retreat goodness

 To some, packing up 5 families with 6 kiddos -2 and under- and staying in a 5 bedroom Villa might not sound like a grand ol’ time. sure, we have to coordinate nap times, and we all secretly pray our kids are not the ones that wake up screaming in the middle of the night to wake the other littles in the next bedroom. 

   but since this is our season of life, and we have never had a retreat together, we decided to go for it. we left our bustling ( still too-warm-for november) city and headed to the mountains. it was hilarious how stuffed our cars were for 3 days/2 nights. babes, man, one travels heavy with babes. 

  We arrived and settled into our Villa, and the lay out could not have been better. Enough space for each family in a room, but two living rooms, two kitchens, TV with DVD player...

   Two year olds greeted each other with shrieks and jumping and we took excited kiddos to the incredible playground.

 I just sort of sank into the feeling. The mountains and pines surrounding me as i watch my little girls play, and get to have stimulating conversations with my deep ,deep friends. soul sigh. 

we had a very windy bon fire...with what sort-of-felt like a hay ride...

   and the whole weekend slipped from one fun moment to a magical one, such as a chaotic but fun lebanese feast, family games, to wine and sunset watching with the ladies, to laughing late into the night. 

  retreats are so clutch. hours and hours make for spontaneous conversations, sitting with people you don’t always get to sit next to, getting to really bond with each other’s kids. In the season we are in, really trying to make headway in making new relationships and accessing new communities, we don’t get the relaxed, quality time we once had. the retreat delivered that to us on a silver platter. 

  some of my greatest highlights:

  sunset, wine and ladies i love. 

  after footloose inspired me, i made good and sure that we are keeping up with the times. i learned me a line dance and drew, matta and yessica also learned one. We suprised the group with this little performance and then we taught them . love me some comrades that still are up for anything. 

first swim time in the indoor pool. the kids were in heaven. they were jumping, shrieking, loving every second of it. i was switching between a tall 3 year old who could stand in the shallow end ( WHAT??) and my cuddle bug who just wants to be held tight. 3 year old was looking and talking to mermaids and fish. baby was wanting to check in on all the action..what Isaac, yas, and novi were doing. Baby Ismay loved, and i mean loved the water. it was adorable. Uncle Kopke was amazing in the water with all the kids. 

 long walk with Mel one afternoon. mountain air, actual hiking trails , and deep heart connects. 

late night rants and stories. laughing at everyone’s quierks. remembering some of our really funny decisions and firsts in Jordan. 

   being able to go on this retreat was like injecting a dose of tight-knit, love, fun, and family into our atmosphere and boy did we thoroughly enjoy it.

 more pics...

breakfast buffet together...