The Life of Bon: A post in which I take five children out rafting on the lake during a thunderstorm

Monday, July 30, 2012

A post in which I take five children out rafting on the lake during a thunderstorm

Do you or do you not love hearing about other peoples' weekends?

THIS weekend for us was a big Blackburn family get together at our family cabin.  Six of the eight Blackburn kids were there (R.I.P. Mary and Dennis... we'll see you at next summer's family gathering, suckers!) and 13 of the 14 grandchildren graced us with their presence.  Have you ever been in a cabin for 2 days with 13 kids aged 2-13?

IT IS PURE MADNESS, I TELL YOU. PURE MADNESS!

But the good kind of madness.

Here's the little darlings watching Ice Age.  Please notice Josie all the way on the right.  She has completely stolen Hubs' heart and run away with it.  The way he looks at this girl, I start to think I might never get my husband back.



Did I say there were a lot of kids at the cabin?  There were.
Did I mention how many adults were there? Just as many.
Thirteen adults.  Thirteen children.
Once the little angels were in bed the adults stayed up and got buck wild crazy.  You should see us play cards!



Is that me shepherding five children in a raft in the middle of a thunderstorm?
YES!
YES IT IS!

Friday the weather was crappy all day.
Sorry, mom, for saying crappy.
But it was.

We wanted to take the kids out on the lake, but rainy weather forced us to stay inside and watch movies and play cards instead.

Saturday we were determined hell or high water to take the kids out on the lake.
As soon as we got out there it started raining.  Literally the second the rafts touched the water.

And doesn't this all look very safe?


Hubs descibes me as "intense." From the above picture, you would never guess it, would you?!?

It wasn't easy paddling that raft.  I could have used some man help.  My sister's husband, Ben, hung off the raft and was not exactly the kind of help I was looking for.  I guess beggars can't be choosers, huh?


Hubs stayed on shore.  He likes places that are safe and comfortable.  I like places that are risky and adventurous.  This is his Native American face.  Also, please feel free to make fun of him for wearing a jacket to the lake.


As soon as we got out of the lake, the skies cleared right up.  Naturally.  I'm not even exaggerating about this.  We were in the lake for five minutes and that was exactly the five minutes of the day that it rained.  Once the skies cleared up I tried to get the kids to get back in the water but by then they were already traumatized/soaking wet/miserable/crying/other things that kids seem to be so much of the time.  It was a futile endeavor.


Hubs with his new girlfriend.  Can you see the hunger in his eyes for a baby girl of his own?  It's hard to resist, even I'll admit that.


While Hubs colored with the new gf, I was left to entertain the four year olds.  We played a game that four year olds are capable of playing, so that should tell you right there how awesome the game was.  I handled it like a champ.  Best aunt award goes to.... drumroll... BONNIE!!!!!



Hubs might be hankering for a sweet baby girl, but I'm thinking (contrary to my earlier thoughts) that I'll take a cute little boy.  Like this one.  He's my nephew, Matthew, and I just can't help but feel like a million bucks when he snuggles up with me and gives me a sly little smile.  And then I have to stop and wonder... is this why people have children?

And now, if you will please answer my question...

DO YOU OR DO YOU NOT LIKE HEARING ABOUT OTHER PEOPLES' WEEKENDS?

10 comments:

  1. I love your big family! All your nieces and nephews are so cute! It looks like you guys had an awesome weekend, your cabin is such a fun and beautiful place to spend time! And I love the photos of you on the raft with all of the kids!, it totally made me laugh!

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  2. I love hearing about anything as long as its told well, which you do a good job of. The funny thing about having kids is that when you announce the gender on your facebook every one is going to say "______ are the best!!!" regardless if its a boy or girl. You'll fall in love and plus you wont know anything different (until you have a second kid, so they say)

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  3. I usually pick and choose based on the title of the post...and how could I NOT click on this one?!? Sounds like a madhouse (in a good way!). My favorite is the "buck wild crazy" card game with everyone just sitting there. Hahaha.

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  4. Wow, that rafting pic is pretty intense! What an awesome family. New follower :)

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  5. Oh wow! Looks like you had a fun filled weekend!!! I love hearing about other peoples' weekends! They are so much more interesting than mine.

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  6. i love hearing and reading other peoples weekend. :D this post makes me miss my big and noisy family. looks like you guys had tons of fun.

    can't wait to read you next weekend shenanigan.

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  7. Thanks for coming to visit my blog. I have followed you back. Can't wait to check out your blog more

    xo
    Jessa

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  8. Oh my gosh, the rafting! The intense face! I love it all. I'm totally looking forward to reading more of your adventures!

    xo - Tiffany

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  9. I love reading about others weekends and yours looks fun!

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  10. haha great post title! Love reading about people's weekends and yours looked especially entertaining. That's a lot of people but I'm sure it was a blast :)

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