On the Road Again

Waaaa. We really did not want to leave. We had such a good vacation. It was amazing how nice and happy we as parents were and so were the kids. We all loved being away from the stresses of life, but alas, we must go back home.

The next series of photos are from our first potty break. I couldn't hold it any longer and this place was the only place in the middle of nowhere. When we got there, I thought it would make the perfect scene for a freaky movie. There was this hairy guy sitting in the chair in front of the store. creak, creak, creak. Then you open the door and younger rough lookin' fellow with a broken foot sits at the desk right when you walk in. I was a little freaked out, but we made it out alive. In fact, the hairy guy was pretty friendly and wanted us take a family picture in front of his creation. He also let each of the kids pick out a pretty stone.

The next pictures are of our stop in Las Vegas. Julian scoped out this restaurant: Fatburger. It was pretty good and the staff was extremely nice. Pretty overpriced if you ask me though. Anyway, while we were waiting for our order, one of the workers brought us two cups of a leftover milkshake--overage from another customer's order. She thought our kids would enjoy it. How nice was that? Other people were complimenting us on what cute kids we had. Thank you! It took me a while to realize that we had the only kids in the restaurant. Actually we had the only kids on the whole strip. Seriously!

The pawn shop from Pawn Stars. It looks a lot more interesting on TV.

Remembering the Mish

I've always wanted to go to Anaheim with Julian and have him show me around his mission and hear the stories. Well, it's been 10 years, but we finally got to do it. The whole time, I was thinking, "I am sure glad I didn't know you (Julian) when you were on your mission." And "I sure wouldn't want my son to be in this area." Good thing those men are protected! We ate at Wahoo's for lunch, which was always a treat for Julian when he was on his mission.

DISNEYLAND!!!

We had a wonderful time at Disneyland and picked the perfect day to go. School was still in session, it started off rainy, which seemed to keep the crowds down somewhat, and had the best tour guides to get the most out of our experience. Thanks Brian and Natalie!

This picture cracks me up! In the back you have Brian, Natalie, and Kyrie who are totally enjoying the Tower of Terror. On the other side, there's Ogden, who seems unsure but isn't about to let anyone know he might be scared. All the other people are enjoying the thrill...except those 2 people in the middle back. Kaelyn and Julian are screaming their heads off! Whose mom let that little girl on such a scary ride?! Clearly, I wasn't thinking, and Kaelyn was traumatized for every ride after that. But guess who was talking proudly about going on the Tower of Terror when she saw her little friends?

Okay. Cruella did a great job. She was super snotty and borderline offensive.

Very hard to get a picture at this point with Paigey.

Apparently the princesses are supposed to be sweet and smiley, so I thought it was funny when Sleeping Beauty asked Ogden if he wanted to be in the picture, to which Ogden matter-of-factly said "no." Then Aurora disguised some attitude with her sweet, smily voice and said, "is that a 'yes, please' or 'no thank you'?"

At the end, we had a very exhausted party. What a great day though. Julian just might have had the best time of all. I think someone needed a break from the everyday stresses of life. He now thinks Disneyland is the best vacation destination ever. I had a great time too, but I'd like to try it again when I'm not 7 months pregnant. I also think a place with a warm beach holds the best vacation destination--and without long lines.

Family Vacation: The Drive, Camp Pendleton, and The Beach

Back in February, we attempted to go to Disneyland. It was a sad day, when we loaded up only to make it 70 miles out of Provo and ended up in Fillmore, UT. Happily, this time around, we made it to our destination and had a wonderful and much needed vacation!

Lunch in Cedar City, before Kaelyn's drink spilled all over the blanket on a VERY windy day.

World's tallest thermometer

Camp Pendleton:

Beach at Camp Pendleton

yum~

Hello Mr. Baywatch

Kyrie, Ogden, and Kaelyn--despite how cold and windy it was, the kids had a blast. What a beautiful beach too...someday we'll have to come back when it's a titch warmer.

special delivery!

Miss Abby was born on June 8th weighing 4 lb. 11 oz. She is doing great and we are sooo ready to have her home. She's had to stay in the NICU for the past 2 weeks until she can master the eating thing. Her little body did not have enough energy to eat for a while, but now she is on a roll! We're hoping that we can bring her home on Friday.

Here's a picture of Paige, just for kicks. She has not met Abby yet, and is probably clueless as to what is about to happen.

The story:

Tuesday, June 7th, I was feeling quite exhausted, but knew that if I did not get milk and a few other groceries that night, it would mean taking all the kids to the store the next day. I opted for midnight shopping. When I brought my first load of groceries up the 3 flights of stairs, I walked in the door and suddenly peed my pants. Understandable after my exercise. I headed straight for the bathroom and wondered if it were possible that my water broke. After much stalling, Julian and I decided we better go to the hospital to check things out. Silly me didn't even have my plan a, b, or c figured out. I called my friend, Tiffany, who stayed the night with the kiddos and even most of the next day. What a lifesaver!

It was confirmed. My water had broken and we were stuck at the hospital. Abby was born at 8:56. She had to be on oxygen for about an hour, but other than that, she has been great! We've mostly been working on her feedings.

My mom came out the day Abby was born. She has been wonderful to take care of the house and kids while I take care of Abby at the hospital. I never would have though that we would have needed her for 2 weeks! Ogden was born 8 weeks early with breathing problems, apnea, reflux, etc. and he was in the NICU for 3 weeks, so for sure Abby would be home in a matter of days. Guess I was overly optimistic on that one.

The last 2 weeks has been a daze for me. I wish I could have carried Abby longer--even a week or 2, just so she could have started out healthier and stronger. It has not been fun seeing her with an IV in her head, or watching a tube be put down her nose. I'm grateful for all the wonderful nurses and doctors that have helped us though.

Ogden, Kaelyn, and Paige are doing well. I know this has put a strain on them as well. I'm used to being able to be there all the time, and now I can't. I've noticed a couple of the kids have started talking like babies and have been more sensitive/whiny lately. I've noticed I have not been patient with this behavior either. I'm scared for the next couple months. But, overall, I'm just grateful to have such a wonderful family.

Christmas Vacation--Alas!

Me and my baby sister at Temple Square. Not really so baby anymore--she's 16 now! Crazy!

The kids love Alex. He is so good with them and is a sucker for piggy back rides.

Mom & Dad a.k.a Grandma and Grandpa. My family just moved to Elko, Nevada from Nebraska. Very nice for me, seeing how it cuts the distance down by about 15 driving hours. We get to see them a lot more now. Yea for memories!

And what's any vacation without an ear infection. And guess how hard it is to find a doctor on Christmas Eve?

Christmas breakfast

What the? Why is there a Wii outside our front door?

Christmas jammies from the Evans. They are so kind and thoughtful to include us in their traditions.

the angels

dressed for the nativity

so excited to make the candy cane sleds!

Failed at my only job: Don't let the crockpot tip. Oops! And Julian's make the best comment ever: "I just don't know how you do it. If I was as clumsy as you, I would slit my wrists." Hmmm. Good one.

Mmmmm. Jared's rolls.

Kyrie, Grace, and Kaelyn. Can you just sense the amount of sass?

Kaelyn and Kyrie

"Bounce me Ogden!" Love Jump On It, especially in the winter!

Paige, of course, enjoys ice skating by sitting in her stroller. Such a sport!

Ogden improvises when all the scooters are taken.

Loved the special walkers for ice skating! Looked like a little special olympics with the little kids scootering around.

Ogden and Mrs. Gibson. Ogden loved his first 1st grade teacher. This was his last day of school before Christmas and then we switched to the Cherry Creek in Springville, which he likes as well. However, if given the choice, he would still choose to go back to Mrs. Gibson's class.

Kaelyn supports the Christmas concert

We almost didn't make it to his last day of school and Christmas concert because of this huge snow dumping. All of the Springville schools were cancelled, but not Provo.