8 Kids + 2 Moms = 1 Awesome Week of Fun

My dear friend Mercy Forsyth and her darling five children (that includes 3-year-old twins) cam for a visit. Mercy lives in Chicago, IL, but grew up in Sacramento, CA. Summer for her family usually involves a trek back home to CA, lots of time with Grandma Forsyth, and family get togethers with the larger Forsyth clan in Utah.

This year we took advantage of her being on this side of the Rocky Mountains and planned some time for us to spend time together. Both of our Dear Husbands had to do that work thing so we decided we could let the kids get reacquainted and perhaps pull of some girl time. My Mom and Dad kindly, graciously, perhaps foolishly, offered up their home for the gathering place. What ensued was a boisterous, playful, sunny, slightly-sleepless week with many great memories to treasure always.

Although my parents had offered for us to use their home, Mercy and I did try to keep the kids busy doing things around Ogden and Salt Lake. We spent an afternoon in Salt Lake (it started out as a morning adventure but have you ever tried to get 8 friends to stop playing, get dressed, and in the car?) and had a great meal at Crown Burger, then on to the Church History Museum and then to the Hill Air Force Base Museum. And no, the kids did NOT fall right to sleep that night, thank you very much.

I love that while taking this shot of our posse walking the streets for SLC I happened to get a set of Elders! Quintessential Salt Lake City, Utah. As you can see, we had a gorgeous day for our walking about the city. I love Utah summers.

Here is my Parker with the twins, Maggie and Maguire. Parker had so much fun playing with these kiddos. Here he was doing his best to make sure neither of them threw themselves into oncoming traffic. Job well done.

We spent some time in the Church History Museum. The kids like the exhibits and learning some new things but things really got going when they found the nativity costumes in the kids area. This led to many costume changes, some shepherd-ninja moves, and much laughter.

Here Mason shows of his ensemble.

For some reason it always ends in a fist fight! I think Parker got the better of Mitchell on this exchange (OK - truth - totally set up shot.)

I think Mitchell had slightly outgrown to digs. Never too old to goof around though.

Mercy debated as to whether Matthew should be the angel, but since he really is a great kid we thought it would be pretty well cast.

One of many attempts to get everyone in a shot, eyes on the camera, all faces showing . Let's just say, this was the best I got. One has to move seriously fast to catch 3-year-olds for a group shot.

At the Air Museum. The kids were impressed with the size of those machines.

I think Spencer was practicing the eject seat for those time when his Mom makes a daring move on the road. Whitney was convinced that if she pushed hard enough she could get that baby off the ground. She need to eat more Wheaties.

It was heartwarming to see the kids all step so smoothly into these friendships. All the "pairs," Parker and Mitchell, Spencer and Matthew, Whitney and Mason, Maggie and Maguire, spent the week playing, laughing, sharing stories, teasing the younger sets, sharing rooms at night, talking way to late into the night, and generally loving their time together.

More to come - many more pictures to share.