Our Multiples Journey: Campin' with Gram & Gramps

Last week, I packed enough stuff to go on a cross country vacation for a whole year. Thankfully, that was not what we were doing. Actually, the kids & I went on a 3 hour drive up north to go to Grandma & Grandpa's cottage for 4 days! We deliberately went when Andy had to work back-to-back third shifts so we could keep the house nice & quiet (for once)!

I drove up over nap time and only had to handle everyone crying in the van for a little bit. Once we arrived in Elk Rapids, Grandma, Grandpa and their neighbors Nels & Donna (who were on-loan grandparents for the week) were eagerly awaiting to take the kids & play! The kids kept busy, slept good (except for the first night) and everyone had a great time!

~Playground Fun~

Upon arrival, the kids quickly noshed on some snacks and then played their little hearts out!

Sweet, Handsome Tanner

The boys loved going down the slide and having Grandpa catch them!

I think we need one of these in our yard!

Jenna went fishing a few times with Grandpa, Grandma & Nels. She caught 8 fish the first day and 3 the next! We went swimming at a local beach with a playground one day, went to the library one rainy afternoon, went to the Farmers Market one morning, played at the playground in the campground several times, went on boat rides, played in the lake, went out for ice cream, and did a lot of playing, eating & relaxing.

~Go Fish~

Jenna shows her brothers & sisters the fish she caught!

The kids were not quite sure what to think of the fish.

This is how I always serve up meals. It pays to have been a waitress!

Ahh, a relaxing moment where I get to enjoy my morning coffee!

~Pontoon Boat Ride~

Nels let Jenna "drive" the whole time!

Our beautiful almost 6 year old!

Super Jenna!

~Life's a Beach~

All 3 girls LOVE the water. Donna was a sport with going in the water with all of them!
The boys- well, digging in the sand is just fine for them.

Grandma surrounded by her biggest fans

Tyler & Tanner thoroughly enjoying themselves in the sand.

Who needs photoshop? This picture cracks me up because it looks like Tanner has sprouted arms from his ears and is grabbing at my sunglasses.

The perfect way to end a day: with ice cream!

Things are never really too relaxing with 5 little kids, but for naps each day I stayed in the trailer with the quaddlers so I was able to do things I never get to do, like paint my toes, read books, do my bible study, surf Facebook, and oh yes, relax! Jenna stayed nights in the cottage with the grandparents, so nighttime was also very relaxing. Grandma or Grandpa would quietly bring a glass of wine to the trailer's door each night for me, which was awesome! The first night was not a good night sleep for any of us since I was up at least 3-4 times for each child, but after that slept went great!

~Lake & Cottage Fun~

Jenna is such a fish!

The kids are wearing Puddle Jumpers. Because we swim so infrequently at this point and often go to the lake when we do, there's an assurance for me that all my kids are safe in the water (even though they are always closely monitored).