Myrtle Beach

I decided to also put the "monatage" here in case anyone who would like to see it and did not get a chance. We had a great trip, though the actual traveling was pretty miserable.

The kids had a blast, and for a week when we said our good night prayers Matthew and Christopher both thanked God for Myrtle Beach and for the sho and tell (hotel) that we stayed in on the way there and back. (I thanked God that we we didn't see any bugs at the sho and tell).

They keep asking if we can go back to the beach now. I know if the triplets could they would probably be asking to go back also! It is a great time where the cousins really get some great time together and with their grandpatents, something that is often really hard to pull off.

So here is to all of the adults that make it happen. Mostly to the grandparents for there generous contribution of footing the bill for the house! And because they bring 3 very important cousins with them. Thank you.

Also to Uncle Russ, Aunt Sue, Uncle Steve (Ramiche), Aunt Cheryl,and my husband for taking time from a hectic life, to pack, plan, and drag sometimes seemingly ungrateful yungin's all the way to the the beach! And if at times the effort seems not worth the results, take another quick look at this montage and remember all of those smiles and family memories that our children experience are a direct result of our efforts.
Click on the picture below to see the "video".


Myrtle Beach 2007

And they say we have no table manners!

"Wow that resturaunt was great!" exlaims Chris. "there were people and it was open!" Our standards are not that of the NY Times resturaunt review critic, but we are a cheerier bunch. So the fact that there seems to be bad weather lying ahead for us in Myrtle beach, I fear not, because our house will have people and it will be open so how far off can we be?

Here is my first attempt at a montage!

Make photo slide shows at onetruemedia.com

Cheeseburger in Paradise

Well it is that time of the year, a serious and somber time when the women give up dessert and the men cut back on beer. No it isn't just lent that spurs us on to a more spartan lifestyle, but preparation for the most esteemed and worthy event. That is right the Kissingers, Bo's and Ramiche's will once again grace the shores of Myrtle Beach SC.

Thoughts turn to surf,sand,and blender drinks. And since Sue must leave us a bit early this trip, maybe even a little Jimmy Buffet. This has been a family tradition for at least 40 years. Though in the past 15 the digs have been getting much nicer and the crowd has swelled to no less then 22. With the under five set accounting for 7 and the so-called adults coming in at 8, this leave only 8 more to give the group some beach cred.(rapper slang for cool). This is a tall order when you consider that our most senior member and sponsor of the trip spent an afternoon last year trying to egg on an ape to fight him. What was that apes name? I will buy anyone a beer who can recall that Ape's name ( if you are under 21 I will buy and drink the beer for you because I am a good and caring aunt).

Besides that highlight from last years trip we had the most memorable monster find by one of my very own, Matthew. First his father tried to feed his foot to the monster then his daring cousin, Sara picked the poor creature up by its tail and threw it in the water. The poor monster then had to crawl back up out of the water probably in search of its monster babies.

Easter egg dyeing was impressive and judges were all easily paid off in cheap vodka, I didn't see the deal go down but I have my suspicions.

No one from our large group felt compelled to be saved at the evangelistic church, Maybe if they had asked closer to the end of the week, we would have been a little more in the mood for some redemption.

What will this trip hold? What adventures and memories lay in wait? Sunburns and jelly fish stings, or deep tans and new swimming records? So let's pack up those swim suits and madras tops, dig out the shovels and pails, Myrtle Beach is calling and soon we will cut out of work or school and answer her with a "last one in is a rotten egg!".

Our Trip to Our Grandparents House!

The boys have been over the moon with excitement. Grandpa called and said he was coming to get them and bring them up to the Disney world of grandparent houses. If we could have harnessed the excitement and energy Matthew displayed for the 2 days he waited to leave we could power an entire 3rd world nation.

The boys left on Thursday morning, the triplets and I met them up there on Friday afternoon. Our first order of business was swimming. In my parents development there is an indoor pool. This is a highlight for the under 5 set. They love to swim. And I adore getting all five in and out of their bathing suits. It only takes about an hour to get everyone ready to go. It is the re-dressing in the ladies locker that is a little stressful. I am thrown the occasional dirty look as bringing in 4 boys to the ladies room is frowned upon despite their tender ages..they are all exhibitionist and the minute they are free of there suits they can't wait to show the ladies what they got.

However bathing suits don't hold a candle to 5 snow suits, 5 pairs of boots, 5 little hats and 5 little gloves, all necessary for what turns out to be 15 minutes of sled ridding.

Mark has been adding to the nerve shattering preparations for each event by howling all weekend and insisting on being in my arms, not just in my arms but in my arms while I stand. Sitting is not an option. When he does decide to go for a walk, his pants fall down. That's right about 10 different times his pants fell down or all the way off. When I try to change his pants the intensity of his screaming escalates, so grandma and I dutifully keep putting the pants back on.

The day of sled ridding and swimming were capped off with s'more making. As soon as grandpa put the makings on the table to put out a marshmallow fire the chocolate for that s'more was stolen! The evidence was quickly consumes so we were unable to bring any charges. My money is on Cara however.

I don't think any of the kids could have had a better time. My parents and me couldn't keep our eyes open for more than an hour after we got them down. The sleep of the truly weary his heaven sent!

Schools out

Well this is a vacation week, which means much scrambling on my part to keep the kids entertained, because honestly the idea of 9 cold days sitting around the house watching elmo and the wiggles well, not so good. Of course if I was mom of the year I would plan toddler friendly crafts (what they may be I can't say, but certainly would not include glitter) and wonderful baking projects. The baking's biggest weak spot is that I seem to eat more of it then all 5 kids combined.

So we head out. The triplets love to go out. It is one of greatest things about hanging out with 2 year olds, No matter what the plan they are down for it. They see you reach for their coats and a frenzy of emotions and activity ensues. All want to be first and are willing to use some muscle to get to the front of the line. . There are fist fights, tears, laughter, and screaming(from the kids, that is) as we head into the van . The second order of business, in the kids minds, is to find the diaper bag. Because they know there will be snacks! They love snacks. Though breakfast ended only an hour ago everyone wants to score the best snack before they will even consider getting into their car seats. The problem with that is the best snack is consistently whatever the other person has. So inevitably their will be more heightened emotions. I spend my time buckling in people and helpfully either yell or mutter: Why am I taking any of you? And other parental gems.

The thing I admire most about there enthusiasm for outings is that they don't have any idea what the outing will lead to. They could be going for a 12 hour trip, to a weeks vacation, or a five minute car ride to go get shots at the DR's. They truly epitomize the saying of "it is not the destination but the journey".

Apparently by 4 these soft sentiments have passed and attention to minute details rules. Where are we going? with who? when? which car? will we eat lunch there? who will sit next to me? Will there be a bathroom there? Can I use it? What will I eat for lunch? Why isn't Alexa coming? Will Brentie be there? Sara? Can I bring my sunglasses? book? toys? Why do we need to where these coats? where are we going? who will be there? Will Alexa come? Why don't you call her mommy? Did you bring my drink? in my cup?...you get the picture. I don't know if the repeated questions are because they didn't hear me or they have distracted themselves so much they have forgotten the answers. My modes operands is to answer patiently for about five minutes then tell them they are not allowed to speak until we arrive. They actually seem to like when I get to the point of telling them to stop talking. They lean back in their chairs and munch peacefully on their snacks.

Mark aka little dude

This is Mark on his 2nd birthday only 6 short weeks ago. A dare devil of kid, he will be giving even Matthew a run for his money in a year or two. He insists on things going his way, only sits in seats that he has chosen will not eat 'baby food' eating only what the grown ups and Matthew choose. This includes Chilli, tomato sauce, chicken on the bone and obviously cake.


Thanks to Mark, we now have a new nighttime routine. It used to be that sometime after supper the babies went downstairs to hang out for a few minutes before bed, while the boys enjoyed a movie to wind down before going to sleep. This no longer holds water for the triplets.Mark realized first that he was being short changed and when I would call the kids to "abajo" he would run to the couch grab a small pillow and put it on his lap and sit as quietly as possible waiting for the boys movie to start. Any suggestion that he go downstairs met with frantic screams, and once arriving downstairs he would throw himself in front of the den door and sob until someone opens the door and he would run to his spot on the couch and sit again (he actually has a "right spot" and will forcibly throw anyone out who tries to sit there-thank goodness the big boys are so understanding!) So now all five enjoy a movie, however it is necessary to still put them down first if you are home alone to put all five down.

So now, we have the boys shut the TV and the lights and all five kids say their good night on the stairs. The boys head to their room until they get the all clear, and then they tip toe back to the living room. This is the only way the triplets will go to sleep. The babies love saying night-night. For now this is doing the trick. After the good nights they all head right to their room and begin fighting about who will be rocked first...yelling rock, rock!