Boone Bound

On my short list of things-to-do this summer was to take a family trip to Boone. It's only a two hour drive, but we thought it would be better to spend the night rather than cram everything into a day trip. Jesse and I spent our first four years together attending ASU. It is where we met, fell in love, and married. We've taken Jackson to Boone when he was an infant, but hadn't yet taken the triplets.

We began our journey with a trip to the park, in hopes of exhausting the kids before the long ride. It worked well since the babies were asleep before we got on the interstate. It was an easy drive with quiet, sleeping children. A college friend had graciously contacted me about giving us several  containers of formula she no longer needed. We met her off the interstate to pick up enough formula to last us the next 2-3 weeks (aka the one year mark! Did I really just write that?)  

The babies required a pit stop another hour later. It began to downpour, so they had a diaper change and bottle in the back of the van. 

Jesse and I used an Olive Garden gift card for lunch. It was our first restaurant outing as an entire family. Everyone was well behaved and fairly clean. Lunch began an unofficial 36 hour wheat and sugar binge for Jesse. I decided to be less restrictive, but still try to select the best option with each meal and refrain from wheat. As we were leaving the restaurant, it began to torrential downpour. The staff escorted us out individually with umbrellas.

Random fact: the couple in the background were awkward over-sharers. 

We arrived in Boone earlier than our hotel check-in time. With an hour to spare, we walked around ASU campus. Walking around campus was nothing like what I experienced as a student. We had to push strollers up and down ramps that were a quarter mile out of the way from the direct staircases.

The kids played in the library. As an elementary ed major, I spent a significant amount of time in the basement (aka children's literature section) of the ASU library. I never thought I would return to the carpet with big books and read to my own children.

We walked around King Street and surprised Jackson with a special treat at the Mast General Store. Jackson literally picked a piece of candy from every single barrel he could read. I followed behind him and put most of them back. We let him have a lot of freedom, but he was stocking up on licorice, gum, and other candies that he wouldn't eat.

Jesse found a cheap hotel the night before using a "flash discount" on Priceline. We usually stay at a very cheap hotel but it would not have been able to accommodate three cribs. Actually, the hotel we did stay at didn't even have three cribs available, even though we called ahead to request three cribs in our room. The hotel staff scurried around bringing up ancient cribs from the basement and a pack-n-play.

Attempting a nap was a lost cause. The babies were way too excited! We found out quickly that the hotel room was not baby proof. James pulled the batteries out of the carbon monoxide detector. The girls climbed on the cooler and dumped ice water out. Amelia smashed her fingers in the dresser drawer as she pulled up to stand. Lamp and telephone cords were beyond tempting. It was a mess!

After a failed attempt at downtime, we decided to have a picnic dinner on campus. I raided our pantry and refrigerator before leaving and thought ahead enough to bring the griddle for quesadillas and grilled cheese.

The plan was to have a picnic at Duck Pond and let Jackson feed the ducks. As soon we laid the blanket out and began to get settled, dozens of ducks aggressively approached us. We ended up feeding the ducks first, then finding a new picnic spot.

Jackson was initially scared, but he laughed when the ducks stole the bread directly from his fingers.

Despite grey clouds looming, we walked further from the van for a new dinner destination. We stopped to take silly pictures with Yosef, the bizzare Mountaineer mascot.

The rain held off while we ate dinner and played.

The big boys splashed in the creek,

  
while the babies and I checked out the gazebo.

James was so proud of himself for taking steps while holding onto the bench. I should probably start making the babies (especially James and Amelia) wear shoes.

We tested our luck by walking a bit further to the campus sign, where a random dog-walker took our picture. Ideally, we'll recreate this picture with the kids in their caps and gowns one day.

We escaped any meltdowns, rain drops, and meltdowns. Praise be to God! Once back at the hotel, we rushed through the bedtime routine. It took longer than usual for the kids to settle down, but they slept well. Amelia and Maddie had adjacent cribs in the corner. James was in the pack-n-play. Jackson and I shared a bed. Jesse got a bed a to himself. 

Wanting to take advantage of every minute, we were all up and dressed by 7:30 a.m. the next morning. The continental breakfast was grain-heavy. The babies and I ate yogurt and oatmeal. Jesse and Jack ate waffles and pastries.

Every time I visit Boone, I like to walk around campus and drive on the Parkway. My favorite spot is the Moses Cone Center. This is the same place where Jesse and I went immediately after our wedding ceremony for pictures. We took a few family pictures against the breathtaking back drop.

We made a quick stop at a park to let everyone expend some energy. Unfortunately, most of the slides were wet. Jackson and I attempted to rock climb.

Jesse and the trio tested out the swings.

We went back to the hotel for another failed attempt at napping. We gave up after an hour of the babies laughing, yelling, and standing up in their cribs. We cleaned and packed up, made lunch, then checked out of the hotel.

Our good friend from college, Caroline, happened to be in town while we were there. I was so glad we had a chance to cross paths, and even more grateful that she is understanding of our crazy life right now.

Seriously, can you think of any better place for kids to run (or crawl) free and simply play? It is just stunning. My love for the mountains only increases every time I go back. Unfortunately, this picturesque scene was disrupted by steady rain.

Thankfully we found refuge under a picnic shelter and were able to wait out the rain. I spent most of lunch trying to redirect the babies from eating unfortunate findings (fake fingernails, pine needles, bird poop, etc).

Alas, the rain cleared and we were able to go rock hopping along the river.

Caroline kept an eye on the babies while Jesse and I were able to spend a few quality minutes with Jackson.

The kids crashed on the ride home. 

We had many adventures during our short getaway. It was very challenging to keep James, Amelia, and Maddie on their napping schedule and give them a safe space to crawl around. I can't wait to return each year and provide fun opportunities for the kids as they get older and are able to do more. I envision hiking, paddle boating, checking out waterfalls and caverns, etc. Mostly, I want the kids to develop their own love for the beautiful NC mountains.

Beach: Day 3

We wanted to make the most of our morning since it was the last of our weekend getaway.  The plan was to walk on the beach briefly, then go to the pool at 8 a.m.  Apparently the pool didn't open 'til 9, so our brief walk turned into an hour long saga.  The goal was to make it to this pier (which we did). 

Ordinarily, walking along the ocean where the tide comes in is my favorite thing to do at the beach.  I just roll up my pants and let the cool waves crash against my bare feet.  I didn't have the same joy this year.  Let me just tell you what a pain in the ass it is to maneuver a stroller along the sand, especially in the gullies.  The only alternative would have been for Jesse and I to each carry two children.  Jesse kept getting the stroller stuck but I quickly learned the best approach was to turn the stroller around and pull rather than push the wheels further into the sand.  The trick was to go as fast as possible in the gullies so the wheels didn't have time to sink into the sand.

 

 Maddie and Amelia kept each other warm and ended up falling asleep in one another's arms.  LOVE!

Jesse and I literally raced back to the hotel to take family pictures before my brother and sister left.  Here are the cousins (minus two who didn't get to go this year).

After saying "goodbyes" to some of my siblings and their kids, our family headed back to the pool.  James was much more interested in sleeping,

but the girls and I were perfectly content floating around.

Of course, Jesse loved on the babies and Jack, too.

After showers, changing, and packing, it was time for us to say our own farewells. Jackson was so cute.  He kept waving at the workers who were mowing the lawn, then saying, "Bye beach".

We stopped halfway at a McDonald's.  We didn't need to eat; it was just an easy way for Jackson to get some of his energy out and let the babies stretch a bit while we fed and changed them.



We had to go by Jesse's school to pick up his car, then rush home to unpack and cook dinner for company that was coming over that night.  Taking three infants and a toddler to the beach was fun but challenging.  I'm so thankful we had Veteran's Day to recover!

Beach: Day 2

Everyone slept well and awoke in great moods.  Jackson was eager to start his day, so our morning began with an early morning walk along the beach.     

The view from our balcony

My brother and his three kids just so happened to be walking out of their hotel room at the same time, so we were all able to play together. I was relieved because it always helps when there is a 1:1 infant/adult ratio. The babies were indifferent to the ocean since they were getting hungry.  As it turns out, Jackson hates sand in his shoes and on his toes.  This was the last time he walked on the beach barefoot the rest of the trip.

We had planned to enjoy breakfast at our beloved K&W.  (Yes, we are really 80 year olds at heart.)  I was so disappointed to see that our annual tradition was not going to happen as the K&W no longer serves breakfast!  At least we had another 50 breakfast restaurants to select from.  We ended up at the House of Pancakes where all six of us enjoyed eating.  Our amazing waitress was always one step ahead of us and anticipated our needs and wants.

Jackson chowed down on a full size waffle.  He isn't always the best behaved in restaurants, particularly when he has to stay seated for extended periods of time.  Thankfully, he stayed occupied by figuring out how to work the syrup container.

After breakfast, we all got ready for the pool.  The girls' bathing suits were size 12 months, but they still worked. 

I brought the bumbos since they're so compact and lightweight.  I knew the pool could be challenging without help, considering we have four children that can't swim.  The babies were perfectly content waiting their turns before getting into the pool.

Jackson was his typical playful self in the pool.

Swimming wore the kids out.  Jesse and the kids napped while I pumped and uploaded pictures.  We ate sandwiches for lunch, then met up with my siblings at Broadway at the Beach.  Jackson's MiMi had given him $10, which he spent entirely on gummy bears.  Jackson was a "kid in a candy store" in every sense of the phrase, carefully reviewing each sugary option with pure elation.  He proudly handed the cashier his $10 bill and wanted me to take a picture of his candy to send to his MiMi. 

I am always more relaxed around my siblings.  I love the shared responsibility of watching one another's children.  Strangers would have no clue which child belonged to which adult since nieces and nephews flow among the adults within our close-knit family.

I also appreciate the eagerness and maturity of the older kids wanting to help feed the babies and push strollers.

Other highlights of our shopping excursions included time to climb and slide on a playground, watching workers make fudge, and feeding the fish and ducks.

Thankfully I had the foresight to bring my pump in the van because I needed some relief on the way back to the hotel.  Rather than going back up to our room, we headed straight to the beach.

A stranger captured a family photo for us,

then we watched the sunset.

We all piled in my sister's hotel suite for our annual spaghetti dinner.  Seven adults and fifteen children fill a space with constant commotion and endless entertainment.  It was at the same meal last year when Jesse and I announced we were expecting triplets.  What a difference a year makes!

Another annual beach tradition is to get a dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts, but only when the "Hot Now" sign is lit.  We concluded our evening with hats, pajamas, TV, and doughnuts.  YUM!