The Runaway

Since I was a little girl, I've loved paying "Runaway". 

Don't worry mom, it was never really me running away, and not from you, only from imaginary orphanages, run by oppressive, Miss Hannigan-type "Aunt gertrude"s 

So when my friend invited us to "runaway" with her to her families cabin, I was so there!

As fun as making memories on family "vacations" is, 

or even I nice gettaway with the hubby...

there is just something about a girl's trip!

So we put on our favorite "plip-plops" and loaded up Crystal's "vinnie-van",

 left our collective 19 kids (!) with daddies and grandmas and just had thee best time.

What did we do? Well...


We talked....and talked and talked some more. Talked on the drive. Talked round the table, then moved the talk to the couches when our butts got sore. Talked the whole first day away. Talked in to the night. 


We'd try and go to bed, but then wander back in, not willing to miss an ounce of conversation!






We slept. I slept! I went to bed way later than I ever do at home and didn't sleep in crazy long or anything. And yet I was so incredibly rested! The first night, when I didn't wake up once between my head hitting the pillow and waking up...amazing! I was practically giddy when I saw the time on my phone. Can't remember the last time I didn't have a single interruption in the night...usually it's more like a steady stream. 


 Basically, undisturbed sleep= heaven!






Speaking of heaven.... the cabin, the area, it was all perfect.

Aaron would live this, hey?!?

We ate... whenever we felt like it, instead of according to the designated schedule of our toddlers little tummies.

Isn't Amanda darling, barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen? 

She brought her waffle iron just so she could make us pumpkin waffles the first morning.

We were so glad she did. 

Delicious! 

We had a little freezer feast and delighted in not having to cut up anyone's food for them!

 And of course we cooked over the fire.

We relaxed. So unaccustomed to the quiet, we soaked it up. Reveled in showers free of little fists pounding on the door, crying for
"Maw-mee!" (Ironically as I write this, my three year old is insisting I play xbox with him, getting mad if I don't do just the right thing...good thing the little hugs are worth all the exasperating, brain numbing).  

We rocked out.  And discovered Andy has the best playlist (I wrote down so many songs to download!) And we played in nice and loud so we could sing along without really hearing ourselves (every time I even hum around the house McKye says "too loud!" or "No like songs"). 

You girls owe me a dance party by the way...with Zac Efron in attendance please!

We shopped. Which I think I'm actually getting better at! I've had some patient teachers/mentors. Right Mands? Were you so proud of me???3

We may have got a little excited over the price of butter.

Guess who scored herself some yellow pants???

.

We ate some more. Yummy, picture worthy Mexican.

While we got a quick phone-fix with the restaurant's wifi.

And shopped some more. And snuck in some more talktime before heading to the check out.

And after a long day of shopping...we ate again.

We had a great time. 

And came home to 

our kiddos noses anxiously pressed up against windows, awaiting our return, 

and little voices asking "Whad'ya bring me?!?"

Tubby excited legs running with out-stretched arms. 

Their little bodies feeling slightly heavier, 

and their little faces oddly older since our departure only days ago.

 Tired looking husbands ready for reinforcements and thank you snuggles.  

And our mommy hearts, ready again to keep going...

until the next girls trip! 

(next weekend??? We wish!)