Trip to Texas

We had a wonderful time in Texas. Among some of our activities were picking strawberries, going to the beach, taking family pictures in the bluebonnets, and eating Blue Bell ice cream.

Hamburgers- Julian Style

Easter

We had such a nice Easter and were so lucky to have family join us. Julian made an amazing dinner--probably one you would expect for Cinco de Mayo and one of my fav's. We also got to get the baby cousins together: Paige & Kya.

Prayers

Well, it's that time of year again where we all look forward to the Annual Texas trip. This year we have three kids, which means more luggage, more bodies, and more fun. I wanted to make sure to write about our morning to the airport and remember how blessed we were and are. We left the house at 8:00 and were headed to SLC. At the Orem University Parkway exit is where the HOV lane begins and we immediately merged into that lane. Traffic is calm and the kids are quiet in the back seat of our cozy Honda Accord (that's the adjective I like to use when describing how squished we are in our car). All of the sudden this car about 50 yards in front of us swerves from 2 lanes over and practically does a U-turn into our lane, hits the barrier, and is facing us. Julian calmly looks over his shoulder, veers slightly into the next lane, and returns to the HOV lane still going 75 mph. The driver of the other car appeared to be okay and we were safe. We don't know what caused the accident, maybe a tire blew out or something, as their was no sign of reckless driving and the roads were perfectly clear. All I could think about is how happy I was that my family was safe and that I don't know what I would do if any of the kids had gotten hurt (or Julian). We told Ogden that his prayer had worked this morning and then found out that lots of other people were praying for us too. So "thank you" to all those who were thinking about us and your prayers worked too.

After that, when we were going through the airport and Julian felt stressed (one of us usually is at most times & it was his turn, plus he was in charge of 4 carry ons, 1 checked bag, and 3 kids), I was as cool as a cucumber, because even if we missed our plane, or our flight was delayed by 2 hours (which it was), that couldn't compare to the fact that my family was all safe and together.

The Latest

So I (Alicia) have been thinking for a while that I need to be better about documenting our happenings, cute little things the kids say, etc. I've tried journal writing and I know I'm terrible at that, so I'll try including some memories on this blog until Julian (the blog creator) tells me this is not a journal blog, it is a picture blog.

So today was a beautiful, warm, somewhat overcast day, perfect for a little jog. I have not been out of the house by myself for 3 days, so I am looking forward to a run. Julian gets home at a decent time, I finish making dinner, dish up the plates, and set them on the stairs so the family can eat outside and play w/ friends while I go for my little run. When I leave, the kids are riding bikes with the neighbors, Julian is eating, and Paige is down for a nap. Perfect! I was gone for 32 minutes. I walked up the stairs and was amazed at what could happen in such a little amount of time. Kaelyn had fallen off her bike, flat on her face, and was now in the bathtub washing rocks out of her mouth. Paige was laying on the floor outside of the bathroom and Ogden was kneeling next to her on pacifier duty. Paige had pooped her diaper, was ready to eat, and was screaming and Ogden was quietly upset because he had gotten in trouble for not listening when it was time to come inside. 32 minutes! 32 minutes in 3 days! When I left, everybody was happy. And when I returned nobody was.

Well, now everyone except me and the stupid escaping hamster are asleep. Kaelyn is fine, although she has a good goose egg on her forehead and some scratches that will hopefully be gone in time for our trip to Texas. I really should be in bed too. I AM tired. But I am enjoying the quiet and the fact that nobody needs anything right now.

Kaelyn's Dance Recital...

Paige's Blessing Day