Lake Powell 2011 Summer Trips

I am always excited and ready for summer to come especially after Cedar's long cold spring months. But what we get the most excited about is getting to go out on Grandpa's big boat to Lake Powell. We were lucky enough this year to go out twice on the boat and twice camping. It was amazing to watch how much the water was rising and it was so nice to have it almost all the way full it makes the whole lake different. Our biggest worry is with all the little kids and water surrounding us. The kids are pretty good to keep their jackets on most of the time and its getting harder every year as they get better at swimming. Luckily everyone is so good to watch each others kids and make sure we know where each one is. The kids did a little skiing, a little kneeboarding, and a lot of tubing. We trekked up Sand Mountain multiple times, I did it 3 times this year while packing Hunter and this last time Jeff was there so I was more than happy to pass him off. My favorite part though is when all the guys are there and we all go up and down and they are the last to come and they race down the mountain full speed. Last year Jace and I were racing and he was going so fast he did a full front flip I was laughing so hard! The kids watched this year and did their own mini race too. We play cards a lot also, though it has dwindled more having more kids around, but this year the kids played a few games of their own. Jayme was wonderful to be the supervision. This year was also one of the windiest year on record at the lake which made the trip a lot different. We did a lot of sliding too. Hunter was always too scared to jump in or go down the slide but he LOVES to push everyone else. Naps, relaxing, fishing and so much more. We are so lucky to have such a good family and such wonderful relationships. I am amazed every time we are all together which is a lot and so thankful for all of them and their cute kids. I can think of nothing better than my kids having family as their best friends!

 It was so windy that first trip Jace couldn't see on the jet ski unless he wore these. Awesome!

 Their game of cards.

 Beloved Sand Mountain.

 Hunter's first tube ride, his face looked like this the whole time. No change, no emotion. Almost as if he was just appeasing me for the ride.

 Jake kayaked all by himself out to the middle of the lake, after some initial frustration he made it all the way back to shore, we were so proud of him.

 The boys did some wake surfing with Jeff and were awesome, though I couldn't convince Hunter.

This is his imitation of what he just did behind the jet ski.

What is it????

Well, we went into the doctor weeks ago when I was 16 weeks along and he let me have a surprise ultrasound. We looked and to me it looked like a boy so I went with it, but he wanted me to come in again. We came in again the second time, this time Jeff was with me, and the kid was cross-legged and breech and wouldn't move an inch no matter how hard we pushed around on my stomach. So today I took all the boys with me and we went in again for a third ultrasound and its....a boy! I knew it was that first time, but doctors don't ever want to be wrong. Lots have people have mentioned and asked me if I really wanted a girl or its too bad you don't have a girl yet. Well, I am completely excited, I was from that first ultrasound. I know it will  be totally crazier around our house as they all get older, lots of fist fights and rough play. Maybe its because I need to still practice, I haven't raised 'em right yet. But I think that is what the Lord wants and I feel so proud to know that hopefully, if I'm really lucky, they will all turn out as faithful missionaries and handsome stalwart husbands who love their wives. Its a lot of pressure for sure just because it seems boys are more naturally come to want to be the "natural man" and girls seem to have that spirit of knowing what the Lord expects. I am a pretty strict mom in a lot of ways and I expect a lot from those little boys, sometimes too much I'm sure. But I am hoping that with a lot of spiritual guidance, a lot of advice and example from a wonderful husband and a little bit of perfectionistic, always pushing me they will turn out balanced and capable men. My only fear in having all these boys and living in the times we do is that there are "wars and rumors of wars" and those are the parts the boys like best and ask the most questions about in the scriptures. If that is in my future I hope to have gained a lot more faith by that time and I hope if that happens they are like Capt. Moroni, Mormon, and the Stripling Warriors. But for know I can't wait to get to snuggle another sweet baby to sleep and watch him as he sleeps so peacefully in my arms, knowing that he just came to me straight from heaven and is more perfect than me.

My first breakdown

Just a few minutes ago, the other two kids were sleeping and so Jaxon and I had some time alone together. Yesterday we had glued together his first Kindergarten homework and we needed to cut it out to get it down all the way. He is a lot like me in wanting things done perfectly and he got really frustrated when he couldn't cut straight (due to the fact we still don't have left-handed scissors). So I helped a little but really wanted him to do it all himself, knowing that I have the tendency to take over so it is done perfectly. Well I let him do it and he cut off an ear on the picture and just gave up. We got over that and i taped it all together and we were good. He wanted to play with a friend after that so he was starting to leave and we had a little talk about how in Kindergarten we can't give up and not finish what we start, we just need to take a deep breath and try again. And then practice so we can get better at what we had a hard time with. Then I gave him a hug and told him how cute he was and asked him if he was ready for Kindergarten. He said yes. And I said what am I going to do without you? Then the tears started flowing knowing how much I am going to miss him in the mornings helping with the boys and entertaining Hunter. He is so good to help me with whatever I need and I know I can count on him to do it just how I like it. I know, what a cry baby! Its not much different than preschool, but I was overwhelmed with love and so proud of what he has accomplished and looking to the future at how much he will accomplish.

Beaver High Adventures

A month or so ago we made our first family outing to Beaver with Jeff and our friends the Demille's came with us. Having grown up always camping and backpacking, I love the camp so we were so excited and having good friends there makes it so much fun. We set up camp right above Kent's Lake a little ways, about a 1/2 mile from other campers and the lake. It was perfect weather! There was a sign posted about it being bear country, but I didn't really read it at that moment so we just got to hang out and have fun. There was a river close by the boys got totally soaked in and they hiked all over the camp playing hide and go seek and pretending. We went for a hike down the the lake while the guys were out scouting for elk and it was so beautiful. If only I had known it was this gorgeous just 30 minutes away! We cooked dinner and set to drying out all the kids and just relaxed. That night right before bed I read the sign that was posted and then I really started to get a little nervous. O well, what are the chances right? Well about 4 am something comes to my side of the tent and slams it HARD! Instantly I was awake, since Hunter was sleeping on the cot with me I was blocking him knowing it had to be a bear testing out what this big thing was. I was ready for it to pounce on us and know the tent down. I heard nothing for about 30-45 seconds and then it hit the other side of the tent just inches above Jake who was lying on the floor. Jeff was up then and whispered BEAR! Ya, I know I said, get your gun. Well, he was a little frazzled and it took him about 10 min. to load it. All the while I am trying to patiently wait. It was a full moon so he tried to shine his light out the windows but couldn't see. So he put on his headlamp, had his gun ready at his hip and zipped open the door. Nothing! Needless to say we didn't sleep after that. At about 5:30 or 6am the guys were going hunting so Jeff got out of the tent and asked me what I was going to do. I said starve here in the tent till you get back or book it over to the Demille's trailer as soon as the boys woke up. There was no way I was going out there especially since I know nothing about guns! The next morning we went out of the tent with the fire and super nervous. Blake told us he woke up a 4am to the sound of the kids shovels moving. The guys left to go look for elk and Dani and I were trying to decide if we should cook breakfast or just eat snacks. Then a truck with bear dogs drove past, so I ran up to him and asked him if he was looking for a bear? I told him one had come through here about 4am and about 20 minutes after that there were bear dogs everywhere! They found a track in camp and estimated it to be 150 lbs. and about 2 yrs. old. After they figured out where it was going we finally were able to relax the rest of the day! No bear was coming back this way with 25 dogs chasing it. We got to watch the bike race which was fun for the kids and hung out at the lake till it was time to go. What a trip! What is camping without a little adventure, right!

 This is the boys trying to dry out!

 This is the football the bear chewed up which was right by the plastic digging toys. I also got a hold and chewed up Jeff's target and out baby packer. When we were packing up I had Jeff try and hit the side of the tent as hard as he could, to see if it sounded the same as the bear and there was no comparison!

 The kids gave high-fives to everyone who rode past and their cheering paid off when the riders started giving them free water bottles. 

 The two signs that were posted I didn't read till that night thankfully.

Monsoon Summer

I just love summer monsoon season in July and so do the kids. Hunter and I were outside riding bikes and the rain hit hard and at first he was a little nervous about it but when the older boys came out it was so much fun! We were soaked to the bone and the boats and duck sailed down the gutter a hundred times.

Party in Ogden

The boys and I went to Ogden for the week of the 24th and it was so much fun. We arrived Monday afternoon after a long 5 hour drive. Thankfully Grandma and Grandpa were ready for some fun. Cami came up with Cooper and Cole and Mitch came up after work. We had another bday party for Jax. We played Pin the Tail on the Donkey. I loved it, my mom had the coolest old donkey. The kids were so funny. We opened presents, ate cake and played duck duck goose and just hung out which was so nice. The next day we went to Lagoon and I forgot to get out my camera we were having so much fun. We mostly stayed in kiddie land and the rides were thrilling enough for the older boys and still fun for the little ones. I couldn't believe Hunter, it took him some convincing that he could go without me and once he did, he didn't want to stop. On one ride my dad got him out and didn't see him do the more sign and he hit my dad and did the sign again. He was so funny. He even put his arms up on the kid roller coaster.  On Wednesday we went to the North Shore and spent a good 5 hours there and loved every minute of it.   Thursday we went hiking and boy was it hot, luckily the boys were troopers and we found a good shady spot by the river to play in for a bit. We saved a little butterfly that was stuck in the water and had a good laugh at all of us trying to cross the river. Friday we hung out and went on a drive up Ogden Canyon again and up to Snowbasin. Along with all of the planned things we played with neighbor friends, played kickball at the school and played at the playground at the school. I still can't figure out why I didn't take advantage of that playground when I was little. It wasn't quite so fancy and colorful, but so nice to have your school so close. We were so happy to be up there and even got to see Mitch and Cami's cute new house on our way home. Can't wait till next summer!

This was Hunter the first hour or so, back and forth, he couldn't let his mama go so he could go have fun.

 I finally talked him into the merry-go-round twice and it took some convincing. After that he was crazy about every ride!

Jaxon's 6th Birthday

Jaxon turned six years old and we had a great party to celebrate. We played all day and then most of the kids were there to help make and decorate the cake. We were a little nervous for the golf ball and Jax kept telling me, "Mom, its supposed to look like the picture." He must have forgotten I'm not a master chef and cake decorator. It was fun though. I think this is my favorite part is having the kids come up with fun themes and cake ideas. Jax loves golf and has taken Jr. Golf the past two years and is really good. I talked him into a golf part instead of Thor. Thankfully he agreed. Who is Thor anyways? Right before the party Uncle Jim showed up to play blanket monster. This is the kids favorite game with him and I love to watch their faces in surprise and sorta scared as he pulls them under the blanket with him. The party was great as usual and everyone was so generous. We have been lucky to have family so close so I haven't ever had to do the two party thing yet. I'm still crossing my fingers. The kids played and played with all the fun stuff while the adults got to talk and laugh. 

The beginnings of blanket monster.

One of the rules is if you go off the tramp (usually b/c they're scared) you have to wait by the wall till the next game.

This is the lasso he wanted to help his Uncle Jace rope the new cows.

A new bike, the only benefit of all boys so far for Jax is he always gets a new bike and we just pass them on down.

This was the Monday before his birthday, he was doing tricks off the curb and trying to jump both wheels off and he went over the handlebars and a few hours later we had five stitches.

I love for the boys to wake up on their day covered in balloons, I think it was Cami's idea, Jax hardly noticed this year because he woke up at 5am to go flying with his dad and Jim. 

Summer Fun

Our kids love being outside in the summer, its bike riding time at 8:30am and it doesn't slow down after that. We are always jumping on the tramp and going in and out doors with toys and pretending something new and exciting. They have the most wonderful imaginations and their friends do as well. I love to be upstairs in the kitchen and listen to them pretend and make up new things. Dress ups are a hit as well. Not elaborate just old dress ups of mine and Jeff's as well as old Halloween costumes. Water is a must in the summer and finally the boys were old enough this year for the slip n slide and it was so fun to watch them. They also learn how much fun it is to have a water fight and squirt each other, though sharing the hose is still an issue we are working on. Hunter like to be right there with him and he was not happy with me when it was nap time.