3 and we have to pay for them!), and visits to both sets of grandparents. All together, I calculated that we will be putting close to 9,000 miles on our van (“the Beast”) by the end of the summer. Yikes! The kids did great on our road trip to Arizona last summer, but we will really be putting them to the test this year!
Kaiya and her school friends Ashley and Ryley
Riley and his school friends
Riley had his last Volleyball game of the season. He had improved a lot this year! Kyndall, Rustin, Kaydence, Ryder, Kassidy and Kaiya all went to cheer him on!
Riley and his friend "Fudgy" in the 4th grade play---they were rappers!
Kaiya and her 1st Grade Teacher, Mrs. Speegle
Kyndall, Kaydence, Kassidy, Ryder and Rustin enjoyed an outing to Burger King to celebrate the last few days of school.
Ryder, Kaydence, Kyndall, Kassidy and Rustin
The first wedding of the summer actually happened over Memorial Day Weekend. My brother, Colby, got married in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It was a very small wedding---only parents, siblings, and a handful of friends were invited, so I was “forced” to get away for the weekend while Jayson stayed home to hold down the fort with the kids. It was a fabulous break for me! My mom flew in to Austin and we drove to Hot Springs together where we met up with the rest of my family. It has been about 4 years since all my siblings and I have been together and it was great to be able to hang out together kid-free. Hot Springs was absolutely beautiful---I had no idea.
The wedding was simple but very nice. I absolutely love my new sister-in-law Neeha and am so excited for her to be part of our family!
Colby and Neeha get married!
The Girls: Tiare, Betty Ann (aka Mom or Mimi) and Rachelle
The Boys: Ryan, Colby, Shane, McKay and Steve (aka Dad or Papa)
My Mom and Dad (Steve and Betty Ann)
Newlyweds Neeha and Colby. Neeha actually wore three different wedding dresses---the beautiful white one that she was married in and a couple of traditional Indian Sarees.
One wedding down, two more to go!! While in Hot Springs, we also did a little sight seeing...
My Family: Shane, Tiare, Dad, Ryan, Mom, McKay, Rachelle & Colby. I am the oldest sibling, and yes, also the shortest!
Newlywed's Neeha and Colby by an actual "hot spring"
Hot Springs is famous for it's European style bath houses. We enjoyed taking a tour of one of them.
In the "olden days" doctors prescribed baths, or "hydrotherapy" to cure many different kinds of ailments. As the field of medicine became more advanced, the baths became less popular. However, seeing the facilities brought back memories of the hydrotherapy that my doctor prescribed for me while I was pregnant with the quints! It was one of my favorite parts of the day!
Old Hydrotherapy Tub (McKay, Rachelle & Mom)
Things have changed a bit in the past few years, however---here is a video that Jayson took when I was pregnant of my modern hydrotherapy tub:
Yes, I felt completely ridiculous being lifted into the tub--wearing nothing and being roughly the size and shape of an exercise stability ball, but it was so worth it!
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12 comments:
my favourite child is definetly... Kaiya! Such a gorgeous little girl!
That lift must have been so awkward!! I'm sure it felt nice though!!
What beautiful kids, and summer is here....can't wait to see more pics - especially Disneyland!!
Have a blast at Disneyland!!!!! Don't forget to jump in a few pictures yourself :)
Well I am anxiously awaiting your trip to Denver in hopes that we can finally meet! Glad summer weather is finally here :)
I'm so glad you were able to get away for Colby's wedding. You deserve a break Rachelle.
Your summer schedule sounds insane. I can't wait to hear about your trip to Disneyland.
Dang! I was hoping to see YOU hoisted into the tub...with at least a swimsuit.
You look fabulous, Rachelle!
Did you say Disneyland??? Take me! Take me!
Haha, just kidding, (or not) but I LOVE Disneyland!!!!!
PS I linked to you in my “favourite blogs” post.
What totally gorgeous kids! It is easy to tell they all belong to the same family.
I am not certain the bath would have been worth the embarrassment. did they let you wear a towel?
Teresa sent me to your blog. She listed here as a favorite place to visit.
Such a lovely post! Your children are beautiful! Praying you have a wonderful summer!
Found my way here from a recommendation by Theresa Dawn and subscribed so I can keep up with you and your family! :)
Wow your SIL is gorgeous! And what a fun kid-less trip for you to attend their wedding. Happy Summer. We have lots of weddings too - already attended 2 this month. 1 more next month. Hope y'all had fun at Disneyland, I grew up 20 minutes from there.
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