On our way!

We left on vacation for New Buffalo, Michigan over Memorial Day weekend. We left on Friday, May 28th and returned the following Friday, June 4th. It was a fun trip, but very busy and somewhat exhausting. Oh well! We stayed in a beautiful 4 bedroom home that was plenty big enough for us and our friends Karen and Mike along with their 10 month old twins. Lots of babies in this house! Jack was a trooper and enjoyed playing outside on 1 of 2 screen porches, the playground and the quiet cul de sac. We were situated in a cute little town of quaint shops, ice cream parlors and restaurants. The marina and Lake Michigan were gorgeous! The weather cooperated and only rained 1 day. All 4 kids were good in the car. Not too noisy. I spent a lot of time in the back keeping everyone happy, fed and hydrated. I felt the 6 hour trip in the car went fairly quickly both ways. The Mainzers and us settled on this town because it was small, family oriented, on the beach/water and only 6 hours from St. Louis. We are glad to be back home though! No place like home!

Fun in the pool

We had a nice heated pool for our use on vacation. The babies enjoyed the water...especially Jack! Daniel took awhile to get acquainted to the water, but after a few minutes began to enjoy

swimming in his raft.

Our first beach experience as a family of 6!

It was kind of difficult getting everyone to look at the camera at the same time! There was such much going on around them for their little wandering eyes!

Mommy with her babies

Well, I guess I should title this 'Mommy with her toddlers' because they really aren't babies anymore! The beach was fun, but busy. We stayed for about 1 1/2 hours and that was plenty. It wasn't too hot, but it was very sunny and the babies ran out of things to do. Only one baby tried to eat sand and that was Daniel! It was fun watching each of them react to this new environment!

Daniel on the beach

Daniel had fun in the sand. He played with the suntan lotion bottles, shovels and whatever else he could get his hands on! He had his little sand socks on and enjoyed walking on and off the blanket. He didn't explore too far which was nice...he always stayed near mommy and his brothers. Hoyt and Jack spent more time in the water playing ball and the babies and I watched.

Colin and Andrew on the beach

Colin and Andrew on the beach. Andrew had so much fun "digging" in the sand with his shovel. Colin stayed on the blanket with me and enjoyed watching everything going on around him. They both enjoyed playing with items and toys within their reach on the blanket, but were not interested in venturing past the blanket which was fine with me!

Craziness before bedtime

These are 4 overly tired boys who are extremely wound up and quickly approaching bedtime. This video is just a small taste of the chaos. Getting diapers and pajamas on some nights are a near impossible task. Most times by this time of the day Hoyt and I are too tired to care too much about quieting the noise. I think we just tune it out all the while keeping our focus on the clock. C'mon 7:30!!!

My three sons!

3 of the 4 Reed boys! These pictures were taken while Jack was on a playdate at Mums' house. The family room of our home has officially become the playroom. Always a mess and always fun for them!

Give to Momma!

Andrew is in the stage of giving and taking back and forth nonstop. He most times will give me what he has if I ask him to "give to momma". However, he still takes whatever he wants out of Colin and Daniel's hands. Daniel and Colin rarely put up a fight and usually give into Andrew. I am working with the boys (mostly Daniel and Andrew) to take turns. Each boy gets equal time with a toy they both want. A lot of tears and hurt feelings around here lately!

TV repairmen

I'm not sure what the obsession is with the TV and all of it's wires, but these babies are constantly into them. Busy little bees!