Montana Time - No Rest - Day Two

Amanda and her boys arrived late last night and are staying at Rhiana's house for the party fest.  We are on our way over there to spend the day helping get everything ready for Elena and Malea's parties and suggest to Becca that she drop off Hyrum and Zyra for the morning so that they can have cousin time as well.

First up -- shopping.  Rhiana has to work and so Amanda and I are armed with lists and set out to accomplish as much as possible during the 2 hours that Mister has graciously offered to help Brittany (Rhiana's nanny) watch 7 kids.  Oh my, we must dash.  First up: Michaels for tea party decorations, cake decorating supplies, and activities.  Then we are off to The Home Depot for plants for the yard and finish up with a stop at the grocery store for cake baking ingredients and lunch.  Now it is time to rescue Grandpa.  What do you suppose he has been up to?

It seems that he played photographer while we were gone and managed to get some fun shots.  I had located sets of the "Go Fish" cards I had at the beach last summer and shipped them up here ahead of my trip so that each family could take a set home.  They were an instant hit and if watching these little ones sit down and play a card game unsupervised isn't extra special -- I am not sure what is.

The only one missing is Malea.  Where do you suppose she is?  Ah -- food.

Caleb finds the pink tent --- this is a pretty girly house.  Too funny.

Grandpa soon herds everyone outside and then just sits back and watches what happens.  Free entertainment and so many dynamics all working together always makes for interesting interactions.  Sit back and enjoy with me while we peek in on their moments.

Deep in thought.  Elena

Hyrum, Zyra, and Elena - Way too cute.  Major decisions being made I am sure.

Best cousin friends.  Hyrum and Elena

Caleb the Ghost heading back into the house.

How much longer do we have to stay out here Grandpa?  We're getting tired.  Raef, Zyra, and Elena.

Now we're talking -- at least food is being given out but it really needs to be eaten indoors don't ya think?  Caleb

Group jump - five cousins together at once.  Raef, Ryan, Hyrym, Elena, and Zyra

Where is Grandpa?  Elena has found him and decides that he needs taking care of so sets about tying his shoes and making his hair pretty.  Sorry, no picture of the hair, but the shoes are killer.

After we return from shopping and start the lunch process, we discover that Elena is not willing to give Grandpa up.  She can almost always be found in his lap snuggling away.  While the kids are eating, Mister sets about getting the yard ready for tomorrow's "Garden Tea Party" and puts all the plants in that we picked up while shopping.  I am pretty sure that he is not minding the solitude in this task.  After all, seven bodies is a lot of busyness while we were gone.

He fills all the flower boxes and hanging baskets on the porch, the large pots on on the ground, and some smaller pots to place on the steps.  The previous pictures showed bits and pieces of the landscaping that Rhiana had already accomplished before we arrived.  She has certainly been busy lately.

Oh my, where is the day going?  Time for Gammy to get started on cakes.  After making 7 layer cakes and 2 dozen cupcakes, it is time to start frosting so that tomorrow I will not have quite so much to do.  Elena popped in to help with the decorating and had so much fun placing roses and sprinkling pink sugar.  Great moments - no pics though -- it is soooo hard to be everywhere at once.

Once the work is at a stopping point for the day, we get Malea and Caleb settled in for the night and Mister and I take everyone else out for dinner.  I absolutely love these moments with my family.  The kids are so well behaved and the grands do excellent as well.  Ha ha -- Gammy made a funny.  It is a great end to the day -- and we don't have to do dishes.