The McLoughlins Go on the Road Day One! #VacationInBranson at #CastleRockWaterpark

Last Monday, May 19, the 7 McLoughlins left for vacation! I did not take the laptop and I do not have a smartphone, so I was unplugged except for a rudimentary cell phone that only makes and takes calls. Go figure. The only time I was checked out as a parent was when I had my face in the book I'm currently reading (Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates). Here are some pictures from Day One! (Here are pictures of our room at Castle Rock Waterpark, which was free for 2 nights for us because I'm a little ole blogger; we paid for the other 2 nights)

Antsy kids pre-vacation Monday morning

Joel at Osceola Cheese

Michael

Callie

Eva

Samuel

Mr. Kerrie

Mrs. Kerrie

FREE SAMPLES!

Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield, Missouri

Feeding the giraffes. Or we say it GIRAVES

Baby giraffe born 3 hours earlier

Petting zoo

Mr. Kerrie's back hurt so he had to lay down some

The Naughty Kids outside the maze

The Naughty Kids by the monkeys. We say the monkeys are Sam's brothers.

Mr. Kerrie laying down again. Poor dude.

Wolfie

Tiger

At Castle Rock Resort and Waterpark in Branson, MO

At the Mexican restaurant for dinner (El Azteca)

Us at dinner. Jesus was our waiter. Jesus wanted Mr. Kerrie to drink (above)

Samuel discovers skeeball and is now addicted.

Sunday: Mother's Day 2014 Without My Best Friend

Mr. Kerrie is stuck in Canada. He was supposed to be home Tuesday afternoon but now will be home Thursday night. Then he leaves Friday-Sunday for a Scout thing. I miss my best guy friend of almost 19 years!

Since he's got time on his hands I'm going to blog about Sunday for him in pictures. Here you go, babe.

Michael made me a Lego sheep and house and flowers

Joel made me a Lego unicorn

And breakfast!

I consider it a gift that Michael let me take this picture. Best bedhead ever.

Presents from Eva! Callie and Sam also drew me stuff but by the end of the day I was too tired to snap a pic!

At the movies ... Rio2. After that we went to Target so I could get some shorts for the hot day and a blow-up pool. The Lawsons came along so I could make my purchases while they played in the toy aisle with 6 kids!

Then to Shawnee Mission Park Dog Beach!

Me and my female BFF, Angeliina. Someday we will be relaxing on the beach in Rio.

Sam and Callie chillin' in the pool before it gets blown up.

Saturday: Water Fun and Baby Love

I'm posting pictures of our week for Mr. Kerrie, who is out of town. Here was last Saturday.

We had an Eagle Scout Court of Honor in the morning at Shawnee Mission Park and Joel was a reader.

Time for a new camera. It's eating pictures I take. I got some great pictures of the lake and stuff but they are gone! Instead, here are my other 4 kids chowing down at the reception.

Went to the Jones' for water fun. Worked on my Jamberry empire while snuggling a tiny baby girl. Now Mr. Kerrie is REALLY going to want another one. Same day, no joke, my mom writes me thinking I'm pregnant again because I'm craving tacos like I did with Eva. She names my baby Hattie Pearl or Dela Kethryn.

My good friend Kristin holding the match to the girl I had in my arms. She is pregnant with her 2nd child!!!!!!

Teacher Appreciation Week Ends and Mother's Day Weekend Begins!

Last Friday totally rocked. It was the end of Teacher Appreciation Week (had I known earlier I would have pampered myself more, dangit) and the kickoff to Mother's Day WEEKEND! Yep, we get an entire weekend now. Joel had a camp physical then we got some tacos and donuts and 1/2 price frappucinos to celebrate the fun aforementioned holidays.Of course I did not take the camera on our outings. Drat.

When we got home we got some outside time in. Ha! Callie on the swing.

And you can't pass up a chance to make some money. Our neighbor is never home so I convinced the kids to move up the road a bit, away from the busy corner, also making it easier for people to stop. One guy gave t hem $10. I am out there the whole time supervising, by the way. Wait, this photo is from Thursday b/c there is Liam. But you get the point.

To Mr. Kerrie in Canada: Here's What We've Been Up To

Dear Mr. Kerrie in Newfoundland traveling for work:

The weekend was hot. This morning ins 49 degrees, more like where you are, I bet. Here is a recap of our last week without you. A little recap in photos. See you tomorrow instead of today. We love you!

Okay, never mind. I realized I have too many pictures so I'll be breaking them down by day.

Here was last Thursday:

Joel puts together my Jamberry sample cards (http://kerrie.jamberrynails.net)

Sam makes a "tent" with scissors and string. Don't ask.

Callie and her BFF Ciara play cards

I added jams to my other 4 fingers that don't have kids on them!

Eva swings

The kids have a lemonade stand. There's Liam, Joel and Michael's friend ... you can see his head.