July- Week 2- Double or Nothin'

July 11-13, we hosted a reunion at Mantua with my BYU roommates from sophomore year: Katie, Laura, Hillary, Heather, Brittany, and Mary.  We lived in Apt. #11 at Park Place (or the Pink Palace).  We called ourselves "Double or Nothin'" because of the double 1 in the number 11.  We are all married now and have each had at least 2 kids.  And what's super cool is that we all had baby GIRLS first!  Double or Nothin' next generation!  

Here are mine and Hillary's babies dressed, by chance, in matching jammies.   

 Everyone arrived Friday evening.  We let the kids play a little, put them to bed, and then the grown-ups talked, and talked, and talked.  

Saturday morning, we ate a delicious pancake breakfast made by the Roneys.
There were Ranger rides, of course.  

(Nora, Adelaide, and McKenna)

 (Ben and Corrine) 

Mary lead some of the girls in a kid yoga video.  

And swimming.

Lunch that day were yummy sandwiches by the Spencer family.  

Ben had too much fun and needed an afternoon nap.  

We talked more, kids played more.  We decided to be brave and attempt a group shot with (almost) all our kids; no easy task.  Brittany got a weekend to herself with us, so her kids were missing.  So just imagine another cute 2 year-old blond girl, and two 1 year-old blond twin boys in this picture.  :) 

 See?  This is all of us trying to get the kids to look and smile. :) 

The dads that were able to come were so good to help entertain the kids while the moms talked, and talked, and talked.  Did I mention we talked? ;) 

 We had a white elephant gift exchange too.  When we all moved away from each other, I somehow ended up with a clock that we had in our apartment, so I brought that as one of my gifts.  

Heather made us pulled pork tacos that evening for dinner.  

 Before Hillary's family had to leave, we played a game that her husband, Britton, created!!  It's called Panic on Wall Street and it's a real board game!  I wasn't very good at it, but it was still fun.  

 Sunday morning we ate french toast made by Brittany and got ready for 10:50 Sacrament Meeting. By this time, Hillary's family was gone and Dan had left to attend his meetings at our home ward. We were left with Katie's husband, Kevin, as the only male.  As we went to church, I'm sure people thought we were polygamists when we walked in with all of our kids and Kevin as the only dad.   

More pictures form Sunday- 

Heather and Mary jumping with their girls.  

Mary was in charge of Sunday lunch and made an awesome salad bar!  

 Brittany helped the kids make pretzel dough into whatever shape they wanted.  

 Katie taught us how to make hair bows.  

I was in charge of dinner that evening and made a baked ziti.  Brittany flew out Sunday night, so the Spencer family also left so they could give her a ride to the airport.  Mary, Heather and I were the only ones left now, so we actually went to bed at a decent hour.  

But of course, Anna was having a hard time going to sleep that night.  Thankfully, she loves to snuggle... and take selfies with mom.  

I just love these ladies so much! Brittany brought cards with questions on them to use as a more organized conversation starter/guide. I learned so much for each of these girls and their incredible mothering skills.  I so wish we all lived closer so we could play all the time!  I'm very thankful for social media that helps us keep in touch easily!   Thank you all for such a memorable weekend!