Summer Vacation--Roundy Style

Oh, Summer vacation.  That time of year when we dare to leave the comforts and conveniences of our own home, shove everyone into the car and blaze through desert roads. Hours upon hours of hearing, "I'm bored," or "When are we going to get there?" or "I'm hungry," or "She's in my space!" Scouting out hotels and selecting the one least likely to have bed bugs.  Living out of a suitcase for weeks on end, so we can wear crumpled clothes and realize we didn't pack as much underwear as we'd thought.  Oh, the late nights and the grumpy kids, when all sense and reason has left their little bodies and they become a puddle on the floor, face beet red from screaming, because they don't know what they want.  The next meal?? Who knows what or when it will be…it's like a surprise! But you know that you need to get some sort of nourishment to those four growing bodies that isn't made of 95% sugar.

Spending quality time…together. 

One big, happy family!

Mmmm!  Delicious!

A grand view of the Grand Canyon

The view is even better with these people in it!

Maryn and her photography skills:

The Grand Canyon was a spontaneous jaunt on the already ridiculously long drive from Texas to Southern Utah. Probably a momentary lapse of good judgement since it resulted in a sun burnt baby, even grouchier kids and a little bit of road rage, but at least we can say we've been there! It was as beautiful and grand as it's name implies.

The first {planned} stop on our big summer vacation was Southern Utah.

The kids spent plenty of time with these cousins that they hardly see (Maryn was ticked of at me and refused to get in the picture).

I hope we can get them together more frequently.

Sweet little Monet

Cora and Maryn were both covered in blisters thanks to an outbreak of Hand Foot and Mouth.  I was trying my best to contain our illness (unsuccessfully, though) so I kept them out of the creek where are the other kids were playing.  We made pretty little clover crowns instead, and Maryn happened upon this crazy clover with like 6 or 7 leaves.  Pretty lucky!

Kannon was just cute.

On crafting night, some of the girls got a little crafty with Uncle Shad's hair.

Elaina and Ailee

Aunt Wendy decided to help Monet and Maryn play a little joke on their Uncle Shad.

I've always thought that Cora and her cousin, Amaya looked a lot alike.  It was fun to see them together. 

A picture of all the cousins at the reunion. (Minus Ella...who was unfortunately sick...'cause somebody brought along their little germs and didn't know it.)

The little man got a bath in the same sink his daddy did as a baby.

He doesn't seem super excited about it.

The Adults had some fun, too!

Kade and his siblings:

Just Kurt and Lee were missing.  It's been a lot time since this many Roundies were together.

Grandpa was getting some one-on-one time with Kannon:

While she was out visiting, Wendy took the opportunity to bury her baby in the Alton Cemetery at the gravesite of her grandparents.

It was nice of her to share this tender moment with us.

Alton is a beautiful mountain town.  I had to capture a quick picture of the storm clouds rolling in over the farm land.

It was nice to see so much of Kade's family all together.  We had a really fun time visiting and I hope it won't be too long before we can round everyone up again!