The idea here is that basically, everyone is camping on Bradys parents property. The kids have basically lived outside. Its been a fabulous day that has been completely out of the ordinary for us. I don’t think Dekker saw the inside of the house between breakfast and bedtime. We even ate outside, so our kids went from freezing and in jackets, coats, and mitts, to hoodies in the sun, to covered in ketchup, to all cleaned up for family pictures! Someone was going to come take our pictures tomorrow morning, but plans changed, and tonight was better. I was pretty nervous, since the kids hadn’t napped, were already totally bushed, and then were expected to sit still for pictures, which is always a challenge with the little ones.
Fun surprise, though! Pictures went SO WELL! No, we weren’t dressed all cute. I had no makeup on, Dekker still had ketchup on his nose, stuff like that, but it was a huge win 🙂 The photographer called Dekker by name and teased him through the pictures. I know it was because he wasn’t listening well, but it was adorable, and he felt so important. Because of that, grandma and grandpa were able to get the cherished grandkid picture! I won’t give details, in case they’re meant to be kept under wraps (I don’t know the rules) but they display so well exactly where this whole big family is right now. Its going to be perfect. I think Phil and Elvira are pleased 🙂
We put our kids down pretty much right after pictures, and they were furious, and then asleep. Well, Rowan and Dekker were out within moments of being put to bed, but Laela cried for quite a while. She was SO worn out. The rest of us sat outside and visited. The other kids played more and we all drank hot chocolate. But I was just too freezing, and I’m not downstairs in bed, trying to help my feet recover and, lets be honest, waiting for Ro to wake up. This poor kid is pretty over all the busyness of the last several weeks. He needs some normalcy and a routine again so badly! But we’ll soak up family gatherings for a few more days before reality strikes again. We’ve got time. It helps that he’s so cute.