are we having fun yet?

the tree swing

the problem with me and vacations and my camera.......I really don't take a ton of pictures.....the ranch is a really spread out place, so I'd have to carry my camera every where with me, and that just isn't going to happen........the other problem, I just take pictures.........this picture could be so much better, maybe by having someone else push Jaden so I could get him higher up in the air, but considering I'm standing in the creek, that's good enough.

The important thing is that it reminds me of how much fun Jaden had in the creek and swinging on this swing.......as well as everyone else!

the bear

Here is a little perspective of where the bear was located up in the tree in relation to camp.  He was really close to the cook house (where all the food is), and when I walked over with my camera, he was sound asleep.  I believe they said he was probably a cub, around 2-3 years old.  They said this time of year, these cubs come down because their mama is now taking care of a new one. 

I was nervous when I heard there was a bear, but he just stayed up there forever.  Justan and I went riding for a couple hours, and a special thanks to Jakobe and everyone else who kept a really close eye on Grant, because it made me nervous to leave!  When we came back from horseback riding, we were sad to learn that the bear had fallen out of the tree and died.  :(

no more bug spray

We are finally home and I'm happy to report.....we took the Escalade, we didn't get a flat tire, we didn't have a moose ram our car, we didn't get lost, and I bought a map!  The car ride up was a little LONG for the boys, but we didn't have any serious meltdowns.

We had a blast at the dude ranch, Dryhead, for the past week, and we stayed at Colter Bay in the Grand Tetons (I would totally recommend both places) for a couple nights just the four of us.  It was a wild trip with many adventures, but it was so nice to be away from the busy-busy day to day life and not have access to the rest of the world for a week! 

For all of my family that was there reading this, you'd better leave me a comment!  LOL!!! :)

More pictures to follow......

pre-cancerous

yep.  you read that right.  I had a mole removed (let's say dug out of my thigh) about 2 weeks ago- I had stitches and the whole she-bang.........well, it turns out that little mole (and it was VERY little and looked very normal to me) came back with the results of it being pre-cancerous!  I was shocked.  My skin type (olive-ish) and the fact that part of my body hasn't seen sunlight for who knows how long, was surprising to me!  So, this is my PSA to go and have a full body check for your moles!  I have already had Justan into the dermatologist since my appt to have his entire body checked out....let's just say he wasn't too thrilled, but I'm glad it's over and done with for now, and I have peace of mind about it.

navigational system

So, I called the Cadillac dealership to get an updated navigational DVD - they wanted $199 for the updated DVD.......ummmmmmm.........no thanks.  I can buy one of those Tom-Tom things for the same price at Costco.  Totally lame!  Navigational system - remember this story?!?!?!?  Hopefully, we won't repeat that adventure!!!!  Make sure to click on the album and read the headlines under the photos of how 'great' our navigational system worked for us two years ago.

In addtion, we can only hope, this won't happen again......although, at least this time we will know WHERE the spare tire is located this time around.  LOL!!!

It's still undecided if we are taking the Escalade or the Honda.   Hmmmmmmmm........I think it'll end up being a last second decision.    :)

sleeping arrangements

Grant is now sleeping on his crib mattress on his floor.  This has helped him stay in his room at night.  I wanted him to stay in his crib forever, but he was waking up at night crying, so we would have to get up and get him, now if he wakes up, he just goes back to sleep.  I suspect that the crib mattress isn't too comfy.  We need to decide if we should buy a toddler bed (which seems like a waste of $$$), or just buy another twin bed, or buy a bunk bed for the kids to share, or just continue to let him sleep on the mattress on the floor......hmmmmmm......anyways, most of you remember Jaden's crazy sleeping arrangements, and it looks like Grant is following in the same shoes per se......I've finally gotten him to watch a couple shows so I can get stuff done during the day; Barney, Dora, and Curious George.  So, the other morning, he was watching one, and I walked into find this.....he must have been super tired, because he doesn't ever fall asleep like this (Jaden did all the time).  He is the type of kid you can lay down awake,  and tell him it's time to sleep and he stays there and sleeps.

turq-witch

Me: Hey Jaden, do you like the color of your new shirt?

Jaden: Yes, I love the color.

Me:  What color would you say that is exactly?

Jaden:  Oh, it's definitely turq-witch.

Me:  You mean, turquoise?

Jaden: No, turq-witch.  Duh Mom.

This is the kid, that when he was one, called 'purple,' PURKEL. 

This is also the kid that called his Fruity Pebbles, Fruity Petals this morning.  LOL!!! :)

sweet brotherhood moments

...things I think/worry about.......will they always love each other?  will they be close to each other when they are my age?   will they respect one another?

I see some pretty awesome relationships as I photograph other families, and the one thing I always ask the parents that have grown siblings, is what did they do as parents to foster such healthy adult relationships for their kids? 

as a mom, that's ALL I want to teach/foster/create for my kids.  I want my kids to love and respect each other as they are adults....want to hang out with each other, be each other's best friend.

I wonder what the secret is?

everyone loves a parade

I was 'volunteered' to ride on top of the firetruck today for the parade...actually, I was supposed to ride with the Chief, but had to stay with the boys.

It all started the other day when Roger took Jaden and Jake to the new Murray City fire station 82 on Vine Street.  They ran into Chief Gil Rodriguez, who was one of my dad's friends at the fire station a gazillion years ago.  He asked the boys if they would like to ride on top of the firetruck and throw candy in the parade today.  They were all over that.  :)  Grant and I also rode on top of the ladder, throwing candy and getting sprayed with tons of water. 

I saw sooooooo many people I knew from growing up....it was wild!  I saw several people I went to high school with, their parents, & some of my relatives.  There was the moment in the parade, when we entered the park, looking for Justan, Rog, and my Mom and couldn't see them.  I thought that maybe we missed them!  And, then at the very end, I saw my Mom, tearing up, holding her cell phone out so my sister in Georgia could 'hear' the firetruck.  We'd run out of candy by this point, but Jaden had held onto 3 pieces of taffy for about 3/4 of a mile (impressive!) that he knew his dad would love to throw at Justan once we saw him.

It was weird because I hardly knew ANY of the current firemen at all, which was unusual.  My dad died almost 22 years ago, so there are very few of the ones he worked with left on the force.  What was even wilder, was the guys that were cadets, or firefighters were my age, plus or minus a few years.  I'm 99% sure that the firetruck we rode on was the same one we rode on in these pictures from 1982.....and no, that is no 'special' Photoshop processing.....that's good old 26 years from a Polaroid camera.  :) 

I would have been Jaden's age - about 6 years old, and my sister would have been about 3 years old...my cousin Lori is on the right, and I'm not sure how old she was in this photo, but she was a neat person that died all too early in life.  Thanks to my Grandma Young and her Polaroid - I found these and she had them dated.  :)

jake's here!

YAY!  We haven't seen Jake since Thanksgiving (and for Jaden, that is FOREVER!)....he is visiting for the next month from Atlanta and staying with my Mom and Roger.  Here is to lots of playing and sleepovers!