someone puked in the lazy river. WI Dells 2017.

post by casey.

so someone totally DID puke in the freaking lazy river!!!! My brother-in-law, Dave, witnessed it while we were waiting for tubes to come by and made me aware. I thought maybe the guy spit up a bit but Jacob was still further out in the water and so I said to Dave: DO NOT TELL YOUR BROTHER. Anyone that knows Jacob or has ever seen him change a shitty diaper;), knows that he has a very weak gag reflex!!! I hardly finished my sentence when Jacob looks down and sees full on puke/chunks/crap floating by - this guy fully puked:/! Dave and I immediately died laughing, while Jacob stands perfectly still with a frightened look on his face saying: What's going on?!?!? What IS that? IS THAT SHIT?! WHAT THE HELL!!!!????. Omg, Dave and I were dying! Poor Jacob;)

and so....year3: the water park!

lets start this post with a little flashback, if you will...one of my favorite Dells photos:

this was year1 - which you can see in full HERE. Theo and WillB were just a few months away from turning a year old, which means we would very soon find out we were expecting RockyP!!!!:) We've come a long way in our planning and finessing of this trip! In 3 years we've created a pretty great system and when we remember to bringgggg all the food - Courts forgot a few meals this year...not like she has anythinggggg else going on in her life...9 kids or anything?!;) - things go pretty smoothly!

you can check-out year2 HERE - where Rocky was with us and only 3MO old:).

2 outta 3 ain't bad;)!!! - Court and Jacob's faces!!!;)

this year we changed things up a bit and got 2 - 3 Bedroom Deluxe rooms at Glacier Canyon Lodge. Link to where we stayed - HERE. It was magical! In the past, we've stayed in 4 Double Suite Wet Bar rooms at the Wilderness Hotel. Those were also so nice but ultimately, we're SO glad we made the switch to the Deluxe rooms because there was so much more room! Courtney and I - mostly Courtney;) - make the main meals and bring the coffee maker and we also have ALL the kids between us;)...so it's just been easiest for us to have rooms next to each other and then this year...shared! When they run to church, we can watch any kiddos they leave behind in the morning and with Jacob and I having left for our Tulum Getaway early the last morning of our Dells trip, Court and Dave were in the same space to watch our sleeping kiddos after we left for the airport!:)

not to mention, our sister-in-law - who helped do all the research on rooms this year, Thank you, Renee!!! - saved our mother-in-law - who has graciously paid for the rooms for the last 3 years, which acts as our 'Christmas', instead of presents and such, which we all LOVE! - a BUTT-Load of money. Almost $1000!  

We think that it's so cost effective because the Deluxe rooms are a bit further from the indoor water park, compared to our old Double Suites, that were much closer. But this was a non issue for us...saving that much money and gaining that much space, was absolutely worth the walk:)

rocky lovedddddd the wave pool - UNDERSTATEMENT!!!!;)

i can't really express to you how closely this swimsuit resembles Theo's entire personality! I struck gold finding this swimsuit of amazingness!!!;)

rocky loveddddddddd the lazy river - UNDERSTATEMENT;)

family photo or BEST PHOTO BOMB?!;)

we got a GoPro recently - purchased HERE - to take on our Tulum getaway, and so the kids got a kick out of playing with it all weekend! I was seriously impressed with some of their shots and video! In the quick movie I put together, at the end of this post, you'll see some tube clips that Lia got!

jacob wasn't impressed with my song selection but I'm still new at this and my song list is pretty limited and I had babies hanging off me and I wanted something upbeat and SO THIS IS AS GOOD AS YOU GET!!!!!;)

we missed out on an opportunity for a photo of the entire group, unfortunately! But I'm thinking we'll have to at least make this a tradition!:)

it was a 3rd, wonderful, year! We all look forward to this Annual Tradition so much and Homer's already asked several times since, when we can go back! Jacob and I have talked about maybe taking them again this summer! I think a few of our 'followers/readers' are seasoned Dells goers! If you have any tips or tricks, please pass them along!!!!

the Smith's go to church.

anddddd Rocky puked on Jacob - it wasn't that much puke;). anddddd Homer said 'butt-crack' and cried when the 'scary lady' asked him to participate in collecting the donations. Not entirely sure where Theo was in all of this?!;)
So basically, we nailed our first night at church;)

guys. We went to Church. For the first time...as a family:) It's something that's been on my mind for some time now. Since Homer's gotten a little older and especially since we made the decision to send him to the private Catholic school in the fall - he'll be in kindergarten, full days, starting in September. So there's that!!!!. And a few other things, like feeling more like a grown-up these last few years and feeling like I want to find a place in my community and...I don't know?! I don't know what it is I'm looking to get out of this, if anything...but I felt compelled to go. And I'm glad I have a husband that supports that, even if going really isn't something he felt compelled to do:)

soooooo, we're not Catholic. And we're not especially religious. We have our beliefs and we can appreciate what the Catholic school brings to the table for Homer. Jacob and I both feel like the class sizes and the opportunity for Homer to get more attention and help or discipline, if needed, just seemed appealing and right for him and his personality. We feel super lucky that it's even an option. And really only an option because I've been diligent enough to set aside what will be needed for his tuition, over the course of the last year.

sooooo, we're not Catholic. Courtney is. She converted when she married Dave, 15 years ago. Jacob is as well, but was never Confirmed. 
My sisters and I were baptized Methodist. There have been times in our lives that we attended church but not locally and not very often. BUT being Methodist is something I feel proud to be. I feel like it's a good fit for me and any time I have attended a Methodist mass, I felt like it suited who I am and what I believe. 

because Homer will be attending a Catholic school, he'll be attending mass weekly with the rest of the students. He will be taught about that Catholic religion. I respect those beliefs and we're comfortable with Homer learning about that. But mine and Jacob's beliefs don't fully align with those of the Catholic church. SO what we hope to do, by attending the Methodist church weekly, is to introduce the kids to another religion. Eventually, they'll decide what works for them and what doesn't. 

and I'm actually kinda excited to learn about the Catholic religion right along with Homer. Right now we listen to him and his 6YR old cousin argue debate about Jesus vs. God and whether the world is flat or round...it's pretty adorable listening to them and hearing that they already have such strong convictions at such a young age. Good lord, they really are sponges:)

blah, blah, blah...Catholic, Methodist...round, flat...God, evolution...potatoes, poe-ta-toes, right?;)

when we came home from Church tonight and talked about how we could be better church-goers next time - by not being sassy out of our mouths or on our faces;) - and talked about what we had heard and learned....Homer said that he felt like crying...not because he was sad, but because "I was so happy to know that Jesus is all around us":) 

a part of me hates the growing-up thing and the learning new things, thingggggg the kids are constantly doing! But more than that, I love who they are becoming and I love that moment AFTER the sassy mouth and the sassy face, when I doubt anything I'm trying to do is sinking in...that moment AFTER that, when he says something that makes me think it's all gonna be okay:)

so whether you go to church or don't or believe or don't...I really have nothing to say about that. Tonight was Night1 for us. We're trying church on. We're going to see if it's a good fit. Theo said she liked the songs:) And Rocky threw a toy across 2 pews - the kid has a great arm!;). What I do like, is us going together. And even though Jacob and I are mid-fight right now - which meant we walked there in silence and let the kids sit between us - for the 5 total minutes we were actually able to listen to what was being said...and exchange a smirk/glance when the guy a few pews up sang like his life depended on it;)...we silently pulled our shit together:) So maybe church isn't all bad;)

we live 2 blocks from church, so walking is the obvious choice:)

made with love. and sparkle tape.

a little late in the game as most of you have probably sent Valentines to school with your kiddos, but this was our process in Drew's Valentines :)

I try to keep it simple with the little ones' projects. and as little clean up for me. ;) watercolor painting has been their favorite lately so it seemed obvious to use this for her Valentines. I simply drew a heart in a marker (gold, per Drew's request) ;) and the girls painted over them. easy.peasy.

all my girls love to write so when the "cards" were all dry, she wrote her name on each of them. probably the cutest thing ever.

instead of candy, I convinced her she wanted to give tiny erasers. and on second thought after fishing aboutttt 5 of these out of Will's mouth in the last couple weeks, this may not have been the wisest choice for her treat. we'll get it right one of these times! so we got ourselves some pretty, sparkly tape and taped those buggers right on there :)

Casey and I had sort of similar ideas for the kids' cards. not surprising. but I feel as though Drew may have pulled hers off a little better. I suggested to Casey maybe to use paper without lines next time. and it makes a huge difference when the little ones write their own name, probably makes the cards! Homer is a bit younger so I'll be expecting some pure awesomeness with next years cards :)

sooooo I'm here to keep it reallllll. yo. Casey, here:)

i'll admit a few things here.

1. this project was above all else...a distraction. Have I mentioned how I'm obsessed slightly into, Felicity?!?!? SLIGHTLY;) I kid...mostly:) 

in case you thought I was trying to pull off that "she's a SAHM and has all the time in the worldddddd to hover over Pinterest and sit down and 'help' the kids with the most adorably-perfect Valentine's EVAAAAA"....even I have enough sense to admit that that's not what these are screaming;)

2. after Courts sent a photo of what her and Rowdy were working on (which was completely random that we were both working on something so similar!) - while she cared for 7 other children...is she still breastfeeding one???;)...making supper and organizing a corner of some part of the house and helping one with homework and bringing Dave a beer and just being calm and collected in all ways of life - I started to doubt whether Homer would be accepted into the Gifted and Talented Program...which Courtney informed me, she was a part of. Hmmm. 

3. i found a little book of those pro Valentine's, way back in the closet. Some Star Wars ones, even!! And I almostttttt turned into that mom. I almostttttt redid them all that morning before school. 

luckily, I came to my senses. Homer's are perfect! He can't write his name quite yet...we did manage to get a few letters on some, in case that isn't obvious;) And that additional crinkle has an adorable story behind it...of Theo grabbing hold of the entire pile and bolting and us then having to hold her down to pry them out of her irrational/screaming paws!!!! Good times;)

rowdy and Homer did such a great job and seriously...homemade or Target-bought...you're doin' good mama:)

now...back to what Court's was saying;)...

she snuck some candies before I could feed her after school, but she thoroughly enjoyed all her goodies... and even shared!

wishing you all a happy valentines day!

14 kids. 4 adults. 2 dogs and puke. We went sledding.

if you follow me on Instagram, you know that my Mac is currently out of sorts:/

i 'tossed' it onto the floor in a fit of rage and am now waiting the longggg 4 days to find out if it's salvageable or if I just spent up part of our tax returns on a new computer:/

those few days you go without your link to the outside world - and by outside world, I mean: DO BEN AND FELICITY GET BACK TOGETHER?!?!?!?!?!?!?;) - are quite eye opening. Day1: Regret. HUGE regret. I NEEEEDDDD MY COMPUTERRRRRRRRR. It's EVERYTHINGGGGGGGGG! Will I need a replacement?! Am I prepared to spend $1500 on a new computer? Am I prepared to spend $230 to fix my already shitty one?!!?!?! Day2: Fuck it.

anyhoo...it's nice outside and I'm finally feeling less than complete shit since my surgery but still tired and weakish - or maybe coffee, pop tarts and 2.25hrs of sleep just aren't enough fuel for an entire day?;) 
So just good enough to not need 3 naps but still shitty enough that we can't really get outside and enjoy 36 degrees in February. Boo.

so we'll reminisce on some beautiful Wisconsin winter weather from just a few weeks ago!



only those living in Wisconsin...in January...can appreciate a rare 39 degree day! 

so sledding!!!!!:)

14 kids. 4 adults. 2 dogs.

it took a fewwwwww too many casualties before the kids realized that walking back up the hill, into on-coming sledders, was a terrible idea;) And my dog puked - PUKED!!!! - directly on the sledding path. Twice. 

once the kinks were worked out andddd puke was cleared...it was a blast!

this Wisconsin winter has been SO mild. Good grief, I don't want to jinx it by even mentioning that. BUT it's been GLORIOUS!!! And 42 days till Spring. Totally.Doable.