We Plaxicos know how to party — I’m talking kids’ music blarin’, apple juice drinkin’, cookies devourin’, games playin’ PARTY.

…Usually with someone melting down at the end.

Cause you know it ain’t a good party unless someone leaves crying.

We demonstrated our talents in creating kid-centric hoopla this fall, when our family gathered in the mountains of Virgina for a fun weekend retreat.  Nena and Pops masterminded the weekend, and hosted our family, the Garecht clan (Ashely, Joe, Haley, Emily, Caleb, and Liam), and the McManuels duo (my cousin, Ellie, and her son, Alex) at a big cabin in the Massanutten resort.

It was a rowdy, raucous, activity- and sugar-filled few days that left us all full of joy.
…And ready for naps.

 The Plaxico Cousins!

Ellie and Alex!

And finally, the WHOLE wild and crazy bunch!

OOPS!  Though Nena is one of the smartest, most capable women I know,
she has this special and inexplicable knack for losing cameras…
like LOTS of cameras…
particularly when they are filled with family memories.
Poor, forgetful Nena.

So, I tried to” fill in the blank” as best I could (with a little flourish of color from my Little Miss).
Art scholarship, here I come!

There was never a dull moment over the weekend.  We spent a bunch of time outdoors taking walks, going to the playground, and checking out (“fishing at”) the lake.

When we weren’t outside, we were splashing and sliding at the water park or playing all sorts of fun games in the cabin.

And lemme tell you, regardless of the size of your accommodations (and this cabin was big!), 7 kids have no problem making a whole lotta noise and a whole lotta mess!

It was enough to make anyone tired, and in need of a drink…

They were good times, good times.

We love our wild and crazy family!