I feel like I've been MIA for ages. We had a fantastic week away with all hubby's extended family and I did intend, as we were back last Friday, to do a Friday's Fave Five post but I was just too tired.
Socialising with such a large group (30+ adults and up to 15 kids depending on the day of the week) is tiring. Also we were sharing a room with my daughter, her wife and their two children who did not sleep well. Consequently none of us slept well.
For those new to my blog, every year over the August Bank Holiday hubby's family get together. In the past we went camping but as time has moved on we've opted for a more comfortable setting - a converted Oast House in Kent.
Obviously the pandemic put paid to this for the last 2 years so this year we were all excited to get back together again.
The weather was kind to us - warm and sunny but not the unbearable heat we've had recently and I think we only had one short rain shower during the days.
Each family took a turn to prepare dinner for everyone - that was a mammoth task. There was much playing of games and singing karaoke and time in the pool. We even had a Club Tropicana pool party on the Saturday afternoon.
As requested I did take lots of photos and I've "borrowed" others although they are in no particular order!
My youngest son and his wife.
Grandsons Noah and Rory helping prepare the biscuits for the base of our dessert - Key Lime Pie
The youngest of the Great Grandchildren generation celebrated her first birthday while we were there. (We still refer to them as great grandchildren despite none of the Great Grandparents from Hubby's family being alive.)
Granddaughter Ella. Not sure about her reading material lol.
The obligatory "stairs" photo of my family. Our photographer took loads of shots and these were probably the best two although none of them were perfect. Co-ordinating 6 little ones is a challenge!
This is Maya the birthday girl and her cousin Poppy with their grandparents. Some of you may remember how poorly Poppy was as a baby and although her condition is lifelong she is such a lovely girl.
Ella and Vinny
Nathan ready for the pool party!
Ella is getting so grown up but she's not 2 until November
She really wanted my hat.
Some of the family
Vinny
We definitely had a lot of water babies.
Miles
Bedtime story
The downside of being in the pool - getting out.
Pool party ready
Noah
Ella and Miles with my daughter
Rory
Noah
Some family members took the pool party dress code more seriously than others.
TV can be a wonderful thing.
Maya, the birthday girl.
Noah, Nathan and Rory.
Henry (the packhorse) was the only French grandson to attend but he is such a lovely young man mixing in as well with the little ones as he did with the oldies.
More family - my eldest son and his wife are sitting at the front, you can just see me behind my DIL and Hubby is standing on the left.
Noah and Nathan
I'd like to say I'm having a rest this week but Grandson Rory starts school this year in a Reception class. Well school started today but his school are not having any of the Reception children in for the first 2 weeks as staff will be conducting home visits. During week 3 the children will attend until 12.00 noon each day and during week 4 they will attend until 1.30 pm. In week 5 (w/c 3rd October) they will be allowed to attend full time.
I could get bogged down in sharing what I think about this but we'd be here all night! Anyway it means I have Rory all this week so that his parents can work and as Vinny has had an upset tummy and cannot attend nursery I have him as well until Wednesday at least.
Retirement is no easy life!
What a lovely family!! It's obvious that you all had a wonderful time at the reunion.
ReplyDeleteI agree that retirement isn't easy when you have all the kiddos around. Lately we have been taxi drivers and home remodelers.
Enjoy a good rest (hopefully) even though you will have some very busy weeks ahead.
Yes sometimes I feel like a taxi driver too lol
DeleteSuch beautiful pictures! What a wonderful family tradition, making all those great memories. It can be exhausting, being with so many people (at least for me), but truly wonderful all the same. We are back into the school routine, picking up our grandkids from school most days, at least for a few weeks now. My biggest fear is that I'll forget to be there on time. I have so little routine on my calendar these days.
ReplyDeleteThat would definitely be my worry too but we don't often have to do schol pickups.
DeleteI love the idea of a big family get together but i wouldn't be so happy about trying to provide a meal for so many people. Your last comments about the starting dates for the reception children struck home. In the same situation here and am having to provide childcare cover when my daughter is working. The children will no sooner start full time than they will be off for half term. It is ridiculous when many of them have been going to full time nursery/preschool for at least the last year.
ReplyDeleteExactly! Rory has been at full time nursery since he was just over a year old.
DeleteHi, Thank you for sharing your family. WOW! What fun! Thank you for sharing the photos too.
ReplyDeleteLove, Carla
You're welcome :)
DeleteOh my, Wendy!! What a big, beautiful family you have (and this is only part of them, I know!)!! I surely enjoyed all of the photos and especially seeing how the kiddos are growing up so fast! As I was reading about the Reception school, I was thinking some of the same things you were wanting to write about. Seems strange, to say the least, but I guess it is what it is. Do keep us posted!! Hope Vinny is feeling better!! Thanks for sharing your fun week with us!! Rest when you can!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Terri. It's definitely been hectic.
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