Windy Weekend

We headed to Moab for a crazy weather Spring Break weekend.  We had planned to go to Baby Animal Days on the way but bagged that due to pouring rain.  We did hit Chuck-E-Cheese though.  That's right.  It was a party.  Way back in November our kids filled up this good deeds chart and for some reason they wanted to go to Chuck E. Cheese for their reward.  We've put it off but finally bit the bullet and went.  We've never been there before and I'm not a huge fan of places like that, but the kids loved it and we finally fulfilled our promise!  Jer actually had quite a good time reliving his glory days with the skee ball and basketball shooting.  We finally got to Moab after Luke had asked no less than 100 times if we were there yet!  We checked in at our fine campground in the city.  Even back in January we couldn't get the camp spot we wanted in Arches, so we decided to get a camping cabin in town.  Considering the weather it was perfect and of course the kids thought it was awesome.  Bunk beds and sleeping bags are hard to beat at this age. There was not a blade of grass in sight, but Ian had fun playing in the rocks and they all loved the playground.  We cooked breakfast and made lunches and ate out for dinner, so it was the best of both worlds. 

Our first day trip was to Canyonlands.  It was overcast and chilly but no rain.  There was no lack of wind though.  Ian had fun hiking the 0.5 mile loop to Mesa Arch.

At this point the wind really picked up and blew a bunch of sand in everyone's eyes.  We pretty much had sand in every crack by the time we got home that night. 

It was so windy at lunch time that we fixed lunch and ate it in the van.  Mr. Ian was so cute and quite a trooper about the wind.  He only freaked out when we went on a little hike called Whale Back, and we were high on the mountain, and the wind was literally blowing us around.  He was not a fan.  I can't say I blame him.  We headed back to town for a yummy dinner, way too much ice cream, and smores by the fire.  We had a scare when Ian choked on a marshmallow.  He inhaled a big chunk and was moving no air for what seemed like forever while Jer worked on him.  We finally got it to resurface, and I fished it deep from his throat.  I said how scary it was and the rest of the trip Ian would say "it's scary."
We bought Ian this new jacket for the trip, and he hated it.  He pitched a huge fit whenever we put the green coat on.

On day 2 we hooked up with our friends the Snyders, and it was so good to see them again.  They are great friends, and the kids have lots of fun together. 

Jer with Ian on his back at Double Arch in Arches National Park.  The kids loved climbing on any and every rock.

Miles was even quick enough to catch a lizard and Seth was excited to have a turn holding it.  He was quite disappointed we couldn't take it home with us.

We had another windy lunch, but it wasn't quite as bad.  For some reason the kids were all running and climbing and eating their lunches in full wind, and the adults were all huddled by the van wishing for more shelter. 

After lunch we went to Sand Dune Arch.  The kids took off their shoes and had fun running in the sand.  I thought Ian would love the sand like he did last year, but he hated it.  He even went to a complete stranger crying and wanting to be held and didn't want to come back to us!

There was a wedding party up there taking pictures, but the kids just had fun anyway.  Once again the wind picked up, and we had to high tail it out of there before we were sandblasted!

When we got back to the campground, the kids wanted to go swimming.  It was maybe 50 degrees and super windy.  We tried to talk them out of it, but they were set on it.  They loved it despite shaking and shivering!  We watched and Jer said he would fish someone out with a hook but no way was he setting foot in that pool!

Dinner at Zax where the napkins became headwear.  After dinner we shopped around town a bit and picked up some sweet souvenirs.  Seth even picked up one we didn't pay for, and we didn't realize it until quite a few stores later.  We had to head on back with an apology!

Finally some sunshine on our last day!  It was still cold but a beautiful day. 

When we could get the kids down off of the rocks we hiked to Landscape Arch.

Miles, Brighton, Stella, Seth, and Luke.  Ian was stuck in the backpack, but he had fruit snacks so life was good.

Hitting the trail and heading for home.

A final group shot.  Despite some crazy wind we had a great time with good friends.  I can't wait until next year!

Goodbye Husqy

I'm trying to do some blog catchup so I thought I'd post about a bittersweet event (for Jer and Seth) in our family this last month.  We've been the proud owners of this very old Husqvarna 500 2-stroke for quite some time.  We decided it was time to sell it and use the proceeds to buy a much-needed new computer.  We were amazed at how much we got for a 1983 bike.  I guess it's quite a collector's item, and they just don't make them like this anymore.  Jer took Seth, who is our motorcycle buff, on one last spin around the neighborhood for old times sake.  (Don't feel too bad for them...my dad's dirt bike that he has kind of permanently lent to us is sitting out in the garage still!)

I thought now would be a good time to record a funny story about Jer and this dirt bike.  To say this is a fast, powerful motorcycle is an understatement.  It is a butt kicker!  When Jer and I were first married my dad had this bike at my uncle's house up in Laketown.  Jer decided to take it for a spin (with my dad's permission of course because it was his back then.)  This was a classic "I told you so" moment in our marriage.  I pointed out to Jer that this was not a little putt, putt dirt bike and maybe he should be careful.  He dismissed me and recounted his extensive motorcyle riding experience.  Well, he took off in the dirt down the side of the road and when he hit powerband the bike wheelied up big time.  He actually did quite an impressive job of hanging on and almost rode it out but didn't.  He got bucked off and took some amazing, long jumping strides through the air before eating crap.  He rode back a minute later with a sheepish look and some sideways handlebars.  Was I worried about his safety?  Not so much...I pretty much gave him a Scotch blessing for being dumb!  It is a story that has been retold and brought us lots of laughs since.  He has had a lot of fun riding the Husqy since, especially when we lived in Willard.  Goodbye old Husqy...on to your next victim!

Happy Birthday To Me!

I'm a little behind, but I thought I'd make a note of my birthday celebrations back in March.  Despite the fact
that I turned 35 this year I had a great day.  Jer and I went skiing...just us, and we had a blast.  The snow was terrible, but it was sunny and beautiful and we had such a relaxing day.  Thanks to my mom for tending the kiddos.  We had a chance to ski, chat, and eat a relaxed lunch and it was awesome.  We celebrated later with my parents and the kids.  They were all eager to get their hands on my cake.  The boys sang me a song which went something like this:
"Happy Birthday to you."
"You live in a zoo."
"You look like a monkey."
"And you smell like one too."
I'll try not to take that too personally.  Here's to the last half of my 30s!

Parents of the Year

I'm not sure what our  excuse is (getting old?) but a few weeks ago we were doing the usual Sunday morning rush to get ready and out the door for church.  We got loaded up in the van and were literally backing out when Jer looked back and kind of laughed saying that we didn't have Ian!  Hello!  He was just in the house playing.  I'm giving us credit that we wouldn't have actually gone without noticing he was missing, but it was close.   Just yesterday Luke said to me, "remember when we were going to church without Ian."  Yes, I remember.    (I hate to admit that on Ian's own blessing day we each thought the other person had brought Ian in the house so for a few minutes he was chilling in the garage in his car seat.)  Bad parenting noted!

Winter Returns

The last few weeks winter returned with a vengeance.  We went from sunshine and shirt sleeves to feet of new snow.  These last few days March has come in like a lamb so we'll see.  We've had fun up at the Beav and playing in the backyard.  This is almost the first time since November that we've kept enough snow in our yard to sled out there.

Luke discovered the joys of jumping off the deck at the top shack at Beaver.  It was hard to get him back to skiing.

Sledding off the retaining wall and into our backyard "hole" is a favorite pastime.  



                                                   

Luke giving Seth a little shove to get him going down what looks like the "chute of death."  Seth prefers to lay back at all times when sledding.  They also get a good ride down the snow covered stairs.  I gave up on saying no to that a long time ago...boys will be boys.

Ian got in on the action too and here he is sporting his cheesiest smile.

This past Saturday my dad joined us for some skiing, and I managed to take a few pictures.  One of the best things about skiing is chatting it up on the lift--there's really just not anything else to do. 

I like this one with Luke's short little legs and big old helmet head.  We had a minor crisis when Luke did not, I repeat did not, want to go to his lesson but he got over it and we had a blast.  The snow was great, and it's so fun to see Luke improving and excited about something I love so much.  I better enjoy it now before all my boys can leave me in the dust.

Winter Fun

This has been a very strange winter around here with not much snow at home, and the last few days have been like spring. Regardless of the weather we have been having fun. We did lots of skiing during January, and I was terrible about taking pictures. We took a few weeks off, but when we get back up there I'm going to get some good shots. Luke is a good little skier this year, and it has been lots of fun to go with him. We had a great afternoon when both of his grandpas came up and skied with him. We also went up for a night party with our ward and took Seth out on the slopes. He had a blast and did great for a three-year-old. He's definitely still getting the hang of it, but he did awesome. These sad pictures are the only ones I've taken so far. Luke loves it that he uses poles this year. The first week he had them I about demoted him from pole use because I ended up juggling them along with everything else while we got on the lift but now he's a pro at handling them himself. He has also learned to ski backwards which he thinks is great.

We headed up to Preston this past Saturday to sled with Jer's family.  It was a beautiful, sunny day and we all had a lot of fun.  I know the Razor ride doesn't look too safe but we just went on a short trail up the mountain behind Jer's parent's house.  Jer's parents and the little ones were in front, so it was a crowded ride.  Jer and I and TJ and Amy rode the snowmobiles up while bringing all sorts of tubes and sleds. 

Everyone loaded up and on the move.

Ian has had a miserable cold and cough all week and was less than thrilled with the whole thing.  He usually loves to play outside, but neither he or Tucker were too fired up.  They ended up going back down with grandma pretty soon after this and fell asleep on the few minute ride home.

In a side note about Cindy....she has lost almost 100 pounds this past year.  Amazing I know!  She is such a great mother-in-law, grandma, and person and she looks and feels so awesome now.  We are all so happy for her, and I think she's quite the inspiration.  Go grandma!

Addison did not like sledding, but she sure is cute.

It makes for pretty easy sledding when you can get a ride to the top.  Our very first run Amy and I started at the very top and with the fast snow we went super fast and far.  We didn't start the kids quite that high although they still got a good run.  Seth loved sledding the most of everyone and made run after run.  It looks like he's terrified but really he just laid back and went for it.  One of his runs he really got going and flew past our stopping point....Luke chased after him and jumped on him but fell off and Seth kept going...he ended up getting chased down and stopped by Uncle TJ on the snowmobile before he headed for the highway.  It was quite the ride, and he said it was fun!

It was super hot and we were all shedding layers.  Eventually sledding was abandoned for snow sculpting and a big snow fight between the boys and grandpa.

I think Seth was enjoying himself!

Jer had fun playing with (and lusting after) his dad's new snowmobile.  That's the view from just above their house.  It was our own little winter playground...good times!

Slow Down

When Luke and Seth were little I wrote down just about everything they did--every new word, trick...in a journal and they each have a baby book.  Now Ian on the other hand has some blog entries here and there, tons of digital pics still on my computer, and a baby book yet to be made.  So since he is growing up so fast I thought I'd better post about some of what he has been up to lately.  He is so cute and fun although I think of my kids he may be the one to really give me the "terrible two" experience.  He can already pitch quite a fit.  On the other hand as long as he has freedom to roam and do as he please he is completely happy--it's when you try to get him to put his shoes back on, come in from outside, buckle his car seat, change his diaper...that things can get a bit ugly!  He's sweet though and gives lots of good loves and is possibly the friendliest kid around.  Wherever we go he makes friends with strangers.  He spent about 40 minutes of Stake Conference down the bench with a family we've never seen in our lives.  It's the same wherever we go.  Whether it's a school function, sporting event, or I'm just getting a haircut he goes up to strangers and wants to sit on their laps, play with their phones, eat their treats...you name it!  Luckily he's really cute so most people welcome his attention!

Ian loved playing in the snow a few weeks ago until he got really mad at his gloves.  Then he was still happy until his hands were little popsicles.  Seth and I took turns pulling him around on his little sled, and he was in seventh heaven. 

Ian can furrow his brows like crazy.  He utilizes the look whenever any little injustice is happening.

People always ask me about his hair.  Yes, it's basically white.  I don't know.  Jer is fair and his mom is a towhead, so I guess that's where it comes from.  I was blond as a kid but not like that.

Ian likes to do everything his brothers are doing including wearing "packpacks" around.  He also likes to wear everyone else's shoes.  You can kind of see my church shoe in the picture.  I think he can walk better in heels than I can.

Ian pulls lots of funny faces and is forever making us laugh.  He can also dance like crazy.  His two signature moves are the "booty shake" and fast feet.  He cuts a rug.  He loves the Bee Gees and sings along to "Staying Alive" with his big brothers.  He loves to play ball and brings you books all days to read to him.  It also appears that he may need braces in kindergarten or something.  Jer says he could eat corn on the cob through a chain link fence with those top teeth!

Ian loves to talk and can yell extremely loud.  For the sake of my mommy diary here are some of the things Ian likes to say.  He has a lot more words than this but these are some of his favorites.  He also puts together lots of little two and sometimes three word phrases which is making it much easier to communicate with him.  His voice is so cute.  I wish I could slow him down.  We still call him our baby, and he may very well be our last so it's hard to see him growing so fast.  He has lots of energy and is lots of fun, and we all love him a lot.  Sometimes in the morning before school Luke will go over and kiss his cheeks "because his face is just so cute"--now that warms a mom's heart!

• no way (this one he uses very liberally with lots of head shaking and/or running away from me)
• c/ya
• bye bye
• heyyo (hello)
• ouch
• uh-oh
• bad guy
• big
• ball (lots of variations on this one:  big, b ball for basketball...)
• snow
• mo (more) I taught Ian one sign and this is the one he knows.  He doesn't worry about detail he just pounds his fists together and then demands more of this or more of that!
• awfuls (waffles)
• meal (oatmeal)
• badilla (quesadilla)
• hot
• off
• yight (light)
• Se (Seth)
• mama, dada
• ride
• bite
• mou (mouth)
• eye     
• hustle bustle 
• whistle (lispy)