Back to Reality

Right after we returned from Hawaii, it was time to wrap up summer.  The night before Grant started school we went to the shaved ice cart nearby.  All the kids ordered-they chose their flavor, told the workers their names, and spelled them out so it could be written on the cup.  Brenna passed on her request to the shaved ice professional and Harrison confidently ordered a "green with apple" snow cone, told them his name was Harrison and proceeded to spell his name "D-E-E-I-O-U"  The employee responded politely with, "makes sense." And, as we all laughed, we realized Harrison was not ready for school as opposed to these cute people:

Grant started 6th grade and is AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL.  Yes, I cried, because this is my reality-I have a tweener.  He is becoming a mini man and loves junior high.  I hope the terrible teen world better treat this boy well!

After much serious consideration and heavenly consultation, we decided to switch schools for the girls.  Grant will be moving to the regular district junior high next school year, but for various reasons, the charter school wasn't feeling like the right place for the little ladies.  So, they bravely began a new school this year as well.  

Katelee started 4th grade at Rose Creek Elementary and Brenna is in 1st.  

I watched them board the big yellow cheese wagon (yay-they ride the bus!) and my heart dropped a little, but I was and am confident they are in the right place.  So, bring on new adventures and no dress code!  Whether that is a good thing or bad is debatable!!!

Every year I think about how I hope the teachers, kids, pretty much the world realizes what special people my littles are!  Harrison began a prayer the other night with, "Dear Heavenly Father, it's me, Harrison..."  while so stinking cute, it made me think how great it is that He knows us and He knows my kiddos.  No matter what happens at school or work or wherever, I hope my children feel their parents love-here and heaven!

The first day of school was Mr. Harrison's birthday!  The big number 3. 

Harrison is quite the fella.  He seems to be our biggest baby at his age-he is hanging on to tantrums like they are a necessity to his existence.  He spends many nights buckled into his car seat until he calms down and will go to bed.  He is a screamer and constantly crying.  But, the truth of the matter is everyone adores him...could be part of the problem.  We love him to pieces (but still look forward to the tantrums to pass!).  His catch phrase is "What the freak?"  

We waited for the kids to come back and took them to Jungle Jim's for high class rides and fun.  

Bumper cars was the ride of choice.  They rode it over and over.  Katelee was hilarious.  She hardly did anything else.  She would finish up a round, get back in her car and close her eyes for the entire duration.  She just let the bumps and crashes steer her.  

Grandma met us there for the last little bit and braved the fast spinning ride, which is no joke.  We finished up at home with pizza and cake (Harrison is OBSESSED with Captain America.  He wears the costume daily, he acts out the fight scenes, he owns multiple shields and has even forced me to make up a jingle that we sing all the time).  So, we had a Captain America shield for a cake.  

Of course, ice cream was involved, as well!

We were banking on a successful Captain America party, but he was just as happy with his Batman gifts.  He actually refused to do anything Captain America for most of the night, ah well.  He was back to being Cap the next day.  

Katelee and Brenna were so cute making homemade gifts for their favorite little brother.  Brenna constructed a base for his action figures out of a box and Katelee spent loads of time on this life size Captain America doll, out of cereal and ziploc bag boxes.  It was adorable.  

So, the kids are back being busy with school and homework and dance,activity days, scouts, merit badge clinics, flag football, soccer, play practise and friends.  Harrison found the beginning of school to be an opportune time to refuse naps.  Lovely.  So, he spends much of his time being bored and watching more tv than his siblings did at his age.  I have tried to do some fun activities with him...

We went to the farm with his friend Maya and her mom.  He rode the horse Luna and keeps talking about her.  He attempted to feed the horses, but as they got close to licking his palms, he would chuck the oats at their faces and run.  Sounds about right.  

Another friend took us to the zoo, where he got to ride the train

and carousel, see animals and climb/ inappropriately touch the statues...

Oh dear...

Of course, the kids think it is unfair, despite my assurances that we did excursions like that when they were little too, but that's not reality to them.  

So, we are back in the routine.  Luckily Labor Day was just after school began and the kids got to take a couple of days and spend it at Snowbird.

We look forward to going to the condo all year.  It was beautiful as ever and amazing how refreshing just 20 minutes up the canyon can feel.  

So many days I sit back and wonder where the day went, and then continue on to where did the year go?  or the decade?  My reality is no longer having babies or being pregnant.  This is my reality:daily frustrations at dinner because what I make is disgusting apparently.  We started discovering carrots lining the floor in the bathroom or the basket on top of the potty where the wipes are.  Now, there is an inspection of hands and mouth before someone is excused from the table to the restroom.  The other night, Katelee needed to use the facilities but we were not sure there wasn't some wad of dinner in her cheek ready to be spit out, so we had her open her mouth.  After she was cleared to leave, Brenna said, "Check her bum, that's where I hide my food."  Lovely.  OR how about the real life experience of being in a worship service at church in front of the perfect family, reading inspirational stories together, the children quietly paying attention and ours are fighting over emoji stickers I got at Walmart.  I found myself saying, "There is poo for everyone." "Give your sister back the poop."  "Share the poo."  We totally had a spiritual experience that Sunday-HA!!

We are learning to serve and share and put others first, or at least compromise, the beautiful lessons of being in a family and community!  The other day we were watching a friend's little girl who is the same age as Harrison.  Harry had first pick of what they played...

Sarah got the next round....

While it wasn't what Harrison's typical reality is, he seemed pretty content with the alternate one!  Ha!

Aloha

Dave qualified for his work's President's Club this year-props to him!!  So, we got to go on a Hawaiian vacation.  In flew Dave's parents to attend to the little people who reside here and we were off.  It was a little stressful leaving because our air conditioner stopped working the day before and we did not want to leave with everyone melting.  Luckily, we got it fixed.  I didn't even want to tell my mom the a/c turned off, she wouldn't have come over for her 2 night shift! 

We went a day early to the Big Island of Hawaii.  We got there in time to stop by the Kona LDS Temple

 and eat dinner watching the sunset.   We went on this same ADP trip to the Big Island 8 years ago.  In 2008, we also stopped by the Kona temple.  But, I have to say, we are not looking like the spring chickens we did in the picture from years before.  Despite how unreal it seems, we are indeed aging.  Good thing we still know how to have fun!  

The next morning, Dave had arranged for me to get a massage and pedicure at the fanciful Four Seasons.  It was lovely.  However, for pretty much the entire month of July I was sick.  I believe I had walking pneumonia.  I was barely feeling up to anything right before we left.  Hawaii was going to be just the place to get the rest I needed!  Well, lying face down with congestion pooling in your nasal cavity is not a stellar idea.  I spent the first half of my massage trying keep the boogers from dripping right out of my nose on to the floor...yea, a couple escaped.  My masseur, Nicky, the man also thought my body needed a unique experience that involved stretching past the point of no return.  It was very sweet of Dave to pamper me.  He is awesome!

We checked into the ADP hotel after we wrapped my spa experiences.  They had arrangements at the same hotel we stayed at on the Big Island before.  It's a huge resort with a tram or boats to take you to your wing.  The first night was the opening party...pina coladas, food, fire dancers, hula dancers all sorts of island fun. We met up with Dave's coworkers and enjoyed the event.  

The next morning, Dave did the ADP 5k fun run.

He got 4th place...I think (in the old man division!).  Sam, his coworker got second over all.  I met him after his run and we had breakfast, followed by horseback riding.  The Big Island has extreme climates-where we stayed was always hot, dry and on black volcanic rock.  The ranch, only 45 min away, is green, on rolling hills and continuously foggy and misty.  It was a nice change.  My horse was somewhat of a horse brat and whenever I 'asked' it to go a certain way, she would stop.  Every time.  Naughty Bella.  

We made it back to our hotel in time to change for our night snorkel with Manta Rays.  That was pretty much a life bucket list experience.  So amazing.  We held on to a floaty that had bright lights attached below that shone into the water.  The lights would attract plankton, which in turn attracted manta rays.  We saw one or two and were in awe at their size-8 to 10 feet span.  Mid way into our snorkel, there were 4 or 5 just flipping around and skimming right along our bellies.  You would be watching one and another would surprise you and be right up along your face.  It was phenomenal.  

The next day we had a zodiac ride to a snorkeling spot.  It was super fun.  Our ride back took us through some lava caves.  As you can tell, our snorkel masks may have been a bit too snug!

Awards banquet was next.  Salt Lake was region of the year so all the office that qualified got to be recognized on stage.  That was neat for Dave.  

They had a hoppin party after with band, we were dancing, 

filming a slow mo video and getting glamified at the "Glamour Bar."  I felt like I was in the Capital from the Hunger Games!

Our last ADP day we ventured out in a rental car to an overlook 

with a hike to a black sand beach.  

 This section was really rocky, but there was a good stretch of soft black sand.  We brought some home in a bottle for the kids.  It made TSA suspicious at each airport.  I promise it was just black sand.  

ADP knows how to do a trip right! We were pretty worn out and excited to extend to Kauai for a couple of days and just chill.  Our first day we spent driving the island.  We did hike to Queen's Bath.  

We should have got in the water, but it was pretty rough.  I thought those boys were going to be slammed against the rocks or swept out to sea!

Kauai we focused on getting some recommended cuisine.  We ate at Verde, Puka Dog, the famous ice cream place I know can't recall the name of, Uncle's Shaved ice and Duke's.  Obvioulsy, food is a very important part of our vacations!

We shopped and spent some relaxing time at the beach.  

Our hotel was right at Poipu Beach.  

Saturday night we went on a dinner cruise up the Napali Coast.  That is breathtaking.  I don't take great photos anyway, but even a great photographer couldn't do it justice.  

There were lots of spinner dolphins out jumping around, putting on a show.  

 The coast was incredible, the setting oh so dreamy, so it was Dave's favorite part of Hawaii.  He is such a romantic! 

 Sunday we went to church, and it was great as always.  Visiting wards while we are on vacation is one of my favorite parts of travel.  It gives me perspective on the universality of the gospel, of God's love for all his children, how we are all connected, the endurance of truth across lands and the ultimate joy the gospel is.  Plus we got to sing that Aloha Oi song at the end...so, pretty great Sabbath.  We finished our time driving to Waimea, the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.  

It was a stormy, cloudy day so we had a very brief view!  But it was pretty cool. I told Dave I was not ready to come home, but boy did I wish I hadn't said that.  Delta airlines had a computer system shut down just as we were trying to leave Honolulu.  We had connected from Kauai to Oahu ok, but as we were on the tarmac to come to SL, we sat for a couple hours on the plane, then more hours in the airport, only to find out world wide Delta was down.  We were given vouchers for a hotel, taxis and we were stranded for a day in Oahu.  If we hadn't been up all night and then had to take a red eye the following night, maybe it would have been cool to have extra Hawaii time.  But, then we barely made it home, had another delay in LA, saw people screaming and melting down in the airport.  We were so grateful when we made it back.  Hawaii is fabulous but nothing beats home sweet home.    

Hopping in the Heat

Many parents worry how everyone will cope with summer vacation-it just seems so long. But, the fact of the matter is, it flies by every year.  We are getting the back to school emails, and running around this way and that with activities, there have been very few boring times around these parts! 

Right after we returned from Yellowstone, Katelee and I got to see Newsies!  Paige and my mom joined us and it was pretty much the greatest thing ever! 

Katelee played on a volleyball team for the first time, and apparently has fallen in love with that.  So, for now, she is quitting diving and moving on to team sports.  No pictures of her grass volleyball team-but I will take some in the fall.  We arranged to have a cousin swap this summer-our girls would stay down in Arizona with their cousin Karly and we would have her brother, Max, here to hang out with Grant. The kids were so excited to do this, and I dare say it lived up to their dreams-except Max got sick and ended up in the Instacare with strep throat.  Before the strep hit, we did do some fun things.  They went to Seven Peaks and got burned to a crisp, we went to Snowbird, to the Salt Lake Arts Festival-

where we channeled our inner artists,

did crafts, and partied!

Dave took Grant and Max to the air show at the air force base that is 45 min away from us.  The traffic was so crazy, they were in the car for 3 1/2 hrs before they parked, but they said it was awesome.  

The girls tried to not melt on the surface of the sun aka Arizona.  They were in heaven with Karly having a pool in backyard.  It was a full week of swim, swim, swim.  

We have had some water time at home this summer, as well.  Brenna did swimming lessons, we just went to Cowabunga Bay last night.

We've hit the splash park, and our community pool with the fun aquaballs...

When we went a couple of weeks ago, we were driving home and Brenna turned to Grant's friend and said, "My dad is so strong, he is not squishy at all."  Then, she went on to say, "My sister is a little more squishy than me, but my mom she is the QUEEN of squishy." Bwahaha!  Guess mom in a swimsuit is pretty much the queen of squishy on display!  Dad, on the other hand, is holding up nicely as you can see from his birthday pic from last month...

Right after Dave's was the 4th of July.  Our silly city decided to do fireworks on the Saturday before the holiday-bug.  But, we got an extra day to celebrate, I guess.  We had a festive meal and then went to the park for the firework display.  Once the terrible band finished, we had a great time.  It's so fun to go with little kids and see their reactions.  Harrison was hilarious.  

He kept yelling, "DANG!"  "Oh my gosh!" The actual 4th of July, we went to our street's annual pancake breakfast, where Dave busted out his signature dance moves.  

We went to dinner at Amy's 

and made it back to our neighborhood for quite the street displays.  People went all out.  Way to celebrate America! 

The kids have been busy playing-night games are a regular occurrence and a summer necessity.  Grant has been volunteering at the special needs school a couple of the weeks and really enjoyed that.  Katelee had a week long theatre camp at Hale Center Theatre and once the tears stopped about the early wake up calls, she was in heaven.  

We've gone to movies and museums.  We love the children's museum downtown.  We spent nearly 4 hours there.  Harry was obsessed with the helicopter.  I can't blame him.  It's spiffy.  He is all about superheroes these days.  Although, Star Wars still has a small piece of his heart, as he displays his choke hold on a regular basis.  He uses the force to choke us and when we do it in return, he grabs his neck, struggles for air and falls over dead.  It is so funny.  

Other yearly events we always look forward to are the community health fair with the best face painting in town...

and the 24th of July float preview party.  We got to go with Grandma, Grandpa, Paige, Jason, Caleb and Grace.  

Grant has had a couple of camp outs and he got to go on a date with Dave to the shooting range.  I dare say it was the best day of his life.  

The boys got out of the house while the girls celebrated Paige and baby boy Sohm who will be here in less than 2 months! 

Shannon did a spectacular job with the decorating and the wild animal/jungle theme.  We had a lot of fun putting it together. 

Katelee won the baby food tasting game, not too shocking when one of the other players (Emmalee) guesses banana cucumber as a flavor! 

 We all are anxiously anticipating this baby's arrival-even Harrison talks about asking Paige to hold her baby.  Brenna just jolts Paige's stomach, so that will be nice when she doesn't assault a pregnant person anymore.  

Last weekend, Dave and I went to the Piano Guys with Amy, Mark and Lauren.  It was phenomenal!   

Memories in the making going on over here!  I sometimes reflect as my kids are all gathered outside, barefoot, riding carelessly (and dangerously) around the hood and I think of how they will remember their childhood.  How they will look back at their summers and activities.  I know I am living the days I will miss.  I can feel (even with the tantrums and lack of sleep and sunburns and arguing and sleep deprivation from late nights) that these are the  best days.  Hopefully I still feel that way in about 4 weeks when summer is officially over!