The Fun of Fall

This October, my brother Brad turned 50!!  His lovely wife, Angelique invited everyone to join in and celebrate his birth in DISNEYWORLD!  

It was a miraculous feat-but all 6 siblings and our parents were able to join Brad's family in sunny and humid Florida to party.  

We ate Disney inspired treats, walked till sweat was dripping everywhere,  watched shows, and worked those fast passes. 

One of my favorite rides is Expedition Everest.  One morning, we got up for magic hours and Blake and I rode it time and time again-7 times to be exact, each time in a different seat.  We didn't even get sick, he would disagree, but I think I wore him out! Ha!

We got to try the new Star Wars ride-mixed reviews, I think the next one they open will be magical. 

We hit all the 'mountains,' and watched great firework shows.  We got to try out the new Skycoaster that transports people from park to park.  Luckily we were there the week we were, because the week later there was a secret conspiracy hidden accident.  Nice cover up Disney, nice cover up.

 We all loved the Avatar ride and made sure to get fast passes for that. Even people who wear parkas over their heads (grandma) enjoyed the adrenaline rushes!

 So many fun things to explore! We laughed and rode and sweat and walked and ate and sweat some more.  Did I mention how hot it was??!!

While Brad was the reason for the trip, my dad may have been the star of the show.  

Previous to this trip, Disney had in fact been declared as the antithesis of 'the happiest place on Earth' for him (and Dave, but I didn't need to worry about Dave because he wasn't with us!).

But, this Disney go around, Scott Petrick joined in the party like he was Walt's best buddy.  

He synchronized his 'wahoo' shouts with me on roller coasters, rode every ride, never once had a stroller incident where he lost it at a parent for rolling over his toes...he even was chosen as THAT GUY for the Monsters Inc laugh floor.  I called it to Blake-I told him Dad would be chosen.  When your hair is that slick and you are wearing a salmon colored shirt, how could they not choose you??The rest of the day we had to greet his fans as they recognized him through the park. 

His uncanny ability to fall asleep in random places was in amazing form during this trip.  There was our lunch while waiting for our French pastries...

I actually don't blame him for that.  It was sweltering and we came into nice air conditioning, it was like a soothing moment for us all.  It was much better than when he just called it and laid down in the middle of the walkway of Epcot. 

There was the moment he found respite while the rest of us were trying to escape dinosaurs on our Safari,

 There was the moment below, where he was on hard cement snoozing as he awaited fireworks.   While those all seem crazy, none of them could reach the time we noticed he was missing from the back of the line of Toy Story Mania.  A big group of us was inching up as lines do and then we noticed a big gap behind us-there were no other guests waiting for the ride.  Also missing-Scott himself.  He apparently had fallen asleep while standing in line. The people behind him didn't know what to do...should they wake him, or move around him?  We helped out with the awkward moment and gathered our father and bonded with strangers over the hilarious moment.

I am glad Brad got old so that we could have this trip that probably won't ever happen again, and we could put Dad's talents to the test. He passed with flying colors.  

When I got home, Brenna was able to show of some of her talents in the production of FROZEN.  Her dance schedule doesn't usually permit her to have time to do that, so we were happy she could! 

She was dazzling as a member of the Snow Chorus. 

We had a week long fall break this year, so you bet we were going to put Brenna's National Park pass to use! We hit the road and explored Zions. 

There were some breathtaking hikes and views. 

After one day of hiking, Dave decided we needed to eat some really good food, so why not drive for hours to go to Vegas! Ha!  We went to the Wynn for The Buffet and the kids loved it.  We hustled back in the car so we could get to Kannarraville Falls for a slot canyon river hike.  

The water was COLD and one certain gentleman squealed like a small child when his feet got wet.  I told him I was married to a grandma after being tired of his screams and moans and he manned up!  Poor Harrison, though, caught a glimpse of the slot canyon, and yelled, "No, lets not go in there, I DON'T TRUST IT."

With much coaxing and many rides on his older brother's back, we got him inside the canyon to face the waterfall and treacherous ladder. 

He did it though!!! and we all ended up loving it.  We will have to retry that hike when people are mentally prepared.  Haha!  

Such a day like that called for some rest and relaxation and time by the pool.

We had some face masks, soothing music and wrapped up the day, until my toe met the door of the Marriott bathroom...

Everyone was getting ready for bed and my toe went under the bathroom door.  When I opened it, the door snagged my toe and ripped my toenail nearly completely off.  I started freaking out and loudly saying, "oh no, oh no, oh no," which caused the people to run into the bathroom.  I was bleeding a lot and Dave grabbed a towel in time for me to wrap it and pass out.   It hurt like the dickens and since I lost consciousness, Dave thought it best to do a little ER visit.  I am not sure I would highly recommend that emergency room as the doctor took a look at my bleeding mess and shivered declaring that 'feet are so gross!'  Thanks doc for making me feel better.  The nurse was interesting as well.  He just camped out and told us about other patients he had, asked me who I wanted to do the 3 shots I'd have in my toes/feet-him or the doctor?  It was a little wacko.  I hobbled out with no stitches, just a wrapped up foot trying to hold the toe on by the littlest thread. 

Due to toe injury and the freezing temperatures, Dave got to be the designated trick or treater with the kiddos.  They had a fun time at school with parties and a parade first.  Here was our little sassy skeleton...

and kindergarten size Mario.  He  did some great authentic jumps and Italian accent as he introduced himself.  It was very entertaining.  

Grant "dressed up" as Waldo.  I thought it was a cool enough costume for a rad dude such as Grant 

and Katelee was a cuddly Care Bear. 

The older kids watched scary movies with friends-because they know I don't do that, ok also because they don't want to hang out with me on Halloween, which is totally weird to me. 

September Stuff

September started and yay schedules are in full swing! We've got swimming and dancing and theatre and music lessons and baseball and church activities and homework!  We always look forward to September for time up at Snowbird.  This year we did not have Labor Day (it will be our week next year-yes!)  But, we did get to spend sometime with friends who moved out of our neighborhood just across the way.  They invited a few families from our street to help break in their new pool! 

It was a fun way to spend the holiday and then we could spend the end of the week kicking of Snowbird!  

The kids got to miss a day of school to spend time with the fam and they got to go up on an afternoon with friends to swim and hang out.  We had a great time, as always.  Harrison and I went on a little hike and I took a day to myself up there hiking all over the mountain.  There were so many trails I had never been on.  I'm excited to explore more! We live in such a gorgeous place and are lucky to have these views so close.

We used our beautiful mountains as the backdrop to our family pictures this year.  Family photo shoot day is always an interesting one! Brenna requested many solo photographs, she asked that we all do a serious face one.  When we got the pictures back, we noticed we were all reflective looking in the distance, with the exception of Brenna who is pulling a scrunched up, double chin tongue out face.  Oh that little darling.  The photographer got a kick out of her for sure.  

Harrison made it through the first 15 minutes pretty happily and then he came to me with terrible news-that he was starving.  I should have planned of that, but I thought he could last and I had bribed all the kiddos with fast food if they cooperated.  

The poor fellow held it together for as long as he could and then he ended up a heap on the dirt that we had to keep propping up.  Ah well...such good family pic memories every time.  We had to hurry and get pictures before Dave gets his braces!  

We cleaned up as best we could, smiled, looked like we were happy despite the pain and annoyances of siblings.  We hair sprayed and cleared our noses.  When I had a little boogie on my nose, Harrison asked me to if he could have it.  Of course, I was a little confused and grossed out.  I wanted to make sure I heard him correctly and he said, "your booger, can I have it?" I repeated his answer-he wanted my booger?  To which he responded, "Yes, I love them.  I will keep it in my room.  I love boogers."  Well, I have had a child that wiped a good booger mural across the wall near their bed, a child that was a connoisseur of fine booger flavor and now I have a collector of the mucus.  To each their own, I suppose.  Ew.

We are just sorting through the images and deciding what to keep.  We even got Harrison to wear his pants the right way.  Every Sunday he has been trying to get out the door with his pants on backwards.  I can't imagine that is comfortable.  

Grant got another chance to get fanciful this month.  Our neighbors are from Bolivia and their lovely daughter had her 15th birthday recently.  So, a Quincenara was planned and Grant got to be part of the program.  He had been working hard on his dancing skills-the waltz and bachata to be precise.  

It was so much fun to watch!!  I felt like I was prematurely getting him going for prom though, so that was the only set back!  

What a party! 

 We ate, watched a touching program, cheered on the dancers and we cut a rug like you wouldn't believe.  Harrison was break dancing all over that gym floor.  It was a sight to behold.  

We loved that our friend from Scotland got in his formal attire.  

It was a multicultural night for sure and one we absolutely loved!

Harrison has been adjusting so well to kindergarten.  He was a little lonely at first, but now he totally has it down.  I am actually finding the time goes by too quickly that I am on my own.  So, maybe next year won't be so bad after all!

I love that I am available to be involved with school.  Here he is with his friend Kate on their first field trip.  Evidence that Harrison has older siblings-flashing signs like that in a picture.  Oh geez. 

Cute kids had a great time at the farm and it was fun to be with another class so Harrison could hang out with his friend Jack too! 

We are loving this fall weather and look forward to lots of fun times ahead!

A Season Ends and a New One Begins

Summer break has been completed-Hallelujah!  I was ready for the heat to subside and for kids to get back in a routine at school.  We run better on structured days...particularly ones where I am not the only one overseeing the schedule of events each hour.  While I was happy to wrap up that season, a new season of life has begun for me-all kids in school.  While kindergarten is just a pre-test to see how I will handle full school days without a child at home, it is the intro to a new chapter...and we are all adjusting.  Before that leap happened, this is how we spent the end of summer 2019...

Dave qualified for his 10th President's Club!!!!  Such a huge deal!  We celebrated in the Bahamas this time. 

Not only has he been at the company for more years than most people last in one place of employment, but he has really excelled.  The last fiscal was his best one yet.  He was honored on stage for making it 10 times.  This is everyone else in his office that was there with their guests/spouses.

We have both felt stressed out over the past while so our intention was to stop in Atlanta and meet up with Curt and Anna for dinner (which was so fun) and then to go to the Caribbean island and do nothing!

  Dave couldn't quite keep with the plan, he lasted for a day or so just vegging, but he had to be on the move a bit more.  

We jumped on an activity for a culinary class where we discovered the shocking horror of what lives inside these beauties...

a slimy sea snail doesn't even describe how nasty these creatures are hiding.  But, we ate them and they tasted great! Ha!  We learned how to do authentic dumplings, sushi, macarons, etc it was so fun!

It was somewhere we had never been and we especially appreciated the massages-highlights for sure.  Our kids were SO lucky to get to go camping while we were away.  Grandma stayed for a couple of nights and then Shannon whisked them away to the canyon, well...mostly.  Grant opted out one night and Katelee had to start a summer math course one day.  Anyway, they mostly had a trip while we were gone too. They always want to go camping each summer and well...Dave and I do not!  haha.  But, Shannon is the best and took them, we would be fine if that would be a yearly tradition while we are gone!!!

We wrapped up summer with last minute shopping, movies, volunteering at This is the Place (which is a name Grant says I can not mention ever again...but Harrison is already asking when he can be a pioneer again!) and a day at Lagoon. The kids love Lagoon with all their hearts so it was fun to join up with Shannon and Paige and Porter.  We made Harrison ride everything he was tall enough for and he generally was a star.  Perhaps we pushed it too far when this kid had to ride Wicked.  He screamed "I'M SO SCARED" as we shot up the first hill.  He survived and exited the coaster saying, 'That was a nightmare-it hurt my body so bad but I didn't want to say a bad word.  I thought I was going to, but I didn't.  That was so fast, like cheeks flapping.'  We are so thrilled he was a good trooper, kept his 'bad words' to himself and we will make sure he experiences the nightmare another year!  haha!

Katelee was the first to start school with an orientation day for 7th grade-she is a big middle schooler now!  

She and Grant get to go to school together this year! Hooray!  They even have a class together because they are both going to be part of the Science Olympiad Club, so they get to prep for that in a TA class. 

This little dear is a FRESHMAN in 9th grade! 

He has so far tried to break into Katelee's locker, has successfully zip tied her backpack shut through 2 class periods and kept her on her toes.

Brenna is in 4th grade and has Mrs Saunders.  That is the teacher she had been crossing her fingers for so when she found out she literally squealed and clapped.  I think it will be a great year.  

Before Harrison started his first day, he got to have his 6th Birthday!!!  We had been anticipating the day for months...asking Siri how many days until August 23rd.  Finally, it arrived.  There was no question what the theme for his celebrations would be-baseball.  He still loves loves loves MLB and has started on a team.  He has picked two teams to cheer for-the Pirates and the Angels. 

 I am not sure about the Pirates, but he picked the Angels partly because we found a t-shirt at the DI and he says he will cheer for them because they are like God and because they make him feel good.  So there you go. 

We ate pizza and opened presents with grandma.  He got a new bat and Pirates hat, hence the action shots.  We had to keep dodging the metal weapon, no one was hurt in the filming.  Ha!  Grandma's gift was a big success and has already been put to great use.  

As other sports seasons are approaching, we suggested perhaps requesting a basketball or football gift.  Last year's Christmas was all football, so I asked Harrison if maybe a NBA jersey would be fun.  I regret that question and will for my whole life.  He said he wanted a James Harden jersey.  After going back and forth, even me telling him ANYONE but James Harden, Dave convinced me to make the kid's day and go for it... 

Bleh...but he was pretty happy...

I will just keep eye contact the whole time he wears it!  He desperately wanted a Costco cake (then he didn't really like it, oh well)  It looked cool!  it said Happy Birthday Harrison...different than the original "Happy Home Run Day Harrison" that he thought it should say.  I should have gone for that.  I had told the girls we could go to a movie in the park for his birthday after cake if he wanted, but he opted to stay home and play.  It was a bit of a fiasco with the other peeps, but we had to be ready for his friend party at the park the next day.  

Oh my, that was something.  We had been scoping out the park, knew he wanted to put on a game of baseball for his festivities and I thought maybe we could keep their attention for half of it and then let them play on the playground.  Well, someone reserved it and the diamond wasn't close to the slide, so we had a couple rounds of pitching

which included a nervous breakdown from Harrison when we tried to switch sides to avoid being blinded by the sun and a real punching fight between some of the party guests.  I missed out on that cuz I was trying to calm Harry down.  Katelee and her friend told me about it.  I tried to divert attention and hurt feelings with Popsicles and cupcakes

but Katelee's friend had already gone home and told one of the boys' moms he was getting punched, so she rushed over and then a couple more moms came early to make sure we weren't engaged in a full out brawl.  Oh sweet boys...

We had Sam, Paxton, Jack, Maddax, Tyler, Emmett, Austin, Harrison, Cash and Luke.  They ended up with their shirts off and running through the water-

we should have just done that in the first place, but Harrison would not be dissuaded from the baseball birthday of his dreams.  It may be one of my nightmares and I have a little anxiety just typing about it!  haha!  Family party next year, please.  

And now for the day I had been dreading for about 6 years...sending my baby to kindergarten.  

Harrison was assigned afternoon kindergarten so we have all morning to get hang out, run errands and play.  It is glorious.  The first day of school, Harry told me to turn on some music to "pump him up".  He had specific songs he needed-apparently those were Ice Ice Baby and the theme from Rocky.  Who knew?  But, they did their job cuz he was ready! 

He will be riding the bus everyday, but of course, on the first day I wanted to take him.  We arrived and let the kids play outside before the bell rang.  I had on my dark sunglasses to hide the tears welling up in my eyes.  Mrs Chandler invited parents to come in and get their kids settled-following directions on where to hang backpacks, put folders, find their seat etc.  It really was nice to be there and see the routine.  

I hovered too long while he was working on his first paper

and he finally turned and told me I could go.  So, I had to document that I wasn't a balling mess. 

And so he survived...and I survived, just like I did with my other 3.  The two and a half hours flew by and have ever since.  I was pulled together for day one, but I will admit when I walked him to the bust stop on day 2, I watched him step up into the vehicle and I lost it.  He is my little guy, my bud, my partner. Good thing it is just half day!  

 It made me think back on when I started kindergarten drop offs with Grant and I gave him a penny to hold and rub in case he got scared.  I followed that bus with Grant on it and I felt a piece of me go into that school.  I guess each day, each year since then has been spreading me out-sending pieces of me with each child.  They may not know I am there with them, but I am, no matter if a coin can prove it.  Grant and I walked with a neighbor who is suffering with dementia and she just hugged him talking about he was her special primary boy.  It goes by fast.  Kindergarten to 9th grade...baby to teenager...adult to senior.  I just hope those pieces of me that I am sending with my loved ones can build up inside them and they will always know they are loved.