Eventful July (So Far...)

I am so far behind that I have been procrastinating the day of my update. I suppose today is as good as any to begin.....(Actually this has taken me about 4 days!)

I have to hurry and get my blog updated so we can leave tomorrow for Star Valley, Wyoming for the Peck Family Reunion. I love the busy-ness of summer!

What an eventful two weeks. My parents were in town (staying at a Condo in Park City and at my brother's house in Orem) so it seems there were constant activities and get-togethers.

Here's what our July has consisted of thus far:

Thursday (July 3rd)

Carsen just didn't get enough fishing in Moab, so we decided to take all the kids (my little niece and nephew Katelin and KC) to Strawberry fishing.

My Dad has his little fishing boat and my brother and I decided to go along for some good company and quite honestly to make sure our children didn't drive 'Pa' crazy. (Or that they didn't drowned or eat worms).

We found out after driving for an hour and a half (each way) that we could've stayed home and put water in a kiddie pool and let the kids play with a styrofoam cup full of worms. They were so intrigued with the cup of worms that they were oblivious to the fact that we never caught a fish.

My Dad thought he would add some entertainment by showing the kids he could put a worm in his mouth.....What a great thing to teach little sponges.



Carsen has been beyond excited to have his cousins back from Arizona. Carsen and KC are 5 days apart (and about a foot apart in height). They play so well together and can't keep their hands off each other.


Friday (July 4th)
We spent the afternoon in Orem with the fam. Kye's neighbors set up a giant slip'n slide at the park and the kids (and adults too) had a riot sliding down the mountainside. (It was an excellent idea, and one I plan to copy sometime!)

We visited the Freedom Festival and found ourselves eating all the naughty festival food. (I read in a magazine yesterday that funnel cake is one of the worst things you can eat at a Fair.....I will make a mental note of that from now on!)

The kids enjoyed twirling their sparklers around when it FINALLY got dark enough for some little fireworks. I am so glad they are still at the age where any little firework is still fascinating and fun.



Saturday (July 5)
We had a Pre-Baby Blessing Dinner for Kanyon at Kelly's parents house. They have the best house and are always inviting us over. The kids have a riot and we adults always have a good time. (The swimming pool might be a slight bonus too!)


Sunday (July 6)
We traveled back down to Orem for Kanyon's baby blessing. He is such a sweet little guy and kind of gets lost in the shuffle with the older kids. I have never seen him be unhappy! He looked so handsome in his little tux! Myka and Pa were out in the hall the entire Sacrament Meeting. It pleased me for him to know why I don't enjoy church very much!

(Myka is very into sticking her finger up her nose....She loves to stick her finger up other peoples nose too. Very attractive!)



Tuesday (July 8)
The kids and I headed to Park City to spend the day with Pa and Gigi. I hadn't been to the Olympic Park yet, so we decided to take the kids there. There was a free-style ski jumping camp taking place, so there were people practicing their jumps off of the ski jump into the water. Carsen was fascinated.

Then we rode the "Quicksilver" Alpine Slide. Carsen was a little nervous about the ski lift up the mountain...He was wondering how we were going to get off of it. Once we had our feet on the ground and were aboard our sled he was excited. He kept telling me to go faster! When we reached the bottom of the hill he hopped off the sled and ran to Pa and said, "Will you go with me Pa?" Who can say no to that? So they went again.

Myka found a little hill that she walked up and down probably 50 times. It was like she had discovered something new she could do and she wanted to master it.

If you haven't visited the Olympic Park--do it! It was beautiful and such a fun thing to see!




Friday (July 11)
THE ZOO.

Kye and Kelly went to Jackson Hole so we were able to have Katelin and KC come and spend the night. We wanted to do something fun on Friday, and the zoo seemed like the perfect place to take a bunch of little monkeys!

It was a beautiful day, but of course it took us forever to get going. (4 kids and 3 adults...takes a bit of time to coordinate getting everything ready to go). We made it to the Zoo and visited all the animals (quickly). Three hours later we were exhausted and finished with the Zoo.

Myka was hyperventilating the entire time. Her biggest fascination was with the birds. I thought she would be intrigued by the bigger animals like the elephants and giraffes, but I think she thought they weren't real. The little animals were her favorite.

Pa and Gigi took the older 3 kids back to Park City with them to their Condo to spend the night and go swimming. I took Myka back home with me where I put her to bed and put my house back in order now that it was free of three little monkeys!

The Cabin

One of my favorite places to escape the world is my family's cabin in Moab. It's nestled above the town of Moab in the La Salle mountains. The cabin is away from everything and everyone. The views are the best of both worlds--far out on the horizon is the red-cliffs and ledges--close-up are the tall greens and pines.

We met up with my parents and went four-wheeling, fishing and rested. (And of course worked on cabin projects....That seems to be never-ending). The cabin is my version of camping, but with a bed and a shower. My kids still get down and dirty, and there are lots of bugs, but I love it! Fishing topped Carsen's list and he was very into it. He caught 3 fish, 2 of which he [we] threw back and 1 he kept and ate! (Anything fried in grease tastes delicious, right?)

We left Monday morning to come back to reality, but Carsen stayed up on the mountain spending some quality time with the grandparents. I didn't think when it came to say good-bye that he would stay...but he wanted too. He was in his element, and wanted more time to look for deer and ride the four-wheelers. He's all boy. I love him for that.

Carsen Withdrawals

We went to Moab this past weekend (details and pictures to come) and we left Carsen at the cabin with my parents. I have been without him since Monday morning, and I am feeling serious Carsen-withdrawals. Of course I have always known what a huge part of my life my children are to me, but Carsen being gone for these past couple of days has made me realize how much I NEED my kids. I am missing the simple, day-to-day things that Carsen and I do together.....

He is having the time of his life with his Pa and Gigi. He has seen a bear, 3 skunks, and has made friends with a chipmunk named 'Henry.' Oh, and he's also knocked himself in the head with a hammer, and gotten a sliver. (I'm sure there's much more, but my parents have been kind enough not to bother me with the minor details [and injuries].)

Little Fishies

Myka enjoying her string cheese before Carsen takes to the water.

Carsen's favorite part of the lesson is the goggles! His ears stick out (and they have got to be so uncomfortable) but he is so adamant about wearing them the entire time.

Carsen and Parker drying off after yet another vigorous 30 minute swimming lesson.

I convinced my cousin Jill to enroll her son Parker (who is Carsen's age) into semi-private swimming lessons 2X a week. What a great little duo! They have had so much fun and have learned so much. Their teacher knows how to treat 3-year-old boys and plays constant games with them. I am impressed with advancements they have both made.

Myka joins Jill and me on the sidelines and waddles back and forth strutting her cute little stuff. Our most recent name for her is our "pot-bellied princess."

Ragnar Relay Wasatch Back!

What a weekend! Here it is Sunday mid-morning and I am thinking to myself, "Where did my weekend go, and why do I feel so exhausted?" I'll tell you where it went, from Logan to Park City (178 miles) with 12 runners each running 3 different legs in a relay over a 2-day span. Yup. That's right. I spent my weekend running through the countryside of Utah with a team named Chupacabra.

This past February I get an e-mail from my friend Allison wondering if I wanted to run in the Ragnar Relay. The what? I figured, why not....it's not till June and that seems forever away. Here it is June and so Friday morning we loaded up the Powells suburban (Andy and Kate who are the most thoughtful married couple I have ever met. They were my 'mom and dad' figure for the weekend, because they took such great care of us 'kids.') Along with the Powells were the Strangs (Allison and Chad). All I can say is what a riot. These two are so fun to be around and kept us constantly laughing (and wiping the tears from laughing). In the back was me and Lou Lou (Leslie Myers) one of my most favorite people in the whole world. I have known Leslie since the first day I moved here and we have been running buds (and 'Lifetime' buds) ever since. Leslie is the quirkiest (in the most admirable way) person I know. She is so fun to be around because she is down-t0-earth and not afraid to let her true side show. (Every body's true sides were shown on this 2-day escapade).

There was another suburban with 6 other people who were running the first leg of the relay. We met up with them and took over the relay in Eden Valley. My first run was at about 2:00 pm (blazing sun shining upon me). It was only a 3.5 mile run, and because I was so pumped to be doing what I was doing it wasn't so bad.

After we all ran our first legs we were at the top of Snow Basin. (Yes, the top. That means our two guys had to finish the first leg by running up the mountainside.) We ate dinner and enjoyed the fact that we were one leg down. (And stinky, sweaty and smelly but oh well).

Allison's dad lives in Morgan, which just so happened to be the place where our next leg was going to begin. Our team went there for a quick face wash and teeth brush'n before our night run began. My night run was at 2:00 a.m. It was actually my most fun run of the relay, because I wore a headlamp and reflector vest and the weather was perfect (41 degrees.) That leg was 6.4 miles, but it felt good because everything about it was something new. (Maybe it was due to the fact that I was running at 2 a.m., which isn't something I do everyday!)

After we all finished our second leg (about 4:00 a.m.) we drove from Kamas to Heber City (which is where our final leg was going to begin the following morning). We went to the middle school which was an 'exchange post' and threw our sleeping bags out on the front lawn of the school and caught about 2.5 hours of sleep. When I woke up I looked around me and saw bodies buried in sleeping bags everywhere...I was surrounded by complete strangers. (I had been so exhausted when I went to sleep that I didn't really care who I was next to). I located my team and we ate some Cheerios and waited for our next leg to begin. The final leg, and the one I had been dreading just a tiny bit.

It was comforting to be in Heber City, where things looked familiar. But, the familiarity wasn't in my favor, because I knew what run I was going to be doing next--the dirt road above the Wasatch State Park Golf Course which climbs up to the top of the mountain and then drops down the other side into Park City.

The morning was perfect weather and I was hoping the temps would stay a bit low for my high-noon run. Unfortunately, they kept creeping up, but it could've been worse. My final leg was on a dirt road pretty much straight up hill for 4 miles. I put on my GPS to track my pace (and to see how much further I had to endure this HELL) and of course my Ipod to fill my ears with music to motivate my legs. It was an interesting trek (and one I am not ready to repeat anytime soon), and boy was I was glad to see the finish line. My team would stop every so often so Lou Lou could come and water me down and quench my thirst. All I can say is what a thrill!

Our team did awesome! Every person in our vehicle ran their hearts out and were so motivating to everybody else. We were all in it for each other, and each person wanted to see everyone else do well. The race as a whole was so organized and just an amazing experience. There were over 600 teams (and probably close to 5500 runners)! How cool that so many people join together to simply run.

By the time our last runner crossed the finish line we were spent. We were tired, sweaty, dirty and aching. I was ready to go home and see my family (Chad had a fun little weekend with the kids!)

Alright...who' in for next years Ragnar?

Preschool Summer Camp

Carsen made it through his first session of Summer Camp! He did awesome (much to my surprise, I must admit.) I thought for sure we were going to have to come up with some pretty fabulous bribes....but none were needed. This weeks camp was "Kids in the Kitchen" and he came home every day with new treats to share with us that he had 'cooked up.'

The first day I dropped him off I had a more difficult time than he did. (I didn't let it show, but I was certainly feeling it on the inside.) I couldn't believe I was dropping my little buddy off at Preschool! (I felt choked up and sad that my little man was big enough to be going to preschool, and it seemed he didn't need me anymore!) However, after returning home with just one kid (and putting that little monkey down for a nap) I was very excited about the time I had to myself! (Which I didn't put to good use...unless you call catching up on the "Bachelorette" good use of time!)

On Father's Day Carsen was adamant that he help us cook dinner....so we let "Chef Carsen" handle the buttering of the bread.

7 Years Ago....

Seven years ago was the big day. The day that changed our life forever....and continues to change it everyday. Seven years has brought a lot of change to our 'little' family. Looking back to my wedding day I never would have imagined what seven years could bring us:

• Have 2 kids
• Live in 4 states
• Enjoy millions of kisses and laughs!

The best part was eating at the Cheesecake Factory without any kids! Just the two of us....like it was seven years ago.

New Do's, Bribes and Water Balloons

NEW DO'S....


Myka's hair was becoming a bit unruly once again. And since she still pulls out her clips (with a big smile on her face while doing so); I decided it was time for another chop.

And chop we did. I think it might be border-line too short, but I figure it will grow. The cute gal who cut her hair showed me how to put in a little "pull-through" ponytail which is impossible for her to pull out. (Oh, she tries. Anytime I say, "Ohh, pretty hair" her hand instantly goes up to her little ponytail and she starts pulling on it.) Hopefully this will get her used to having a little something in her hair and before long she won't even notice i's there. (That's about the time I will start 'sneaking' her clips back in).

Oh Myka! She is one-of-a-kind. She is full of personality and knows what she wants and knows how to get it. We have been going to the park quite a bit lately because of the warm weather. I used to love the park. It was a time to chat with my friends and let the kids play. Those days are long gone. Now I am active at the park. I am climbing all over the jungle gym, going down slides, slithering under tunnels...all in attempt to chase down Myka. Of course we will still go to the park, but I won't anticipate it as much as I used too.


BRIBES....Carsen earned his remote control Jeep by FINALLY going to Nursery. It had to be his idea, and he did it. (Now we'll see what happens next Sunday)....


AND WATER BALLOONS.....



I live in the best neighborhood in the world. No arguing please, it's useless....I really do have the best neighbors, friends and little kids. There is always someone out to talk with, and everyone is always willing to do anything for anyone. I can't bring myself to move, because I know there will NEVER ever be another neighborhood like this one. So, I must enjoy the time I have here, because good things never last forever.

Monday evening we all went outside and had a little FHE activity with water-balloons. The kids loved throwing the balloons and playing little games with Mindy (my amazing neighbor who has more patience, talent and ideas than anyone I know.) The weather wasn't the best (it sprinkled a bit), but the kids were oblivious. I think we adults had just as much fun as the kiddos being outside chatting. I love summertime!