The Rivers Run Through It: August 2010

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Heading to the Beach!!

As soon as the boys got back from Trek and the little kids came back from Idaho, we loaded up the trailer and headed to one of our favorite vacation spots.... San Clemente Beach.

Okay, so we were just a tad bit overloaded, but when some friends ended up not coming, we just couldn't justify bringing another car for two people. The kids in the "way" back were loving the comfort of sprawling out and relaxing. (No flat tires.. No flat tires...)

Our first stop was Cedar City to visit Sarah. We got to meet her boyfriend Jason. The kids loved eating out at a "real" restaurant!

Sarah and Jason

Loaded down and headed to Mesquite for the night. (No flat tires...... )

So our wish did not come true. We got up super early in Mesquite and headed out hoping to beat the desert heat. It wasn't meant to be. 15 minutes out of Mesquite, the trailer had two flat tires!!! I was ready to unhook the trailer and head home, but Rod was very patient and sat on the side of the Interstate while the kids and I drove back and forth to Walmart to get two new tires. Unfortunately, the whole ordeal took about 3 hours. It ruined our chances of getting across the desert early.

Although it was a long time to hang out in Walmart, we found a few ways to kill the time.

WE Shopped....

We had noodle fights....

We rode bikes....

round and round...

until someone told us to knock it off!! :(

Although I still haven't decided which job I would have rather had, hanging out for two hours in Walmart with six kids or sitting on the side of the road in 90+ degrees, I am glad it ended up okay. Although it wore us all out, Parker and Jayden were the lucky ones. Well, maybe we all were because we had a few hours of peace and quiet!!!

Our trip home was without incident. We are so grateful for all those who prayed for us all day long.

Trek 2010

Connor and Wesley had the chance to go on a pioneer trek with the youth from our church. It was a great opportunity to go and learn about what the pioneers had to sacrifice to establish our religion. I think they had a great time and learned so much. I admire all the leaders who went and worked so hard to make this a memorable experience.

All decked out in their pioneer clothes. This picture was taken at 4 am! Amazing that they would even smile.

Home at last!! 5 hours on a school bus sounds absolutely miserable!!!

Wet and tired! Each had a great attitude.

This little guy was waiting on his Dad to get home. He looked so adorable!

Parker and Jayden weren't all dressed up, but they were excited to see the boys.

Connor was on one of the last buses in, he was in good spirits though. I am so glad that they had this opportunity.

Sun Valley, Idaho

About a month ago, Rod and I had the opportunity to go to Sun Valley for a Bar Convention. Rod's business partner was being sworn in as President of the Bar and we wanted to support him, plus a get-away sounded awesome!! So we loaded up the little kids and headed to Idaho.

A Big Big thank you to my wonderful parents for keeping the kids for a whole week! It was great to not have to worry about them at all. I was also glad that they were able to spend a little more time with Jayden.

I didn't take my camera to many places, but decided to bring it along to the Brian Reagan show. I wanted to take a picture of him so the boys would be really jealous!! :o) They wouldn't even let me bring it in the arena, but I did snap a picture right before we went in.

We stayed in the Sun Valley Lodge. It was very nice and comfortable.

We were able to go on a bike ride one afternoon. Too bad I was so out of shape I couldn't even enjoy it! I don't think it helped that the temperatures were in the upper 80's.

We biked down to Haley and had lunch. It was nice to hang out with everyone in a non-work setting.

Sun Valley is a beautiful place. Rod thinks we should move there, but I think I might get a little claustrophoic!! I don't know, maybe I could adjust....?

The Dog Days of Summer!

So one night this summer, we were having a family meeting with Sherri and the girls. We were all sitting in our family room when we heard the front door slowly open. I really didn't think much of it. Connor had some friends stop by earlier, so I just figured that they were still here. I guess that wasn't so... The girls were concerned and went to the front to check it out. They found a big huge dog lying in my front room!! Crazy, huh?

The dog was so fat, Lauren and Danielle thought she was pregnant. We could not get her to move. I mean she wouldn't even budge! We called the number on the tag and the dogs' owner said that she was not pregnant, just fat!!

Lauren used all her strength and finally got the dog to stand up and we encouraged her out of the house.

Danielle tried to get both dogs just to head home, but they would have none of that!

The owner was out of town, so she sent her dog-sitter to pick them up!

It was one of the craziest things I'd ever seen. Who knows why they picked our house to settle down in, but it sure made for an exciting story to tell. The kids were so suprised that I didn't freak out, but when you have five kids you expect things to be crazy sometimes!! This night was certainly one of those times!!

Sunday, August 1, 2010

4th of July Parade

Once again, the boys and Rod slept out at the Parade route to save our beloved spot! Thanks to Dave and Chandler for securing it and thanks to Rod and the boys for sacrificing comfort for our great parade spot!!!