Yesterday Ryan turned 40. My last blog post was about him turning 39. This makes me want to cry! I have been so determined to keep up on my blog for journaling our family - no one reads it anymore, blogs are no longer the "thing" of social media- but regardless of if any one else is reading it, I am so grateful for all that I have blogged about our family over the last several years and I so badly want to keep up on journaling all the funny and precious little things about the kids. My problem is that since I've started doing photography for other people, my own pictures and blogging gets pushed to the side. I do not want this to happen, I have got to find a better way to balance my time. I love doing photography but I can't let my photos of my kids keep piling up on the computer. So my goal now is a massive summer catch up! Here goes. 4th of July 2014...
We went up to Huntsville again for the 4th and instead of getting a hotel 40 minutes away like last time, we found a great place to rent in the Valley. We rented Martha's basement in Eden and it was wonderful (expensive! but wonderful). It was so nice to actually be in the Valley, the home was spacious and clean and she had an adorable play room she had created under her stairs that Madi and Jens loved playing in.
On the 3rd (my 33rd birthday) we took the kids to Lagoon. My only request was Kneader's French Toast for breakfast and I got that so I was happy. We spent a very long and full day at Lagoon, with Kate, Bennett and Macy, and the kids loved it! Well mostly. Jens was such a little turkey. All day we tried getting him to go on rides, he was scared of everything and didn't want to try anything. We finally got him to go on the cars and he loved that and so we went again and again. Then finally after it was about his normal bed time, he decided to be brave and try some other rides. He went on the boats with Macy a few times and he loved that. Then at the very end of the night I finally got him on the helicopters. Couldn't believe it was bed time before he finally decided to be happy and enjoy the rides, but since he did we stayed until the park closed! Here are some of the highlights in photos...
Mom insisted on a picture in front of the shoe
Madi and Bennett
Aunt Kate was great to go on the rides with the kids.
I ended up having an awful little spurt during the day... I knew I could only do a few of the big roller coasters with Pierce and then I would get a head ache (since I've had kids I can only handle a couple and then I'm done), so Kate's sister in law suggested I take some Dramamine for motion sickness. I did and it was a mistake! It made me so tired I was literally falling asleep. I was so scared walking with the kids feeling like I was just going to fall over! Finally I found a little spot at the end of the park with not a lot of people around on some grass. I put Jens and Macy buckled up in their strollers facing each other and Kate and Ryan took the other kids on a ride. I laid down on the grass and let myself rest and fall asleep for a few minutes. I probably slept for 10-15 minutes but after that I was fine! It seemed like my body just had to fall asleep to revolver and then once I did I got over it. Never taking that medicine again! I did go on Wicked and Collossus with Pierce and that was fun, he loves it and gets a kick out of me screaming. Can't believe I have kids old enough for the big rides.
Tay joined us part way through the day!
Jens
finally having some fun!
He loved these cars so much, he could have ridden them all day.
Finally brave enough for a ride now that it was dark!
The 4TH
The next morning we were on to the festivities!
Can you tell someone was enjoying the parade? Especially the candy!
I love this face more than I can say.
Katie and kids were in Utah visiting Katie's family (Katie is so brave and drove all the way from Chicago without Steve to visit family!) They joined us in Huntsville for the parade and some fun at the park. It was so great seeing them! We've missed them since they've been in Chicago!
Pierson & Anya - they have always been such great cousin friends!
In the evening we joined Kate at the Story's for a BBQ dinner. The kids loved Chuck and Dixie's backyard. It is kid Heaven!
Madi on their homemade zip line (I was impressed she even did it!)
Pierce started with the swing...
Then got brave and did it without, they had such a great time!
We ended the day with fireworks at the park and were so glad to be in the Valley that night.
The next morning we left Martha's and first visited the cemetary
Madi visiting Grandma Kathy's grave. I love being here at the Huntsville Cemetery, it is so beautiful and peaceful there. I love this small space dedicated to my Mom. I also enjoyed walking around the cemetery for a bit and finding a few graves of family friends. After that we visited Grandma Harrop, Madi enjoyed picking some raspberries from her garden.
Jens enjoying the berries too
After visiting Grandma we were able to visit Audge and Jared and spend some time at their house. They cooked us a delicious dinner and the kids loved playing with "Bugsy" and seeing Audge's new baby girl, Arya. It's always so good to catch up with Audge, no matter how long it is in-between visits we can just pick up where we left off, a true friendship.
Jens loved Bugsy's firetruck!
That night we headed up to Logan and slept at a hotel up there so we could be up there bright and early for Mark and Lisa to bless their new baby, Ezra. Their church ended up getting cancelled because of a water pipe breaking and it turned out to be a great experience! They were able to bless Ezra in their home and then have a special testimony meeting with all the family that was there. It was so neat to be in a small room together and bear testimonies as a family, I remember the tremendous spirt that was there and was very grateful for the experience. It was fun to finally be able to see their little house in Logan too. We are so glad Mark married Lisa, we just love her.
We had a great trip and the kids really enjoyed it! It is heartbreaking for me in ways to go to Huntsville, I miss my Mom so deeply and the last two years it has been more difficult for me, I just ache for her! It is added heartache that my Dad is now so distanced from me and shows no care or desire to see me. This trip was especially hard, I had text him letting him no we were coming up and wanted to see him (we don't dare just go to his house anymore, since we know Susan doesn't want us there) and all he said to me was "Just come find me up at the park". Well we did and he talked with us for about 5 minutes and that was it. He didn't want to spend any time with us at all. In some ways this hurts more than losing my Mom, she didn't chose to leave us, but my Dad is choosing to not really be in my life. It is hard, it hurts, and I leave Huntsville in tears. I miss my Mom so much and am more grateful all the time for my Savior and for the healing power of the Atonement. Looking forward to the day I can see my Mom again, can't wait to run and hug her!
