Fun with Family

My brother and his family moved to Minnesota for a year of fellowship and now are only three hours away. That is the closest that we've been to family for five years and we are loving it! We have been able to get together at least once a month since they moved here. Their kids are exactly the same age as our boys (within a month or two) and play so well together. We love having them so close!

The last time we got together we went to a park that was close to their home. Russ and my brother went fishing, so my sister-in-law and I took the kids for a hike. It wasn't an easy trail either. It was up these rock stairs that had huge tree roots sticking out of them. It was not an easy climb, but we made it to the top and back down without any injuries! When we got to the top there was a group there and one guy looked through is binoculars and said, "There are a few guys fishing down there." I said, "I hope it's our husbands!!" He said, "Is that how this park works? The women take the kids and the men get to go fishing? I like this park!" We got a little chuckle and rolled our eyes a little because that's about how it works. My sister-in-law and I were able to go to a movie later that night, but it was a late show and was after the kids were bathed and in bed!

We're so thrilled to have them so close and have trips planned every month until after the new year. Maybe someday we will live close to family permanently...

Here we are at the top of the hike - what cute kids!


The boys at the bottom of the hike - rugged, huh!


All the boys (minus Garrett) in the canoe

August at a Glance...

We decided to throw caution to the wind and head to Yellowstone for the Guymon Family Reunion. Russ happened to have the week off from school, so we decided to go for it. I picked Russ up from school on Friday around noon and we drove straight through -- 19 hours in the car, with only stopping for bathroom breaks, for drive-through McDonald's and for gas. We thought the boys would sleep in the car and they would be well rested when we arrived -- were we ever wrong! The boys maybe got four hours of sleep total and Russ and I only had a few winks. We made it to Yellowstone at 7:00 AM on Saturday. We had breakfast and jumped into the "Big Yellow Bus" and headed to see the sights. The boys about freaked when we put them back into their car seats and drove around for a few hours! Needless to say we all slept really well that night and were much more pleasant in the morning!! It was a great trip and we were so glad that we made it. Thanks Steve and Karen for the planning, the food, and the fun things for the kids to do -- it was fabulous!!

My dirty (and cold) boys - who knew it would be 40 degrees at night! Notice the head lamp on Cole that Grandma Guymon had for all of the grandkids - a huge hit!


Cute camping family - just don't get too close - we didn't shower for four days!!


The Big Yellow Bus -- I kept singing to myself, "Did you ever take a ride in a yellow submarine..." It was fun to have everyone in one vehicle, even if Cole did get a little car sick (and lost his cookies - poor guy!).


Garrett (and all the cousins) got a kick out of chasing the ground squirrels. Garrett would sign squirrel, squeal, and then go chasing after it. Who needs buffaloes, elk, and bears when you have ground squirrels?!


Cole and Russ at Old Faithful


After Yellowstone, the boys and I went back to Logan while Russ, Bryan (his brother), and Steven (his dad) made a quick fishing trip on the Snake. I stayed at my mom's house until Russ got back and then we moved to his parent's house. It was fun to be able to stay both places.

The boys with Uncle Derek -- they couldn't get enough of him!


Russ took the boys up the canyon on day to give me a little time to myself (I got three hours and he had three days -- how does that work?!). When the boys got home they were half naked, had not napped, and had not had lunch. But, they had a great time. Russ found a little stream and let the boys play in it -- he took off Cole's shirt and Garrett pants while they played, so they would at least have something dry to go home in. Here are the happy (and tired and hungry) boys.


After we got home from Utah/Yellowstone, Russ' mom, Karen, came to stay with us for a few days. We had a great time. We visited Kalona and went to all of the little shops, had ice cream at Dane's Dairy, hit the Farmer's Market, and went to the Iowa State Fair. Karen also taught me to make her delicious cinnamon rolls and helped me make bead watches -- thanks, Karen! It was so much fun to have you here!

The Iowa State Fair -- I am a geeky 4-Her, but I can't help it!!


The boys looking at the livestock


The boys with Grandma


It was a busy month, but we loved every minute of it!

Boys Will Be Boys

Just a few random pictures of the boys that I couldn't help but post. It's no wonder that the words "boys" and "busy" are so closely linked and often used together in sentences. I can't seem to keep up with them, but when I'm not chasing them I thinking about how darn cute they are. It's fun to be the mother of boys!!

Cole calls this his "city" -- I'm not sure how he sees a city because all I see is a big ol' mess! I think almost all of his toys are burried somewhere. He's hoping to "build it high to the sky" -- let's hope we run out of toys quick!


Cute Garrett -- a hat, gun, and fly swatter - what could make a little guy happier?!


At least Cole is a fraction of the way undressed for the tub!!

Tonsils No More!

Cole got his tonsils and adenoids out on Tuesday. We went in on Monday to see the doctor and he took one look and said, "Ya, they need to come out." They were huge! No wonder he snored like a trucker! Dr. Smith asked if we could come the next morning for surgery, so we went at 7:00 AM. The doctors, nurses, and the entire experience was fantastic. I couldn't have been happier!

Cole did great and was really brave. I was able to walk him back to the OR and hold him while they put him under. I was so glad to be able to be with him -- hopefully it made it easier on him as well. Our next door neighbor was one of the surgeons that was on Cole's case, so he was also relieved to see Dr. Richard there. After surgery I was able to hold him as he came out of the anesthesia and for a few hours in the post-op room. He did so great that we were released quite quickly.

His voice has changed a little and as long as we keep his pain medication in him, he's doing great. He is loving the popcicles and ice cream, but gets frustrated when he can't eat crackers or anything that will be hard to swallow. I think he's a little hungry because jello and yogurt aren't very filling.

Good job, Cole! You were super brave and we're proud of you!!

Mom and Cole in our stylin' outfits


Cole playing in his cute hospital jammies before surgery


Russ helping Cole with his blood pressure (notice Russ is in scrubs!!)


The tonsils after they were removed (note that that was a full sheet of paper, just to give you an idea of how BIG they were!)

Long Live THE KING OF POP

MICHAEL JACKSON

It's so crazy that the King of Pop is gone. I always teased Russ about liking Michael Jackson and threatened him about wearing that hideous shirt, but my heart has softened in the last week. I've watched specials on his life and never realized the impact he has had on the music industry, breaking the barriers of race, and uniting the world in trying to make it a better place. I'm not saying that he wasn't strange, but I think he was the product of what we made him. He has never known a "normal life" and though he was incredibly famous, he appeared extremely lonely and secluded.

I guess today I am proud to say that I am a Michael Jackson fan and hope his music will live forever. I might even pull Russ' old CDs out and dance to Thriller or Beat It.

Long live THE KING!

Garrett's big debut...

About a month ago Garrett was asked to be in a little photo shoot. A local photographer (and girl in our ward) asked if Garrett would be a part of it. She took pictures of our family last fall and thought Garrett was such a character and couldn't wait to take more pictures of him. Well, the day turned out to be windy and cold, and Garrett wasn't very cooperative. I couldn't really blame him because I was in a jacket and long pants and he was in shorts, without shoes, and on the beach with a popcicle. Even though he is in tears, I thought these pictures were too cute to pass up and not share.

The boys weren't digging the backpacks!

On the beach - the sand covered popcicle wasn't tasting very good

"I've had enough!! Get me out of here!!"


Garrett really is such a character and Russ and I find ourselves laughing at him all the time. His giggle is so contagious that you can't help but laugh with him. Right now he likes to walk around with is eyes closed and then get so upset when he runs into things. He loves hiding under blankets and playing Peek-a-Boo. He tells us "all done" when he is finished with anything -- food, swinging, being held. He loves dogs and had a hayday with my little brother's dog, Chica. She would knock him over, lick him, and whip him with her tail, but Garrett couldn't get enough. Garrett is so shy he won't hardly look a stranger in the eye, but a big, black dog isn't intimidating at all! We are having so much fun with our spunky little Garrett!!

Fun in Utah

We had a great time in Utah and ran to and from so many things that near the end of the trip Cole would ask me, "Where are we going to today?" The boys did so well (and slept surprisingly well) and loved spending time with Grandpas and Grandmas, cousins, Aunts and Uncles, and old friends. Here's a quick photo tour of the trip...

We had a surprise party for my Mom's 60th Birthday. My sister, Teresa, and I surprised my mom and took her to lunch and for pedicures, but it was all a decoy to get her out of the house so the rest of the family could set up for the party. We invited her close friends and family and she was so surprised. When we pulled up to the house and the street was lined with cars she finally figured it out. Then she said, "Damn it - I didn't want a party," followed by crying. My favorite line was, "If I had known (about the party) I would have at least put curlers in my hair!" She told me after that party that she felt special, but more importantly, loved. We created a video tribute to Mom where each person was recorded giving a tribute to her. We also had pictures of her life that were put to music. It was a great party. Happy 60th Birthday, Mom!!


Here we are getting our pedicures. This was my first pedicure, and it was actually done by a former black USU football player (a straight one...). I'm not sure how he got into cosmetology, but my foot massage sure was good. I'm sure glad that I shaved my legs before I went!! I told Russ that I was a "pedicure virgin" and that hot lookin' black man was my first -- he didn't find the humor in it, but my mom, sister and I sure got a good laugh!!


Our polished toes -- don't they look good!!


We went with Russ' parents and Aunt Melinda to Willow Park and Zoo and had a great time. Steve took pictures, so I was a little lazy with taking some of my own. Here is Cole with Grandma Guymon as they looked at animals. Aunt Melinda was so much fun at the playground. She went up and down slides, through tubes, and around the play equipment with Cole and Garrett. After the park we went to Wendy's for a quick bite to eat and then it was nap time!


Here is Cole with Grandpa Jake and cousin Karli. Cole would ride on the 4-wheeler with Grandpa to feed the chickens. One day in the car Cole said, "Grandpa and I are farmers!" He loved being outside and having room to roam.




Russ flew in a week after me and the boys and was able to go to the Green River with his Dad, friends BJ and Chad, and my brother, Derek. It rained the entire time and even though the fishing was rotten, the camping and conversation was worth the trip.



While Russ was fishing, I spent a few days with my sister, Teresa, and her family in Spanish Fork. It was so fun to see her house, go to lunch, get to know her baby, Kade, and do fun things with the kids. We went to a really fun park and also took the kids to Thanksgiving Point. Thanks Teresa for such a fun few days!!

Self Portrait -- what a cute sister I have! (sorry Kade, your head was cut out of the picture, but my photo skills weren't so great since I was in front of the camera!)


The kids playing in "Noah's Ark" at Thanksgiving Point


Cole was so tuckered out he couldn't even stay upright in his car seat!


We loved being with family and friends -- that is where are hearts are, even when we live far away. What a great trip!