July Fun- including TWO trips to the ER...

Yes, you could say July has been the most eventful month of the summer! We've had some really great fun...and two trips to the ER. J was the reason for our first ER visit...

As you can see, his forehead and eye are severely swollen (Quasi-moto style!). While we were camping, he had something bite him on his eyelid (I vote for a spider..ew...). Luckily, it was the day we were heading home. He swelled up bigger and bigger all day. Finally as we drove in to town, I called the advice nurse. She consulted with an on call Dr and told us to stop at a drugstore for some benedryl and go straight to the ER. So, we did just that. What did the ER doctor say? I believe his exact words were "Why are you here?" Yeah. 10 minutes and $180 LATER, we were told that we didn't need to be there and that we were already doing everything we could for him. Thank you advice nurse!!! NOT A HAPPY ENDING to a very fun trip!

I signed all three kids up for swim lessons at the new community pool with Jody and her kids. They had a total blast. They had great teachers and got to play with cousins. Win-win situation. On the last day of class they got to ride the water slides. The day they waited for had FINALLY come!

Here's B coming down the slide for the first time!

Now its J's turn! I believe his response was "THAT WAS TOTALLY AWESOME!!!"

S wouldn't go down her slide without the help of her teacher. But she had fun and did it again and again!

Here's B just chillin' (like a villain...)

My shark boy with his cousin just after riding the slides.

S really loved taking swim lessons (she's the one laughing in the picture). She got a lot more comfortable with the water. We are happy about that.

Our second trip to the emergency room just took place yesterday. Fortunately for you I do not have a picture to post because there was a serious amount of nastiness there.

Brian and I were trying to put together a little dog kennel outside so that our sweet Sadie will be able to reside outside when the weather is nice (I can't take the dog hair ANYMORE!!!)

Anyway, its metal fencing. Brian was trying to push two pieces together and it snagged (or actually gouged) his arm (no more details needed- just know it was way past all layers of skin-nasty!!!). 2 hours and 5 stitches later (along with a tetanus shot) he was a new man!

So, yes, we've lost a significant amount of money this month. But, hey, we have health insurance AND our family is safe and healthy. What more could I ask for???

We {heart} Lake Tahoe

We have a family tradition- every summer we join up with Brad and Julianne and family to go camping for a weekend. This year makes four years running. We always have fun and the kids just LOVE it. What kid wouldn't??
This year we went to Lake Tahoe. It was beautiful weather!! Our camp sites were okay (I booked them this year, and I'm no longer allowed to be in charge of that :) We realized we prefer to be more secluded than we were. Our camp site was about 500 yards off of Highway 89...so, lets just say we listened to cars driving by all night. I personally prefer to listen to nature while camping. But, that's just me.

Here are some pictures of our fun:

Our family went for a hike on Friday morning-planned by B. It was short, but sweet. Really beautiful.

Just playing in the freezing cold water!!!

View from our hike. It was right above Emerald Bay. Much love for Lake Tahoe!

The kids had tons of fun playing in the sand. They got together with a few other kids and made a little pond for some baby fish they caught.

Our bathing beauties!!!

All the kids playing in the sand

Brad with some of the kids right before dinner on Friday night...

Hanging out around the fire on Saturday morning.

These boys together = TROUBLE!! They are really good boys...but they are definitely BOYS. They had fun killing the huge ants that were everywhere, and moving rocks and building forts. What else do boys do while they are camping???

We had such a fun and relaxing time. Can't wait until next year's trip!!!

Livermore or BUST!

We went to the Webb's new house in Livermore for a sleepover on July 2nd. We had a great time, as you will see in the pictures below.
**side note: I totally stole ALL of these photos from Becky's blog because I'm a loser and ALWAYS forget to bring my camera. Lucky for me, I'm usually with family or friends who remember theirs. Thanks Becky!!!

Here we are grubbin on T. Weav's food. Yummy!!

The ladies enjoying some relaxing time. Except for the fact that the kids all took turns cannon-balling us. We were wet, but it felt good! The Weaver's air mattress had a hole, so they were finding the leak by putting it in the water, and it ended up there ALL DAY!

The kids had fun playing on the mattress-turned-raft. They loved having Brian try to flip them over while they were on it!

Brian is trying to surf...pretty easy when there are no waves!!!

T. Weav and K. Weav, just chillin!


The guys. (they wanted to copy our pic!)

By the end of the day, we were tore up from the floor up!

We had a really fun time. Thanks Webb's the good food and good fun. Your new house is amazing! Can't wait for the next swim par-tay!!

Utah Trip-{LAST DAY WRAP UP}

I am hell bent on finishing this up! I've got lots more to blog about. Why do I feel like I have to blog everything? I do not know. I think because this is my family memories. My journal writing isn't the best, so this is pretty good (Plus, it will really help me when I get around to scrap booking this!!).
FRIDAY-
Brian took 2 nephews and went hiking in the morning part way up Timp (the MOUNTAIN, not the cave again!). They had fun, but they were pooped when they got back!

Jody and Kelly and I snuck away to do a little shopping when Brian got back. Then we met some long-time family friends at a park for some play time. Way back when, in the 70's, early 80's, my family lived in Cedar City, Utah. We grew up with the Ohms family. They are like family to us! In fact, Sarah Ohms and I have been "best friends" since birth. We moved away from Utah when I was little but we kept in contact- writing letters back and forth. We got to see each other a few times over the years, which was really great.
Anyways, we met up with Jenny (Ohms) and her husband and children. We got to visit with them for a few hours. It was really fun to get caught up on what was going on in her family. We ended up meeting up with my friend Sarah and her sister, Amy (Ohms) and husband for dinner, along with Chad and Sarah, which was really incredible. (No kids, just adults, so we could really talk!). Plus we ate at the Brazilian BBQ place in Provo. YUMMY!!!
I really, really enjoyed talking to Sarah and catching up with what was going on in her life. We lost touch for a few years, so it was really good to find out what she has been up to.

I tell you, I'm surrounded by amazing people. I'm blessed to call so many incredible people my friends, and the Ohms family, especially Sarah, are no exception to that. I got to see my dear friend Mandy,who I love way more than my luggage, and miss so much! I have an incredible family who all love to spend time together-(I'm referring to both Wadman and Heaps families here!).
Life is good. I love catching up with old friends, visiting with family that lives far away. This trip was muy loco at times. But really good. Muy bien. (Marilee would be so proud, I'm using my spanglish!)

Utah Trip {Day Six}

I've really been wanting to condense the blog entries on this trip. I mean, its starting to bore me and I'm the one who was there. So, I apologize if any of you are bored with the trip, but I had to leave this day to blog by itself. This was a really great day for two reasons.

1- I got to have lunch with my ladies!!! (I'll explain later).


2-I got to go to the temple open house with my family. Its not everyday you get to stand in the House of the Lord (although not dedicated yet) with your WHOLE family. Well, some of you might have had that experience, but my kids are little. So, this was great!

Lunch. I escaped away from my sweet hubby and children to have lunch with Jess, Jan, Jaye, Jill, Rach, Jen, Jody, Marsha, Julie and Mandy (we MISSED you Sarah!!).
It was SOOOOO great to all be together, just like old times. Funny thing is, most of us live in Cali. Really the only ones from the group that are from Utah are Jess, Marsha, Julie and Mandy. It was really crazy that we were all in Utah at the same time, so we thought it would be a great opportunity to meet up with the Utah ladies and have lunch. It was incredibly great. I really, really wish we had taken a picture!
It made me sooo happy. Sigh. Did I mention that it made me happy??
It helped that the food was incredibly delicious too(thanks Jan and Jess!). Thanks Jess for being the hostess with the mostess, even when you didn't feel the greatest. You're amazing.

Temple. We went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House that night. We went with Kelly and Jody and families. What can I say? Its beautiful. The spirit was strong. Except for when my 5 year old son decided he was done and started throwing a fit in the middle of the tour. But, we won't talk about that. No, we won't. (Again, remember the PMS happening!) This is the one and only picture of my family in front of the temple. Not the greatest, but I'll keep it.

All of the cousins that came on the tour with us (we missed Chad's and Todd's families). Look at J's face. Does that look like the face of a child who would throw a temper tantrum inside the temple? Almost angelic...but, not quite!!

This is them being goofy. Or should I say, being themselves!

While I was at lunch with the ladies, Brian took our kids and a niece hiking for a few hours. They hiked up to a waterfall that was close by Kelly's house. Isn't it pretty?? They had a blast and told me all about it when I got back.

We ended the day back at Bob's house for some dinner. This time Bob was back in town and so we got the chance to visit with him some more too!

Utah Trip {Day four is really Day five}

So, I just realized, I posted day four, but that was actually day five.
Mi malo.
SO, on Tuesday the 16th, which REALLY was day four, we went with Jody and kids and Darcy and kids and Kelly and kids to the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point (Its not really called the Dinosaur museum, but I don't remember the correct name, and I'm too tired to look it up!).
That was so fun. We watched a 3-D Whale movie that made B's day (she's obsessed with whales and dolphins...and horses, pandas...pretty much an animal LOVER). Pretty cool, but slightly sickening. (It kind of makes me feel carsick.)

We walked through the museum and had fun looking at all the cool dinosaurs. They even had a few play areas the kids got to play in a water/sand box and "dig" for dinos.

No cameras came along on this day. Its sad, but true. No wonder I skipped over it! Anyway, we left the museum and headed over to Bob and Yasmina's house for dinner. Bob was here in our hometown on business ironically, but we had fun hanging out with Yasmina and the kids. Yasmina cooked us up some delicious lasagna. We played on the Wii a little and went to the park down the street for a thrilling game of tag. Brian ended up with mud ALL over the back of his shirt.
Good times.

My baby is THREE!!!

Yep, that's right. My "baby" is 3. (This is the only semi-decent picture I got of her on her birthday. We had already eaten cake as you can plainly see...) She is sooo grown up! Her birthday was on the 5th. We told her the 4th of July fireworks were for celebrating her birthday.

She said, "Yep. Dat's wight." So confident the whole country is celebrating her birthday. She's a cutie, what can I say? This just happens to be my all time favorite picture of my sweet little lady. Doesn't it just make you smile??

It was taken last year, but will always remain a favorite of mine. It just captures her COMPLETELY. My little lady is so sweet, and loving, also feisty, crazy and goofy all at the same time.

She is intense. She is the only 3 year old that I know that seriously checks a person out for a while (and I mean that LITERALLY) before she determines if she will like them or not (its almost like she's looking right through you!). And, those of you she really loves, you know who you are. So, if you are one of the chosen few who she's decided are on her "favorite" list, count yourself lucky cause this girl is one in a million!

She has quite the personality. Her laugh is very contagious, I might add. I've really loved watching her turn into her own little person with likes and dislikes. She has such a strong spirit about her. I'm just so blessed to be her mother.

Soooooo Behind & Utah Trip {Day Four}

Wow, its amazing how far behind I get on my blogging in such a short amount of time. We have had an amazingly fun and full summer! Life is good. I cannot complain. I'm happy to fall behind in my blogging because I'm just out having fun with the fam!
So, back to catching up. I've really got to move through the Utah trip because there have been like 2 "trips" since then! I know, we get around, what can I say?
Day Four- we spent the day in downtown Salt Lake City. I started out the day by driving my husband crazy, being a backseat driver. Yeah, I know better. But, what can I say, sometimes my mouth wins out over the flashing warning signs going off in my brain! But, he still loves me. We still had a fun day. He's a good man. It didn't help that I had a SERIOUS case of PMS the entire week I was up there. Not sure what would have been worse, PMS, or DMS (that stands for DURING menstrual syndrome, for those of you who don't know). Needless to say, I was a little short with other family members while there too. I have already apologized. Again, the mouth sometimes wins out, no matter how hard I try.
I digress. We got to downtown, and headed for Temple Square to the visitor's center. We tried really really hard to walk around quietly inside the North Visitor's Center with SEVENTEEN children, but we were not too successful. We managed to snap a few pics in front of the Christus Statue before we realized, we really needed to feed the masses.

The following picture is "the masses" that I speak of (minus baby Josh-Bob). I love them. And this is only HALF of my Heaps family nieces and nephews!!!

So, we escaped on a train ride over to (I forgot the name of the place- dang brain fart!) where the planetarium is. We found the food court, fed the masses and made it to the Planetarium farely unscathed.

This is not a picture of us at the planetarium (just in case you didn't notice!). My loading of pictures onto blogger is not up to par, obviously. A sweet photo of the masses in front of the Salt Lake Temple...I explained to J that the big tall building was the church office building where the Prophet worked. He was so astonished. He got so excited and decided that he was going to walk into the building and see President Monson, because he knew that President Monson would want to see him.
We explained to him that the prophet is a really busy guy, and that he probably wouldn't even be there. But, he was determined to go and ask.
So, J and Brian went off into the church office building. But, alas, he was not there. James came out of the building very disappointed. But he got over it pretty fast and started playing with cousins again.

Here we are, at the Planetarium. J and B, very serious about their visit to the moon...The kids had a lot of fun there. We got to ride in the biggest elevator I have EVER seen in my life, we got to walk on mars and the moon. All in the same afternoon. Who knew?

Two of my sistas and my sweet honey...

I think the train ride back and forth was a highlight for the day for some of the littles. These pictures are WAY out of order. This shot is most of the masses. Jody took this of the kids lined up next to the fountain in front of the Church Office Building. Only J and Josh-Bob are not pictured. (J is still a little disappointed about not seeing President Monson and Josh-Bob can't sit up on his own yet!)

Utah Trip {day Three- more pictures}

Just more pictures of our Monday night BBQ....Here's a picture of Todd and his family.


Just cousins joking around on our almost-night hike...

Kelly and part of her family (missing her oldest daughter, Kaitlin, and her now 16 year old son, Mooley- its a nickname. BTW- happy birthday today, Mooley!!)

That's all for Monday. Stay tuned for our Tuesday adventures!!!

Utah Trip {Day Three}

I'm slacking in my trip posts. I'm finding myself so busy trying to keep up with our apricot trees, everything else is going by the way side for a bit.
Anyhow, Monday the 15th was day three. We woke up early and headed out without S, but with 2 of my nephews, to hike up to the Timp Caves.
This picture is the one you've all been waiting for, I'm sure! (admit it, you were!) This is the "heart" of Timpanogas, in all her glory...

Here's a shot of Brian with the kids. My two nephews there are a hoot! We had fun chasing them (quite literally) up the mountain, and back down again! Its about 3 miles round trip. All uphill the way there, and, you guessed it, all down hill on the way back. The kids were troopers!

On the way up the trail, you pass through some little tunnels like this. Kind of fun!

Monday night, we all went up the canyon for a BBQ picnic. It was fun to spend more time together with Jody and her kids, Kelly and her family, and Todd and his family. We were really missing Chad and his family though! This is a shot of S with 2 of her cousins that are her age.

These two are inseparable- BFF's! We are lucky they live so close to us, back in Cali!

B and some cousins her age tearing it up in the sand volley ball pit. NICE!

Our family after or delicious BBQ dinner. We had a fun night visiting and going for an almost night hike! Thanks to big Mike for showing us the way!

I'm still learning this whole picture upload thing. So, I'll post pictures of other family's as their own post. Its just not worth starting over again!