Monday, February 1, 2010

A Weekend in Cleveland

Holey Moley did we have a good time this past weekend in Cleveland!

We started out Saturday morning early. We were at the Cleveland Rainforest Zoo by 10:30. It is fantastic! We saw crocodiles, snakes, frogs, bats, tamarins, prevost's squirrels, anteater, ibises, otters, orangatans and more. The Lund and Jensen family joined us. #5 decided to go on solo walkabout about 12:00. She disappeared well enough we had to alert security. sigh She wanted to go back to the 2nd floor and found the elevators and everything. Boy, did she get spanked. I guess having 4 older brothers helps with the courage factor. She isn't afraid of much.

We stayed at the Embassy Suites in downtown. It sounds fancy but when we figured in the morning breakfast bar into the cost of the room, the room was a suite and had a pool, it made sense for us to stay there. We came from the zoo and went swimming for an hour or so. Then we got ready for a wedding reception. Jenny Mortensen got remarried and we went to the reception. We had nicoise salad, brie, cassoulet and yummy homemade desserts.

Then we boogied! #6 loves to break dance and turn herself in a circle on her belly on the dance floor. #5 found lots of people to twirl with. #4 was slam dancing against the padded gym wall. #3 was dancing with Johanna most of the night. #2 and #1 did dance but not as much (#1 asked Katie and a girl he didn't know to dance). I danced with all of my sons (much to the consternation of my eldest) and DH and I got a chance to swing and dance also. We chicken danced, hokey pokied and had a great time. Dan Jensen can cut a rug! He and Rebecca had a great time. We had enough adult/big kid hands that Amber (new baby #5) had someone holding her all the time and they had a chance to dance.

After the reception the kids did a late night swim and hit the sack. In this suite we finally had enough room for everyone to sleep. The room had a hide-a-bed and 2 double beds. DH and I and #1 and 2 got the doubles. #6 had a crib, #3 and 5 shared the hide-a-bed and #4 used the couch cushions on the floor by my side of the bed. We went to church (where #1 and #2 got an opportunity to teach primary) and went to Jenny's and her new DH's for lunch and playtime. 18 kids, lots of leftovers, lots of friends. Good times!

1 comment:

dawn said...

Sounds like a great weekend. Happy to hear about Jenny. Cleveland is a waay cool place. I rode my bike there a few years ago. Next time, leave the kids home, and you and your DH hit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Texas

The days are so different. Instead of mess and homeschool teaching I have a DH working from home and quiet until 2:54 when #6 (who is 10)...