Crazy Kids!

(FYI: I was lame and didn't take any pictures so I had to steal these off of others' blogs. I hope that's okay. I'm glad other people decided to grab the camera.)

A few weeks ago my friend Erica called me with a dilemma. Jana, our good friend, and her husband were going to Hawaii and leaving their three kids with Erica for 10 days. Erica's husband Than had to be out of town for the entire time. She said that she would get my plane ticket if I'd come out and help. Of course, I said "yes" because who can pass up a free trip to Utah? I love that place! So, while Jana and Ben were doing this.... Erica and I were doing this...

These are all the kids we had together during the week. 7 kids 5 years old and younger. Needless to say, it was a little crazy at Erica's place. However, she is the most fun, laid back person you'll ever meet so all in all things ran pretty smoothly. Tyler cried every time I got near another kid to help him/her...let's be honest, Tyler cried every time I left the room...more honest, every time I turned my back away from him. So, I really wasn't that big of a help to Erica. At least I could do the dishes or help with meals without a complete Tyler melt down.

Erica was a really good sport about having my friends and family come over to hang out since we couldn't go anywhere. (Do you have a car that fits 7 kids??) Once again, I didn't take out my camera which I'm bummed about now. I was able to see my great friend Jenaca and her new baby Sadie (pictured above). Can you see how uninterested Tyler is in getting his picture taken? Erica and I were also able to sneak away for a little bit to see our old roommates Summer and Ashley...so fun! My good buddy Eric and his wife Heather stopped by.

I also got to see my brother Garrett and sister-in-law Christina (thanks again for picking me up from and taking me to the airport). More importantly, I got to see my cute niece Lily. My sister and brother-in-law Christie and Myles came over with their three girls, Robyn, Carly and Macy the first night I was there and brought us dinner. By "us" I mean all of "us." THANKS!! Christie also came again on Thursday night which was fun because we could catch up with all the kids asleep. She also came back with the girls on Friday morning and Erica took pictures for us. Like I said, Erica is a great sport...THANKS for the pics!! I can't tell you enough how much I love my nieces. All four are so fun to be around and so beautiful. They're all nice to Tyler and to me. I can't wait to see the Watson girls at Camp Grammy in a few weeks and Lily again in November. Being an aunt is the best!

While I was gone, my mom was getting to enjoy the best thing ever...A NEW BABY!! My nephew Grant was born just before I left and my mom went down to help. Isn't he the cutest?? I can't wait to get my hands on that cute little boy. Once again, I LOVE being an aunt.

I'm really grateful that I was able to spend so much time with Erica. She's a great mom and friend; she teaches me a lot. I'm also grateful to have been able to see so many other great friends and my amazing family. As always, I wish I could have caught up with a few more people but, once again, 7 kids under 5 year old doesn't lend itself to much flexibility. Now we're home again and I've quickly realized how much easier it is to take care of just Tyler. Good things we'll be adding one more in November.