July was our big month to travel. We usually try to be out of town for at least a couple weeks because it gets so hot and we just need a good break by then. We had planned a long trip and we thought we’d be gone for at least a week longer than what we ended up doing… but I am a homebody 🙂 and I’ve rubbed off on Micah a little bit. Even still, we did have some fun adventure!

CABIN

We started our trip by going to the cabin for the 4th of July weekend. Krista, Steve and Lincoln were there and they always bring a party. We got there on the 4th and Krista had made the most delicious and amazing meal – She had gotten fun decorations and we had such a blast with them!  Autumn was a mess and threw a ton of fits. She hated not having her pacifier (we had lost the last one a few weeks before and didn’t buy any more). We finally broke down and decided to buy her one since we were going to be with a lot of people throughout the trip. Magic! It definitely did the trick. 4th of July was on Thursday, and we stayed at the cabin until Tuesday. We were off to see the Tripps in Los Alamos, NM.

NEW MEXICO

We stopped in Albuquerque for the night since the Tripps themselves would be staying the night in Albuquerque to pick up Caemlyn from the airport and drop Zephram off.  The next morning we worked our way up to Los Alamos to hang out for the day while Micah got a little bit of work in.  We visited a science museum and stayed the night at the Tripps house.  They made a yummy dinner for us! The next morning we visited the Bandelier Cliff Dwellings.  After visiting the cliff dwellings we said goodbye to the Tripps and started our drive to Denver. Thanks to Megan, Justin, Caemlyn, Kezia, Ada, and Tyghe!

In Taos we hit some traffic and at one stop light we got rear ended by another van. We started to pull over to check the damage and exchange insurance info but after we pulled over the car that hit us kept driving so we quickly pulled behind them to get their license plate and dialed 911.  A block later they pulled into a parking lot and got mad at us for chasing them.  It was quite the experience and lets just say we were glad when we were able to get back on the road an hour later!

COLORADO

When we got into Colorado there were the most beautiful wild horses on the road. There were a few colts which were fun for Jackson, Lacey, Chelle and Autumn to see and the weather was cloudy and beautiful. We loved Colorado from the moment we crossed the border!  We had so much fun with Dave, Teneal, Elena, Kaylee, and Olivia! We got in to town right about nap time. Originally we had planned to go do some fun outings, but Autumn NEEDED a rest. So we played around the house and the kids swam in their pool. They served us some delicious snow cones, and then made a delicious dinner.  We went to a yummy frozen yogurt shop and the kids loved the little projector game area. On Saturday we went to the aquarium, and then we spent a little time at the Denver Zoo. The afternoon was rainy, so we had such a blast running from exhibit to exhibit and getting soaked. We were laughing so hard at each other and the kids were such good sports! We went to church with them on Sunday and then we hit the road again. The Coonsies were so nice to take their whole weekend to hang out with us!

ARCHES, MESA VERDE, 4 CORNERS

At this point in our trip we had to decide our next move. We had kinda left it up in the air. We thought we might goto Nebraska then on to Iowa, but we chickened out. The thought of the long drive to make it back home sounded a little daunting. We were all ready to be getting back. So that day we headed out to part of Utah that none of us had ever been to. We went to see Arches national Park. It was awesome! I would totally do that again and plan a little more time for hiking and just seeing. We hiked a to a couple view points, and surprisingly our kids loved it! I am always surprised how our kids really do enjoy and appreciate nature. I don’t know why its surprising, I guess I always just think they will think its boring or something. They are almost always up for an adventure. That night we stayed at a hotel and had a great time being together.

The next morning we got up and dipped back into Colorado to go to Mesa Verde. It also was awesome and something I think I will spend more time at when my kids are a little older. What a great trip! The kids loved Mesa Verde too. After that though, it was a long day of driving with a stop at 4 corners. I don’t know why we feel like we need to stop there, I’ve been there 2 times and both times have not been all that exciting. 4 corners is hot and the sun was so bright you could hardly open your eyes. You can see from the picture the kids were totally over it before we even got out of the car. Check that one off the list, I don’t think we will ever go back. The tourists sure enjoyed us again though. From there we were ready to be home. We drove the rest of the way that day. We got home late, but it worked out ok. It was definitely nice to be back at home. We made some great memories on this trip – so glad we went!

Home sweet home. This is the good life!

Our first weekend of Summer we headed out to the Grand Canyon. We had a fun trip planned. We got to the Grand Canyon about mid -day. We found our camp site and set up our tent and got settled. About 3 or 4 we went to the Rim and hiked around for a while. We had Autumn in a back pack carrier and every tourist in the park came and took pictures of her. I didn’t realize we would be such a spectacle. I guess with 4 young children we looked (and maybe even sounded) a little out of place. We had fun and then got back to the camp ground. We made a little fire and cooked hotdogs and scones and played and talked. There were some boys in the campsite next to us that came and played with Jackson. They were homeschooled and were doing a tour of all the national parks and a few other well known sites. They had come from Maryland (I think) and were nearly done with their 8 month long trip. We got to know the mom and the grandparents a little because our battery in our car had died and they helped us with that and their camp site was next to the bathroom, so we crossed their path what felt like a million times with Chelle and Lacey. About 9:30 we got Chelle, Lacey, and Jackson to bed and I sat out by the fire and rocked Autumn to sleep. When she finally closed her eyes I thought there was a good chance she would sleep most of the night because she was so tired from all the activity and she hadn’t napped. I held her a little longer and then about 11:00 went in to the tent and laid her down. That lasted about 2 hours and then she woke up and was all out of sorts. For about an hour or two she would calm down in my arms and I’d think she was asleep and lay her down and she would pop right back up. Then she quit calming down and was screaming! Micah put his shoes on quick and took her to the car, where she was still not sleeping and crying loudly enough for me to hear her. All the sudden I heard the car start and drive off. Micah drove around the Grand Canyon several hours of the night and finally about 3 AM or so decided to take his camera and go look over the edge and watch the sunrise.  He took some great photos and Autumn finally fell asleep for a few hours.

Later than morning we packed up and headed to Bearizona. It was pretty fun but also a little expensive. We loved having the animals walk right around the car and be able to see them so close up. It was pretty amazing.

After that fun we headed to the cabin to stay Saturday through Monday. It is always beautiful there and such a fun place to play.

I was relieved that we had taken a test drive of camping so that our long summer trip that we were planning for July wouldn’t include any camping!

We came back home to start Swim and Dive team. Jackson loves swim team – he is such a great sport. This year his goal was to get one ribbon of every color. So by the end of the season when he didn’t have the 7th and 5th place ribbons he thought he should probably try harder to get those ribbons 🙂 I think its amazing that he just loves competition but doesn’t care about it at the same time. Lacey participated in dive this summer and had a great time. I was a little disappointed because in the beginning of the season she was making some progress, then she started realizing that she didn’t really have to try and they would tell her “Good Job Lacey!” no matter what she did. So she didn’t really learn much, but enjoyed the time she spent there. She had 2 girl coaches and 1 boy coach. One day she told me Coach Isaac was being “such a handsome silly boy.” Made me laugh.

I went to girls camp the first week of June and it ended up being really great. I was a little skeptical, from personal girl’s camp experiences and because of some the stake girls camp prep nights we had had that were horribly unorganized and not very well put together. But I was incredibly surprised and it was an amazing few days with so many opportunities to learn and increase testimony. I was grateful Micah’s first week of self-employment was spent playing Mr. Mom. It was nice not to have to worry about who had the kids and how they were going to get everywhere. They had such a good time with Dad of course and it was nice of Lori to take the kids for a morning to help him out a little! He was sincerely grateful.

June was spent mostly swimming, either swim lessons, swim team, or in our own pool. We had a little routine in the mornings when we got home from swim/dive where we would get rooms cleaned up and do a few chores, get some homework worksheets, phonograms, site words, etc, done and then we’d work on memorizing scriptures or other things. Jackson would read to Autumn or the other girls and we read lots of books together. It was great and just enough structure, but then we got to just play our hearts out. It was the life. Micah built a fun “water-park” out of our existing play set and drip lines hooked up to the hose, and it was fun because the kids could actually use the play set this summer – Usually the pebbles are too hot for our feet, the swings burn our booties, and the slides burn our legs. We had such a great time just being together.

I love summer time when the kids are out of school.

Wow – how did this school year end so quickly? I haven’t been great at journaling or keeping up with the blog lately. I hate that, because that means there are so many precious and hilarious times that I’ve missed documenting, especially with my little Autumn growing up so much. I’ll try to catch up a little, but it just won’t be the same. I’ve got to be better 🙂

So in May we had Jackson’s Let’s Play Music recital. He was chosen to play “I’m An Indian” and “Tingalayo.” He practiced so hard for those two pieces and he did a great job… and still plays them very well!

Jackson had a great teacher this year. I was so grateful Ms. Warren was his teacher. She was exactly what Jackson needed this year. She related to him and made him feel comfortable so he was able learn. I’m excited to see who his teacher is next year and hope his progress will sky rocket.

Jackson played spring ball with our Town league and Micah was the coach so it was a great season! Price was on the team and Chip was the assistant coach so it was especially fun! He learned a lot and did pretty well. The team was great and the parents were great too.

Lacey had a great preschool year. She loves to please her teacher. Ms. Judy was fabulous for her this year. She’s very kind and patient and loved Lacey’s personality. I have seen Lacey mature a lot. She had to work through a few little friend problems and has become much more confident. I love Lacey’s cute little giggle. It is her signature – this girl loves to laugh and be silly, and I love that about her. She is either so excited about life/ experiences in life, or she just doesn’t want to do them. period.  There’s not much gray area in her life. Her last day of school was may 2nd. Her teacher had a lot going on in her life. Her oldest son went off to college at the beginning of the school year. He received his mission call near the end of the school year and was leaving in the middle or end of May. Her father also passed away in the last week or two of school. Lacey and I were trying to think of something we could do for her. She was so sweet and wanted to give her a necklace with two hearts, just like a friend of mine had given her when Papa passed away. We did and it was so sweet that Lacey could explain the significance of it to her. Kindergarten here we come!

Lacey had a Gymnastics recital in June. It was hilarious and cute. I think Micah posted a video about it a while back. She participated in gymnastics with Anna, and they had such a great time together. Michelle and I were cracking up. They had a dress rehearsal and pictures the week before the recital. All the girls were dressed and hair/makeup done nicely. They took a group photo and then they took individual shots. They had the girls line up and one at a time strike a pose, a pose of their choice. Almost every single one of them twisted or crossed their legs and looked like they needed to go to the bathroom. It was hilarious to see all these 5 yr old girls doing their best poses. I could hardly contain my laughter… maybe it had been a stressful week preparing for girls camp or something, but it was one of those days that I couldn’t quit laughing. I had to leave the room it was so funny. I’ve chosen a few of my faves. These are previews from the photographer’s website:

Chelle had a little dance recital earlier in the semester. She was in a town tap ballet and tumble class and it was perfect for her.  The teacher is awesome, and they learn a cute little tap dance and a few positions for ballet, and some somersaults and “tumbling-type moves. She is dying to do preschool this coming school year, but I don’t know if it will work out. She is such a funny, sweet, demanding little thing.

Autumn is growing and growing of course. She understands most things we say and can do so much now. 2 is coming fast. I think she may have started her terrible 2’s a little early. She’s climbing on everything now and can reach whatever she wants. She is so fun but also screams a high pitched scream when she doesn’t get or can’t communicate what she wants/needs. All the kids love to entertain her. There is nothing better than a baby/toddler laugh and they will do just about anything for it.

Its been a great start to the summer.

Papa passed away on March 2, 2013. It is strange to imagine the world without him even still. I can hardly think of Mama and Papa’s house without Papa there, sitting in the chair in the front room, excited to see us as we walked in the door and hear, “Come over here and give Papa a kiss!” This post has been a long time coming. I have been wanting to write my thoughts about him and our experiences with him for a long time, but it is still hard to think about and put into words.

Papa had a way of making us feel loved. He knew each grandchild individually and loved each of us. He knew the things we liked to do and what we were up to and would ask us about it. He liked to have us with him. He loved to tell stories and funny jokes and he loved to hear a good story or joke as well. He loved for us to smile and laugh with him. He loved each of his Great grandchildren (my children) and knew their names and what they liked. Jackson loved going with Papa to pick up Jack in the Box in the past couple years for lunch on Tuesday morning. Papa often called Jackson his little linebacker, because since Jackson was little he would run up to Papa and practically tackle him to give him a hug. Each of my little babies have been hugged and held many, many times and told, “Papa Great loves you!”   I love that sweet statement.

We went and visited Papa Monday before he passed away. He had had a tiring weekend… he and Mama had all the teens over on Saturday afternoon for a short visit and he and Mama were able to bear testimony to them and talk with them for a while. He spent most of Sunday in the hospital, I believe,  for some severe pain he was having.  He was awake some of  Monday morning. So by the time we got there early Monday afternoon we weren’t able to see him at that time because he had fallen asleep and needed the rest. I was disappointed. I had waited too long to get over there. My Mom called me the next evening and said that Papa was awake and we should come as soon as we could. We hopped in the car and drove over and went straight back to his room as we got there. It was hard to see Papa back in his room, laying in his chair without any strength. We gave hugs as we walked in and Jackson talked to him about visiting the cabin and how great the snow was the weekend before. My kids didn’t like seeing him this way, so they didn’t stick around too long, except Chelle stayed on my lap for a few minutes. I honestly didn’t know what to say myself, there were too many thoughts running through my head and mostly I just wanted him to know that I loved him. Although I don’t regret anything, some things I probably should have told him were Thank you for so many things: thank you for his amazing example, thank you for his love, thank you for bearing his testimony, thank you for providing  many, many experiences for us, thank you loving each of my children and showing it to them, and so much more. I wanted to ask him if he was comfortable or see what I could do for him, which was probably nothing.  But I didn’t say much that night. I patted his arm and just sat by him. He started drifting off to sleep after just a few minutes, and so I knew it was time to go. I gave him a hug and told him I loved him and he woke up and said, “I love you too!” As I walked out, with Autumn in my arms now, he looked over and said and waved goodbye to her. I went into the play room and got the kids and said goodbye to my aunts and Mama. Jackson ran back to Papa’s room and poked his head in the door and said, “Bye Papa Great!” and Papa raised his arm and replied, ” Goodbye Jackson, Papa Great loves you!” It was so sweet and tender. I didn’t want to think that Papa would pass away soon after. Papa had recovered a few other times after being in the hospital, so I hoped and wanted to believe he would be ok, although I knew this time was different. I was and am so grateful for this special one on one time I was able to have with him. A few days later, Thursday, it was my birthday. I received a call from Mama and Papa just as I had every year before, singing me happy birthday and then Papa took the phone and said “We love you and we’re just so proud of you…!” It was sweet to hear these words from him just as I had every year. His voice was very hoarse and Mama told me Papa was worried about how it sounded. Mama was sweet and  also told me she loved me and she hoped I had a wonderful birthday.  How sweet and kind of them to make the effort to call me that day as they were going through everything. I heard Thursday was a better day for him… I was happy for that and thought, “oh good, he’s recovering a little!” The next couple days were not as good. I received a text from my mom on Saturday afternoon I think around 4:00 as I was returning home from picking up Jackson at a friend’s birthday party that Papa had passed away peacefully.  I sat in disbelief for a few seconds with tears in my eyes, but I had a comforting feeling that it was his time, but still I didn’t want it to be. I know, its selfish of me.

The things I love to remember about Papa… he was honest in his dealings, always. He bore his testimony often. He loved his family sincerely and we felt it. He always expressed gratitude for his blessings. He gave service willingly however he was able. He served in his callings whole-heartedly.  He was prayerful – even in the last few days, when he didn’t have the strength to get himself to the bathroom and back, and one of my uncles was there to help him back to his bed, Papa told him that he thought he would kneel right there before he got back into bed and say a prayer. He was a faithful home teacher, and found amazing ways to serve through home teaching.  He loved people and was a loyal friend – story after story is evidence of that. He was a leader and stood for what was good and right and used his influence to be a voice for good.

I came away from Papa’s funeral wanting to be a better person, better in specific ways. His funeral was joyful and happy – very much a celebration of the wonderful, wonderful life he led. I am grateful to have had part in that life. I am grateful to be his grand daughter. I am grateful for his grand example of serving the Lord. I am grateful for his love.  I am grateful to know how to serve the Lord better. I am grateful for this last gift he gave me – the testimony I have gained from this experience of life after death, although I still miss having Papa here; After the funeral and graveside service, Micah and I took our kids that evening to his grave (we brought them to the viewing but we didn’t bring them to the funeral). I felt his presence there. It was like we were visiting him at his home – he was there. He was happy to see us and I knew he loved us and appreciated that we had come. That was a very special experience for me.  I was so glad we did that.

Thank you Papa for all you have done for us. You are an amazing man and we miss you. We will see you again sometime! We love you!