Cabin Fun

We met all of my siblings (3 sisters and 1 brother) at this cabin outside of Gatlinburg. It was great having everyone together. We hadn't seen my oldest sister and her family in over two years, so it was nice having them with us. The cabin had a pool table, air hockey table, arcade machine, and hot tub. When we weren't out having fun, there was lots to keep us busy.

My nephew, Andy, and my brother, Andy
(just as confusing as it sounds!)

My sister, Angel, and her husband, Gary

Jacob and Kayla
By the end of the trip, Kayla was calling "Yakie" her best friend

Colton and Jacob playing Kinex

Gary grilling carne asada in the rain
Before the trip, we joked with Angel and Gary that they needed to bring this yummy steak with them from California. A couple days before we left, a package arrived at my parents' house filled with 15 lbs. of steak and lots of dry ice. We drove it down to the cabin and it was delicious!

Kayla and Jacob playing air hockey

Mommy and her girls

Kayla during the water fight

Andy and Nathan practicing on the upper deck

Jacob and Ellie's "room"
It was actually the walk-in closet in our bedroom, but they loved having their own private space.

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Kayla and Jacob playing video games

Emmy hiding in the cabinet

Aunt Katie, Emmy, and Ellie on the deck

Heading to the Smoky Mountains

We left for Gatlinburg this morning. It was a long drive, but we made it safe and sound. On the way down, we usually stop at the rest stop in Jellico, TN to enjoy a picnic lunch and meet up with Mom, Dad, Katie, and Andy and then carpool the rest of the trip. It was closed for renovation, so we ended up eating at Wendy's with them and saving our packed lunches to enjoy at dinner. The cabin is great and has lots of space for all 17 of us to spread out.

Nathan starts off the trip with a sugar-free Rockstar

Ellie plays with her new Farm Magnet Book

Jacob loves his new Nintendo DSi

Emmaline reading a book

A welcome sight...our home for the next week

The Minges Twins Turn 7!

While I packed for vacation (we leave tomorrow!), Nathan took Jacob and Ellie to a birthday party for their friends, Mikayla and Mackenzie. They had a blast playing games, eating, and opening presents.

Ellie enjoyed her sherbet and cake

Jacob during present time
(Is it just me, or does he look older in this pic.?)

Mackenzie and Mikayla opening their sticker books (from Usborne, of course!)

Delco Park

Today was the start of our weekly home group outings for the summer. The mommies and kids meet at a different location each week for fun, fellowship, and food. We were supposed to meet at Indian Riffle Park, but it is under construction (which would have been helpful information on the city website), so we headed to Delco Park instead. The kids played, ran, chased geese, ate lunch, and played some more. Even though it was cloudy, we had a lot of fun with our friends.

Jacob on the move

Emmaline finds it hilarious to blow raspberries when I take her picture

Ellie in a tunnel

Jacob in the Kitchen

I started the tradition of letting each kid pick out and help prepare a meal each week. It was Jacob's turn and he chose to make lasagna, breadsticks, and salad. He did almost all the lasagna by himself and it was really yummy (considering the recipe came from a kids' cookbook). I'm looking forward to seeing what he chooses next time.

Play Day

Today, my friend, Becky, invited several mommy bloggers and their kids to her house to play. The kids had a lot of fun playing together and the mommies had a nice time talking about random things. It's funny how you can bond with people you only know through the cyber-world.

Jacob and Emmy

Ellie loved the Big Wheel

Emmaline really enjoyed the sand table. I love her smile here!

The boys were fascinated when the air popper made us some yummy popcorn.

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