I've been expectantly dreading this "family get together" for a while now and it was even worse than I expected.  I don't drink alcohol, but tonight, if someone came by with one of those "adult beverages" ya'll talk about, I'd probably ask her for a "double".
My SIL has finally moved backed to GA after having been gone for about 12 years. (She has come for short visits)  So, hubby wanted all his brothers and sisters to get together at our house for the 4th.  His brother David who is the one who has been working on our house asked if would be ok if he brought some of his grandkids.  He said that they can sometime be kinda bad.  We said "Sure, no problem.  That way Perry will have some one to play with."  BIG MISTAKE!  O MY GOD!  I had 12 children in my house under the age of 10.  David invited a friend of his who had 2 kids in addition to the 8 that David brought. (Perry and my SIL's grand daughter were the other 2)  These kids were AWFUL.  I had put all the birds in the bird room and Seymour(very nervous cockatoo) in Kembri's room.  They kept opening doors and there were so many of them you couldn't keep your eye on all of them.  My son got so mad because there were a bunch of kids in our house that we didn't know that he wouldn't even stay and eat.  He left and wouldn't even let his girlfriend get a plate. 
Amos and Smooshy had to get shut in my room.  For THEIR safety, not the kids safety.  The dogs were barking, the birds were squawking, the kids were squeeling/and or crying and I had to take a Benedryl while they were here just to keep from strangling one(or more).
We didn't get to really visit, because EVERYONE wanted to just eat and leave and get away from all the CAOS.  Not one soul stayed long enough for it to get dark enough for Hubby to shoot of any of his Fireworks.  So he just did it for Perry and Kembri.  I was too tired to load the dog up and leave like I had planned.  Amos just perked his ears up when he heard them like "What was that?"  Didn't bother him a bit. (Thank God)
I'll be hitting the sack like a lead weight in just a few.
If you've ever seen the old "GunSmoke" reruns where the family comes to town in a covered wagon and they have like 20 misbehaving children and they don't believe in spanking their kids, you can kinda imagine how this evening went.  My mind is still whirling at all these kids got into and they were trying to keep the kids under control,  but they(the grand parents of the kids) were just out numbered. 

I'd take a pack of dogs over this pile of folks ANYDAY!
I promise myself right now in front of God and Parrotland that I am not gonna do this Evah again!

OMG Kim I am so sorry that you had to go through that. I have 3 kids so I know chaos. However, I would NEVER allow my children to behave like that in someone elses house. They know how to behave like someones guest. The parents should be ashamed.

Sounds like my house when the grandchildren have a sleepover. We really do appreciate the silence when they leave.

But, I wouldn't have it any other way.  I am so blessed that I have four wonderful sons and eight beautiful, healthy grandchildren.. two ratties and a cat.  I am happiest when they are all around.