NaNa and PoPop at the pool

After a fabulous but tiring camping trip, the seven of us all slept in late on Monday. We then spent the afternoon at the swim club. My parents were up from the shore, so they joined us for the day. We all had such a FANTASTIC day.

Chris and Kami on lazy river during 'toddler time.'

NaNa relaxing in the jacuzzi pool. No grays today!

PopPop catching some ZZZZZ's.
Madi, Kami and I keeping cool.
Avery showing us her new back floating skills!
Believe it or not, CJ hit the water head first. It's his Flying Dive.
Somehow Kylie never got in front of the camera. Hard to believe, I know..... Don't worry all of you Kylie fans out there, I'll be sure to take a few extra pics of her for my next post.

The tribe has spoken

This past weekend we went on our annual camping trip. What started out a few years ago as the Kelly-Hartman Camping trip has grown to the Kelly-Hartman-Christiansen-Tibberino-Strauss-Davis camping trip. 11 adults and 15 kids. On Saturday morning we went on a long hike through a wooded terrain and ended up at a beautiful water fall that everyone was able to climb up, slide down, and swim in the pool below. After that adventure, we headed back to our camp site, had lunch, and then went tubing down the Delaware.

Satuday night was especially eventful. Around 3am a huge thunderstorm loomed over our heads. I have never heard thunder clap so loud or lightening strike so much, or rain pour so hard. Both Kami and CJ slept through the entire storm. We were definitely one with nature.
***Don't forget to check out Paulie's latest adventure***

CJ at bottom of waterfall. Kami and Avery exploring.
Kami throwing rocks.
Hiking to the waterfall.
Our home away from home.

Kami and Chris in waterfall pool.

Group shot.
Another group shot at waterfall.
Bathing beauties.
More beauties.

Our view of the Delaware from our camp site.
Hanging by the fire.
Kylie, Kami, Shawna, Madi by fire.
Another waterfall shot.
Avery and Amberly on the hike.

Heat Wave!!!!!!

On Sunday afternoon, in an effort to keep cool, have fun, and get some fresh air, the Christiansen's minus Chelsey, joined us at our pool for the day. It was so hot even my sister got in the water. That's why there aren't any pics except for this one of Avery and Amberly enjoying a snack. It was such a hot day, we were all in the pool the entire day! Chris, Alan, and the big kids had a blast playing water polo, while Karen and I enjoyed ourselves on the lazy river and hanging out in the ADULT ONLY whirl pool. I do have to admit, we were the only two people in the whirlpool who had brown hair....gray seemed to be the color of the day!!!!!!

Life Lessons from a Big Sister

Today at the pool Kylie taught Kamryn how to tip her head back to fix her hair in the pool. According to Kylie, you must always look your best. Sorry no pics...left the camera at home! Happy Friday!!!!!!

Happy 11th Birthday, Madi

Madi started her day the best way you can....breakfast in bed! After breakfast, we all headed into the living room and watched her open up her gifts.
We then all piled into the party van and headed to the Adventure Aquarium for the day!
Another pic from inside the aquarium.Our kids on the Jersey side with Philly in the back.After our trip to the aquarium, we headed to Pizzeria Uno's (Madi's choice) for a late lunch! I hope you enjoyed your special day, Madi...we love you so, so, so much!!!!!!

Happy Madi Eve!!!

Today is Madi Eve...the day before her 11th birthday. Here is a pic of her licking the bowl after I made her cake for tomorrow. Her cake of choice this year...choc cake, vanilla icing. Here are 11 things about my Madi!!!!!!!!

1. She was born one week before her due date.

2. She is our ONLY brunette child.

3. Her favorite food is cinnamon sugar pretzels from Auntie Anne's.

4. She wants to be a zoo keeper when she grows up because she loves animals.

5. She had surgery on her left eye when she was 5 years old.

6. She HATES the color pink.

7. Her Godparents are her cousins, Tara and George.

8. She has a fabulous sense of humor.

9. She can put both her feet behind her head.

10. She is a bridesmaid in Casey & Erick's wedding...and is so THRILLED!

11. She makes a great bed. (Making the beds every morning is her daily chore.)

The Boots are Back in Town!!!

Remember these boots? Kami loves them so much. When she refused to poop in potty, we took her boots away and told her that could have them back as soon as she pooped on the potty. Well, on Saturday morning, before we left for the pool, she said, "Daddy, I need to go poopy." We sat her on the potty, she went, then said, "Now get me my boots!" YES, she wore them to the swimclub. Today all seven of us spent the day together, (a rarity these days) and Grammy joined us for the day, too!

Kylie, Madi, and Avery taking a break from swimming and having their snack.

Kami and Chris on the little slide.

Grammy watching her youngest kid and her youngest grandkid on the slide.

Kami asked Chris to take her on the big slide. I wasn't sure she'd like it. Well, he ended up taking her down it about 5 times. Another daredevil....lucky me!

Crazy is back in da house!!!!

Kylie, Avery, and Kamryn playing pat-e-cake Madi and Daddy cuddling
CJ already outside hanging out.

After a long, quiet week, Chris, CJ, Kylie, and Madi arrived home before dinner. It didn't take long for the noise level to rise and I couldn't be happier. Paulie was the most excited to have his big kids back. They play with him more than the little ones do. CJ and Madi came back tanner and Kylie came back blonder, if that's actually possible. Kami and Avery were happy to have their brother and big sisters back. Welome back home my wayward travelers...

7-4=3

Post bath time pose! 2 little Hartman's jumping on the bed....

Chris left for a week long business trip to Boca Raton this morning. To make my life a little easier, CJ, Kylie, & Madi are spending the week being spoiled by my parents down the shore. What does that equate to???? Avery, Kami, Paulie, and me. That's right, I went from 5 kids to 2 for the week. OMG.....It's been a very long time since I only had 2 kids. This is so freaking EASY!!!! I haven't raised my voice yet, my house is clean. Dinner was cooked, served, and cleaned up by 5:15. Bath's were done by 6pm. By 6:15, pj's were on and the girls wanted to go lie in CJ's new BIG full size bed and watch Sponge Bob. So here I am, blogging with my dog curled up next to me, in a clean, quiet, house. It's only 6:38 on Monday. I get to do this 4 more days.....sounds great, right? No.....I miss my chaos!!!!!! Totally counting down to the end of the week when I get my house full of family again.....

Happy 15th Birthday C.J.!!!!!!!

Today my son celebrated his 15th birthday. I can't believe how fast time goes by. I feel like it was only yesterday that I found out I was going to be a mommy. Here a few shot of his special day!

CJ posing with the golf shirt Madi picked out for him.

CJ with the birthday card Avery made for him.
Chris and CJ after he opened Guitar Hero.
CJ with his favorite gift of all....a ceiling fan for his bedroom.

To celebrate my son's 15 years I thought I would share with you 15 things about CJ that you may or may not know about him!!!!

1. CJ was born ON his due date.

2. He weighed exactly 7 pounds, the perfect size!

3. His God Parents are my sister, Karen and Chris's brother, Scott.

4. He had a hernia operation at 15 months.

5. He was completely potty trained at 2 years 5 months.

6. He sucked his right index finger until he was 5.

7. He has the biggest dimples ever...except for my dad.

8. He broke his arm when he was 12.

9. He is my parents ONLY grandson.

10. Only Chelsey is still allowed to call him BUDDY.

11. He already knows that he wants an anchor tattoo just like his Poppy's.

12. He actually told me about his first kiss!!!!!

13. His loves Ramon Noodles.

14. He weighs more than my sister....since last summer

15. He still kisses me goodnight EVERY night before he goes to bed!!!

I love you so much buddy!!!!!!!!!! Happy birthday!!!! Your dad now has 363 days to get the back yard ready for your 16th birthday bash....Save the date!!!!!!!!!!!!!