Lake Powell 2010

Ryan and Summer were using the ends of their life jacket straps to talk to each other. It was like they had puppets, with funny voices and all. it was hilarious.

This year we were determined to make it to lake powell with the Young family. We missed out on the trip last year because of moving. And the second trip timing for everyone just didn't seem to work out. So we blocked out the week as soon as we had the dates. Blake couldn't take the whole week off so we did the last half of the week and even got to over lap a day with Nate and Atticus and Keegan and Naomi, and Jaimi and her girls. It was, as usual, a blast. This time because we have "older" kids we didn't have to sleep inside the cabin of the house boat. There were other families that needed to be inside because of play pens or little ones that wouldn't be as safe in their own beds. So for my very first time ever (and the boys as well) we slept on the top of the house boat under the stars. It was exciting to see the stars (and bats) and feel the cooling evening breeze after a hot day.
We did have more restlessness than one would hope for on vacation. It was just us and our boys up on top so we had plenty of space. However, we had some nervous boys with us. On the first night the sleeping arrangements were as follows. Sam and Ryan on one air mattress, mom and dad on one right next to them, and Ethan on a single air mattress just at our heads. We were under the awning on the top just in case it rained at all. Sam would fall asleep and after about 20 mins start to moan or wince or make noises, and then pop up to a sitting position. After asking him if he was ok and making sure he was we'd get him to lay back down and start over again, about 20 mins later again with the noises and popping upright. through all of this i don't think sam was ever really awake awake, once or twice i think he was almost awake. each time we'd have to reach over ryan to get sam to lay down and so ryan would be looking at us with his eyes wide open to see what was going on. and then ryan would sort of worry about if his blanket and his stuffed buzz lightyear were near and safe. So after a few hours of trying to sleep and not quite getting there both blake and i thought it would be better to split up and each take one boy to help sleep better. Ethan was sound asleep to all of this. Sam did continue to sit up but seemed to be less frequent. We all were finally able to get a couple hours of sleep just before the sun started to come up. On the second night we decided to just start out sleeping with each of the boys rather than missing out on any sleep we needed and wanted at that point. About an hour or so after we were all resting peacefully the wind kicked in and started blowing pretty hard. we had towels pinned up on a clothes line on the top of the house boat and so we got up and took them down. the wind was blowing hard enough that we needed to take down part of the awning and a canopy that was on the beach. Ryan at this point was nearly in tears and said that he didn't want to sleep on top and explained that he thought we'd blow away and that his blanket and buzz would be blown away with the wind too. Thus the reason why he was so worried the night before. We explained to him if it wasn't safe we'd get down. and we told him we would make sure everything was tied down and that we would not blow away. I feel so bad that his little heart and head was so worried. once we got things settled the wind seemed to not be so harsh and we were all once again able to get a few hours of sleep before the sun came up. I liked sleeping on top, but i am hoping that the next time we actually get to sleep more.
While in lake powell Ethan and Sam both got to give water skiing a try. This was Ethan's second try and Sam's first. Ethan was able to get up for just for a minute, he was so excited and really wanted to try again but time was short and there were more cousins that wanted to try too. Sam wasn't able to get up this time, but gave it a good effort and i think he'll be able next summer. I myself tried to wake board. i was reminded how i am not as young as i think i am. i was really close to getting up just after two tries but on my third try i pulled muscles in my fore arms that i didn't know did so much. i might or might not have cussed in the water....only me and the fish will ever know. i will definitely try wake boarding again on another day. Ryan just loves being on the water in the boat. not yet a fan of the tube. he loves to swim and is getting more and more confident in his swimming and floating abilities. he has to warm up to it each summer though. Blake was able to get out on with dad his brothers when they were going to and from the dock for a ice/garbage run.
Through out the days there was lots of time on the beach and lots of time to play in and out of the water. We played card games (Jeff was missed), visited, read, had water fights, and just enjoyed the trip. (ps grandma can be ruthless).
On the last day with all the cleaning and packing and organizing we had to also take the house boat to the "pump house." That's fun. The smell alone is enough to make anyone hurl but watching grown people laugh themselves silly about it is more fun.
Thanks for the good times Powell, we'll see you again next year.
The End! hehehehe

look at me! i'm blogging!!!

Just for the record we have not fallen off the face of the earth. Nor do we have any fantastical stories of heroics and adventures beyond belief. we have just lived, our normal everyday lives. our very busy and crazy lives. we finished school last year. played all summer long with swim lessons twice a week and piano lessons and recitals mixed in. our first scout camp. we had a few family events and vacations. and now we have gone back to school (and work) and started new beginnings. mind you there has been a tremendous amount of guilt that I've let our journaling of our family events and life slip to the wayside. Fear not though. i've almost got delegating down to the point that i may have a moment from time to time to keep my guilt suppressed and my history recorded. thank goodness modern technology has kept my photos safe and in chronological order so that when my mom-nesia kicks into high gear i will have some help to remember what really happened and when it did.

Duh

The other day Sam and I were driving through our neighborhood. We were on our way to the store and had the windows down since it was such a beautiful day. Russ our neighbor was playing basketball with his two young boys (ages 4 and 6) and another neighbor boy (age 6). Russ had just done a lay-up shot and made it and yelled "YEAH! I'm the man!"

Sam said with out skipping a beat, "well duh, of course you're the man."

So to our great neighbor Russ. Way to go, you ARE the man!

Can we get a frequent flier discount?

Sam has the luckiest mouth ever!

Yesterday Sam said his mouth was bothering him in the same area he has had a root canal (or pulpotomy). I knew when he said that, it was going to be a problem. So this morning we went to a local dentist (our favorite dentists are not on our list that our insurance covers- and since Sam seems to have lots of issues we can't afford to keep going to the ones that are not covered). When Sam had the root canal we were told that if that tooth still gave him any problems then that tooth would have to be pulled (it's a baby tooth).

Sure enough they had to pull the molar (this is tooth #4 to be pulled by the dentist). Sam was a trooper and did a good job holding still. They had given him a couple shots and he was saying it hurt so they gave him a few more shots. The doctor said it should be enough to numb a horse molar. Poor Sam was still squeezing my hands pretty hard so i know it was still hurting him, but he still held still. As soon as they were done, the tears started. Poor kid. He was trying pretty hard to stay tough, but he cried in my arms for a bit and then let me hold him for a while before he was ok. He has to go back in next week for a spacer to be put in and a cavity that is next to the pulled tooth that was being affected. Unfortunately Sam has more issues with his mouth still to come. He is really good about brushing his teeth, and we give them all vitamins with fluoride, and they all rinse a few times a week, but Sam seems to have a ton of issues anyway.

I have commented on his root system before, but again i was amazed on the roots on this tooth. It's like a tri-pod. Ethan said the tooth was creepy, Ryan seemed to think the same thing. No wonder it hurt so much. Way to be brave Sam.

Egg-splotion

Did you know that if you put a whole hard boil egg in the microwave to warm up for 1 min and 30 seconds it will explode? And did you also know that when you put the same whole egg, in the microwave, in a bowl with 2 other eggs for the same 1 min 30 seconds, that when you pull them out of the microwave, because the first egg exploded, and you poke one of the other whole eggs it also will explode all over the kitchen and you (in your eyes and hair) and everything with in 10 feet. So since you've wised up and learn to be careful you cover the 3rd whole hard boiled egg and poke it under a paper towel it too will explode only this time over a much smaller radius since the paper towel keeps most of it in the bowl. And did you also know that exploded hard boiled egg is hard to clean up. I recommend a swiffer duster after it has dried some.
Happy Easter anyway!

Attention all FOOLS!:

We have clever ideas once in a while at our house. I try to have good ideas from time to time, but it's also another thing to act on those good ideas. It seems that every April Fool's Day comes and i have these good ideas and then the day is over and i have not been able to do any. Who am i kidding? That is the way it is more often then not, not just for April Fool's Day. ANYWAY, i was telling Blake of some of my ideas the other day, to trick the boys with dinner for tonight. And with Blake's amazing help we pulled off the dinner.

We had the boys favorites. Melted cheese sandwiches, asparagus (not shown), pop, and for dessert cupcakes. We told them that since it was April Fool's Day we'd let them have dessert first. They loved that idea.

Sam took one bite of the frosting and was about to go spit it out in the sink when we told him to wait for a second, that we'd really not feed him anything that was bad. Then Ethan and Ryan started to dig into their meals. They realized they'd been tricked. It was really turkey meatball muffins, topped with mashed potatoes (with a large amount of blue food coloring), with a side of actual asparagus. Then Sam went to go take a drink out of his cup and found that it wasn't coming up the straw. It was jello. They thought it was all great. The "toasted cheese" was actually pound cake that had been toasted, and the had orange frosting between two pieces. I found that if you don't look at the potatoes too long, you can eat them just fine. But if you look at them too long, and concentrate on the blue too much, you might start forgetting what you're eating. Over all I must say it was genius! And yummy too.

Happy April Fool's Day to my favorite fools.

Lightning Rider

Last week was the pinewood derby. All three boys were working on cars to have for it, but because of cold and sicknesses only Sam got to race his. He is the only boy scout technically in our house, but it is something all boys enjoy. Sam ended up doing pretty good and having loads of fun. He won 8th over all, and 2nd in the bear den. Good enough for a trophy and braggin' rights at our house. Ethan's only pinewood derby was one that mom had to help with (dad was gone on business trip) so he didn't do all that great. Good thing it's more about the fun, right?!

Way to go Sam!

Wii- the interactive game

Tonight after the boys were ready for bed they had some time left to play some wii star wars legos (their recent favorite game). I had to laugh as i was trying to take a still shot or two of Ryan and Ethan while they played. I finally switched to video since it was too funny. I had no idea how interactive the wii really was. Watch their mouths--neither one of them can keep their mouths still (or closed) and play at the same time. You should see them try to color or cut things out. They must be related. (sorry about the burst of laughter--i couldn't help it).

Sam for short.

Sam has become a slow eater this school year (Ethan went through a phase that lasted a few years like that). Especially at lunch time he eats slow. He spends more of his time inside the lunch room at lunch recess then actually out at recess. And it is for that reason that Sam has been able to get to know the janitor and the lunch ladies really well. They love him really.

About a month after i had been working at the school, i went into the lunch room as they were getting ready for lunch. The janitor was setting up tables and the lunch ladies were working getting the trays and such set up. I went over to the janitor and said something about Sam's events in the lunch room from the day before. Sam was making a concoction of a little of this and a little of that in his milk and then he was going to drink it--anything for entertainment right. Anyway when i said something to the janitor about it, his eyes lit up and he said "OH! You're Sam's mom!?!" I said yeah (i get that alot!). He said oh we just love Sam. He is so funny and is always asking if he can help. He is such a good boy. I said yeah, well that's Sam, and i started to walk away. As i got up to the lunch lady to pay for the boys lunches for the month, i didn't even realize that the janitor had followed me up there, and he was leaning over my shoulder telling the lunch lady that i was Sam's mom. To which, then she was gushing how much they love Sam and what a hoot he is. (SERIOUSLY, I get that a lot!) Then she relayed into the kitchen to the other ladies that i was in fact Sam's mom. Who knew a kid could be so well known by the lunch ladies? And he only gets school lunch once or twice a week. Ever since then when ever i see any of the lunch ladies or Janitor Crosby they say something about Sam, especially janitor Crosby.

Janitor Crosby has a story at least once a week to tell me about Sam.

Like the time that Sam took his Garfield desk calendar comics to school (unannounced to me) and was "selling them" to other students and faculty. If someone wanted one they had to sign the back of it. And by signing it they were saying they would "work" for Sam and a few of his buddies. Sam was handing them out i guess at lunch and explained to Janitor Crosby that these people were now Sam's slaves. Sam commented to Janitor Cosby that "he was selling them like hot cakes!" (I'll have to post more on this story later...i still have the part from the principle side to explain).

The other day Janitor Crosby stopped me again because he had another story. He said that they decided to ask Sam how old he thought the other janitor was. (I told Mr. Crosby that he was baiting Sam, and he said yes, but it was because they were giving the other janitor a hard time about his age). To give Sam a little credit, we have tried to explain that no one likes to be called old or a baby. So when they asked him how old he thought Mr. Haws (who has a head of silver and grey with some black highlights in it) was, he said 35-40 (he's really 55). They then proceeded to ask him how old he thought each of them were. He told the librarian she was teens-20's, and two of the other lunch ladies they were in their 20's (They really love him now) and a couple of the other lunch ladies 25-30 (and i think the youngest lunch lady is really 30). And then Mr. Crosby said well how about me, how old do you think i am? Sam said 35. Mr. Crosby is 25. I told him that's what he gets for baiting him. So today, wouldn't you know it, as i went though the lunch line with Ryan (since it's pizza day) each of the lunch ladies said how much they love that Sam.

This evening i was telling Sam how much all these people like him. He said "you know mom i like it that i have older friends, you know like a dult older, not older older as in elderly." I said why is that (as i held in a laugh)? He said "cause they just are so nice and such good friends, and you know us Young's we respect older people." I'm so glad he's caught on to some of the things I've taught him.

I've told people that come to me with stories that they need to write them down or email them to me. And then one day I'm going to publish a book of short stories. I'm working on a title still (maybe "Sam for short"), but i am accepting stories now.

You can give me High 5's

The other day as Blake, Ryan and myself were heading to the elementary school for a meeting, Ryan had me laughing. As we were backing out of the garage so that blake could get into the car (since it's a tight fit right now), Ryan asked if Blake could sit in the back by him. To that I said, sure if you want Dad to ride in the back with you, you just need to ask him. So as Blake was about to get into the front passanger seat Ryan said "dad, will you come sit here in the back with me." Blake said "ok" and climbed in back. Ryan was all smiles as Blake got in. Ryan was then getting his leapster out to play since he was going to need something to do while at the meeting. Blake said to Ryan "well Ryan if you're just going to play your games, why do you want me to sit back here." To which Ryan replied without a pause "well you can give me high fives when i do good at the game."
Hahahaha.

ok, i admit it.....

I'm a bird watcher, well kinda. Out here it's really easy to do. I look out my kitchen window, or out the window of my car as i am driving to the school or the store. And, there they are. Every time i see them i get excited. It really is a first for me to see these birds of prey.
There are definitely regulars that we see daily and others that we see from time to time. They hang out at the tops of the telephone poles mostly. We also see them out flying around, they love to catch the wind and breeze in the gully behind the house too. It is even more exciting when you can just watch them.
I want to get a good high zoom camera some day so i can take pictures of them all. Then i can study up and figure out what kind they are......right now we just call them hawks and falcons. I do know the bald eagle though. Next time you come out to see us just keep your eyes open and watch for them. And then when you do start seeing them it's pretty exciting. "Baldy Eagle Ike" he's a regular so he has a name (given by the boys--they couldn't all agree so it's all of the ideas).We also see "Flappy" alot. Ryan named him because every time we would go to or from the store he was out flying around or at the top of the pole just by our development. Ryan always spotted him.ok, just more picture of my amazing view!

domo arigato

Ethan's piano teacher just started having him play "Axel F" for his lessons. It's one of those songs that most people know but don't know or can't remember the name (it's also known as the "Crazy frog" song). So when we got home from piano i pulled it up on the internet and let the boys hear it. They got their groove on once the music started, and the camera was right there, so........(Ethan and Sam will thank us later, i just know it!)

Oh and Ethan's getting pretty good at playing it on the piano (might have to get a synthesizer to make it official, but it's still pretty cool).

Baby it's cold outside!

With winter here we have tried to enjoy it as much as possible. My youngest brother was able to hook the siblings up with ski passes. So I went skiing on Christmas Eve Day with my parents and my brothers. I thought I'd be ok since i had been running some up till the 1st of December (so i wasn't completely out of shape). But just so you know skiing and running use different muscles (all of them are in your legs--cause that's what hurt so much). I haven't been skiing for a number of years since we've been doing the snowboarding thing over the last few. Blake likes that better since he's never really loved skiing in the first place. I have not been skiing even a few years beyond that since pregnancies, and small children, and finances kept me from the slopes. Needless to say i was totally excited to go skiing. I should explain that i have never been the daredevil skiers that my brothers have been. I'm more about enjoying the cool crisp air and beautiful scenery and that kind of skiing. If you're going so fast down the hill that every thing is a blur you're missing half the stuff i enjoy skiing for. Plus it makes your boogers freeze. I was hoping that since my parents were going my dad would go with the brothers and i would ski with my mom, and we'd go at the slower pace. But my dad was counting on my mom to keep him from having to go at top speeds with my brothers. We just ended up all skiing together which was a blast. So as a teenager i was never able to keep up with my brothers skiing and that has not changed. They were patient and would go down supper fast to one spot, and then stop and wait for the rest of us (my mom and dad, and lastly me). I did learn one very important thing, i didn't miss the ski boots much. Oh and a few other things--hold on to your poles like the stickers on the ski lift say, lift your tips, goggles and sunglasses are great at keeping the snow out of your eyes but when it's foggy and you're skiing in a cloud both make it harder to see anything, having the right gear does help at all times whether it's boots, gloves, 2 skis, and 2 poles. It was such an awesome day. I loved being with my parents and my brothers. We had some good laughs it was great. Thanks Darin for the hook up, thanks mike for the good laughs, thanks to the wives of my brothers for letting them go, thanks dad for warming my toes, thanks mom and dad for the ride, and sorry if i was "in the way of the pictures" and "ruined them". Sorry no pictures from the day--i wasn't smart enough to take my camera and mom and dad have not shared their pictures yet.
*total side note, last time i went skiing with my family was when Blake and i first kissed 14 years earlier. good times, good times.
the boys have also started to enjoy the additional fun activities of winter as well. Sam for his birthday got a snowboard from target (not a real one, but one to see if snowboarding was something they'd enjoy). so far Sam has done pretty good and Ethan is going to be the adventurous one. He was trying to do jumps over at our neighborhood park. in just a few tries both boys seem to have accomplished as much as Blake and i did after a morning of trying our first time. Good thing we have some good hills around here to keep them happy for a little while.
And with all the hills around us as well we have sledding right close to home so we don't' have to pack up to go anywhere. The week between Christmas and new years even our neighborhood had a sledding night. Had a fire pit and soups and hot chocolate to stay warm with and some flood lights to light up the area. It was a blast. The boys have loved being outside in the snow so much we let them go out while we stay nice and warm inside. I just have to say again how much i love it out here where we live.