Monday, December 27, 2010

Christmas 2010

As if our family vacation was not enough (see previous post)I made the fabulous decision to take us all up to Tammy's house for Christmas this year and surprise my sister. Ten hours in the car with 2 kids, 3 adults and a 10 week old puppy (X's 2 that would be 10 hours ... each way). We survived as is apparent of this post. On Christmas day there were 8 kids to open gifts and 11 adults. Pretty full house, beds full end to end and wrapping paper everywhere. The noise level LOUD and yes Tammy was surprised.

Amanda stashing a few last minute gifts under the tree.

Tammy, Maima and Grandma all checking out some gifts.

Christmas morning Bubbles getting the first wrapper off.


Travis giving Grandma a hug

Of course once you get a piece of wrapper off you must eat it!Duh!

Maddie giving Akins a helping paw.

Tyler in his football gear! He is ready now!

A sample of the chaos - wall to wall bodies!

Gotta get a little play time in too!

After all of this you just got to take a nap!

Vacation Recap 2010

Family vacation. Who's idea was this exactly? I would love to meet this person and try to get a really good understanding of the sadistic mindset that led to this annual tradition. Family vacation, set to the tone of relaxing, fun and exciting. Is really, stressful, tiring and for kids like mine over stimulating and therefore CRAZY! We went to the Dominican Republic. Punta Cana boasts beautiful white sand beaches and tranquil tourquoise water. This is the extent of the relaxing part of the trip. The rest was frought with a pouting temperament by one child or the other at any given time. Lorea and I vowed this to be the last family vacation for a while. We would rather reward Grandma monetarily in a large sum and go on a couple only vacation next year. Here are a few of the better moments of the trip and when I look back at these it would appear that we had a blast. I have not gone through child birth (one obvious reason to adopt) but I am guessing family vacation is much like giving birth. The pain of the moment fades with time.


Enjoying the pool.

Akins skipping off for a dip.

Akins first stop the swim up bar for a cool one.

Akins always makes friends and speaks the international language of PLAY

Maima is a typical pre-teen and can sleep any time of the day any where

Akins always finds coconuts and is plotting how to open it

We rented buggies and spent half the day getting really dirty!

How on earth he could sleep during this is a question never to be answered

Okay slightly awake again!

Cruisin' on down the road!

We all made a friend

Had to make a quick stop at Wal-Mart

Everyone but Lorea took a nice cool swim in the cave

The kids loved it!

Again he sleeps. This time at dinner.

He finds another coconut!

The evening shows were especially fun. Akins getting in on the action.

Dinner on the beach.