Fall Break 2015

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

This is our fifth year spending Fall Break in St. George with the Tillmans, Vances and Danforths. It is one of my kids’ favorite weekends of the year. All four families headed down to St. George Thursday morning, ready for some time with friends. From the minute we walked in the door, the kids were off playing: at the park, swimming, playing ukuleles and guitars together, playing games, playing tennis/air hockey/basketball/football/soccer. And they’re all getting older so it’s a lot less stressful to keep track of them. Everyone has a friend and usually a couple of friends so it is one big party for five whole days with 33 people under the same roof (23 kids and 8 adults).

Despite the chaos that comes with 33 people in the same house, it is surprisingly relaxing and rejuvenating. Everyone helps with the food prep and clean up. The big kids get their time to go do fun stuff. They went out for ice cream, hiked around Snow Canyon, visited the St. George Temple, went to a Haunted House, went to see “The Martian” and tons more. They stay up until 2 or 3 (or maybe later) every night playing games and watching movies. The “middles” get to be the “bigs” when the big kids are gone. They even got to join in on the movie and haunted house. The Dads had a scary movie night and went to see “The Visit” in the theater. The moms weren’t even interested. I hate scary movies! We took the middles one day to see “Goosebumps.” That was scary enough for me. Mikey told me afterwards, “Just so you know….I’m never sleeping in my own bed again.” Oops! Might have been too scary for him.

One of my favorite things was meeting up with the Baileys, Watkins and Pennocks for some serious futsal games. The adults and teenagers played and it was pretty intense but so fun! And an awesome workout! It was Harvest Hills (Jeff, me, Lyndi, Adam, Dan, Caden, Sara and Tom) vs. the Bailey's and Pennocks. They played soccer at BYU and are all really good so we felt pretty good staying with them and losing only 8-10. Poor Dan (he also played at BYU) didn't have a whole lot to work with. ;) I also loved staying up late and talking with my friends, and having discussions with all of the adults on interesting subjects. I loved swimming and taking walks. I loved going out to dinner at the Cliffside restaurant with just the adults. We stayed at the restaurant for two and a half hours eating and telling stories of our embarrassing moments. I laughed so hard I cried!

I say it every year but I’ll say it again…I love having such amazing friends! I feel so lucky that our family has such good friends too. I think it is pretty unique to have this group where everyone really loves each other and gets along so well…from the adults down to the littles. It is one of my many blessings that I am grateful for every day!

We had some time to kill before the movie so everyone headed to Sandtown Park 

for a little two-hand-touch football. 

Trooper loved Tom. And I'm pretty sure the feeling was mutual! ;)

The football gang

The littles keeping busy at the park while we played football.

The "Goosebumps" group showing their scared faces after the movie.

On Sunday night, there was a crazy storm rolling through. Pounding rain and tons and tons of lightning. I thought for sure the power would go out. Storm cells came and went all day long. While we were sitting in Relief Society there was a clap of thunder so loud that we all jumped. I thought a car had crashed outside the door it was so loud!

It's a tradition every year that the kids all line up on the slide and we take a picture. This year we decided to recreate the same picture with the adults. (Minus Tom & Elena) :(

We drove through storms on the way home too. 

This rainbow was the brightest one I think I've ever seen!

I love how we are shaped like a heart...and it wasn't even planned. That's gotta mean something! ;)

These two crack me up! Jeff is showing Adam some funny video on his phone. 

No one can make Jeff laugh like Adam can.