24 Hour Camping

Actually, It was less than that but it was pretty fun.

Karina called me earlier this week and asked me if we were up for some last minute camping. Luckily we didn't have much going on so we met up with them to camp.

Since it was so last minute, we had to test our luck and see if we would get a spot Friday at around 6:30 PM. The only camp that you can call to make reservations for was full so we really didn't think we'd have much of a chance at actually getting a spot. The first camp we drove through was completely full, but luckily we found a spot at the next camp.

The weather was so perfect that night and surprisingly we were able to have a fire so that the kids could make s'mores and so the adult could stay up chatting and what is camping without a fire?

After a restless sleep we got up to get the day going.

I got a quick run in (it still terrifies me to run in the mountains)

When we got back from camp I found out that there was a Moose running around our camp. See, I have reason to have that fear.

And then we all cooled off in the river.

Luke used Oliver's life jacket and a noodle to go down the river...it worked well enough but the people with the real river tubes sure gave him some looks.

 
I love that even if we go camping for less than 24 hours, we are still able to hang out every now and then.
And tell me that these 3 are not so dang cute together....



Snow Shack

There is a cute little snow shack less than half a mile away from our house that we have loved to visit this summer. We've been walking there a lot at nights which is so nice to enjoy together complete with all the usual stops.

We have to stop at the water mill and tiny stream every single time

And walk along the trail to make sure we don't fall into the hot lava (grass)

And there is usually a large stick that is found either on the way there or back

And finally when we get there, we get to pick from one of coolest menus we have ever seen.

Of course Luke and Oliver had to get the hulk

and it was Thor hands down for me....although I have to admit that the Hulk tasted better.

And the very best parts about this place it that a {good sized super syrupy} snowcone only cost $1.00 AND you get a punch card.

   I just love summer nights with my family and refreshing treat. 

The Actual 24th

I have just loved that the 24th of July holiday has been spread out for about 4 days this year. We ran out of things to do on the actual day so it was a pretty random Saturday-feeling day.

I have been training for some up coming races so running was on my list of things to get done this morning. I even had a friend join me. We later decided that we would consider it our 24th race.

After my whole family was awake, we stayed in our jammies to watch the parade on TV. Luke said it was the best way to do it. I on the other hand grew up with going to the Days of 47 parade and I would have loved to run the race down the parade route and then stayed to watch it in real life with Oliver. Some day...or maybe not.

After a late lunch/early dinner we headed over to Liberty Park. I haven't been there is years and years and we saw on TV that they were doing some crafts, a PowWow and fireworks. Since we didn't have anything else to do we thought, why not?

I didn't love it. I remember as a kid going there with my cousins and we loved it, but this time not so much. Dare I say that it was a little scary being that I grew up in somewhat of a ghetto neighborhood myself? Maybe it's because I've been living in this Bountiful bubble for almost 8 years now that I forgot that I was once a part of that hoodness...anyway, I felt uncomfortable and I know that is almost rude to say but whatev. It was a bit trashy. There, said it.

We still enjoyed walking around though.

That night we got some ice cream and headed back to light the last of the smoke bombs with the Feils. While we were sitting there chatting, huge fireworks were going off in all directions around us. It was a pretty great and unexpected show.

You know it's a long day when your son asks you if he can go to bed. Until next year.

Smoke Bomb Extravaganza

Smoke bombs have been a huge hit this year with our family. We didn't realize that our driveway was the perfect place to roll them down and add to the entertainment. Oliver loved running around them playing in the smoke and watching them burn out and we loved watching him be so happy. Luke loved the smell of them and I just loved being with them on these perfect summer nights. I even loved that it stained our driveway just so I could have that constant reminder of nights like this a little bit longer.

It was all perfect and we we had one more smoke bomb to light. We lit it and watched it start to roll down the drive way and saw Oliver run right towards it and then he did what we have been telling him not to do. He stepped right on it. He luckily had his shoes on but still burned himself. He immediately started to scream that it was hurting. We ran him inside and put his foot under cold water. Luke grabbed some ice and threw that in the sink. Oliver hated the ice and that seemed to hurt more than the burn itself. We tried to wash off the orange stain and black burn but it would not come off. I think seeing that stain made O feel like he was hurt more than he was because he even started to walk with a limp. So there we go. Another tally mark to add to the accidents this week.

Even though, we still love smoke bombs, our smoke bomb stained driveway and now our smoke bomb stained kid.

Handcart Days '12

It has been said that next to Christmas, this is Luke's favorite holiday. We absolutely love going to the fair to enjoy the little rides, foods and being with family and seeing our friends there. The parade, not so much. It's all about hitting up the fair...twice.

Day 1

The group

 We ate so much. I alone ate a pulled pork sandwich, nachos, corn on the cob, half a scone and a Sprite.
Yikes!! I think Luke ate very similar to me with an added hot dog.

This Fish pond is a must. The kids sure love this.

 Oliver went fishing a couple of times today.

 Love my family.

and Amy too.

And the photo booth they had this year. 

 (excuse my makeshift scanner)

Although we weren't big on watching the parade, we still watched the finish of the Stripling Warriors and even got to take a picture with Helaman. Watching that finish was pretty cool and it was fun to spot our ward members right in the front and our Stake President leading them all.

 Later that night we headed up to Trent and Amys for the perfect set up on the roof to watch fireworks.
Not a great shot, but you get the idea.

 And taking a self portrait shot with Luke is nearly impossible, but this made me laugh.

 After the end of a long day we were tuckered out. Oliver is getting so big I can barely hold him up like this anymore.

Day 2
We met my mom and sisters at the park today for lunch. We certainly didn't get enough last night, so here we are...round 2.

Oliver and Jack loved going on the little rides together.

They also loved hanging out with aunt Phia,

Again taking pictures at the photo booth,

Eating,

 And playing some more.

That night we took it easy and burned some smoke bombs at home.

In fact, we burnt so many that now we have a tie dyed stained driveway. But that's okay. It looks pretty cool.

Oliver's Accident

Where do I even begin with this story. Oliver had an accident this week that was a little scary and crazy. I have been watching the Jensen kids all week long during the day and things were going great all week long. We had gone to the movies, the zoo, went swimming and played a lot without a problem. So, on the last day, we were all at home watching some tv and playing. It was a very calm morning and things were going so well. I had just helped Oliver put on his skeleton costume to match Paige and Morgan and off they went to play. I got up to put some dishes in the dish washer when I heard what I thought was a loud cry. I didn't hear anything after that initial scream, but I waited anyway to see if I could hear some outburst follow what I just heard. I did. Andrew came running in with Oliver behind him saying "Oliver is hurt! He's bleeding!" Sure enough I saw a huge gash in the back of his head with blood just gushing out. It made my stomach jump. The kids told me that Paige had pushed him off Oakley's bed and hit his head AND that Paige was hiding downstairs. I ran him into the bathroom and grabbed the hand towel and put some pressure on his head. All the kids (but Paige) were surrounding me at this point wide eyed and quiet. I had to take a deep breath and figure out how I was going to handle this.

I asked the kids to find my phone that was in my bag, to turn off the TV and stay quiet while I made some phone calls. Everyone I called either didn't answer or couldn't come help watch all these kids. I called Luke to let him know what was going on and to try to figure out where I can take him under our new(er) insurance. I really didn't know that I could or even wanted to take all 6 kids with me but it looks like that is what I was going to have to do. Right as I told them to put their shoes on I got a call back from my MIL. I asked her to come up so I could get Oliver taken care of. Thankfully she was available...wet hair and all ;). I took Andrew with me because I needed that extra helper and he has always been Oliver's "Person". The other kids followed orders well and waited for Grandma to get there. Later I learned that they even called their dad because Oakley "Just thought she would let (Trent) know" what had happened. Cute kids.

After a few phone calls going back and forth with Luke and trying to find a place (other than the ER)and a few other phone calls with Amy and Lindsay, we figured that we could take him to the Insta Care on Main street and 4th. We finally got there after waiting in some parade traffic only to get turned away because they didn't take my insurance. Sucky. Now we had to drive right through that traffic again 1.5 miles in the opposite direction. I know it's not far at all, but it seems to be when your child is bleeding and you know you have to fight stupid parade people again to get him help. Andrew was such a great helper holding Oliver's head with the towel in the car and opening and closing the doors for us.

We got in just fine and were only waiting about 5 minutes before Luke showed up. I felt like I could breath just a little easier knowing that he was with me. Oliver went back...skeleton suit and all and was weighed and evaluated. They cleaned out his gash which has stopped bleeding by then and put some numbing gel on. We waited for the doctor before she started the most painful part to watch and I'm sure the most painful part overall for O...getting numbed. If any of your remember what it felt like to watch your new born baby get their first shots, it was a very similar feeling. I just about cried watching him feel that pain and not having any control of it. Poor poor guy. The boys got popcicles, Andrew got a pre packaged syrenge to take home (which he later gave to Oliver for being so brave), and we waited about 10 minutes for the doctor to come and put the staples in. Andrew, Luke, Oliver and I guessed how many it would take. Andrew guessed 3, I guessed 4, Luke guessed 6 and Oliver guessed 5. The main doctor came in and helped another doctor put the staples in. at first it looked like Oliver would only get 5 staples, but the main doctor cleaned up the other doctors staples and made them look just a little better (confused?). In the end, he got 8 staples. Andrew was watching them put the staples in and I kept hearing him take deep breaths and make this quiet groaning noise. I told him that he didn't have to watch if he didn't want to and his response was "It just looks like it hurts". I think he was a little shaken up over it. At one point Oliver started to cry because of the pain, but it wasn't the pain from his head. It was from Luke holding him too tight. I think Luke was a little nervous too:).

After getting him all cleaned up, the doctor did some basic neuro testing to make sure he was okay and we took off. The staples will come out in a week and hopefully his head will heal just fine. Oliver was such a tough kid and I am so proud that he is such a brave little boy.

And there you have it. I survived my first incident with my own bleeding child. I hope to never have to experience something like this again, but let's face it, kids will be kids.  

7-11

I grew up a house and mechanic shop away from a 7-11. It was the best thing ever as a kid. The nachos, the Slurpee's, hot dogs, candy and hot chocolate, it was all so good. No wonder I have a stomach of steel. The employees knew us and we knew them. We were very familiar with the Police crew that would frequent that 7-11, specifically CJ the Cop, not because we were bad, but because they were also always there. 7-11 was where we would run to when we would run out of milk or bread or when we needed a big gulp on those hot summer nights. It was a highlight of growing up where we did....granted, we did witness many beer runs, but we still loved going there.

Amy and I went out for a couple of hours to shop and just get away. It was so hot and we needed something to refresh us. Then we remembered that it was 7-11-12. Woo hoo! We drove to the nearest 7-11. Sadly they were done giving away their free Slurpees, but that didn't stop us from indulging in the delicious and very refreshing drink.

 Pina Colada and Coke!

Ah thank you 7-11. You will always be a fond memory of mine.



Independence Week

We love the month of July and we are so happy that it is here and it is hot and we get to celebrate some pretty great holidays that make it possible to live free and to live in this wonderful State. Without further ado, I present to you our 4th of July.

We headed to an early dinner that day to enjoy some peanuts, rolls, the best cherry coke ever and our meals. Luke of course had steak and I love their crispy chicken critter salad...hold the egg. Oliver wanted to sit on my side at dinner and he pretty much teased me the whole time. Gotta love him.

What would the 4th of July be without fireworks? We decided to just buy a few small fireworks like parachutes, smoke bombs, snaps and sparklers. 

That night we just had a few last minute people over to light off these fireworks. It wasn't a huge show, but we still loved it. And that purple rain that my sister brought, was the grand finale. woop!

The next night we headed up to my friend Karen's driveway up by Eagle Ridge to watch the fireworks. To be honest, it wasn't the best show we've seen, but still fun and super nice of Karen to let us be there.

We rested up that night and the following day we were anticipating our neighborhood's firework party.

Luke and I wanted to get something good for tonight's show and thanks to Trent's knowledge of fireworks, we did.

WELCOME TO THE CUL DE SAC OF FIRE!!!!

 This is something that we look forward to every year. Everyone brings a treat and fireworks to share and the whole neighborhood and ward comes. And the name, how perfect is that???

I love this picture of Luke and Oliver as we were paying our respects the flag during the National Anthem. Yep, our hood knows how to make it official...and Luke is ready to get his lighting on.

Now we were ready for some fireworks.

Sadly, I didn't take a single shot of the show, but believe me when I say that it was awesome. Best show yet and the aerials did not disappoint in the least.

Here are just a couple of our awesome neighbors that we love.

Cory and Bob

 Camila, (Me,) Angie, Jamie, Lisa and baby Sloane

Our Bishop.

I wish I could have taken more pictures of more of our neighbors, but lets face it, not everyone likes when I get in their face with my camera...as you can clearly see with Oliver.

 This picture has to be my favorite of the night. Bob had my camera and shot this in the dark. Best part about it is Angie in the back. SO funny.

And to top it all off, the kids cleaned up the mess.

 Thanks to the cul de sac peeps that puts this on every year. We love that is has become a tradition and that it is a guaranteed good time.

I say it every year, but I am so grateful to live in this marvelous country and for those that have paved the way for us to live here. Thank you military and thank you founding fathers and those government officials that have created such a wonderful land to live in.