GATES OF LADORE

Well, I made it home alive. It was exactly like I thought it would be. We met amazing people, made lots of new friends, saw beautiful scenery, nearly froze to death, and had a blast.

Here we are at the put-in. I was so glad S got to come home and go with us. I have missed her so much!

Here is our group (minus one that was already in the water).

This is a shot of the Gates of Ladore. It is a beautiful canyon! Too bad it was RAINING! (and had been all morning and night).

One of the days we stopped and hiked up to see a waterfall. Here are our blisters when we got back. Ouch! But it was a fun hike, a pretty waterfall and nice to get out of the boat and move, so it was worth it. My feet also got sunburned that day. I still can't figure out how that happened... it wasn't that warm...

This was the scene this morning. Note the snow on the mountains that was not there when we went to bed the night before.

Our Big Island campsite was a pretty cool one despite the cold. Here are some of us at breakfast.

The day got colder and colder and the wind blew HARD. At one point it even hailed on us. I truly don't think my feet have ever been as cold as they were on the Split Mountain section of the river. (It was a strange experience to have sunburned and numb feet at the same time- only on a river trip!) We were going through HUGE water and it was VERY cold. I was glad it was the last day.

Now we get to go on another trip (covering some of the same area) next week. Hmmm... Can't decide how to feel about that. I'll have to let you know later...

OUT IN THE COLD

We are headed out on a river trip to do the Gates of Ladore (click for link)and I am less than enthusiastic about the idea. The forecast is calling for highs in the 60's and wind. Not a great combination when the water is about 50˚ F! I know the scenery will be amazing and the company will be fun, but the cold is freaking me out. I do not want to get dumped in the drink in those conditions and we are in HIGH water this year with class IV rapids. Pray for me...

MAY DAY & TEACHER TRIBUTE

Our elementary school has a L O N G tradition of doing a May Day program (my mom did it when she was going there about 60 years ago). The 5th graders do the may pole and the rest of the grades each do a little dance routine. This year the theme was Disney and it was fun.

Here is the school getting ready to sing again. I loved all the Mary Poppins songs.

Little C and Princess P afterwards. They are both such great performers!

On the way out we saw their teachers and stopped for a photo op. Princess P has LOVED Ms. W and so have I. What a positive 1st grade experience she had. We are sad to see it end.

When I asked Mr. C if we could take a photo he said, 'Serious or how Little C really is?' I said, 'How Little C really is.' This photo is the result. It has been a great 4th grade year for Little C. Mr. C has been very fun. Last days of school are bitter sweet when you have to say goodbye to amazing teachers!

SHORT HAIR

I was cutting the boys' hair the other evening and Princess P decided she wanted hers cut too. I started chopping away with wild abandon and really muffed up it up bad. It was uneven on the sides, choppy in the back so I kept trying to even it out and it kept getting shorter and shorter! It was a nightmare!

Luckily I have a sister-in-law that has some amazing hair skills. She came the next morning to save the day. We'll call her Super J.

Princess P wanted bangs, so Super J cut those too. Here is that cute face with the short hair. That darn cowlick doesn't work real well with the bangs, but that doesn't bother Princess P.

I love the back especially. I am so grateful for people that can save me from myself.

SPECACLES

I have needed corrective lenses since I was in third grade and my eyesight has gotten progressively worse throughout my life. I got contacts in 7th grade, but have always had a pair of glasses on the side. My kids make fun of how big they are, but I am sure- just like everything does- they will come back in style.

Here I am in 7th grade with my infamous blue glasses. I was a beauty queen.

This is me (on the left) with my Snow College roommate (who will not be happy with this photo). Again, my kids laugh their heads off at how large our glasses are.

Today I went to pick up these new babies. I like them. They are comfy to wear and I can see really well! I am still adjusting to wearing glasses instead of contacts though. I get really dizzy while driving, but that's probably why the tech told me to wear them for a week to get used to them. They aren't too bad if you can't see how thick they are (even with the ultra thin lenses).

PHONE PHOTOS

I don't know about you, but I have lots of funny silly photos on my phone. My kids don't have cell phones, so mine becomes a very fun toy. We are switching phones, so I went through and downloaded all my photos. Here are some of my favorites:

In 9th grade S ran into a door and chipped her front tooth. Here she is before we got it fixed.

A very old one of Little C and his buddy K playing their first year of soccer.

D getting his braces put on.

The kids out in front of the new Draper temple.

Princess P is the one who takes lots of photos on my phone. She cracks me up! I always end up having to delete about 20 photos after she's had my phone.

YARD PROJECTS

Our family night took place out in our yard again last night. The hole our trampoline is in is collapsing thanks to termites in the wood.

So, of course we need to brick it. Big C is worried that the ground is just going to cave under the sidewalk, so here he is starting the brick. My two older boys helped him...

... while the two younger kids helped me with the tomatoes and peppers. I hope we even get any it is so late, but it has just been so cold I haven't been motivated to do much in the garden. Our peas are coming nicely though...

BALLET & A BIRTHDAY

We had a busy but fun day yesterday. Princess P had her Spring recital and it was A's birthday.

Our little ballerina princess did such a great job. She is such a beautiful, graceful little dancer.

Here she is during the performance (in the middle). She is such a pretty performer and has so much fun dancing.

This is the traditional girl-cousin-dance-recital photo. Aren't they the cutest? Princess P has so much fun with them. We feel so blessed to have so much family around.

After the recital we went home and had all that family over for brownies and ice cream to celebrate A's birthday. He never complained once about having to share his birthday night with his little sister. He must be growing up.

Here he is with the cash he received for his birthday. He's saving up for a new amplifier for his electric guitar so he can play even LOUDER. He's almost there.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MR. SMARTY PANTS

I cannot believe A is 15! He is taking Driver's Ed and everything. I am stunned that my third child could be this old. Where did all the time go?

A's story is a special one to me because we both almost died getting him here. I would do it again in a second. He is an amazing boy and I am so happy Heavenly Father sent him to our family.

TOP 10 FAVORITES ABOUT THE BIRTHDAY BOY:

1. My straight A student. (We still have no idea where it came from).
2. AMAZINGLY talented at piano (That's why I won't let him quit).
3. Equally talented at the guitar and loves it.
4. Such a handsome boy.
5. Has a wonderful testimony of our Savior.
6. Is a good public speaker.
7. Likes to read (I'm always so happy about that).
8. Loves computers.
9. Has 9 1/2 fingers. (How many people can say that? Actually, more than you would guess.)
10. Is always complimentary about what I make for dinner (I know all the moms out there appreciate this. Making dinner is a thankless job).

Love you mucho grande, A! Wishing you a great year!

HAPPY WEATHER

We are so happy that the weather has gotten nice the past two days. It has been in the 70's and feels hot to us we are so unused to it.

The kids come home from school and play outside with friends until time for dinner. It is great! Today I looked out the window and Princess P and Little Miss B were sitting, chatting on the patio. Loved it! Had to take a photo.

Here is Little C (middle) with the boys from the 'hood and their guns. They have been shooting up a storm in our backyard the last couple days- at targets. So much fun! We haven't lost any windows yet...

THE BIG WIDE WORLD

She did it. She left me. My oldest is off to be a river guide in Idaho. I am so worried/sad/excited. I am hoping this is going to be a good thing for her, but the mother in me is really struggling with it.

Here she is with her set up. She is going to live in that tent trailer for four months. She has spent the last few weeks getting it ready with her dad and grandpa's help. She even made slip covers for the cushions.

I am dying and I know she is so excited she couldn't get out of here fast enough. Hopefully she'll be back after the training to run a river with us before the season starts for her job.

This is the type of thing she just headed up to do. I'm glad she has warm gear, 'cuz that water is going to be COLD! I am praying 24/7 from now on.

CONTACTS & RAINOUTS

I have mentioned before that Little C needs glasses, but refuses to wear them. I know it is because he is worried that he looks like this in them...

...but actually, he doesn't. I think he looks cute. 'Course, what do I know, I'm just a mom. (This photo was taken for National Nerd Day last week- he looked so funny!)

Last week we got him some contacts and he is actually really good with them. He can put them back in by himself and everything- A can't even do that yet. I think there is major motivation to do it so he doesn't have to wear his glasses (like he ever did- I think we can count the number of times he wore them on one hand and still have fingers left over).

Last night, Little C's game was sopping wet. I took my ski coat and sat on a towel to protect my rear end (didn't work real well) and still got soaked. I got there just in time to see him catch a fly ball, strike someone out and tag someone out. He had a great 1 and a half innings. Definitely the MVP of the shortened game. I'm so proud of him. I know the contacts have quite a bit to do with it. He can actually see the ball and home plate now and doesn't have to guess. Aren't we lucky to live in a time when there is something we can do for failing eyesight? I feel blessed.

I also felt blessed when they called the game because of the drenching rain. Hallelujah! We went home and drank hot chocolate!

FRIENDS, FOOD & FUN

This weekend I went to Colorado (where I grew up) to hang out with some of my very good friends. I've blogged about my amazing childhood buddies before, so I won't go into that (as extensively) this time, but they were wonderful girls then and fabulous women now. It was a weekend of food, fun, laughs, food, shopping, movie, food, shopping, talking, and food. Yes, we ate a lot.

They had the most yummy chocolate mousse cake I have eaten in a long time. I LOVE chocolate mousse more than anything! It was hard to come home after such a weekend of fun. I am definitely going back soon!!

Here we are on Friday at The Rockslide Grill. We also shopped at the mall and went to a Jazz/Art festival downtown.

C- aka, The Trophy Wife (in the photo with me) does a little spot on the radio and these are free mousepads we got from the station. This is right after we ate at Cafe Rio for dinner and on our way to see Something Borrowed (good chick flick).

The next day we ate out yet again, for breakfast with some friends. Then we went shopping again and got some good bargains at Kohl's.

After that we went... yes, to eat again, at the Alehouse (used to be Gladstones) with another friend.

BATTER UP

Yes, it is that time again. Time for baseball, and Little C is playing again this year. He has had mixed emotions about it because he isn't fond of the coach, but he stuck it out and played his first game Tues. and did a GREAT JOB!

He pitched his first game ever and was VERY GOOD! Big C and I are still wondering where he came from because neither one of us have ever been big organized sports fans.

Little C just has a natural talent. He'll be even better when we get him some contacts today. (He REFUSES to wear his glasses). When he can actually see.... well, the other team just better watch out!

Here are Big C, Princess P and S cheering on Little C. It was FREEZING! I am used to watching baseball and roasting in the sun, so it was quite a change. Only 14 more games to go....