Hiking South Mountain

Yesterday we went on a hike with all the boys and our brother Vaughn. It was a beautiful day and everything was so green because of all the rain we have gotten lately. The kids had a blast but it was really fun to watch how each one reacted to the challenge of getting to the top.

Jason - It was all an adventure to him. The hike was all about finding the perfect stick to be his gun or sword and he would run ahead only to give himself time to dig up a great rock before we caught up to him. He was also the independent one for the first half of the hike, wanting to always be a ways ahead of us with just Jackson so that they could feel like true explorers. He was pretty sick of the hiking part at about the halfway point but really kicked it into high gear when his younger brother passed him up - he couldn't let that happen. So he reached the top and the bottom ahead of all of us.

Jackson - It was all about the goal. He thought of nothing but reaching the top. About halfway up we stoped to rest. It was then that we considedered going back down because the hardest climb was coming and we didn't know if the kids were up to it, it was also approaching sunset and we didn't want to get caught in the dark. Jackson just kept saying NO! We have to get to the top! His older brother was all for going back down but as we were making the decision, Jackson made it for us by taking off up the trail! Vaughn had to go catch up to him because at this point, nothing was going to stop him and he was getting way ahead of us! When we did reach the top he was devestated to learn that there was a new trail that went up even higher - in his mind we needed to continue but we convinced him to save that hike for another day!

Tyler - At the top of the mountain there were 6 paragliders enjoying a ride in the sky. Tyler became obsessed with them. He just couldn't get past it and all we heard from him on the way up were the words....parachute.....go high......parachute....fall down.....parachute....up mountain! We kept reasuring him that no, they were not going to fall down. At one point we even started counting how many times he said the word parachute, but gave up when it reached around 25, he was relentless!
While it was parachutes on the way up, it was jumping on the way down. He loved holding our hands and jumping off of every rock step or boulder. Over and over we heard....I jump high.....I jump far....that's FUN!!! He was cute as always and may have enjoyed the hike more than anyone...especially the part where he got to ride on Dad and Uncle Vaughn's shoulders!

Now, get ready for a huge amount of pictures! There were too many cute ones to choose from so I am posting a bunch of them!









Here he is pointing at the paragliders!


Look Mom! We climbed a Mountain!

We reached the top as the sun was beginning to go down...perfect timing!

These last few pictures are a family tradition for us. It all began when we lived in Germany....
No matter what little town, large city or Castle at the top of a hill we were visiting, it never failed that by the end of the day the kids were exhaused and didn't want to walk anymore. Strollers nevers worked all that well on the coble stone streets of Europe, so Sean would dutifully carry both of the boys laying across his shoulders. The Europeans would laugh and smile at us and the Asian tourists would point and take pictures! So, the boys still expect it and Sean does his best to accomadate even though the load has gotten substantially bigger!

Speaking of Motorcycles......

So I have been meaning for a while now to write that Sean is now that proud owner of a motorcycle. If you are planning on letting me know how dangerous they are....save it. I have heard it all. I used to be against him getting one but the truth is that I don't know a driver out there more aware of what is going on around him than Sean. Plus, it is a great stress reliever for him, he loves it...and I love having a stress free husband!

The kids think it is just about the coolest thing ever and love going for rides around the block when dad gets home from work. Here are a few pictures of just that!




Here Jackson is trying to race Dad...he was trying so hard!

Just look at the concern on his face! Of course, Dad let him win!

On a side note...I also will admit that I love the motorcycle. I think I have always had a thing for them and I can't tell you how much fun it is to take it out for date night! Don't worry everyone...we promise to be safe!!

A Visit from Adri

So last night Adri and her "possible" future husband (some may just call him a "dear friend" but not me!) came over. They are in town from BYU so that Adri can meet the parents and all that fun stuff. It was great seeing Adri and having lunch with her today. I always enjoy myself around her and think she is great! I also really liked Russ, (the dear friend!) they seem like a great match and the fact that they may move to Mesa in a year or so just makes me like him all the more!

Adri was my kids absolute favorite babysitter when we lived in Germany. Jason still talks about her and how she would make forts and play swords with them! So of course we had to take some pictures of them all!

Another thing that we managed to accomplish on her visit was getting her on the motorcycle...something she wasn't thrilled about! But she survived so I am assuming that she has forgiven us!

My Sweeetheart....

So I know that Valentine's Day was yesterday but I didn't get to this yesterday and I thought it was still worth doing. Someday my kids will enjoy reading it!

Valentine Tag! Tag your it! Please fill out the questions
How long did you date? One year
Who said I love you first? He did....then, I said "thanks" I have never really lived this one down. I guess that wasn't the right thing to say, although I did tell him I loved him about a week later. I just didn't want to say it as a response, it meant less to me that way. I guess I just wanted him to know that I really meant it.
Who is smarter? We both think that we are....the debate is still out on that one!
Who does the laundry? I do. I get mad if he goes anywhere near the washer and dryer. I'm a little particular about how the laundry is done. I will say that if I would let him do it, it would get done much more efficeintly!
Who does the dishes? Most of the time I do, but when he is home we like doing them together.
Who sleeps on the right? He does. I have have have to have the left! I will fight him for it if he tries to sneak it from me, something he likes to do just to tease me I think.
Who pays the bills? He does, I am not the best with money....
Who mows the lawn? I usually do. I think it is Karma....as a kid I did all I could to get out of it so I do it now!
Who cooks dinner? That would be me...
Who drives when you are together? Sean, I hate driving and I tend to make him either tense or car sick!
Who kissed who first? He kissed me on the 4th of July! There were fireworks! :)
Who asked out who first? Not really sure, we were such good friends first that we were always together so it just kind of evolved into more.
Who's more stubborn? Me, me and me again!
How did he propose? He took me to Sedona in a convertable mustang that he told me he had just bought. I figured he had spent the money I wanted him to buy me a ring with on the car so I was bummed all day! Then at dinner he got down on one knee and popped the question! After that he surprised me by going back to his parents house where his whole family was waiting to congratulate us. It's a great memory! :)

The Joy's of Motherhood.....

On Friday I was working like crazy trying to get the house clean for Sean's Birthday. I also was dealing with Jason...sick...which is never fun. Anyway, it has been my experience that it is on days such as this that my kids get into the most trouble. On this particular day it was Tyler....



He had found the diaper rash ointment and proceeded to spread it all over his face and hair. I think it took me about 12 times of washing his hair and it still feels a little greasy today! Oh well, at least when it happened I was on the phone with my sister-in-law. I told her what had happened and that I had to go, she pleaded that before I do anything else, I go get the camera. She was right and I am glad I did...



It has to be the age. When Jackson was almost exactly this age, I was trying to get him to take a nap. I was feeling great because I hadn't heard from him in at least 20 minutes so I was sure he was asleep. When I went to check on him I found him sitting on his bed with an empty container of vasaline. The container had been brand new and full just 20 minutes earlier! Luckily we were staying in Military TLF at the time because he had covered no only himself but the bedding, the curtains, and his stuffed pony thoroughly. I cleaned up the mess, but the pony just hasn't been the same since!

MONO???

Jason has been home sick the last couple days and yesterday I noticed white stuff on the back of his throat. I assumed that he had strep so I took him in to the doctor. We left with the diagnosis that he has Mono!! Crap!! So basically he feels like crap and there isn't much that they can do about it, plus he is contageous (did I spell that right?) even if it is only through saliva. Basically he can't share a cup with anyone. The doctor said that once he felt better he could go back to school so we will just wait it out. The good news is that the younger you have it, the less time it takes to get over it, so maybe 1 week versus 3-4. Wish us well!

PS. Happy Birthday to my Hubby, Sean! We love you!