Wow, what a week! Well, this is the first time Jason and I have had a real vacation since our honeymoon, meaning, taking off a whole week of work vs. an extended weekend. It was awesome.
Every year the Peters' kids get together with Mom... this year was no exception, however, I must say it was much different. First, Mom is now not just "Mom", but "Harold and Mom". And although I can't compare Harold to my dad in anyway, I can compare our vacation experience, and for the first time in over eight years, we had a wonderful family vacation as a family with minimal awkward emotions or grief.
My mom was back in her "Mom element". I can't describe to you the feeling of allowing your mother to make a Costco run and knowing that she's not going into debt or sacrificing something else to do it. Since my dad has been gone, her finances have been very tight. She still wanted to be the mom that treated her kids to dinners, movies, pedicures, etc. And even though she lived on pennies, she still found a way to do it occasionally. But this time is much different. We allowed her to spoil us because now it is not just her. She's apart of a team and that team did a d*mn good job of giving us kids an incredible vacation.
So, Team Mittmann hosted the whole Peters/Mockabee crew at the Mittmann resort. All week we basked in the sun, ate a ton of food (shout out to Harold's friend who supported the Bratwurst diet), and watched our kids play together, something that doesn't happen often and something I never wanted to end. Not to mention, kids playing together=minimal adult intervention=yet another reason why it was a true vacation.
Some highlights:
-Uncle Jess and Carter playing sports. Jess is now his new favorite person. Carter now makes a sound of a dying calf when he slam dunks the ball.
-The guys playing pool HORSE with the bball hoop. HIL-ar-i-ous. Definitely proved they were getting older.
-Beach day down at Newport and ice cream at Balboa Fun Island.
-Morgan, Mattie, Estella and Carter playing in the play house.
-Cribs and beds set up everywhere to accommodate the whole clan.
-Visits by Grandma and Grandpa Brown, the whole Brown family, Brad, Susan, Sara, Stephanie, their boyfriends, seriously, the list goes on.
-Getting my hair done by Kristen... whoohooo, a new woman, I am!
-Hanging out with Kristen, Joelle, Justin, Estella, and So Cal friends. (A definite benefit to having my mom live down there!)
-Laughs and giggles from all of the cousins playing together.
-Cousin bath time, yes, all kids fit in the bath and believe it or not, not one tear was shed!
Ending the experience we realized that it was our ideal vacation. It had the perfect mix of relaxation, activity, good food, friends, and most importantly, family.
Team Mittmann with all the grand kids
Auntie Missy bonding with Everett
Every year the Peters' kids get together with Mom... this year was no exception, however, I must say it was much different. First, Mom is now not just "Mom", but "Harold and Mom". And although I can't compare Harold to my dad in anyway, I can compare our vacation experience, and for the first time in over eight years, we had a wonderful family vacation as a family with minimal awkward emotions or grief.
My mom was back in her "Mom element". I can't describe to you the feeling of allowing your mother to make a Costco run and knowing that she's not going into debt or sacrificing something else to do it. Since my dad has been gone, her finances have been very tight. She still wanted to be the mom that treated her kids to dinners, movies, pedicures, etc. And even though she lived on pennies, she still found a way to do it occasionally. But this time is much different. We allowed her to spoil us because now it is not just her. She's apart of a team and that team did a d*mn good job of giving us kids an incredible vacation.
So, Team Mittmann hosted the whole Peters/Mockabee crew at the Mittmann resort. All week we basked in the sun, ate a ton of food (shout out to Harold's friend who supported the Bratwurst diet), and watched our kids play together, something that doesn't happen often and something I never wanted to end. Not to mention, kids playing together=minimal adult intervention=yet another reason why it was a true vacation.
Some highlights:
-Uncle Jess and Carter playing sports. Jess is now his new favorite person. Carter now makes a sound of a dying calf when he slam dunks the ball.
-The guys playing pool HORSE with the bball hoop. HIL-ar-i-ous. Definitely proved they were getting older.
-Beach day down at Newport and ice cream at Balboa Fun Island.
-Morgan, Mattie, Estella and Carter playing in the play house.
-Cribs and beds set up everywhere to accommodate the whole clan.
-Visits by Grandma and Grandpa Brown, the whole Brown family, Brad, Susan, Sara, Stephanie, their boyfriends, seriously, the list goes on.
-Getting my hair done by Kristen... whoohooo, a new woman, I am!
-Hanging out with Kristen, Joelle, Justin, Estella, and So Cal friends. (A definite benefit to having my mom live down there!)
-Laughs and giggles from all of the cousins playing together.
-Cousin bath time, yes, all kids fit in the bath and believe it or not, not one tear was shed!
Ending the experience we realized that it was our ideal vacation. It had the perfect mix of relaxation, activity, good food, friends, and most importantly, family.
Team Mittmann with all the grand kids
Auntie Missy bonding with Everett