Lake Powell

Storytime: Two years ago, the Lake Powell trip was such a hard trip--it is only supposed to take six hours to get down there. Well, it took us ten. The car we were driving (hauling the wave runners) started smoking. Twice. And of course we had children with us, so there was stopping for food, potties, etc. And then, twenty minutes outside of Page, the tire MELTED off the trailer pulling the wave runners. When I say melted, I am serious. The metal around the bolts somehow melted all off, and so it went bouncing off into the desert. We pulled over, not understanding what happened, hoping we could find the tire and put it back on. But, once found (an hour later), we realized the hopelessness of it all--there was NO way it would be able to go back on. Miracle of Miracle, a guy pulling an EMPTY and HUGE trailer, with a WINCH pulled over and offered his help. Along with all of those other wonderful things, he also owned a garage. He pulled our trailer onto his, and hauled it in, then fixed the trailer! Anyway. It took a long time. Then there were problems with the CO2 monitors that kept going off. So, we couldn't run the air conditioner all the time, and had to sleep outside. The boat had problems, and it just seemed to go on.


This time, the trip was not ten hours, so it worked out great. We only had to stop for gas and food. No real big problems. :)

And the boys had lots of fun in the water. Weston has been timid around water. But this year he jumped right in! He did so well. We were really proud of him. We had to keep a hat on him and a bandaid over his stitches, but he never complained about it. By the way, I took out his stitches! No hospital to go to in order to get them out, but the doctor had given me a little kit, and it worked out great. And Aidan was pretty scared of the water, but by the last day, finally let go of me, and learned how to handle himself with his lifejacket. He mostly liked playing in the sand. And he constantly sang and entertained the family. Brennan wasn't too keen on cold water, but once he warmed up, he enjoyed it. He also enjoyed grabbing sand, but too often he tried to eat it. Maybe it was because four days into the trip his fourth tooth finally broke through (after much sorrow--poor kid!)

I have tried to put in a slideshow, but it only keeps showing the first 2 photos! So, scroll down to see pics instead.











It was a long, hot, fun week, and we are glad to be home, but it was a great time with Scott's family. Thanks mom and dad for the family vacation!

EEEEEKKKK!!

Happy Anniversary Husband!

Here is a little shout out to my wonderful husband--or some other names I call him: S Daw, huzzy, scuzband, lovie, and occasionally Scott.

Just to let you know our love story (cause I know you all are interested): Six and a half years ago, I worked with Scott's aunt Holly. She wanted to set me up with her nephew, Scott. She gave him my number, he never called. I didn't really care, I was dating several other guys at the time... But, he eventually did call (the reason he didn't is a good story I'll save for later). Our first date he took me to Applebees and Desert Star Playhouse (there is another fun story for later). At the end of the date, I went home and said to my roommates, "Nice guy, isn't going to go anywhere." He asked me out again, and again and again. While I did go out with him, I also went out with other guys. Finally, well, probably two months into dating, he asked me to only date him. I told him no. If I was going to cut off all possibilities with others guys, then we might as well be engaged, and I wasn't ready for that. That night, I went to a movie with a guy friend, and the whole time I thought, "I would rather be with Scott." On the way home, I turned to the guy and said, "I think I am getting married." The next day I bought a bride's magazine. We didn't talk about marriage for another few weeks, but I had already prayed about it (and so had he) and I knew he was the one for me. There was no denying that the Lord had put us together. And even Satan tried to pull us apart (another story), but we didn't let that happen. Six years ago today we were married in the Washington DC temple. And now we have three beautiful boys.

I could go on and on about what an amazing man he is, but I will just tell one thing: Every Sunday, he has to sit on the stand. I am in the congregation with three boys. I haven't complained about it, yet every Sunday, he is concerned for me and asks me if I am okay, and tells me he feels terrible about not being able to help. He rushes home from his morning meetings to help me get to church on time. He rushes home from his afternoon meetings to make Sunday dinner. He is a marvelous wonderful man.

I love you Huzz!

We're back!

Man, that was a long trip. But, we are home. I want to blog all about it (I just love our new vocabulary--blog...) but I am completely exhausted--and rather dizzy, I still feel like I am on a boat. Rocking and sick... I will tell all about it and post photos later. I just wanted to say how nice it was to come home and find tons of comments on other posts, and TONS to read on my google reader--fifty two posts!!! I cannot sit here in front of the computer making comments on all of those, but know that I am going to read them and get caught up on your lives (do you ever feel a bit stalked???)

Trip to Idaho

It has taken me a while to post this. But I wanted to figure out how to put photos on a slideshow. I don't know if I did it right, but I am learning... It took me long enough to figure out!!! Enjoy it!



We had a lovely time in Idaho for America's celebration. It was great spending time with family and friends. We visited the Hansen family--some great friends that used to live by us here and now live closer to my family. I didn't get any photos, but the one of Aidan with their son Silas. We had a great time with my family. We went to a parade, had a picnic, rode on the famous carousel, and then went on an awesome canoe trip. My friend Cal has canoes and he took us down Big Springs near Island Park. We had a wonderful time. It was just a great weekend!

FOURTH tooth!

Poor baby! (Poor mama!) Brennan is now on his fourth tooth--it has been weeks of misery. While he got his third tooth (a process of over two weeks...) he had incredible diarrhea (dripping off his TOES!!! --ewwww gross!) the entire time. The day it finally popped through, the diarrhea stopped! And now with the fourth tooth, he is GRUMPY and doesn't sleep well at all (but, on the bright side, no diarrhea!). We just hope it pops through soon.

Weston is a Pirate

Or a football player, or a star wars scary guy. It looks like he has been beat up somehow though. On Tuesday, he was on the futon (he says he wasn't jumping...) and somehow landed head first on the corner of the futon--hard. And it took five stitches to put him back together. It was a traumatic experience--so much blood. And he was scared of what they were going to do to him. He went ballistic when they tried to put numbing ointment on him! But, we got him calmed down--a bribe of a VERY expensive Star Wars toy helped... and he was nice and calm for the stitches. And now he is healing slowly. Since we will be in Lake Powell at the time the stitches should come out, we probably have to take them out ourselves... Am I strong enough to do something like that??? Probably not. Scott's mom will most likely do it.

Where do they get that?

I love what kids say. The other day I was complaining about a meeting, and Aidan said, "Mom, don't say that, it is a bad word." What? What did I say? "Meeting". Oh, meeting is a bad word now. Well Scott is in trouble since he is constantly at meetings.

When Weston was younger, he told us "constitution" was a bad word.

And they are so sweet. Aidan and I were just cuddling and he was sitting there being so good and quiet, when all of the sudden he said, "Mom, you are awesome." Yes! I love it! I feel so cool and great and wonderful. I wish they said those kind of things all the time!

Need ideas and help

Hey, I am just wondering how ya'll pay babysitters? Have you figured a good system out? Feel you are fair? I always seem to waver when I pay the girls, and then either underpay or overpay them. I'd love to hear your ideas. One of the reasons I just LOVE blogs!

And, I am going to get Lasik!!! Yeah. I really need it. My eyes are constantly red and sore, and unless I do it NOW, I won't be able to for another year and a half, so now is the time--Well, actually end of September--I must be done nursing for three months before the surgery. So, I have decided on Hoopes Vision (I have heard it is the best), and they have coupons out there every once in awhile, but so far, they all expire by the end of August. SO--would you please keep your eyes open for coupons (like the save 750$ kind... or whatever) so I can get a better deal? I know some of you don't even live near me, but those that do... I'd appreciate it.

Tag!

I have been busy lately (which is different compared to a few weeks ago), and so all of the sudden I haven't had time to blog. And I have so much to catch up on. But, I want to post this one, and then later I'll do more.

One of my friends had this on her blog, and I thought it would be especially fun since through blogging I am back in touch with a lot of high school friends!

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Lemonade stand news

Well, my cousin Jennie got one of those stands, and now she is going to be on TV! Click here to read her blog about it. It just isn't fair... it was my idea...
Lots of fun! I just got my stand and we are trying it out tomorrow afternoon! If you live in the neighborhood, come on by!

My terrific neighbor

Debbie. Just love her! She made me this amazing wreath and I had to show it off. Isn't it breathtaking? She is so talented!

Following the Prophet

So my blog was hijacked several months back by my wife. Yep, that's right I (Scott) started this blog and it was such a success that Brittany took it over. Well anyway I occasionally submit a post here or there and today is one of those days.

I am extremely troubled by some of the things I read in the news. Perhaps the thing that troubles me the most right now is the amount of flack that the Lord's Prophet is taking because he "dared" to stand up for the truth by making a statement on the sanctity of marriage as it relates to the California Marriage Amendment. I have read several comments by those who claim to be active LDS members condemning the Prophet. Below is a link to a talk that I think all Latter-day Saints should read.

http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=6751

Weston's Preschool Graduation

Weston graduated from Preschool a week or so back, and what fun Mrs. Jean's class was! He is all ready for Kindergarten now. He even knows how to tie his shoelaces!

Here he is singing "gack gack goon" (I think...). She always had so many fun songs and activities for them. Here she is, just the sweetest teacher! Weston loved her!

Running out on the last day with his two friends Talon and Aaron. They live in our neighborhood and carpooled with them all year. So, I drove around with FIVE boys for quite a while (those three plus my other two!) What was I thinking? So many Star Wars games going on!

As a treat, I took them to McDonalds after their last day of school. Here they are doing some Star Wars posing... Silly boys!

Congratulations my dear boy! You are AWESOME dude! I am so proud of you!