Boone Family Reunion

Angela here!  We survived a fun and crazy trip to Gatlinburg last week with 22 of Chris' nearest and dearest relatives.  He has family in both Florida and Colorado and this was the second year of the Boone Reunion - with DeeDee being the matriarch of the group.  We had a great start to the vacation with Hudson and Adley leaving us speechless on the car ride down.  Perfect doesn't even describe their behavior.  Adley took a two hour nap followed by a three hour nap.  I even had to do the pinch-her-nose-to-make-sure-she's-breathing technique because she was being so quiet.  Hudson looked out the window and "counted trees" for the first two hours before I gave him the iPad.  I told him the iPad was charging and he actually believed me.  I'm praying his innocence lasts a very long time.

Everyone filtered in last Wednesday and we all stayed under one roof in a beautiful cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains.  There were eight little tikes, all under the age of five, all excited to see their Great Grandma DeeDee.  Hudson is the youngest boy and Adley is the youngest girl of the cousins and Hud was so excited to spend endless amounts of time with the big kids.  He followed them everywhere.  If they laughed, he tried to laugh louder.  If they ran, he tried to run just as fast.  He even skipped naps.  This made for a rough first day of vacation for him, as he tried to adjust to the hectic schedule.  We all went for a hike in the woods on Thursday and he had a meltdown.  He couldn't run or play or pick up sticks for his "treasure bag."  All he wanted was for mommy to hold him.  Poor guy was pitiful.  But pitiful always makes for a good picture! 

Chris kept wanting to "Michael Jackson" my baby girl by holding her near creeks, rocks or bridges.   He always says she "needs a better view," and no injuries have occurred (yet), but I quickly go into mommy-panic mode when he takes Adley on an "adventure."  Luckily, I had a slew of mommas helping me regulate all three of my children.

There were endless activities planned for the kids....water guns, bubbles, bath time finger painting and glow sticks just to name a few.  They loved each and every activity.  And seeing them all congregate together was actually entertaining.  Each child had a unique personality and it was sweet to see them interact with one another.  Except for the meltdowns, crying and whining moments; those were not sweet.  Those moment were loud and happened often, but thankfully they were short-lived.

Aidan, Claire, Anderson, Wesley, Hudson, Aubrey and Emery (Baby Adley was napping)

Squirt gun pic below. The kids loveeeed shooting each other and the adults.  But once they got wet themselves, they cried and fell apart.  It was hilarious to watch (thanks to the glass of wine keeping me company!).

Hudson was a good big brother on the trip.  He was very protective of Adley and always made sure she was happy.  When another cousin got close to her, he would quickly run up and put himself between the two and shout, "That's my Baby Adley!"  He's good at sharing, as long as it's not his little sister.  And notice his gentle technique with holding her....

Bath time is always a fun time...

On Friday we headed to downtown Gatlinburg for putt-putt, mirror mazes and a cable car ride to the top of the mountain.  At the top was a mini amusement park and a playground that the kids got to enjoy.

On Saturday we traveled into Pigeon Forge, which I thought was much more kid-friendly for the age group we were herding around.  The kiddos had a ton of fun on different rides and enjoyed the sites.  We even did a family ride on the Ferris Wheel.

Hudson got a "horsey ride" on the carousel with his daddy.  He loved it so much we had to do it again.  I'm amazed that he's still obsessed with horses.  I'm going to have to put him in riding lessons once he gets older.

Once Adley woke up, she loved all the excitement as well.  She took over an hour nap in the stroller.  I can't help but to say she was again...perfect!  I keep telling Chris she's saving all her non-perfect moments for her pre-teens years.  I'm anticipating a total diva in about a decade, so I'm soaking up all her sweetness now while it lasts.  

The final evening of the trip consisted of a photo shoot.  Surprisingly, the kids did very well (Claire had a few "moments," but again, those make for funny photos).

DeeDee with all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Claire and her "moment".....

The entire crew!

And Hudson ended the day by playing with stamps...

It was a great trip and I feel blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people that love and care for one another.  I'm hoping we can continue the tradition.  And if I get a vote on the location next year...I pick Turks and Caicos!!