March Madness... (Part 1)

...or should I say March sickness.  We've been feeling 'under-the-weather' for about 3 weeks now and we're hoping it's gone for good.  

On the otherhand, we had the most fun filled month in a long time.  We had been planning a visit to David and Kristi Carne's home in Ohio for quite some time now so all the preparation and waiting to see my brother, Nate's sister, the DOUBLE COUSINS....  Usually when we take vacations we try to pack as much fun and as many activities as we can think of into a short time.  this time God slowed us down and helped us relax.  It wasn't restful being up most of all nights and worrying if we were treating the kids for the correct sickness, etc. but it was relaxing.  We watched movies, ate soup and special foods (Kristi is a super cook).  

We did however venture out one day and Kristi and I took the kids to Amish Country to see a large animal auction and spend time in one of their huge stores.  The kids had an absolute ball there.  Halley decided to take on a wooden bench with her nose.......  the bench one.  As I left the other five children to continue with the auction and take my bleeding/screaming daughter out to find something to clean up with I hear one man (out of probably 200 who heard and saw everything, we were the only thing colored in the room) he said, "  Uh......  she's bleeding!"    I thought to myself, 'you know the fact that it's dripping down my hand and all over her clothes and I'm pinching her nose a little would usually mean that I've seen the blood, but thanks'.  

Other than that it was a normal/usual fun trip that happens with 9 children from ages 6 to 11 months.

There was a TON of snow.  When people were feeling up to it we went outside and played some but the kids were just excited to see it everyday even if they didn't get to play there too terrible much.

We also got a few fun shots of the kids:

You can view more of our trip at our Picasa web album if you like (link in the right hand column).  

I should head to bed now and will post Part 2 soon.

Thanks Dave and Kristi for being such good friends as well as relatives.  It's always nice to like your relatives and not have it be so much work to have a visit.  You all were so hospitable to us and treated us special.  We love you all and miss you tons.

Us Coppers