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Thursday, August 7, 2008

We did it!

We went wakeboarding and I finally did it. All year I have been trying to jump high enough to do a grab. Well after alot of practice and awful landings. I finally did it. I had a great time doing my first grabs and I have to say I was even landing them. Then Terry decided it was time for me to shorten the rope and go wake to wake. And believe it or not I did. I guess this goes to show if you practice long enough and hard enough I guess we do get better. Then Matia was brave enough to take her first shot at wakeboarding. I think she was so nervous because she sees mom coming in with head ringers all the time. And so she thinks wakeboarding hurts. Well we showed her differently. She did wonderful for a first couple trys. Good going Matia it makes me so proud when you step up to bat with a brave spirit. After Tia gave it a try Treg decided he wanted to try again. So we put him out in the water with Terry and all of a sudden he got stage fright. So he started crying but after the first try he stopped crying and said "That was awesome can I do it again." What a trooper who knew being pulled through the water could be so fun. Then Dash had to show me how cool he is by going tubin' with the kids! This is something he learned the last few times Terry has taken the kids out without me. So that was fun to watch.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Preschool Warmups

So I am starting to get ready for the new preschool season. We will beginning class on the first day of September. I have set up 2 blogs one for the Monday/Wednesday class which will be called the Super Kids Class. The address for this class is http://superkidspreschool2009.blogspot.com.

The next blog will be for the Tuesday/Thursday class which will be called the Super Stars Class. The address for this class is http://superfriends2009.blogspot.com. Please spread the word to all the students in this class. I will be sending out notices soon but until then. Love you guys and we are excited for the school year. Love Miss Kristi

Monday, August 4, 2008

Mill Hollow Weekend

You know how they say girls just want to have fun. Well that stands true even for mommies. Every once in a while I get the itch to have a good time, just being a girl not a mom. So about twice a year me and my girls hit the road for a night away somewhere. This time we ended up at Mill Hollow Center it is just up past Kamas. We left early in the day to hit a movie and lunch. We missed the movie due to the fact an outhouse was headed out to Eagle Mountain where I was and couldn't go past 15mph. So we had some extra time and went shopping at the outlets in Park City. Ya we get a little crazy when we have no kids and kinda act strange. So then we headed toward Mill Hollow. Well I thought I knew where I was going because Terry said it is right where Tonja saw the bear 2 years ago. Which we went camping right by there last year, so I though. I didn't need to look at the map I drove them right to it. Well I forgot the small detail that the actual bear sighting was one large canyon over from where we camped last year. After driving 20 miles up the wrong canyon we asked for directions and was set straight. Even though so many things matched up to what the directions said, we just thought it was a bad map. Anyway we get to our destination right before dinner and start packing in our stuff and found our sleeping arrangements were a little shabby. But Holly, Tonja and I decided this is the stuff that will make us remember this experience. Thinking that is the worst it is going to get. We go down to dinner which we had heard the food there is wonderful. And well do you remember elementary school lunch. Well that is waht it reminded me of. Right down to the tables and the cafeteria style lines. Although I must say the schools had cleaner dishes. So no the food was not as great as we expected but who cares. We were here to have a good time and besides we didn't have to do dishes so it couldn't be all that bad, right?Now it was time for the fun to begin. We go up into the "Spruce Room" and start scrapbooking away. It was great we talked and laughed and had a wonderful time. I actually accomplished alot and was feeling great. But suddenly 10:30 slipped by and I had forgot to call and check in on my dad. I knew we had to drive a short distance to get cell phone reception so we got directions and away we went. Funny as we were walking to the car Tonja asked if I had my flashlight which I always have with me. I said "no I left it here we are just going 10 minutes away what can really happen?" We start driving and each one of us had the thought pass our minds "What if we got a flat tire? That would suck!" Well just us being parinoid. We drove the short drive to the reservoir and we couldn't see the road we were suppose to take (later finding out it was blocked off). So we kept driving all the way to the summit. I turned around very disappointed that I couldn't find out about my dad. Then for some reason I backed up and headed down the other side of the summit. And right as I did we got reception. I immediately stopped and called Terry. I found out they let my dad go home that day and was doing so much better. I was so relieved to hear this information. We started heading back to the cabin and not to far from the summit we all heard this sound. Holly and Tonja said "Does that sound like a flat tire?" so I pulled over and opened the door looked back saw the damage. Slammed the door(because after all we are in bear country let me remind you) and said "NOPE THE TIRE LOOKS FINE!" Then I just sat there and Holly and Tonja just looked at each other. Finally Tonja says "are you sure?" I say a few things that I wouldn't have said infront of my children and open the door one more time. Yes it was a flat tire. Not just flat but completely blown! I closed the door one more time and considered driving on the rim of the tire all the way to the cabin. Because I really didn't want to get eattin' by a bear! But the girls gave me the courage to get out and do my duty. So we searched the car for Terrys flashlight that he always has in his car. But my cutie had taken the bloody flashlight out of the car and forgot to replace it. So we left all the doors open and the car running incase a bear came near us we had a get away plan. Then I got down in the dirt and changed that tire just as fast as I could. Holly and Tonja stood by real close shining their cell phone lights so I could see what I was doing. I dont even remember seeing a moon. It was the darkest night in my life. Got the little donut tire on there, tightened it real good and away we went. It was a long drive back to the cabin since it was 10 miles away and we couldn't go over 5 mph. I knew that donut wouldn't last down to the city the next day if I did. So we just took our time and got back at about 12:30. From the parking lot to the cabin there is a really walk through a forest and over a river then up a little hill to the cabin. As we crossed the river all three of us hear a low grumble. I knew this was my bear and picked up the pace. Well Holly was right infront of me and she started running and you better believe I was right on her heals. But I couldn't even hear Tonja who was in the back.I felt a little guilty with her being 8 months pregnant and all I an just left her to get eatin by a bear. So when we got to safty Holly and I turn around to see where she was. The poor girl was back there with eyes as big as golf balls holding her belly and crossing her legs. She had to go pee so bad she had no choice but to stop and let the bear get her. Then we all notice there was no bear that we could see but there was an airplane flying right above us making the same bear growling sound. So we all busted up laughing so bad I couldn't breath or stand up straight. If you didn't know us you probably would have thought we were all high on something. We went back in the cabin and told our sorry story then we did some more scrap booking until 3:30am then we called it a night. I think we stayed up so late because #1 we had to wait for the adrenaline to leave our systems from the crazy bear attack. And #2 we really didn't want to climb into our pathetic bunk beds that were obviously made for elementary age children. But when you had been up for 22 hours it starts to not matter where you crash. So we did what we had to do and climbed into our beds. I have to say at first I didn't think I was going to be able to fall asleep to the 5 different snoring masters that we shared the cabin with. However, it was only 1/2 hour and I was out for the night. Right up to 8:30am when the school intercome system bellowed "Dinner will be served in 5 minutes". We didn't want to but knew we had to get up to eat, then go to Kamas and get a new tire. We went to the car to go and would you know, the spare tire was flat. So we borrowed a car and drove down to Kamas to the tire shop. Ya it was closed. So we called Holly husband and found another tire shop so we went there. Yep it was closed as well obviously nobody in Kamas works on Saturday. Except for the Auto Parts Store down the road we went there and some the employee said Mick does some tires and he just left let me go grab him. So he ran out and got Mick and Mick came to look at our tire and says "Yep you need a new tire and I don't sell tires but I might have a used one out back, follow me to my shop and we will take a look." So here is 3 desperate women following this complete stranger 3 miles out of town to some shop to see if he had a tire. Turns out he did and I must say they were really speedy to get it mounted and balanced. He only charged us $30 and sent us on our way. I think he was anxious to get our bad luck out of his shop. So then we stopped at the grocery store to get a fix-a-flat can for the spare JUST IN CASE we needed it on the way home. And happened to run into my favorite uncle Stan and Pris. Stan is my dads brother I talked to him a while and told him all about my dad and his situation. Then gave him a hug and we were on our way back to the cabin. I changed this tire even faster with the day light and a level asphalt parking lot and I even put the second part of the handle on which made it so much easier to jack up the car. Then back to the cafeteria for some more gross food and then a little more scrapbooking. The rest of the day was pretty mellow with a little relaxing at the table. At 5:00 we ate dinner then packed up to go back to reality. We were a little sad to see it end but alittle afraid to stay away any longer. As we turned the corner headed home we were all spell bound and couldn't say much other then "you have got to be kidding me." when we saw the road filled with sheep. Oh I know this is not a tragic happening but it just seemed really funny with only 4 hours of sleep and the night we had gone through. So that was it of course as soon as we got into civilization we headed to the closest Walmart to get our Breaking Dawn book and then we called it a great trip and headed home. As I pulled in the drive way I was welcomed by this cute sign. It is always nice to know I am missed while I am away. Thanks Holly and Tonja for making this such a fun and memorable weekend with out the two of you and your great out look on life and situations I would have hated every minute of this weekend. But with you two there I believe it will be one I will never forget. Love ya!

Friday, August 1, 2008

Dads back in!

So dad is back in the hospital. Yesterday he was having some incredible pain in his right lung. Mom took him to the instacare and they suggested he get a cat scan to check for bloodclots. So they did that and found some bloodclots right where he was having the pain. He is still running a fever. So they admitted him into American Fork hospital until they can get the clots under control. It is nice to have him a little closer and my big brother just flew in to visit and help out from Seattle. Wow what a great family we have. Hang in there dad lets put all this behind us.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Lovin' Summer

I just have to say I love the freedom of Summertime. I love not making my kids do homework if I don't feel like it. I love letting them stay up till 10:00pm without feeling guilty. I love having them home with me during the day to do just about anything we want. I just love having them around me. This summer has been my first with just my kids. I am use to having 5-10 kids with me not just 3. So it has been nice to just ask them to get in the car and away we go. So today we went to Chuckie Cheese just for the heck of it and we loved every minute of it. So yes I will probaly cry the day I send the two of them off to school for a full day. So cheers for summertime. And I must say thank you to Terry for letting me spend this time with our kids. I do appreciate all the work you do so we can play. Love you babe!

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Boys Boating Trip

So I came home from a special night with my dad at the hospital to see Terry packing the boat. He understood my great need for some good sleep and knew the only way I would get it is if he got the kids out of the house. So he packed the boat and got the kids ready and off they went after tucking me into bed with hugs and kisses and putting a blanket on the window to ensure some good sleep. What a great guy I know he would rather me be out there with him but, he took care of my needs. Honestly I think he is learning that when I am tired I am not so happy. He is also learning that when mom is happy everyone is happy. So he called his brother and he took his 3 kids and meet him out on the dock.
They had a great day of fishing and playing on the beach because of all the wind. Then they brought pizza home for me and we crashed to a movie at 7:00 and was asleep by 9:30. What a great day. Yes I slept straight from 9:30-2:30 then forced myself up because I wanted to still sleep tonight.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Glad to be Boating

So we have been planning this day of boating with my sister and her darling family since the beginning of the year. And I am Glad to announce we actually did it. Terry and I headed down to the lake at 9:00am to advoid the Saturday rush at the harbor and headed for Pelican Point because of the wind and choppy water. We had a good time waiting for them to arrive. Bowdee caught a carp with a net it was HUGE. Then Treg netted a dead catfish but thought he was as cool as his brother. Matia on the other had just kept buggin her dad to go catch the bad fish and get them out of the water. After Kathy and her family went to visit my dad in the hospital the finally joined us at the lake at 1:00 for a day full of fun. First the boys A.J. who is 18 and Todd who is almost 16 took Bowdee out on the tube with them. They had a great time with Terry behind the wheel. None of them ended up wounded and they all held on for some good time. In fact so long their necks started to ache. You see Terry was being nice to them.Then me and my girls (Karrilyn is 20 and Angela is 14) hit the tube to show the boys how to really hold on. Well we did great until Terry turned the wheel over to my favorite brother-in-law who feels like a brother (Mike) well I am not sure how much experience Mike has driving but wow he was all over that lake flipping us from side to side. I refuse to think he was doing this on purpose. Because I know I am his favorite and he would never intentionally hurt me. I told the girls they should be nicer to him because obviously he was trying to retaliate for some kind of behavior.
After the girls finally gave up holding on Kathy and Mike went out and A.J. drove them. I didn't want any kind of responsibility when Mike pulled Kathy off the tube. He didn't actually do that but he would have if the driver didn't knock her off the tube. You see he makes sure everyone experiences everything and that includes falling off. Then the boys all took their best shot at wakeboarding because he carry no skiis on our boat. Bowdee went first to show them how it was done. And then Todd went and said Bowdee makes it look so easy what am I doing wrong. Well then A.J. went and even though they tried until they had no more strength (which I must say these boys have some endurance). They finally told their dad to try. Mike did it of course that man can do anything. Well I threw him the rope and look what happened to his head. I really don't know how it happened but I sure felt bad. But the last time he was in this lake he was rushed to the hospital because of a head wound. I guess I was just trying to make sure he got the experience he wanted. So no it wasn't that deep and there was no hospital runs but I did throw all the mirrors overboard. Then we finally got some down time where Kate (a.k.a. Kathy) and I just laid on the tube and talked about life. Kate lives in Cedar City so we don't get to talk alot. She is an angel I know you all have someone like her in your life where they just listen so well and love with all their hearts.
It was a wonderful day one we plan to do every year. Thank you Glads for coming. We left the lake at 6:30 got home at 7:00 and at 8:00 after I was showered and in my p.j.s my mom called and asked me to stay with my dad at the hospital for the night. He is still having a hard time. He has been bouncing a fever around and his oxygen keeps going down and his bladder is having a hard time getting going. So I went and had a most memorable experience with my good old dad. One of those things I would never take back.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Pioneers Day

So today Terry had to work. Ya he only gets paid when he works unlike other people :) So he went to work and me and the kids went and worked on a 5 hour service project. It always does something good to my heart when I do for others. Then we came home and took our downtime. Since we only get downtime before our own Tazmanian Devil comes home. The second he comes home we are up and at it, going and doing. So as soon as Taz came home he loaded the boat and away we went. We headed down to the lake, I bet you didn't see that one coming. It was too choppy for Terry to try his new tricks, but perfect for tubing and swimming. The water was 82' and it felt like 86'. Here are some cute photos of again my cute kids having some fun. I often wonder what they will think about boating when they are older. Just another chore, or like it is a second home they always want to come home to. I am not sure I hope it is the later. Then we came home and finished off the fireworks from the 4th. Ya it was just the small little ones left but we sure enjoyed our neighbors display from up the road. They always have the party going on down the street. Deena thanks for always making our fireworks look so small ;) Well I must say I am very thankful for all the hard work the pioneers put into establishing this beautiful state that we live in. I absolutely love Utah and all the variety it has to offer. Happy Pioneers Day to all of you.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Dads Back Surgery

So this morning at 7:00am my dad (a.k.a. Superman) went in for a major back surgery. The surgery took longer due to the fact there was more damage then the MRI showed. However he came out of it like a real pro. They wheeled him back to his room at 2:00pm and when we left his room at 8:15pm he was still roarin. The surgery didn't even slow him down. He was on morphine for the pain and he was talking up a storm. I can't tell you how relieved I was to hear he was doing good. I just don't know what I would do without him he is my hero. I look up to my dad so much. He is one of a kind alway willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needs it. Dad you amaze me, thank you for all you have taught me and helped me learn. Keep it up, like you said our dance has just begun.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Flaming Gorge Vacation

Oh how we have come to really treasure our annual Flaming Gorge Vacation. This year we started out with a little bit of trailer brake problems. But once we got that all fixed then we had nothing to worry about (especially since Troy was able to pull the boat with his friend Clints awesome Diesel Truck.
However the moment we pulled into Manilla, UT where we stayed at the Steinaker hotel I knew we were in for a long night. The spiders came free and there was barely enough floor room to fit our 6 kids. It was by far the worse hotel any of us have ever stayed in. We should have expected it when the room was only $55. Lets just say there were no tears when we pulled out of that place.Then we were on our way to Mustang Ridge Campground right on the Sunny Cove Shore of "The Gorge". It only took us 3 hours of hard laborus work to set up camp. But once it was up we had lunch and hit the lake for a good tour of the "GORGOUS GORGE". Last year we didn't tour it like we did this year. We had a great time going down all the coves and enjoying the beautiful scenery. The next day we decided since the weather was cooperating that we should seize the moment and enjoy a white water rafting trip down the Green River. The girls were a little nervous, but were real troopers and everyone was sad to see the 4 hour rafting trip come to an end.The boys brought their fishing poles and tried a little something something. But found that the kids and the rafting was more entertaining. So they put their poles away and enjoyed the ride.So If you have never rafted a river you are surely missing out. This is one of my favorite things to do. I was quite disappointed with myself when I jumped in the river to get cooled off and hit my knee on a rock really hard. Wouldn't you know it I pick the one second we floated over a huge rock the only huge rock in that stretch. But it hit so hard I wasn't able to do any wakeboarding the whole trip.Ya you can say I was really disappointed especially the next day when we took a day of boating. The boys all had some really great rides, did you know that when you hit the wake at the Gorge it is alot more powerful than Utah Lake. Well that is what we believe.
Bowdee rode like a mad man, he cruised all the way back to the harbor that night it was like a 8 minute ride. He is getting so confident on his board. It won't be long before he is landing some jumps.Really the boys could tell a huge difference in their jumps. Anyway it was a long hard day for me just to watch and not be out there with them. But I made it through and the next day we drove up sunny cove and enjoyed alittle spear fishing and snorkeling. Troy hit a nice bass and Terrys got away. Bowdee and Treg even netted some guppies and Matia loved watching over them. We pumped up the trampoline and tube and just let the kids swim their little hearts out. Then of course we finished the day off with another great wakeboarding session. The last day we were all so tired from all the fun we had that we just parked our boat on a sandy beach and let the kids build hot tubs and we snorkeled some more. The weather was great the whole time we were there. Even though I packed enough cold gear for a 5 day Thunderstorm we didn't have to even use our hoodies. So I guess you can say we lucked out. We even were able to pack up dry tents to avoid later hassels. Yep we even had a few moments to just sit back in the hammock and enjoy everything and nothing at the same time. I have to say the only downfall of this trip was falling to sleep listening to the camp next to us cuss their way through some filthy campfire stories. Man some people can be so inconsiderate. Thank you Troy for bringing your darling girls and having such a good time with us. We hope you will do it again with us next year. We are ready to make the reservations.