Yay for vacation!!
This summer our family vacation started off with bells - wedding bells! Jared's cousin Ryan got married in a beautiful ceremony in sunny Georgia and we all went down to join them and celebrate.
We rented a minivan (and made a convert out of me in like 5 whole minutes. I'm such an easy sell...) and made the drive down. It was... long... but in all honesty, not terrible. I mean with three little boy all 3 years old or less, even in ideal circumstances there's going to be some grumpin'.
Since the rest of the Himes/Streb family all went down too, we all stayed together in one hotel in a big block of rooms. It was really nice. And I'll be honest, I was very worried about the whole all-of-us-sleeping-in-one-room situation, since we've never done that before...
It could not have gone better if I paid someone.
Truly. The boys did
so great. So great. Bridger and Holden together in one big bed and Graham in the pack-n-play. And everyone slept just as if they were in their own beds. Seriously. SO great.
But, yes, back to the wedding. The rehearsal dinner the first night was a bit rough for my kids (read: eating is already like a huge weak point for them and NO ONE wanted to sit still anymore). So there was a lot of whining coming from my table. And lots and lots of food on the floor. So we just finished the meal early and walked around in the parking lot awhile so hopefully everyone else there could visit, hear the speeches, and watch the slideshow in peace.
When all three boys get to fussin', the Momma and Dad are suddenly
very obviously outnumbered....
But yea. So everyone slept great that night (Hey, did I mention how happy I was with the sleeping thing and how great everyone did all in one room together?! Haha.) and in the morning we went out for pancakes, and then came back to the hotel and swam a bit in their pool. It was so beautiful outside and we were practically the only ones there. Graham just slept in his car seat, I sat in the sun, and Jared swam with the big boys. It was really very peaceful..... And finally felt like "vacation" - soaking up the sunshine by the water.
Then we got cleaned up and the boys rested before the wedding. We all took some family photos just before the ceremony, and again, there were a few times when Holden didn't want to look at the camera, but all in all, I think my boys all did pretty great and cooperated very well for the pictures. I know I got some good ones :)
The ceremony was small and really lovely. The church was beautiful, the couple was glowing with love and happiness, the minister was personal and friendly, and there was volunteer CHILDCARE - so I actually got to enjoy all of this.
And then the reception! I think the hall was an old house that had been converted and the set-up was absolutely perfect. There was extra seating off the back of the house - through double doors and under an event tent - and it was right by the parking lot. So we parked the van RIGHT there and just hung out outside for much of the evening. Coming and going, not really bothering anyone since we were practically outside already anyway. And Graham! That crazy kid slept the whole reception! Ah... small blessings.
The next morning we joined the rest of the family and out-of-town guests
for a brunch hosted in the hotel and then we were off for the second
part of our family vacation: Pensacola, Florida :)
The Breakfast Crew!
(It has become our traveling tradition that we leave at bedtime, drive through the night, and stop at a McDonald's Play Place for breakfast the next morning!)
Sleepyhead Baby - enjoying his oatmeal and fruit
I don't know what Daddy said, but whatever it was, those boys thought it was silly.
Some weary travelers - happy to be stopping for a break
And for COFFEE. Mmmm.... coffee.....
Play Time :)
♥
Then finally we made it to the hotel!
And.... zonked.
With King Holden over there, relaxing in style, while Daddy and Bridger squeeze on the chair.
Resting on his Boppy. Looking huge.
But really, he used to sleep on this thing curled up when he was new. Where did my BABY go?
Pool Time!
Getting some help in from Grandpa
Chilly!
Time for some jumpin'
And splashin' :)
Snack Break for White Lightening (as I now affectionately refer to my alabaster boy♥)
And sweet Graham, snoozin' the morning away
But later it was time for playing -
on the pillow fort Mommy made in the hotel room!
Yay for pillows!
And then it was off to the church....
The big boys playing on the steps before pictures
All the Himes babies!
Sweet, ornery boys
Pictures, pictures....
♥
And everyone in the green grass.
And these crack me up. Now, Bridger is not a touch-y kind of guy. And unless he's in the mood, he really rather prefers his personal space.
So Grandma wanted everyone to hold hands and I was just watching to see what he would think about it.
He actually did great... but look closely at his face in these:
Like, "Uh, now we're doing what? Touching? No one said anything about touching..."
"You want touching and smiling?"
"Ehhh, I.... don't think so."
Ha!
And one great one of Grandma and Grandpa with all their grandchildren on the steps of the old church♥
The Bride and Groom! (This is a Streb cousins shot.)
Tyler, Kevin, Kelsey, Rachel, Ryan, Brianne, Jared, Brent.
The Rea Brothers and their beautiful wives/families
(And Carson with the absolute quintessential frowny face!)
But he totally redeemed himself - look at that grin!
And this is what we did, while the wedding folks were all taking photos....
Bridger found a stick. Of course.
Graham hung out with Uncle Kevin and Naomi a bit.
Look at that face. He did so great.
And then he was feelin' lovey... so he planted a few wet ones on his daddy.
I absolutely adore this picture.♥
(But to quote Jared here, "That's a lot of tongue, boy.")
And Holden hung out by himself a bit.
Doing the ol' Shy Guy routine.
Until I made him smile with me, though :)
My big, handsome babies.
And we had Tyler take one of us in front of the church, too.
Just the old Mr. and Mrs. ♥
Our family.
It's pretty much impossible not to feel overwhelmingly lucky when I look at all these.
A handsome, capable, helpful, responsible, strong husband.
And three beautiful, smart, funny, healthy boys.
Sometimes life give you more than you deserve.
And Mom and Dad Himes - laughing about something Tyler said
Sealed with a kiss♥
And the gorgeous sound of ringing wedding bells as we exited the church.
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