Weekend Recap {#31days}

Welcome back!

We took a quick trip down to Florida for Brendan's birthday - so much fun! Here's a look back at what we did and some things that helped us during our visit!

Getting ready to go! So, this is how I pack everyone when we are going on a trip for just a weekend or to Almost-Canada:

I know... what a mess. It probably doesn't help that Austin likes to unpack everything, either. Ugh. But, I promise there is a system! Also, while Austin was helping me pack, the boys were doing a little crafting:

For the boys, however many days we will be gone equals an outfit, then I always pack an extra. I add in pajamas and extra underwear. Also, whatever they wear TO the destination is usually what they will wear home. And to make thing even easier, Andrew actually packs his bag and helps Alex with his things.

The boys bags are super awesome, by the way. One of my favorite bloggers, Jen from I Heart Organizing, posted about them a while ago and I bought them that day. Sadly, Pottery Barn Kids doesn't sell that specific one anymore, but I found that this one is very similar. Good thing, too. I need one for Austin!

Now, I absolutely have to have a checklist when I pack...because I'm weird like that. And this one, from Sharon (Mom of 6),  is my go to packing list.

We got to Pensacola late that night...well, 9 something. Late for the boys... But, we partied with the until about 10:30? Maybe 11. Not sure. But we had goodies and lots of fun!

Of course they woke up early, but stayed pretty quiet (All 5 of us share my old room LOL Crazy and fun! But, darn, I should have gotten a picture of that! Next time!!) Anyway, no matter, because there is ALWAYS coffee at my parent's house. And, coffee at my mom's is the best coffee!! Her cups are awesome...

Everyone hanging out after breakfast:

William and I sharing a cup of hot apple cider - our fall favorite!

Now, Austin did take a nap while we were there, but really when we knew he was tired and needed his little batteries recharged. There was a lot going on for the little guy. But he was fine with it and didn't have too much trouble, honestly. He such an easy going guy for the most part.

After we headed to Mass Saturday night, we all headed to La Hacienda for Brendan's birthday dinner. Which, as the oldest and only sister, was by far the BEST part of the trip. I love getting my brothers when they least expect it. It is the greatest thing...like, ever!

Let me give a little side story... The one awesome advantage of having such a bug family is that you can get things done with out anyone noticing. There is already so much going on, right? Well Brendan was sitting at one end of the table and 3 of my other brothers (plus Jason and the baby) were at the other end. We all secretly decided to get him (enter mad scientist laughter) the next time the waiter came to refill drinks. And, get him we did! HAHAHA! Love it!! How about a video??

Yes, please!! And, you can make it bigger by clicking on it. Also, you can visit Instagram.

Ah, I love being a big sister!

Now, then, back to the trip!

The actual party day came the following day and it was super fun! The boys were decked out in camouflage for Brendan, as he is entering the Army at the end of the summer. Austin was a big fan of Brendan's :)



Isn't his cake awesome? Publix does a great job!!



Present time!! And the boys took over his gamer chair for a bit. Maybe that will be our Christmas card! LOL Hey, we DO live in Alabama, y'all... I kid, I kid!

It was this fabulous chica's birthday weekend, too! This is Grace, my mom's BFF's daughter. 
 

Sadly, the weekend did have to end... But everyone was ready to head home after such a great time. Andrew was little upset to leave Grandma's 

Though, he was back to happy when we were stopped at the train crossing!

I had to share this picture I took on the way home. Don't you just love those cotton fields? Southern snow... And, FYI, Mr. Weatherman: This is the ONLY kinds of "snow" we want to see this year. Thanks.


We finally get dinner and, then, home. All the boys are showered and snuggled in their beds. Time to get ready for the week. 

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So, how was your weekend?

Rewind: April 6-14

What a week! Rainy days, a soon-to-be crawler, playgrounds, and traveling! I know. Wears you out just reading it, huh? 

{SUNDAY}

 Happy 5 month old day! 

Austin is quite the little "talker" these days. I really think he is trying to copy the sounds of the wild boys while the play. It is so cute!! He sits up like a pro now and is working his way to crawling. He has two tiny bottom teeth...and two more making their way slowly into the world... He is eating solids and seems to love a good, ole fashioned banana while we are out and about. And, he sleeps pretty well most nights. Good times!

{MONDAY}

 

 Rainy days are great for making your latest masterpiece!

 See?! Oh, he is trying SO hard. But, for now, he only goes backwards...which really annoys him. 

{TUESDAY}

 

 

Wild jumping boys at the park!

{FRIDAY}

 Waiting for Daddy to get home so we can drive to Nana & Papa's. Jason went to the Master's - again! And, we took an opportunity to visit with grandparents. Fun!

{SATURDAY}

 This little guy must have been tired! He "slept in" until about 8. I dared myself to grab this pic of him. So, sweet! He loves his Baby Fox.

 The boys thought Nana and Papa's new walking path was cool. Very pretty! We had a hill incident, but no worries! That's what helmets are for, people. So, wear them! And, if your kids are too cool for a helmet...then, your kids are too cool to ride a bike or anything of that sort. Just saying. Anyway, they had so much fun!

{SUNDAY}

 

 The birthday boy enjoying a banana for breakfast

 Almost home. We made a pit stop at a Taco Bell. A few of the girls that worked there came over to see the baby. Alex told them that he's the big brother and the little brother and that's his baby Austin. Then, tells them that it is his birthday. Those sweet girls, brought him a cookie - and one for Andrew, too. So sweet of them!

Road Trip - Minneapolis {Wedding / Heading Home}

Note: If you followed our travels on Instagram, these pictures are pretty much the same. But, enjoy them just the same!

Wait! Did you see the pictures from yesterday's adventures? Click here!

Wedding Day!!! How exciting!! YAY!! Let me just tell you this day was amazing, exciting, crazy, super fun! Jason, who was one of the Best Men, and two of my boys, who were ring bearers ALL had to be ready and at the church bright and early Saturday morning. Of course, this meant that I had to be completely dressed, hair, makeup, etc before them to have them ready and also feed/dress a baby. I don't believe I ever got that ready that fast in a long time.

Oh, but wait. As prepared as I typically am, I was not at 100% without my coffee beforehand... When we got to the church, Jason and the boys headed in with their "finish getting ready" bags. But, where are the boys' shirts and ties??? Oh. My. Gosh. Back at the hotel. That I already checked out of...

So, what's a mama to do? Floor it through downtown Minneapolis using GPS, no thanks to Siri by the way. Yeah, apparently, I am too Southern for her and she has no idea what I was asking for. Grrr. I also called the hotel, while running a red light or two (Hey! In my defense, those lights aren't even in the right place. They are off to the side - not over the road. What is that about? Ugh. Northerners.) hoping that they had the shirts. And, begging that they bring them out as I still had Austin in the car.

Thankfully, as I pulled up, the awesome valet came out with my two tiny shirts and ties!!! Back to the church we go! So glad I got back in time for the photographer.Time for the wedding!!

 Ahhhh!!! My handsome men ready for the wedding!

 

Cuties playing around just before to get the giggles out :)

Side note: As soon as I get a hold of some more wedding photos to share, I will update this post. :)

 My amazing husband giving his Best Man speech - I hope our boys continue to be best friends as Jason and Justin are. Just so sweet. 

Crazy Side Story:

After the reception was coming to a close, it was time for us to do a wardrobe change and head back to the South to thaw out. I kid... But, really. It was time for us to head back home. We ran into some crazy construction traffic - again. While Jason drove the first half to St. Louis, we talked and laughed about our wedding and such. But as we, kept talking and driving...we ran into snow. Yep. Snow.

 First it was nothing. Just some flakes that make the windmills appear even spookier. 

 And, then, it turned into more snow. We are driving SOUTH, aren't we?

 Then, it was a LOT of snow. 

 By this point...I was checking the radar to figure out where it ended and what storm warnings/watches were where. Yeah. After we passed Cedar Rapids, Iowa it was decided. We were going to drive ALL THE WAY HOME. All the way home with 3 little guys and two tired parents. 

As it was getting darker, the Leapsters were handed over (we let them keep them for as long as need to get the safe driving without the whining taken care of) and we announced that it was bedtime. Andrew was pretty tired so he was kind of ok with it. By they were both highly confused as to where the hotel was... Well, after stopping for gas, high caffeine coffee, potty breaks, and getting the boys comfy, it was my turn to drive. And, the chaos began.

Austin decided to get mad about being his seat or scared about the dark or something. We aren't really sure. Jason climbed into the back and gave him another bottle while telling him a version of Goodnight Moon (the book I read to him every night before bed). It was the sweetest and funniest thing ever to hear. 

"Goodnight moon. Goodnight room. Goodnight light and the red balloon.

Goodnight van. Goodnight mommy. Goodnight Andrew. Goodnight Alex.

Goodnight Tusker. Goodnight Roary. Goodnight Baby Fox.

Goodnight cooler. Goodnight snacks. Goodnight Austin."

It went on for a while. I was cracking up and getting teary eyed at the same time. It was adorable. I have the best husband...he is such an amazing dad...

Anyway, that was only one out of the three. Luckily, Andrew fell asleep. Two down. One to go. And that one was rough. He was beginning to pitch a bloody fit from you know where... Thankfully, Siri came to the rescue (apparently she can understand Jason better) and found us a 24 hour CVS in St. Louis. Jason ran in a grabbed some Zarbee's Kids Sleep... Night, Night Alex. In a half hour he was out.

3 AM rolled around and this mama was getting tired... We stop for more gas (which by the way... BP Gas SUCKS! Worst gas ever. Killed our mileage. But, it was the ONLY one most of the way... And the wind. The wind was terrible.), coffee for Jason and made the switcheroo. I fell asleep on and off, but he got us McDonald's at 6 am for breakfast in Tennessee, just north of Nashville.

We let the boys play in the play place (something we don't typically do at McDonald's because they are gross) to let out some energy. Once everyone was fed, happy, and ready to get home, we left with me driving again. 

And, finally...we made it home.

It took us 19.5 hours from Minneapolis to Home Sweet Home. 

We made it home just before 10 am. Everyone was happy to be out of the van, as great as it was. Andrew and Alex instantly got out the train tracks while Austin played happily, stretching out his little legs, in his bouncy seat.

Hope you enjoyed the pictures and stories of our adventures!

Road Trip - Adventures in Minneapolis {Mall of America / Rehearsal Dinner}

Note: If you followed our travels on Instagram, these pictures are pretty much the same. But, enjoy them just the same!

Wait! Did you see what we did in Minneapolis yesterday? Click here!

Day 4 - We headed back to the Mall of America to see more of it - that place is really over-the-top gigantic. You have to go more than once. And, we didn't even see all of it... And, honestly, it is too big. Yes, I know. I LOVE to shop, but wow. I never realized I had anxiety issues until I went there. Holy moly! It was a lot of fun though!

Kix and Leapsters - a perfect morning vacation ritual 

Andrew is in Lego heaven!

Having a blast!

Andrew and Alex got to pick out some more Legos to add to their growing collection

Cool mom points haha! I love my boys so much!!

Why, yes, that is a transformer guy of some sort. And, yes, is is built out of Legos! WOW!

 

More Lego creations

Riding the train back to the hotel to get ready for the rehearsal - Alex loved watching the tracks go by

Love him!

At the church practicing their ring bearer duties - so cute!

   Mommy and Alex / Andrew and Daddy at the Rehearsal Dinner

The Future Mr. and Mrs. Justin Woyak (ok...at the time of the picture anyway LOL)!!!

My sweet husband holding a very sleepy baby Austin - love them!
Thanks, Dave, for the last 2 pictures!!

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Day 5 - The wedding!! And a very long drive back home!