While I am not a fan of hashtags, I am a huge fan of summer, motherhood, and family time. We have had a wonderful eventful summer. Renee and her brood spent the month of June in Utah. We had fun at parks, Thanksgiving Point, pedicures and just "hangin' out at the house." We ate at Cafe Rio and JCW's, both were on Renee's "must-do list." A highlight of their stay was the time we spent in a cabin in Bear Lake with the whole Smith Clan. My mom payed for the cabin rental and we all pitched in on the food that Kevin and Christine so graciously bought and brought. We went through a cave and spent a day at the beach paddling in paddle boats and a canoe. We of course engaged in a water fight. We had fun "Smith Family Olympics" thanks to David and Jessica with the Crumps and Erika performing a lip sink to a Taylor Swift song, "Trouble," for the opening ceremony. The goat version. I wish we would have had a camera on the audience when the backup singers all blurted out a loud "BLEAT!" They were startled and we were ecstatic. Spencer does a great Taylor Swift impersonation.
It was fun just being together. The girls all shared a bedroom so it was a giant slumber party every night. It is always fun seeing Kent and Misty and their sweet, active boys. I love that they are so happy to see us. They are not shy or reserved. They always have welcoming hugs and winning smiles to go with their baby blue eyes. We don't get to see them enough, but when we do we pick up right where we left off. It is fun to see Zach play with them. I am glad my boys have each other because their nearest cousin in age is seven year old Abby. The younger kids love to wrestle with them and it is fun to see their interactions in spite of the age difference.
At the end of June we were invited to Panguitch along with JR and Tammy and their girls and Whitney and Morgan and her friend and JuNette and Andrew. There was a tent city in the back yard. The kids and I left on Thursday and made good use of the drive. We went to the dentist in Orem then went to my mom's for lunch. Our next stop was in Salem to visit baby Parks, David and Calie's new addition. He is sweet and it was good to visit with Calie and play with Jaron. After a longer stretch we arrived at Cove Fort and went through a tour of the old Pioneer fort that was home to Ira Hinckley and his family. It was fun, but hot and we didn't dare leave Sadie in the car for too long even with the windows cracked and parked in the shade.
We thought were were the only ones arriving in Panguitch a day early, but were happy when JuNette and Andrew showed up about fifteen minutes after we did. We got up on Friday morning determined to go hiking at Bryce Canyon. Claudia told us of a way to get in before reaching the pay area. We passed it initially, but their was a sign pointing us to it after we turned around and were leaving the area. It was great. It was a really hot morning, probably just under 100 degrees. There was not a lot of shade, so our hike was shorter than we, or at least I had hoped. We did see several lizards, catching one. The kids did pretty well, but it was pretty hot. JuNette and I agreed after we got back to the car that we were glad that the kids complained and wanted to go back because the hike into the canyon was downhill and the hike out was up. We were all pretty tired and hot and red faced when we got back. I love that my kids are old enough to go on hikes now. There is a museum just outside of Bryce Canyon that we stopped at to peruse and to cool off. It was pretty amazing there were animals from all over the world in pleasing vignettes and an impressive collection of butterflies and moths.
It was much cooler that afternoon, but who knew? My girls eagerly awaited the arrival of the Macdonald girls for the rest of the day. They didn't arrive until about 7:00 that evening, but once they did they had a great time together. On Saturday morning we watched about 30 hot air balloons "take off" just a couple blocks from Grandma and Grandpa's house. There is a big party all day with vendors and such downtown. We browsed the booths and bought the girls a bow and arrow. They were a great purchase. The girls played with them all afternoon. The partnered up and went on hunting expeditions and reported back to their base camp. Emma was the ringleader. It was fun to watch her in that role. I love creative, cooperative play! On Saturday night a dozen or more hot air balloons line the streets downtown and light up the night. It was fun to walk around to see them glow. It was really crowded and JR and Tammy ended up taking my girls with them and we never found them so they had eight girls in tow. I walked around with Leon, Claudia, Whitney, Morgan, Morgan's friend and Spencer. It was leisurely for me and probably a little more nerve-wracking for JR and Tammy.
We all went to Sacrament Meeting on Sunday, but we couldn't talk any of the kids into staying so we went back to Leon and Claudia's to pack up, eat lunch then head home. We had a great memory-filled weekend.
July filled up with scout camp, two sessions of swimming lessons and one weekend of camping. We went to Thanksgiving Point a couple of times and Cabela's and swimming and hiking. We met David, Jessica, Malcolm and JoNell at Thanksgiving Point Garden for a jello fight. It was fun, but would have been more fun with fewer people and lots more jello. They only had two small wading pools filled with jello with more than 100 people. They had other activities going on as well so we had a good time and I always love going there. When the boys were at scout camp I took the Holdaway girls and my girls to swimming at the Legacy Center on Monday and to Wheeler Farm on Thursday. Erika met us there on a hot afternoon. I had wanted to go in the morning, but Sarah woke up that day not being able to put any weight on her right leg. So we made a trip to the doctor and then to the Riverton Hospital for an x-ray. I was not entirely surprised that she woke up unable to walk. She had been complaining of her "leg" (really her hip) hurting off and on for a couple of weeks. But her complaints were brief and she never slowed down, until that day when she couldn't walk at all. I was suspecting she had toxic synovitis, painful inflammation in her hip.
I knew about his ailment because Emma had it when she was five. She had the same symptoms of off and on "leg" pain for a week or so then no ability to bear any weight on it at all. When Emma had it she was in a lot of pain for several days. I had to give her lortab and put her in a pull up so she could pee because it was much too painful for her to sit on the toilet. It was awful! The two of us laid on my bed watching a 15 minute episode of "Care Bears" over and over and over and over again for two days.. Both girls required x-rays to rule out other problems. It is just a wait until it goes away type of ailment. Thankfully, ibuprofen and a stroller to get her around were all that was needed for Sarah. Her most miserable day was the Wheeler Farm day, so due to her discomfort and the heat we didn't stay long.
We "had" to go shopping the next day and Sarah was fine being pushed in a stroller. We hiked to Donut Falls the day before she became lame. That was super fun. Several other moms and a few kids went too. Estelle was a trooper. She even climbed up the boulders to the top of the waterfall. It was the bravest hike she has ever been on. Sarah was a little leery, so she and I only made it up about half way. Estelle was very pleased with herself. We may make an ourdoorswoman out of her after all!
Our tent camping trip to East Canyon was successful. It is a lot more work packing for a tent trip than loading up a trailer that is already partially stocked. We had a good time nonetheless. We swam and hiked and played on the playground. We also played basketball, tennis and shuffleboard and miniature golf. We watched a movie on an outdoor blow up screen. Taylor didn't feel well, but as usual, he was a trooper.
The four younger kids will finish up a second session of swimming lessons this evening. Taylor missed the first two days of it due to his illness, but he picked right up again last night. I have been very impressed with how well Taylor and Emma have been doing. In fact, the teacher said that they learn quickly and she has never seen kids their ages do such a good job on the different strokes. I think I may see if I can find a team of some time to have them join. Especially Taylor. He is not necessarily athletic, but he does like to to be active and he likes to swim. It will help his diabetes and his asthma the more active he is. I knew Emma would excel, she is the most athletic of us all. Estelle and Sarah did great for their first time in swimming lessons.
School starts in two and a half weeks. Our shopping for clothes and supplies is mostly done, we have had a great summer and look forward to Spencer's 15th birthday and Destry and my 16th wedding anniversary. We will also be watching the Spencer's four children the week before school starts so Julie can join Aaron in the Philippines and Hawaii (Hawaii is a surprise for Julie). Our lives are full and we are learning and growing every day! Although, I do not think I will ever learn the value of hash tags.
It was fun just being together. The girls all shared a bedroom so it was a giant slumber party every night. It is always fun seeing Kent and Misty and their sweet, active boys. I love that they are so happy to see us. They are not shy or reserved. They always have welcoming hugs and winning smiles to go with their baby blue eyes. We don't get to see them enough, but when we do we pick up right where we left off. It is fun to see Zach play with them. I am glad my boys have each other because their nearest cousin in age is seven year old Abby. The younger kids love to wrestle with them and it is fun to see their interactions in spite of the age difference.
At the end of June we were invited to Panguitch along with JR and Tammy and their girls and Whitney and Morgan and her friend and JuNette and Andrew. There was a tent city in the back yard. The kids and I left on Thursday and made good use of the drive. We went to the dentist in Orem then went to my mom's for lunch. Our next stop was in Salem to visit baby Parks, David and Calie's new addition. He is sweet and it was good to visit with Calie and play with Jaron. After a longer stretch we arrived at Cove Fort and went through a tour of the old Pioneer fort that was home to Ira Hinckley and his family. It was fun, but hot and we didn't dare leave Sadie in the car for too long even with the windows cracked and parked in the shade.
We thought were were the only ones arriving in Panguitch a day early, but were happy when JuNette and Andrew showed up about fifteen minutes after we did. We got up on Friday morning determined to go hiking at Bryce Canyon. Claudia told us of a way to get in before reaching the pay area. We passed it initially, but their was a sign pointing us to it after we turned around and were leaving the area. It was great. It was a really hot morning, probably just under 100 degrees. There was not a lot of shade, so our hike was shorter than we, or at least I had hoped. We did see several lizards, catching one. The kids did pretty well, but it was pretty hot. JuNette and I agreed after we got back to the car that we were glad that the kids complained and wanted to go back because the hike into the canyon was downhill and the hike out was up. We were all pretty tired and hot and red faced when we got back. I love that my kids are old enough to go on hikes now. There is a museum just outside of Bryce Canyon that we stopped at to peruse and to cool off. It was pretty amazing there were animals from all over the world in pleasing vignettes and an impressive collection of butterflies and moths.
It was much cooler that afternoon, but who knew? My girls eagerly awaited the arrival of the Macdonald girls for the rest of the day. They didn't arrive until about 7:00 that evening, but once they did they had a great time together. On Saturday morning we watched about 30 hot air balloons "take off" just a couple blocks from Grandma and Grandpa's house. There is a big party all day with vendors and such downtown. We browsed the booths and bought the girls a bow and arrow. They were a great purchase. The girls played with them all afternoon. The partnered up and went on hunting expeditions and reported back to their base camp. Emma was the ringleader. It was fun to watch her in that role. I love creative, cooperative play! On Saturday night a dozen or more hot air balloons line the streets downtown and light up the night. It was fun to walk around to see them glow. It was really crowded and JR and Tammy ended up taking my girls with them and we never found them so they had eight girls in tow. I walked around with Leon, Claudia, Whitney, Morgan, Morgan's friend and Spencer. It was leisurely for me and probably a little more nerve-wracking for JR and Tammy.
We all went to Sacrament Meeting on Sunday, but we couldn't talk any of the kids into staying so we went back to Leon and Claudia's to pack up, eat lunch then head home. We had a great memory-filled weekend.
July filled up with scout camp, two sessions of swimming lessons and one weekend of camping. We went to Thanksgiving Point a couple of times and Cabela's and swimming and hiking. We met David, Jessica, Malcolm and JoNell at Thanksgiving Point Garden for a jello fight. It was fun, but would have been more fun with fewer people and lots more jello. They only had two small wading pools filled with jello with more than 100 people. They had other activities going on as well so we had a good time and I always love going there. When the boys were at scout camp I took the Holdaway girls and my girls to swimming at the Legacy Center on Monday and to Wheeler Farm on Thursday. Erika met us there on a hot afternoon. I had wanted to go in the morning, but Sarah woke up that day not being able to put any weight on her right leg. So we made a trip to the doctor and then to the Riverton Hospital for an x-ray. I was not entirely surprised that she woke up unable to walk. She had been complaining of her "leg" (really her hip) hurting off and on for a couple of weeks. But her complaints were brief and she never slowed down, until that day when she couldn't walk at all. I was suspecting she had toxic synovitis, painful inflammation in her hip.
I knew about his ailment because Emma had it when she was five. She had the same symptoms of off and on "leg" pain for a week or so then no ability to bear any weight on it at all. When Emma had it she was in a lot of pain for several days. I had to give her lortab and put her in a pull up so she could pee because it was much too painful for her to sit on the toilet. It was awful! The two of us laid on my bed watching a 15 minute episode of "Care Bears" over and over and over and over again for two days.. Both girls required x-rays to rule out other problems. It is just a wait until it goes away type of ailment. Thankfully, ibuprofen and a stroller to get her around were all that was needed for Sarah. Her most miserable day was the Wheeler Farm day, so due to her discomfort and the heat we didn't stay long.
We "had" to go shopping the next day and Sarah was fine being pushed in a stroller. We hiked to Donut Falls the day before she became lame. That was super fun. Several other moms and a few kids went too. Estelle was a trooper. She even climbed up the boulders to the top of the waterfall. It was the bravest hike she has ever been on. Sarah was a little leery, so she and I only made it up about half way. Estelle was very pleased with herself. We may make an ourdoorswoman out of her after all!
Our tent camping trip to East Canyon was successful. It is a lot more work packing for a tent trip than loading up a trailer that is already partially stocked. We had a good time nonetheless. We swam and hiked and played on the playground. We also played basketball, tennis and shuffleboard and miniature golf. We watched a movie on an outdoor blow up screen. Taylor didn't feel well, but as usual, he was a trooper.
The four younger kids will finish up a second session of swimming lessons this evening. Taylor missed the first two days of it due to his illness, but he picked right up again last night. I have been very impressed with how well Taylor and Emma have been doing. In fact, the teacher said that they learn quickly and she has never seen kids their ages do such a good job on the different strokes. I think I may see if I can find a team of some time to have them join. Especially Taylor. He is not necessarily athletic, but he does like to to be active and he likes to swim. It will help his diabetes and his asthma the more active he is. I knew Emma would excel, she is the most athletic of us all. Estelle and Sarah did great for their first time in swimming lessons.
School starts in two and a half weeks. Our shopping for clothes and supplies is mostly done, we have had a great summer and look forward to Spencer's 15th birthday and Destry and my 16th wedding anniversary. We will also be watching the Spencer's four children the week before school starts so Julie can join Aaron in the Philippines and Hawaii (Hawaii is a surprise for Julie). Our lives are full and we are learning and growing every day! Although, I do not think I will ever learn the value of hash tags.
Comments
Post a Comment