Randoms

We attempted the Alpine Slide, but as soon as I put my car in park,
Rae was sick.
Pale.
Gonna throw up.
For sure.
She made me sit in the back of the car with her for almost an hour because she was sure she needed me to help her make it in the bucket.  I was coaching her the best I could, but I have never seen a child so incredibly terrified of barfing as my little Rae.  She was shaking. Begging me to be the one to be sick...not her. Asking over and over when it was gonna happen.  How much is it going to be? Why her? Why can't dad be sick? Or Evan? Seriously, she was so terrified I felt horrible.  She went into the typical cramp up, feel ok, cramp up again, feel ok, wave.  She asked that we say a prayer.  That we did.
She begged that Heavenly Father would answer her prayer.  Help her.
I told her (because I was sure she was going to at any second barf *ye of little faith*) that sometimes our prayers are not answered the way we want them to be answered.  Maybe Heavenly Father helped us get to Park City before she got sick so that I could be with her.  Help her.
She didn't like that.
I sat with her.
Rubbing her back.
Tying her hair up.
Gearing her with a couple bags.
And we waited . . .
and waited . . .
and waited . . .
Finally I said we are going home.
I lined the carpet in front of her with a new blow-up raft...just in case...and off we went.
She was quiet.
The whole way home.
SHE NEVER THREW UP.
I am thoroughly convinced Heavenly Father intended for this to be an experience this freshly baptized 8 year old will never ever forget.
I told her she had way more faith then me and that she must be a very special girl to our Heavenly Father.
She was so unbelievably thrilled...she will never forget that day!

The picture above.
Although we weren't able to experience the Alpine Slide
we were blessed with a beautiful drive...
and a beautiful teaching moment.

**Sorry for the novel, but then again who am I sorry to.  Pretty sure nobody visits my blog...totally fine with me (I understand with FaceBook and Intsagram...the blog world is ancient social media: ). Its purely for my journal purposes only.   Truly.  And Im actually so glad I have it...for myself and my kids!**


 

Yes.
We are doing Karate.
With sparring gear and all.

"C'mon stupid knees. . ."           "Almost there!"                     "Got it!"            

The squat.
Who knew it could be so difficult.
Evan has knocked-knees.
He may look special here...bless him ; )
He was working so hard on that squat.
The more he worked the more knocked his knees went.
Like I always say...glad he is smart!
It was one of the funniest things I have ever witnessed!
These are the moments I Really Really Really appreciate being a MOM!
And feel so so so bad dad has to miss out.

This was the most glorious Sunday nap ever.
Mayci truly fell asleep like that.
Best spoon.

As I predicted.
This girl is mobile.
And this girl is SO much happier.
Thanks to the crawl.

Whenever we can have her we will take her.
My kids worship auntie buggy.
Wonder why?  Nobody worships bug.
Maybe its because she lets them drive the go-cart through 100's of people . . .
at age 8!!

Evan.
On his first day of the big bad first grade.
He booked it out of the car before I even put it in park.
Ran around the school looking for his door.
Without looking back.
I pretty much had to tackle him down to get a hug and a kiss from him.
He couldn't be more ready.
I missed him a lot.  But it helps the emotions when they are so dang excited to take on the world.
I love him.
So much.

Evan.
The button up got the better of him.
He was so close.
Ha!

This poor girl had to miss the first day of school.  That stomach bug sure was a bugger.  Knocked her flat for 5 straight days.  No throw-up, just very weak.  Tired.  And sick to her stomach.  I felt really bad she had to miss out on day 1.  But she survived and was more than excited to gear up and head out on day 2.
Im so happy my kids LOVE school.
The night before the first day, Shawn gave them amazing blessings.
When he was through I wanted to bless them too with my own thoughts.
And that I did.
Be a good friend.
Be a helper for your teacher.
ALWAYS include the outcasts : )
And always help those that are being picked on.
Thats all.
Then they asked if I cared that they do their homework?
I said...sure :)

*PS . . . Its not okay that Mayci is tightening a bungee around her neck*

UPGRADE!!

Say it aint so!
I UPGRADED.
Out with the slider and in with the Samsung GFX 2000!!
(have no idea what it really is called : )

I feel like I need a class on how to use it.

BUT

I know how to use SnapChat.
And I love it.

Do I ever make a normal face while taking a "selfie" (just learned that term and how to use it : )

Nope.

Just haven't found my good side yet.
Pretty sure I just don't have one,
so when all else fails...
make a face!

Glad to be a member of the upgrade.
Its kinda fun.

Getting ready!

Doesn't happen that often around here that the kids get new clothes.
Walked in to this.
Raegan.
Laying out her outfits for day 1 and day 2 of school.

Evans clothes . . .

 still in the bag.

HA!

Freedom. Liberation. Sitting. Crawling!

Love her scrunch-nose smile.
With all my heart.
And I love the bulging of the upper nose when she does it.
*May have to ask the pediatrician bout that : )* 

Really?!
She is mine.
All mine.

From sitting . . .
To crawling . . .
All within the last month.
L.O.V.E

Legs and arms AT WORK!

And finally she is content in her carseat . . . as long as there is a bottle and an arm in the picture.
Literally ; )
This here was a pleasant ride.
After a long day.
At the pool.
And thats why we have lived in the water.
All summer!

August. Really?!

Rae and I came down with the July flu.
Mayci got the August one.
Ugh. 

Why is it torture to see your kids suffer like this.
I. HATE. IT.
She woke up not feeling well, but I chalked it up to being tired.
Took the safe route and hooked her up with a bowl...
thank you sixth sense: )
I was bustling around in the kitchen,
and not a peep/wince/or cry from her mouth other than an unusual barfing noise.
I ran over to her and bless this most precious three year old ever,
she had her face in the bowl.

I wanted to cry for her.

Turf Toe

Nasty.

Always happens when I decide to pick up the good ol' game of soccer.

: )

Alpine Days!

We woke up and jumped in the car to catch the Alpine Days parade.  Literally.  We were all in our pj's.  Didn't plan on staying all day, but ended up doing just that.  Once the parade ended, the blow-up bouncy houses were a must for the kids.  So...we participated.  It was $5/pass for unlimited access...and we certainly got our money's worth (5 hours later)!!
It was easy to stay.
Wesly was amazing.
Company was fantastic.
And as long as their is shade and a chair,
Im happy:) 

Wesly chilled in the wagon and was thoroughly entertained as the parade hustled by.
See...
I wasn't lying.
She is in her pajamas :)

And after all the fun and games were done for the kids . . .
I enjoyed some of my own fun.
This evening with these ladies was just what I needed at just the right time.
An unbelievable ride.
With an amazing view.
In the fresh mountain air.
Exhilarating.
Cant wait for the next one.

Summer...

Best part about summer time are these!
Evening summer storms.
Took a moment to enjoy this one from my backyard:)

Love spending time with this dream.
Lucky to call her my friend!
 

Cousin time is always fun times!
These two are gonna be some serious trouble!
HeARt BrEaKeRs!!!!

__________________________________________________________

The summer is coming to a close...and to be honest...Im ready :)
But let me also say it has been an amazing and adventurous summer.
I had a really bad attitude just before school got out and felt defeated before summer even began.  Trying to imagine what I was going to do with all the little ones ALL DAY LONG was a bit overwhelming.
-BUT-
once we got into a rhythm...
and once I tweaked my attitude a bit :) ...
it all worked out so well.

My attitude changed quickly when it dawned on me (in the very first week of summer-so grateful) that this could potentially be one of the last (not saying last yet:) summers I am able to cruise with NO schedule.
I see...once kids get older...schedules take over...and "taxi mom" begins.
And as I was toting all my gear with all the little ones into the pool this thought truly hit me like a hammer (gratefully)!
SO...
I embraced this summer with both arms.
To be able to pack up all the kids, enter the pool with all the kids, and stay as long as my little heart desired on any given day with all the kids...I know is short lived.
And I get that:)

Isn't it always all about your attitude!

I found, also, to take care of myself too.
Doesn't ALWAYS have to be ALL about the kids.
While I made sure the kids had friends and cousins at every outing,
I also made sure I was in good company too.
Definitely makes a huge difference.
And it really is the only way to go if you end up spending 6 solid hours at a water park!
Its been amazing.
A summer full of laughter.
And water!
And on those 'catch-up days' that you have to sneak in between all the water fun to do a few loads of laundry,
maybe clean a toilet...
 the kids would play catch up at home with all their friends.
And boy did I luck out with that!  We couldn't live by better neighbors and friends...
For me!
And for the kids :)

So, to next summer...
Remember your attitude.
Embrace moments.
Surround yourself with good company.
Laugh.
Stay busy.
And wet:)

7 peaks!

I had to go extra large on this photo.  Wesly...you are perfect.
You love love love the water.
And I love love love that I can just plop you down in it and know you won't go anywhere:)
Remember when I was begging you to crawl.
DONT!
Your content enough to be able to sit and play.
I love it:)

Dear Raegan,
You are crazy.
You went down this thing...
HEAD FIRST!
I think I was more nervous to WATCH you go then you were to go.
And poor Evan.
Begged and begged with tears in his eyes.
Thank goodness he isn't tall enough!!
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU CHILDREN!
I told your dad that I grew up all summer long going to this water park and only went on this particular slide ONCE!
And only once for a reason:)
But if it weren't for knowing that you could do it
AND
dad yapping in my ear all night about going on it...
I wouldn't have done it!
But I did.
And I screamed.
Really.
Really.
Loud.
My throat hurt:)


Fun times at the annual BYU 7-peaks event.
They reserve the whole water park for the athletic department and it really is dreamy.
Stinky, but dreamy:)

**I think that green turf is green for a reason:/ **

We, literally, were the last ones to leave.
Literally!

Wondered when this would happen...

Came upon this scene...

 

...and then I saw this dream.
Guess her bangs weren't quite short enough to her satisfaction.
Took matters into her own hands.
And we all got a real. good. laugh!
What can do...but laugh.
Still the cutest little face I ever did see!

These are a few of my fave O rit things...

On our way to tinfoil dinners and roasted s'mores.
In the fresh air of our backyard we went...
the beautiful American Fork Canyon.
Spent many a nights there while growing up.
Truly is my place.

Evans pretty relentless.
Couldn't stop asking when we were gonna be there.
That 20 minute drive was agonizing.
He. Loves. Camping.

Raegan.
In her element.
Well, on her way to being in her element.
But the motorhome ride is just as fun as the camping itself:)

This here is proof of a long, fun, and adventurous summer for this 3 year old.
Didn't know she was capable of gaining big, dark circles under her eyes.
Thought that was only for tired, worn out adults.

Shawn at the wheel with my replacement.
She did take the front seat.

This doesn't happy too often but when it does it is worthy to post...
LADIES NIGHT.
AND THE FEELIN'S RIGHT!
This is how it started off.
Dinner.
Yum.

And this is how it ended.
A soccer game.
At 11:25pm!
I don't think I would have made it to the game had we not planned some shopping and dinner around it.
Kept me awake.
And kept me laughing.
Hard.
My jaw hurt the following day.

Although it was a loooong night.
It was so fun.
No better way to recharge your 'mommy' batteries,
then a good night of good laughs with good buddies.

*Note to disbelieving children that mom ever played...or even ran for that matter**

**Yes, children, that is me playing keeper in yellow.  Had to preserve the knees a bit considering we had another game the next night at 10:40pm!  And yes, children, that is me with my hands in the air celebrating a goal.  Still exciting.  And yes, children, that is me in the top picture resting my hands on my hips trying to catch my breath.  Forgot how fast that little game of indoor is.  I hope you are enjoying this game as I have.  Its a good one.**