Good mornin

Happy Saturday!!!

Fred slept at his grandmas so we got to sleep in today. (Did I mention that for the past few weeks he has been waking at 5:30am? I thought it was a phase but I'm afraid it's here to stay. I tried fighting it but now I'm embracing it. Yesterday we left daddyo and Hattie in bed and bundled up and watched the sunrise.) 

I miss that little booger. Today is another jam-packed Saturday. We made a family pact a couple months back that we won't do anything unless it's together on Saturdays. Saturdays are too precious and important as the week is so busy we have stuck to it!! If something comes up, unless we can all go together, we don't do it. It's great but still sooooo busy. 

Today will be filled with waffle trucks!!! :D haircuts, bday parties, swimming, grilling, shopping, and celebrating. Happy weekend! 

Family story time for crazies

Fred didn't take a nap till 1 today since we were at a bday party this afternoon. We all ended up napping for a very very long time. Fred woke up super cranky crazed and wanted the caterpillar book. Fine. Then he starts shouting out demands like, "PUT THAT DOOOOWN."


Nuts o.

cool stuff; sunny stuff; sleepy stuff

Trip to JC Pennys to buy Uncle Joe school clothes. DID I MENTION THAT MY BABY BROTHER STARTED HIGH SCHOOL TODAY???!!!??? I mean, you guys, I was 14 when he was born and Freddie is almost 2 and I remember Joe as a baby. I MEAN he was right here, in my arms, just yesterday. It has gone by so quickly. What does that mean about Fred? He'll be in College, rooming with Ollie, in no time. (which will actually be awesome.) Joe is such a great Uncle. If you haven't noticed, Freddie has a slew of Uncles, and yes, they are all incredible. (Not to mention 2 amazing Aunts whom I would trust with Fred's life.)

Weekend escape

Byeeeeeeeeee kitties! We are getting outta this heat. Sorry, you have to stay here :( love ya!

Camping memorial weekend

Camping up north!! We picked up Collin from work early and headed to Munds Park to camp with a bunch of friends. We  haven't had a family trip in a while and it felt so good to get out of town. Freddie loved the views of the beautiful mountains and of course the giant trucks everywhere. I'm not sure how it happened but my little boy has become such a little boy!! He's obsessed with all things with giant wheels that make any sort of mechanical noise. 

The pines were beautiful. 

We got to Munds Park and set up camp then started preparing our dinner. There were nine families and everyone made their own food and ate together. It was so much fun!! And nine families means a TON of little kids running around. Fred was so happy. 

We had delicious hamburgers made by Collin, tin foil potatoes and green beans and grilled corn (my Fav.)

S'mores!!!!! With symphony bars for the chocolate. Genius on my part. 

He loved the s'more but not getting super sticky. 

We totally forgot our blow up mattress, extra blankets and pillows so It was a freezing uncomfortable sleepless night but hey...it was fun!!!! We have had a little 2 man tent our whole marriage and we got to try out our brand new 4 man tent!!!!! We loved it so much. Fred woke up super happy and couldn't wait to get out and play some more. 

That morning for breakfast the Smiths had breakfast burritos with the most delicious sausage ever. 

Then we all sat around and talked and played while the kids all played. A few families we were with brought their four wheelers!!! Fred got to ride in a big buggy type one and looooooved it. (But even more, he and the other little kids loved climbing in it while it was turned off and pretending like he was driving!!) Collin took me for a ride and although I thought he might kill me--he didn't and it was SUPER fun. 

Then our family decided we wanted to pack up and head to Flagstaff to hang out for the rest of the day. On the way down the mountain there were lots of cabins and most had garage sales!! So we stopped at a bunch of those and a little kid sold us his whole tool set for $3. Frederick loves it! 

We got into flagstaff and saw a sign for the arboretum. I had never been and always wanted to go...so we did!!!! It was sooo beautiful!!! It was so much fun and perfect for a little guy like Fred who loves to explore and be outside. He loved the planted and animals and even found some watering cans he carried around for a while. Collin and I loved it too. It was such nice weather. It felt like a vacation. And Collin saved the life of a little squirrel!!!!! I was very proud. 

Trying to touch this owl then a little nervous after being told the owl could bite his hand off. And would. 

The AZ state manmel: the ring-tailed cat. Super vicious. Who woulda thought!

Fred makes everything fun. Oh...and he became best friends with this creepy plastic cat....probably because THIS cat let him squeeze him, kiss him, tickle him, hold him, etc. 

We did lots and lots of other great flagstaffian stuff including a visit to my beloved McConnell, which was closed for summer but I couldn't get a picture because my phone died. Also, we met this awesome couple and Freddie ride their long board. 

Tantrums took place during the picture below. 

Happy fools!!

Look to the North.

Our weekend in Strawberry AZ with the Dyers:

We had a little mini vacation in the peaceful, quiet northern Arizona. We stayed in a cabin, found some treasures, took long naps, enjoyed the weather. We played with llamas and goats and met one if the coolest cats named Thomas. We attended church, explored an invisible house where time stands still in the 70s. We hiked in the sunny mountains with no hope of rescue, waded through water so cold it was more painful than natural childbirth. I stabbed a worm and used it for trout bait, but we were unsuccessful. We bought raw honey (orange blossom), The babies played everywhere. They played with bare feet and ate dirt. We had blind taste tests and I won boggle. Very good time. Thank you dyers. 

Click the link below for MORE....

Phoenix zoo

The weather was gorgeous: windy and cool. We splurged on a giant bag of kettlecorn and had a super fun family date. Fred loved the animals...the goats best because he can touch them. Collin WANTS a pet goat now. My favorite is the elephant, always.

Saturday night lights and broken collarbones

After our fun time at our friends' cabin, we drove home to see Joseph and my dad's last football game of the season (before nationals in Florida.) To cut to the chase, Joe caught a 40 yard pass and was hit out of bounds. The crowd went crazy and then grew silent as we realized he wasn't getting up. Cold fear shocked my body as thoughts of his recent head injury-which resulted in 7 staples-came to me and created a worst-case scenario. I was so scared. Freddie had been nursing and had fallen asleep in my lap. I quickly handed him to Collin and ran to the field. I hopped over the gate and embraced my mom who seemed doubly scared as I was. He was opposite us on the field so we ran to the other side, praying the whole way. There was Joseph and the medics, and someone calling 9-1-1; it was probably a broken collarbone. While I sighed, grateful his head wasn't split open, I gritted my teeth for what happened next. It was one of the hardest things I've experienced to see my 14-year-old baby brother in that much severe pain. He was shaking so hard he could barely talk. Once the EMTs got there, they assessed him and put his arm in a sling but not before cutting off his jersey to get his shoulder pads off. Tears ran down his face. To make matters worse, the game continued and for the first time in 25 games and 2 years, the Thunder lost, 48-60. It was a hard and emotional game.
Joseph was driven to the ER where he was X-Rayed and it was determined that his collarbone was broken severely in two places and was resting on top of itself. It was disconnected from his shoulder and had torn all the tendons and ligaments around the shoulder. He will have surgery Wednesday morning to insert a metal plate that will straighten and keep the bone in place while it heals which will take 6-12 weeks. Joe recently made the 8th grade basketball team but will sit on the bench the entire season. The Thunder will still go to Florida in December for a chance at the National Championship for the 2nd year.
I am so grateful for the atonement which comforts us in all physical and emotional trials. Im grateful for eternal perspective and courage to learn from hardships; and for the resurrection. I know that after we die our bodies will be reunited with our spirits and will be perfected. I love my brother, Joseph. I love his quick resolve and I love my dad's optimism and positive attitude. I'm also very grateful for technology and modern medicine in times of emergency. Please keep Joe and his speedy and well recovery in your thoughts or prayers.

strawberry

Friday night we drove up North with our darling Dyers to stay in their cabin. Once the babies were finally asleep, the party began. The cabin is so cute and nice. the bed Collin and I slept on was PURE HEAVEN. We had so much fun that night and then the next day, talking, eating, walking around, antiquing, buying local honey, and playing games (I won Cash Cab, woooo!!) The boys rode ATVs up the mountain and had the best time. Collin rolled his ankle and is hobbling around but taking it like a champ. Frederick loved being outdoors constantly and especially loved spending time with his girlfriend, Charlie. Those two are SO cute. They really love hanging out! I'm so thankful for Emily and our great talks. She really lifts me up and encourages me. She is so positive and kind. She's a great mom, she's constantly trying to learn all she can to better herself. I'm so fortunate to have her as my friend. Here are some photos from the weekend...

 



 
 



 
 

Hostess is dead apparently. These are the only things of theirs I really ate when I was younger. Well I broke my diet to have em and they were NASTY. Good riddance!

Sampling local honey. delish! We settled on the Cat Claw.



Love Dos Dyers

Freddie was obsessed with it all






He loves black beans so much and ate every last bite of his black bean salad.



playing in a pile of leaves.



 

 



 

I wanted to get this antique toy car so badly but it was $400...





the winding road home.

Collin and I started reading a science fiction book, Jiril of Joiry, by C.L. Moore, the 1930s female author I based my character off in our murder mystery party!


NEMS