Having a family with 6 kids and their significant others can throw many challenges. First of all it is impossible for them all to be happy at the same time. There is always one mad or upset about something. Jealously rears it ugly head and misunderstandings over being accidentally left out happen often.

However when we get together for family birthdays, holidays, celebrations, cookouts everything seems to go smoothly and as a family we connect even more. Everyone is invited and it’s a big family gathering!

Two Christmases ago we had an awesome family cruise for a week, with everyone. This is tough to repeat but we were all together (Keaton was asleep in the Van).

Heck it’s hard to even get them all looking at the camera at the same time!!


This year in the past month, we had two trips planned and for the first time ever, we didn’t try to invite everyone. We simply invited the one(s) that would benefit the most from the trip.

Early June I had a work trip in Disney World.  Who doesn’t love Mickey Mouse? I decided to invite my soon to be daughter in law and her two boys for a special bonding trip. Half of the week they were hitting the parks while I worked and the other half I joined them. With the wedding coming up in a few short months I thought it would be a nice treat for the boys to get their special attention. 

On the drive down I remember Keaton telling us all not to be afraid of the scary rides that “it’s Disney for goodness sakes.” This is after I declared and listed all the rides I wasn’t going on. By the last day, I faced my fear of rollercoasters and stood in a long line waiting for “Thunder Mountain Railroad”, it was absolutely exhilarating and I loved it so much I raised my hands during the ride! I understand that not all rollercoasters are the same and there are some I can enjoy!
We had such a great time, lots of laughs, great food, mommy juice and the boys finally got to see Disney World when they were old enough to not only remember but fully enjoy it. They went on every single ride! No fears at all!

Late June Tim & I planned a trip to California to explore San Francisco and wine country. It all started about three years ago, Hunter said “Mom, can you and Tim teach Sarah Ann and I about wines, like in California?” I told him sure after you graduate we can plan a trip. 

The trip came together and we included my parents and our oldest Daughter, Eleanor and her boy friend Matt.  She loves to travel was interested in seeing California and really wanted us to meet her boyfriend. 

It worked out perfect! My Aunt and Uncle live in California and were our hosts and tour guides. We learned a ton about history of the city, the bridge, Muir Woods, and much more.  Every day was planned out with precision and able to adjust if needed. We ended the week in wine country.  It was spectacular!

We accomplished what we set out to do, and had great family time.  Technically only two of our kids were there, which was super nice that we could focus on them.  We also got the rare treat of having time with our California family, my Aunt and Uncle and cousins! 

Another wonderful experience!


When we returned from the trip, two of our boys (who are still in school and don’t drink wine) were a little perplexed why they were not invited.  Technically they could have gone but it is just more complicated adding more people to these trips.

I really think Tim & I are on to something: spread the vacations out and include different “kids” for each one.  Next month the two youngest kids are going with me, not on a vacation but a mission trip to Costa Rica.  After this trip, my baby boy packs up for college. I am really looking forward to spending time with him as we help others.

Here’s to taking the time to have one on one time with “kids” even when you have a large family.  It’s isn’t always ideal to vacation with everyone every trip. It’s more important to juggle our time so that we can create memories with our “kids” and have it be special at the same time.