Family Camping Trip

Last weekend we took the family on a camping trip.  We wanted to get in a family vacation before Trent starts his clinical rotations because we won't see him much for the next year and a half.  Trent and I spent hours on the internet looking up good spots, checking the fishing reports, and trying to find a campground.  We decided to head down to Palisades campground just outside of Manti.  Friday morning we packed the car with as much as we possibly could and headed out on the open road.  After 20 mins the kids were done with the car.  Too bad we still had 2 hours to go!
We pulled into Palisades and talked with the woman running the pay station. "What brings you here?" she asked.  "Fishing and camping and swimming!" we replied. She gave us a confused/sad look and said "You know we don't have a reservoir, right?  It's all dried up." What?!?!?!?!  We wanted to see for ourselves so we drove over to where the water should be.  She was right.  Where there should have been a good sized body of water stood a swampy puddle.  We were bummed!  After driving around the tiny, shade-free campsites, we decided to try somewhere else.  The kids were livid.  They wanted to set up camp NOW.  They wanted to get out of the car NOW.  So we drove back to Manti and had a little picnic which helped thier spirits (and their flat bums).

having a picnic in Manti

Trent has taken the scouts to a little place called Burrston Ponds in Mona, UT and thinks it's a great spot so we turned the car around and headed back to Mona.  When we got there we found a great spot surrounded by trees and close to the water.  I was impressed with all that place had to offer.  Swimming, fishing, they have several rope swings, frog hunting, clean port-a-potties, and huge trees.  We spent the rest of the afternoon fishing and roasting marshmallows over coals and going on walks.  That night it was super noisy with all the college kids using the rope swing well into the night.

Fishing with Dad.

Jane biffed it and scratched up her head.  She got over it, though.  Look how happy she is!

They love each other, so sweet.

Our camping spot the first night.

Grant super excited to be sleeping in a tent in his sleeping bag.

In the morning Trent wasn't feeling so well so he took the kids into town to get some medicine and I stayed and fished.  I caught 3 good sized rainbow trouts!  I was so stoked that when they got back, I took Jane out and she caught 4!  Trent went out after us and he caught 4 too!  Grant didn't have the attention span but was sure happy when we'd reel one in.

Jane's fish. Go Jane!

Ice Cream at the Big Red Barn

After lunch we went to the "Big Red Barn" about 10 miles north of Mona and got some homemade ice cream.  We thought the kids would be tired enough they would crash in the car, but it wasn't so.  By the time we got back to camp Trent and I were ready for naps but the kids weren't, so Trent took them to the city park in Mona and I tried fishing at a different pond (still in Burrston but not with loud swimmers).  As I walked over there, it started to rain and then it was a downpour so I cast my line in, rested it on a chair and then stood under a tree for shelter.  all of the sudden my line was moving!  I ran to the chair and yanked it back to set the hook. And the line broke!I looked in the water and saw a HUGE fish swimming away.  So I cast in again and immediatly got another bite!  I set the hook and reeled in . . .it was a little baby fish.  I unhooked it and cast out again.  Within seconds I had another one. This was awesome!  Trent rolled up with the kids and I told him about the fishing.  He didn't believe me so he cast out a line and within seconds he had a baby fish.  So we decided to move our camp to that pond.  By then it had stopped raining so we moved all our stuff to our hot fishing spot.  

Our camp site the second night.

 I took Grant out on the float boat to try and get a big fish.  We were trolling our line headed back to camp when something big got my line.  It was so strong it was literally pulling us in the boat as I tried to reel it in.  This was it!!!  King of the Pond!!  I was yelling to Trent and Jane on shore and reeling with all my might.  Trent yelled back "get it in the boat!!"  How was I supposed to do that?  It was a huge fish and a small boat.  I guess I could throw Bubba out.  No time for decisions!!  I got that fish right up to the boat and pulled hard.  He came up out of the water onto the side of the boat.  He was definitely King of the Pond!!!  And then the line snapped and he splashed back into the water and swam away.  I had had him!  He was mine.  I must catch him again. . .
That night we had Dutch oven pizza's (which were a work in progress) and we let the kids stay up late.  Trent and I fished for a couple of hours after the kids went to bed and then we called it a night too.

This is how we found them after they feel asleep Saturday night.  Precious!

Grant got dirty.  VERY dirty.

Sunday morning Grant woke up early (big surprise) so I took him out to try to find King of the Pond again.  We paddled around catching stupid baby fish and then I saw them.  3 Kings. . .3 ginormous fish swimming around our boat.  The stupid little fish had taken most of our bait by then so I had 1 1/2 worms left to work with.  I tried and tried until the bait was gone and the fish were no longer in site.  It was not meant to be.
We had breakfast and packed up and headed to home to do-dirt ourselves.
We had a wonderful vacation, despite some minor snags, and the kids can't wait to go camping again.  Sunday night we ate some of our Rainbows and Jane was so proud.  Family vacation=success!

Miss Kitty

 My little brother and his wife had their first baby on Friday.  I am so excited to meet little Owen Peter Larsen! With the arrival of sweet baby boy, I got baby hungry.  BAD.  So what does a sane woman do when she get's baby hungry?  She takes her kids to the pet store to get a hampster.  It can not be considered her fault if on that very same day the Humane Society happens to be at said pet store with baby kitties who need to be loved.
We got a cat.  So far we only call her "Miss Kitty" because we can't agree on a name.  She  was so sweet at the pet store-- snuggly and playful.  The kids LOVE her!!!  But poor Jane is allergic, we think.  Her eyes are watering and her nose is running but she refuses to put that kitty down.  Grant, bless his heart, loves the kitty too, but he doesn't know how to play gently.   We will really have to work on that.  Even Trent is ok with the cat.  It's taken him 7 years to warm up to the idea but he finally gave in (he figured I'd need a buddy to keep me company when he is away at clinicals)  Welcome to the family, Miss Kitty!

notice the snot stains on Jane's shirt.  Her nose is running but she's not letting that cat go!

A rare pic of Grant being gentle

Jane goes to Kindergarten

Well, Jane survived her first day of "big kid school".  I can't say as much for me.  She woke up this morning and ran into my room saying, "Mom! Get up!  I have to get ready for school!!"  She was so excited to go and meet her new classmates and ride the bus.  After a good breakfast (Apple Jacks) and getting ready, we went out to take pictures and meet her neighborhood friends to walk to the bus.  Her friend Lexi, who is in Jr. High this year, woke up early just to see Jane off on her first day.  So sweet.  Grant and I walked with Jane and her friends to the bus stop and as soon as that stupid yellow bus pulled up, I started crying.  What?!?!?  Didn't see that one coming.  Our neighbor Sarah took Jane by the hand and together they got on the bus. I was proud and sad and grateful and excited and scared all at the same time.
 As soon as the bus pulled away, Grant and I went back home, got the car, and went to the school to see her get off the bus.  We got held up a bit talking to neighbors so we missed her getting off the bus( which made me bawl).  But there she stood with her class and her teacher ready to start the day.

 I had gathered myself and was able to get in some pictures of her and her class but then some other teary mom walked by and I lost it again. Pathetic.  Once the kids went inside, we left and I cried all the way to Wal Mart.  I was doing fine again and then Trent called to see how the morning had gone.   Right there in the underwear section of Wal Mart I started crying again.  What's the deal?!?!?!?
After shopping and a playdate for Grant, we  waited for Sis at the bus stop.  Grant kept  leaning out to see if the bus was coming.  It finally came and out walked my tired Kindergartener.  Whew. She made it.  Glad that's over. Too bad we have to do it all again tomorrow. . .

Bubba looking for the bus

Here she comes!!!!

The Hard Questions

 I had a crazy morning and had no idea that there had been a mass shooting in Colorado until we got in the car to come back from Grant's yearly check up and heard that there had been a shooting.  So I ran home and turned on the noon news on the TV and watched. Devastating.  My kids were with me and I hurried and made them lunch so I could listen to the news report.  They sat with me eating grilled cheese.  After the reported finished, they had a physiologist talk about how to deal with kids regarding this tragedy.  The first thing he said about younger children was simply not tell them about it (still not sure if that is the right approach but whatever).  So I turned the TV off.

Later, at dinner, Jane started asking all kinds of questions about what happened in Colorado.  Who was that guy?  Are those people dead forever?  Does that guy live in our land?  What's an 'injury'?  Do people die from them?  What happens when we go to live with Heavenly Father? Does he make the injuries better?  The police got that guy so there are no more bad guys, right?  What if bad guys come to our house?  What's a weapon?  Who sent that man here?  His mom?  Why is he a bad guy?  Am I a bad girl?  We should just kill all the bad guys, right mom?

No one prepares you for these kinds of questions coming from a 5 year old.  I tried to answer to the best of my abilities and in a way she would understand without freaking her out.  But the truth is, even I don't understand it all.  I have no idea why that guy was a "bad guy" and why he did what he did.  All I could offer her was my protection and that Heavenly Father will take care of us and the people who got hurt.  She cried a little.  It broke my heart.  To have the world seem such a scary place. . .at 5?!?!?!?  Part of me regrets letting her watch that news program.  She shouldn't have to face the real world so early.  And maybe that psychologist was right--just don't even tell your kids what happened.
But at the same time, I can't keep the world from her or her from the world.  I am the vulture mother--the one who stands on the doorstep to make sure the kids get to their friends' house safe.  The one who checks on them constantly just to make sure they are ok.  Jane and Grant hate this.  But today I was able to explain why I do it.  I was able to express to her that it's because I love her and want to protect her from the "bad guys" out there.  I think it's important for her to know that there are people out there who do bad things but there are also "good guys" who protect us.  That God is watching over her and so are her parents and that even if something bad happened, she will be ok.
I don't have all the answers and I know that children expect grown-ups to.  My heart broke today.  For the people who were in that theater and their loved ones but also for my daughter.  I wish I could give her a better world.  I wish I could give her all the answers to all her questions.

Side note: Tonight at bedtime I went to tuck her in and one of her goldfish was dead.  Perfect.  So with teary eyes, we flushed Anna down the toilet.  "Don't worry, Sweetie.  She's with Heavenly Father now."  She looked up a bit confused and pointed to the toilet, "But how's He gonna get her out of there?"

Real Men Tri at 30

All set up and ready to start

 For Trent's big 3-0 he wanted to run a Sprint Triathlon.  He had a hard time sticking to a training schedule with school but he didn't back out.  So yesterday, for his birthday, we woke up at 4:30 am (the kids were thankfully at my Aunt's) and drove up to Echo Reservoir.  Trent rode his bike over to the "transition area" and I took a shuttle in.  He was nervous but excited.  Before long, it was time to start.  His first event was swimming.  Swimming is Trent's thing.  I actually think he may be part fish. . .but he was still nervous about it.  The 1/2 mile swim took no time at all and he was soon out and running for the transition area to gear up for his bike ride.  He seemed tired but he rode on.  After the 12 mile bike ride, he dropped off his bike gear and headed out for a 5K run.  I was tired just watching these people do this!  Some looked like death.  Some looked like it was a walk in the park.  Trent looked spent but he's not a quitter.  About a mile and a half from the finish, his legs started cramping up.  Charlie-Horses ripped through his legs but he still managed to finish!  I was so proud of him!!!  He did it, and with very little training (he won't make that mistake again).  He says he wants to do it again . . . just not any time soon.  Happy 30th Birthday Trent!  You amaze me!

Trent is smack-dab in the middle of the picture. Not the guy at the bottom of the pic, but one up from him.

Done with the Swim

Headed out on the bike

Last event--the run.

He made it!!!

The massage after.  Is that cute girl rubbing my husband's bum?!?!?  Why yes she is, and boy does he looked pleased! :)

Bubba is 3!

My Sweet Handsome Dude was born 3 years ago today.  What a three years it has been!  He started out so quiet and calm and now he is the life of the party.  This boy cracks us up! And drives us nuts. And everything in between.  Our lives would definitely be sooooo boring without Grant.  Here is a quick glimpse of our guy at 3:

Favorite book:  "Stuck" (we read it EVERY night)
Favorite color: Blue
Favorite foods: Hot Dogs, popcorn, scrambled eggs
Favorite toy: any car or train he can find
Favorite person: Sis
Favorite phrase: "Sorry Mommy/Daddy/sissy/etc" or "What-a doin'?"or "look-it me!"
Favorite show: Fireman Sam or Popeye

*He's a mamma's boy.
*He loves to wake us up in the morning, bright and early, with a "cock-doodle-dooooo!"
*He loves to dance.  Even if he's throwing a fit, if you turn on music with a beat, he will start dancing.
*He is very independent.  He want to do things himself and will redo it if you have already done it for him.
*He is very coordinated.
*He is a very social fellow.  He will walk right up to perfect strangers and say hello, he can make friends wherever he goes, and he has NO personal space.
*He never stops moving--even when he's sleeping.
*He has very little-no fear. He just goes for it! (definitely Trent's kid)
*His most ticklish spot is on his little collar bones.
*He loves Popsicles and swimming and doing whatever sister is doing.

We love you buddy!  Happy Birthday!

Grant's Carnival

 I love throwing a party, especially for my kids.  This year is Trent's big 3-0 and so I had started planning a big surprise party for him when he told me flat out he didn't want a party.  Bummer.  So I channeled all that party-planning energy into Grant's birthday.  We only do big friend parties for the kids every other year and this was his year so I started planning months ago.  And with the help of Pinterest, I had the perfect party for him.  The invites turned out great.  I had the theme and the goodies and the prizes and the games.  I had this party planned down to the very last detail.
Morning of the party: It hasn't rained all summer but today it decided to be a rainy day.  Good for the firefighters, bad for the party planner.  Just a bump in the road.  Grant woke up with a terrible cold.  I scrambled to get to Wal-Mart to get the balloons and wouldn't you know it, they were out of helium. By noon I was ready to go nuts.  But the show must go on.  So I called and scheduled our clubhouse then ran door to door in the rain knocking on doors telling everyone the party had changed locations.  My sweet Aunt came and got the kids and took them on an adventure while I decorated the cake and by 4:30 we were set with the "new party", just as the clouds cleared and the sun came out.
Long story short, we had a wonderful party for Grant.  Although it didn't go quite as planned, all of his guests showed up, the games were played, the food eaten, the candles blown out, and the boy was happy.  I'd consider that a success, even if it wasn't perfect.  A big thank you to our families for all the help they gave us with games/booths/wrangling children.  Thank you to the kids who came for all the amazing gifts you gave to Grant.  He is all set for like 4 years now!  So generous of you.  And thank you to my unbelievable husband for all he did to make this happen.  Now for the pics!

The Cake

The Ring Toss.  Thanks Cathy!

The Pin Drop.  Thanks Charlene!

The Can Knockdown and the Amazing husband

The Beanbag Toss.  Thanks Mom!

Blowing out the candles.  My bro Zach brought colored flame candles for the cake.  They were awesome!
Thanks!

Face Painting. Thanks Dad! (Thanks for the paints, Amy.  We missed you!)

Opening presents.  The kid got spoiled but look how happy he is! What a cute little tiger!