You Try!

I had 4 words wrong....I was seriously sweating! I felt like I was back in high school taking those typing tests! Whooh! What a rush!

106 words

Speedtest

Speedtest

Let's 'Try' to Fly a Kite.....

Herriman seems to be the windiest place in the entire state, which makes it the perfect place for kite flying this time of year. Today was no exception...in fact..it may be have been too windy! (Is that possible?)

Leslie, Nat and I (and an entire army of children it seemed) headed over to the local elementary school to try out the "special surprise" we brought back for our kids from our Mexico vacation. (El cheapo Mexican Kites). After one attempt to get the kite in the air it was a tangled mess. Of course the sly Mexican salesman who sold us these kites must have been some kind of 'kite wizard' because his kite was beautifully floating in the air at the time of purchase.....Oh well, the kids thought it was fantastic!

This is what Carsen thought of the kite.....(Nah, he really had a good time. He didn't care that the kite didn't go in the air...he loved to run around with it dragging on the ground.)

One of the kites after attempting to be flown....and then getting tangled on the crash landing.

Myka has 3 teeth. Two on bottom and one eye-tooth! It's hilarious!!! Her Pediatrian said the next tooth coming in looks like it will be the other eye-tooth! (She's going to look like Dracula!) She loved being on the aerated grass...she kept picking up the clumps of dirt and inspecting them. Carsen asked me, "Can she eat the poo-poo?") I do think she tried.

After exhausting our efforts at kite flying, we decided to let the kids play at the park for a few minutes before we were blown away!

Make-Over

Thanks to Natalie and her nerdy computer skills on giving my blog page a fresh, new look!

The Cruise

We are home from sunny Mexico. Now all we have are wonderful memories of the most perfect vacation ever! We were surrounded by fabulous friends (with lots of laughs), way too much food (according to the scale, I packed on 5 lbs...!!) and perfect perfect weather and activities.


Day #1 BOARDING THE SHIP
We arrived at our boat (Vision of the Seas on Royal Caribbean) and met up with our friends who had the joy of being able to take a quick flight from Salt Lake. Of course we couldn't start the cruise off without some food...so we ate....(and we continued to eat and eat the rest of the week. And I am not exaggerating). We did some dancing out on the deck the first afternoon and headed to an opening show. (We hit every show on the boat and loved all of them! It was by far the best entertainment I have ever been to on a cruise ship). That evening we also met our waiter, who soon realized we were not going to be small eaters......

Day #2 FIRST DAY AT SEA
We spent a good majority of the day on beach chairs soaking in the beautiful sun and enjoying some good laughs....Later on in the day we entered a Rock Climbing contest (mind you not one of us have ever rock climbed)! Natalie, Marcy and I took 3r, 2nd and 1st place! (Oh yea, we are the absolute best rock climbers....I won't mention that only 3 girls entered the competition!!!)

That evening was the formal night and we all got dolled-up. Dinner was followed by some Karaoke where Natalie, Leslie and I showed what fabulous singers we are...(or not so fabulous!) It was all in good fun, and luckily we will never see any of those people ever again.

Aren't we lazy....No kids and no work! What a life!
Chad, Randall and TJ show-off their new-found skill of rock climbing....They didn't win medals like us girls!

Oh yea, we 'rock'! Natalie, Marcy and I were the big winners.....!

Formal night (just like prom!) Luckily, I wore this dress the second night...I'm afraid by the end of the cruise it wouldn't have zipped up!

Day #3 CABO SAN LUCAS
We spent the day at Nikki Beach at this fabulous resort. We played in the water, took strolls along the beach and lounged on these awesome beach beds. The best part, we were served delicious Mexican food right to our little cabanas. (I called my kiddies from the beach and I think a little tear was shed. Carsen sounded so old, and didn't miss me a bit!)

All the gals with our cruise ship in the background.

The Olsons (Rachel and TJ) and us in front of the resort we spent the day at. Picture perfect.


Day #4 MAZATLAN
Stop #2 was Mazatlan. We were beached out and knew we had an exciting excursion awaiting us the next day, so we decided to make it a sight-seeing day. We hired an air-conditioned van to take us around the city. Our awesome tour guide showed us the hot spots and told us about the history of Mazatlan. We even saw some cliff divers who dove off like 150 ft. cliffs into the ocean (LOCO!)


When we first got in the van the driver offered us some beverages....coke, beer, water, etc. We told him we don't drink. He instantly said, "You Mormons?" We told him we were and he said, "They're my neighbors." Sure enough, they really were. He drove us by his home near the end of our tour and he lived right across the street from the LDS chapel. Of course it was the most well-kept building we saw our entire stay in Mazatlan.

Us and the Richards on the little train that took us from the cruise ship into Mazatlan.

'This little piggy went to market'....Yes, we went to market and saw this and much more grotesque meat. Oh well, I still eat!

Day #5 PUERTO VILLARTA
What a fabulous place....beautiful and exotic. This was the most fun adventure of all time! (If you ever visit this place, you have got to try this Outdoor Adventure!) Unfortunately, because Collin just had knee surgery 2 weeks prior, he had to sit this adventure out. (He was able to bond on board the ship with the Senior Citizens)!

First we put on this flimsy, orange lifejackets that would never actually save our lives if we were to go overboard, but I suppose we felt safer having them on. We went on this raft-boat zipping across the ocean for about 25 minutes. (That in itself was a thrill!) We arrived at the base of the jungle where this old-school army Jeep hauled us up the mountainside. It was at that point we put on our harnesses and mounted our little Mules. (Oh what fun! Natalie and I were riding the spunky little mules who cruised up the rocky mountainside. I thought I was going to fall off from laughing, but we finally made it safely to the top of the mountain.) From there we zip–lined to and from platforms. We were flying over jungle terrain where if we were to fall it would be the end....After the first zip we all had the hang of it and the fear was long gone. Then we had to rapell down a 100 ft rock wall and then zip-line into freezing cold water! This went on for over an hour....We were all grinning non-stop. We weren't allowed to take cameras on the adventure, so the pic's are limited!

Here we are waiting for our little speed-boat to carry us to our jungle terrain adventure!

The beautiful little beach where the boat dropped us off and we loaded up the Jeep to haul us to the base camp.

Me and Nat looking ever so hot in our gear!

Day #6 AT SEA
Another relaxing day at sea. We needed it after rapelling off rock walls and zipping at unknown speeds with nothing but jungle far below us! We spent the morning lounging by the pool. That afternoon Collin and TJ (I mean Shamu) entered the "Belly Flop Contest." It was a riot! TJ delighted the audience by impersonating the large whale Shamu.....he was then known around the boat as 'Shamu.'

Natalie, Rachel and I waiting for another evening show!

Day #7 LAST DAY AT SEA

Our last day aboard the ship was actually quite chilly. We were getting closer to California, and it was windy. We didn't mind. We were tired of the sun and wanted to hang-out indoors. We played some Bingo (Yes, Bingo!)...and none of us won, but we sure got excited at times! We also went and learned some magic tricks from a Magician and just enjoyed our last moments without kids and 'real life.'

We were sad to be having our last dinner together, so we made the most of it. I personally enjoyed 3 starters and 3 desserts! (Yum!) That evening we went and cheered on our new Utah friend (Nate) who was in the Karaoke contest. He and his wife Laci and her family sat behind us every night at dinner, so we were able to get to know them. Nate won!

Sunday morning Chad and I were one of the first ones off the boat. We started our drive towards our kids! (At this point I was so anxious and excited to see them!) They were so cute when we got to Vegas, and I swear Myka sprouted more hair! Carsen was excited to show us how well he could ride his new bike all over the patio! It was great to be back with our kids!

That was one vacation that will go down in the books as "the best ever." We couldn't have asked for things to go more smoothly! First off, it never would have happened if it weren't for my parents and their willingness to watch Carsen and Myka for an entire week! You will never know how much that meant to us-- Another shout out to our wonderful friends for being such good company and never allowing for a dull moment! When are we going again?

Cruis'n.........

We have arrived at our first stop of the trip....Vegas. This is where it all begins. This is where we drop off the kiddies for a whole week with Pa and Gigi. (I have the best parents in the world! They are seriously excited to have these two kids for a whole week! All I can say is 'good luck.')

Honestly, I think it's going to be the most difficult on me.....I am going to miss my bestest little buddies. (There will be some tears shed tomorrow morning when I am bidding my sweeties good-bye).....I will have to stay focused on all the fabulous food, sights, company and sun....maybe then I will be able to take my mind off my kids!

We were planning on flying out tomorrow morning (Sunday)from Vegas, but we decided to cancel our plane tickets and drive instead. (It's not very far from Vegas and that way we won't have to sit around airports and wait for the shuttle to take us to the boat. Plus...we can sleep in tomorrow instead of having to be to the airport at 5:00 a.m. And when the boat docs on Sunday morning we can get right off, hop in the car and head for home instead of sitting at the airport until 1:30.....) We'll see how 'fabulous' our change of plans really turn out!

Good bye snow---hello sunshine!

Little Friends.

Carsen has the cutest little 'girl friend' named Ryan. They go to Little Gym together (it's a good thing Ryan is there for her man.....Carsen feels secure that Ryan is in his class. He's had a few meltdowns, but then Ryan comes over and helps him out. Isn't that what friends are for?) Here they are dressed as The Hulk and a Power Ranger/miner.....Leave it to Carsen to find costumes at whatever house we're at.

What is Kindermusic?

Carsen was given a backpack to carry his drum and music books in. He loves it! He's ready for Kindermusic!

A couple of you have commented about your curiosity regarding Kindermusic. I am not an expert, as this is my first experience with it. So far, I am a HUGE fan! (Even though Carsen has shed tears at two of our partings; when I return to pick him up he is in high spirits and is singing and playing along.) Throughout the week he is always wanting to get out his drum and play the CD that he is given in the class.

From my experience (thus far) Kindermusic is an interactive, music-based learning environment for children 5 and under. They learn new songs, experiment with beats and rythm, and just play around. (It's a great way to wear him out so he will take a nap...and we all know what that means! Nap for me too!)

So, for those of you who were curious...That's Kindermusic. I highly recommend it, but I am baffled at how someone would want to teach it! (That's why his teacher is amazing with kids and has more patience than I could ever dream of having!) I too have learned a lot and enjoy learning the new songs along with him!

Shoes+Chocolates = Valentines!

Chad and I are not very good at the whole "surprise" thing. (I am especially terrible at this). This morning Chad called and said, "Where are you." I told him I was in the kitchen cleaning....... He said, "I just opened the garage door." In he walked with a box of chocolate covered strawberries and raspberries (from V Chocolates, the absolute most delicious chocolates in the world) and he was also carrying a shoe box. (I have a serious shoe fetish. But they are all very necessary).

My sweet Valentine needs to know how much I love him and appreciate all he does for me. He is the best husband and is always doing everything he can to make me happy (which I know can be a full-time job). He is so thoughtful and loving and is by far the worlds best Dad. (Carsen and Myka prefer him overe me 100%)! I don't know what I would do without him, and I feel so blessed (and lucky) to have a best friend for a husband. I truly adore this man--and I love that he is mine forever!

Happy Valentines Day to everyone out there! I hope your day is as sweet as mine!!! (Mine gets even sweeter, because I don't have to make dinner and I don't have to wait in line at a restaurant! My wonderful neighbor Natalie is making dinner for 12 adults and 15 kids....and it's gourmet! I can hardly wait!)

Love you all!

Visiting Vegas

Every year around this time I get sick of the cold, buy a plane ticket and fly myself and the kids to Las Vegas. (Even before kids I would go by myself. Of course, only for as long as my parents have lived there....which is coming up on I think 7 years???). This trip will go down in the history books as the most 'memorable.'

Tuesday before we left, Myka was coughing like crazy. She sounded terrible. I didn't want to take her to another state and have to take her to a doctor there, so I made an appointment with her Pediatrician. Bronchiallitis (spelling?) or in other words, a case of RSV. Why not? Let's just add it to the list of illnesses this fabulous year. The Pediatrician instructed me to hook her up to a Nebulizer (thanks Leslie) every 4-6 hours. Easier said than done....I have since found out Myka does not like to have things blowing in her face. Her Pediatrician said it was fine to have her fly and she would be okay......

We flew out Wednesday afternoon and left the cold and freezing temps behind us! (Hooray!) The flight was tricky, but I knew that going into it. I've done it before, and I always tell myself I will never do it again. (But how quickly I forget how miserable it is to remove everyone's shoes, fold down the stroller (while holding a baby), hoist the stroller up on to the convayer belt (still holding a baby), put everyones shoes back on, make sure we have all our bags, hoist the stroller back down, fold it back down, and finally get everyone positioned to cruise to the gate. Phew! Such a process. We haven't even boarded the airplane and I am already a sweaty mess. (The airplane ride is a whole different story. It's like church, but with absolutely no outlet. I just have to let Myka crawl all over me and keep saying 'sorry' to the person sitting next to me). One thing about it, I always hear how adorable my kids are and it reminds me that they are so stink'n cute and they're MINE! (People seeing me travel probably think I'm some single mom and they feel sorry that I have to travel all alone with 2 kids). Nope, I actually choose to!

Back to the story. We get to Vegas and it is sunny and warm (to me). My Dad picks us up at the airport and helps me haul everything out to his vehicle. (How would it be without car seats? They are a serious pain in the rear. I hate loading and unloading them. In fact, I will avoid at all costs having to remove car seats from my car.) Myka is still coughing. (I tried to avoid eye contact with people in the airport when she would start hacking. I know what they were thinking, because it's the same thing I think about other kids who are coughing. Poor Myka).

On Thursday morning Myka wakes up and she sounds even more miserable. Her breathing is wheezy and she's coughing like crazy. I'm stressing at this point. I call the nurse and she has me put Myka on the phone. When I get back on the phone she says, "Are you in a place where you can go to an Insta Care?" I tell her I am. She says, "You need to go, like right now. Either that or go straight to the ER." I'm frantically gathering everything together and telling my Dad we've got to go. In the meantime I call my insurance and they direct me to several Insta Cares in the area. I'm thinking, 'Okay, this won't be so bad. I'll run her in there and they'll make sure she's breathing alright. We'll be done in about an hour and have time to take Carsen to the park and what not.'

Not the case. Not even close. I am spoiled by having an Insta Care about 1 mile from my house that you're in and out in less than 30 minutes. Nevada's health system is a joke. Or maybe it's just Las Vegas.

We pull up to the nearest Insta Care (which is really quite close to their house. That was a huge bonus). I open the door to the building and immediately I hear about 30 people coughing, sneezing, etc. I almost turned around and walked back out. I went and put my name on the list.....wondering how long I was going to be in this sick-house. There were probably 50 people sitting in the waiting room. Insta-nothing! This was going to be an all-day ordeal. I figured by sitting in there I was going to catch every germ floating around.

My Dad and I took turns sitting in there waiting for them to call Myka's name. (Can I just add...before going to the clinic my awesome Dad and his neighbor gave Myka a blessing. Which is really the reason everything turned out alright.)

Long story short. We wait and wait and wait. We finally get in there and her breathing is normal and fine (no more wheezing at this point). She is running a slight fever (nothing I didn't already know). To make my impression of the health care system even more negative, during the doctors examination her cell phone rings. She leaves the room and doesn't come back! Finally, 20 minutes later I am ticked. (I have already been here for about 3 hours). I poke my head out the door and I see her and I said, "Are you coming back?" She had forgotten, but she acted like she was looking for something. Yeah right. We wrapped up the examination with the results that poor little Myka had double ear infections to go along with her nasty little cough.

Here's a thought...What if I had a SERIOUS emergency? Life threatening? Where would I go and what would I do? I guess that the ER is just as packed as the Insta Cares.

That was that. We filled the prescriptions, gave Myka some medicine and headed out to enjoy some of the good weather.

As the week went on Myka was back to her normal self (with some cough spells here and there). What a huge relief! Then, Friday evening Carsen came down with a fever. The next morning it was even worse, but it tapered off a bit by the afternoon. He was able to go to the park and feed the ducks and play on the slides. (All the while my mom and I were hitting up my favorite Vegas stores!)

We are home now and everyone is back to good. (for now) The plane ride home was even more miserable than the one going over. But that's alright, I've almost forgotten about it and am ready to plan my next get-away out of the cold weather!

I love going to Vegas and letting my parents spoil my kids. I have the best parents, and they absolutely adore my kids. It was so nice to get away from the snow and enjoy a little sun (and not have to pile coats on the kids when we were outside). That small glimpse of spring has made me realize I can make it through the rest of winter. (Or at least until our cruise!)

Pass the Pigs

At Christmas time Kye and Kelly brought this game "Pass the Pigs" for all of us to play. Of course my first thought was, "seriously?" I am all about games, but this one seemed a bit too odd for me.....Not so! It turned out to be a clever little game! Ever since then I have been wanting to buy the game....(The winter is much too long and I am starved for entertainment!)

I finally found the game today and Chad, Carsen and I spent the evening rolling two little pigs and hoping they land in various positions. I must be getting old and boring..(To my defense, Myka and Carsen both have nasty coughs and we didn't want to subject anyone to yet another Peck illness.) I know....sick again! Will it never end? The problem is, Carsen catches something at Nursery, Little Gym, Kinder Music or the endless objects he thinks he has to touch whenever we go anywhere. I swear, we wash our hands about a million times a day. I can show you chapped little hands on both Carsen and myself. Anyhow..whatever Carsen seems to catch Myka always ends up with too. So, here we sit on a Saturday evening playing "Pass the Pigs." I highly recommend it! (The game, not the endless sickness!)