When Husbands Are Away, The Wives Will Play

Brian and his friend Ryan headed up to my Dad’s house last night to stay the night so they could go dirt biking up in Arnold today. They were meeting up with Alex this morning, who was already up in Yosemite with his family. So last night, to start off my husbandless time, I got together with my friend Kara, who’s husband was off golfing. We decided to get together to swim and BBQ at her Mom’s house. Her husband was on call for work.

We let the kids swim for awhile, and then they discovered some of Sue’s, Kara’s Mom’s toys. It started with a pink mini quad. Colby was instantly obsessed. He also had some sort of fascination with some kid size flippers. He can be really random. Anyway the kids all rode the little pink quad until it died, and I mead dead as a door nail. We knew it was shot when Colby started asking for us to push him. These spoiled kids don’t even know what it’s like to have to make toys move on their own.

We had a yummy BBQ with some nice flame broiled hamburgers and hot dogs, fruit and a great pasta salad. (by the way I want that recipe Kara) Then Kara brought out the big Barbie jeep. The kids played around in the yard on the slip and slide and the jeep until it was time to shower up.

Luckily the Winter’s have an outside bathroom with a shower. I was going to quickly throw the kids in and shower them so I could just take them home and put them in bed. It was a great idea until we were about half way done and found out that the water heater was only meant for a one man shower. Jade got a nice hot shower, Cambrie has a mostly hot shower, Hailey felt the warm water, and Colby had a pure ice bath and screamed through the whole thing. We did learn a lesson however… next time put everyone in the shower at once turn on the water, get wet, turn off the water, wash, turn the water back on and rinse everyone. That or just go inside and use the bath there! Now we know! It was a fun time and a great to have friends to share it with. After I got home and put the kids in bed, Kara came over and we watched “Bride Wars”. It was a story about best friends and it really made me grateful for the wonderful friends that I have!! We even watched a few clips from this season of “So You Think You Can Dance”! I am so excited!
Then today we wanted to have as much fun as the boys so we headed down to Evan’s house to play. We made a quick stop at Costco for lunch plus a few items, where Karen and her kids caught up with us to head to Evan’s as well. I love having friends whose husbands play with mine! When we first got there the kids headed straight for the pool. Due to the fact that I brought everything but the kitchen sink; I had to make a few trips back to my car, one of which was for Colby’s life jacket. As I came into the backyard with the life jacket in hand I can see Colby headed down the pool steps. Before I could even yell his name he was under water. I b-lined for the steps, reached in and pulled him out. His poor little eyes were peeled wide open and he was just looking up in a panic. He was kicking some but it didn’t help much. His arms were just reaching up. It was the saddest thing I have ever seen. I know this is a little sick, but I almost wish I had a picture of it. He was really only under for a couple seconds, but it was an ohhhh moment. After that he didn’t fight me to much on wearing a life vest, although he ended up wearing Abby’s suit vest which was pink with blue flowers because he liked it better. I think it was easier for him to move around in. Luckily the inside was blue, so we turned it inside out so it didn’t look quite so girly. Not that he even cared.

For the remainder of the day we basically sent the kids out to play while we caught up on our blogging. Karen brought her computer, but it never quite made it out of the bag. Liz and I were practically glued to our chairs, almost literally for Liz. She had shorts on so just about every time she got up from her chair she had a leg peel! We watched the kids play and have a good time as we did what we enjoyed doing, working/ blogging on the computers. We set out a bunch of snacks and fruit ahead of time and figured when they were hungry they could graze. (and not bother us). It worked pretty well until the afternoon started to wind down. Then we held them off for as long as we could by giving them sporadic finger fulls of chocolate chips if they would ask nicely and smile for the camera. After awhile I noticed it had been a little bit since I had been pestered by Colby. Curious where he disappeared to, I called out for him. He was quickly by my side with a big red grin on his face. Some of the kids had found a stash of Red Vines. I guess I learned that if you don't help them, they will help themselves! It really was a fun couple of days! Except for Colby almost drowning of course!

Crossroads Jog-a-thon

It was a close call, because I had to teach a class this morning, but Colby, Hailey and I did make it to the girl’s school jog-a-thon. As we headed out towards the field where the kids were running I was wondering how I would ever find my kids, since just about every kid in the school was wearing a bright yellow and black shirt. It looked like a sea of swarming bees. When we finally made it to the inside of the circle, and after about the third time around I was able to spot Jade and Cambrie. I was pretty impressed with how they were hauling!

They got excited when they saw us there to cheer them on. Jade made an attempt to get Colby to run with her, but I didn’t want to chance him getting trampled. I love the fact that even though their faces were beat red and they were sweating, as soon as they saw the camera they put on their picture faces!

Cambrie ended up running 13 laps and Jade ran 14. Hailey didn’t get to run with them since she is afternoon kindergarten, but she did get to run with all the afternoon classes. She ran 18 laps!! (of course the kindergarten track was a little smaller.)

Miss Ellerson even commented about how “Hailey was killin’ it!” She ended up coming in second of all the girls in the class for the number of laps won. I was so impressed! The girl can run when she wants to! Although I did notice that when she got to the opposite side of the track from where we were she would slow down and walk for a while, but as soon as she heard her name hollered out she would start running again. When they were all done, all the classes got popsicles to help them cool off after their hot run! It was a competition to see who could complete the most laps in the allotted time. First place got a Baskin Robbins certificate but when I told Brian about how good the girls did, he said we would take them to ice cream ourselves!

What was I thinking?

Before I left for our Utah/ Idaho trip I told a fellow instructor that I would sub her classes for her on Tuesday since I was coming back on monday and she would still be out of town. After being on vacation for just over 2 weeks, not having exercised anything but my hand to mouth, I was a little nervous about pulling off two classes in one day. Not just any two classes either. It was Body Pump and Turbo Kick, which happen to be the two classes that can kick my butt the most! Then I had to teach my own step class Wed. morning. I feel like I barely made it through the second class on Tues. and Wed. morning when I tried to get out of bed, it was almost a no go. My quads just about gave out. Every step down the stairs was a painful one! I hate squats and horse stance cross punches! Luckily adrenaline kicked in about a quarter way through my step class and I somehow finished, showered and made it home. Today… I could not move. When I attempted to walk, I felt like both legs were broken and I was walking in straight leg braces. It was ridiculous! Why do we do these things to ourselves? I know that beauty is pain, but I know I didn’t loose the 5 lbs. I gained while in Idaho from just these 3 classes! So was it worth it? What was I thinking?!?!?!

Wii Tennis

Just before I left for Utah we somehow came into possession of a Wii. (Brian will have to give the details of that later!) So far we have found that our all around favorite game is Tennis, for the adults at least. When I left for Utah I told Brian I wanted to take the Wii since it is fairly compact, so the older kids would have something else to do while at Janell and Ryan’s house. He hemmed and hawed about it because he didn’t want to waste space, and wondered if we would really ever use it. Well… it got lots of use. Not so much by my older kids, but the older older kids! It went from the adults just trying it out to full on Tennis competitions. Everyone pretty well got involved. Even Jeff and Samantha (Meeks) gave it a go when they came over. I beat Samantha once, then talked a little trash and got my rear handed to me! I had forgotten, you don’t trash talk Sam! She is very competitive! Even the day of Jay’s wedding, while we were all hurrying to get ready, she was playing a tennis match. What a way to start your day! Anyway it has proven to be a good buy!
So when my Mom and Dad stopped by after we all got back from our trip, they asked if we had played much tennis lately. And then it was on again! It is almost as much fun to watch people play as it is to play yourself. Brian and my Dad went at it and my Mom and I gave it a try after them. Colby was busy putting on his own show, but made sure to stay in the middle of everything. So if anyone is wondering if the Wii would be a good family toy… I would have to say it truly entertains children of ALL ages!

We Love Idaho Falls!

Well our next and final stop on this two week trek was in Idaho Falls. We stayed out at Brett and Sherri’s house which is great because they have a full basement with 3 bedrooms and a bathroom, and we pretty well have it all to ourselves. You never feel like you are on top of other people or taking someone else’s space. One of the main attractions at Brett & Sherri’s house is the toy room in the basement. Actually they have a toy room and then there is the family room that is like a mini indoor park. There are slides, play tents, little riding cars, video games, a big screen TV and a mini roller coaster. Yes a mini roller coaster. It was one of the newest toys and definitely a main attraction! Sherri always has the coolest toys and a lot of them!! As if that’s not enough they also have a couple of four wheelers that they broke out while we were there. The day after we got there Brett got out the riding lawn mower to mow the lawn and Brian took out the 4-wheeler and gave some of the kids rides. Once Colby got a ride on the 4-wheeler he did not want to get off! Brian made him get off to let the other kids have a turn and he cried almost the whole time he was waiting! ! Then to completely seal the deal, later that day Brian helped Brett build an 11x11 foot sandbox. In case you’re not good with measurements, that’s a HUGE sandbox! It became an instant hit. While all that was going on Sherri was inside teaching Jade and I how to crochet. She really is so amazing and talented! I swear she can do anything! Later that evening we headed back to Grandma and Grandpa’s house where the food is always great, the treats are sweet and there is always room for more.

The next night we had dinner out at Brett and Sherri’s house. The request had been made insistently for Grandma’s famous fried chicken. It was one of Brett and Brian’s favorites growing up and the one meal Brian requested when he got home off his mission. Brett and Brian ended up helping out in the kitchen and it was fun watching them interact with their mother. She adores having them around and they lovingly do what she asks. It all turned out really yummy and the kids even enjoyed it.

While we were all eating and talking at the table, we turned around to see Colby falling asleep on the bar. Even with his eyes shut he was still trying to take bites. So cute! It was a great night for eating and just being together. Eating seems to go hand in hand with families getting together!

It always amazes me how many people Frank and Themla house and feed. One thing is for sure, you never walk away from there table hungry, especially at breakfast. Grandma and Grandpa Stacey are known for their amazing breakfast spread! When we all get together, they pull out all the stops! Breakfast usually includes: Thelma’s perfect pancakes, bacon, sausages and Frank’s famous fried eggs. Boy, do they know how to feed a crowd. Throughout the week there was lots of eating, snacking, playing, crocheting and even a little shopping. Grandma had made over 100 cookies for everyone to snack on, and Grandpa had the fridge stocked with candy and pop as always. He is a firm believer in spoiling the grandkids rotten. I’m sure my kids will have the teeth to prove it too! (Although I hope not!) This trip Grandpa happened to have one of Colby’s absolute favorites… suckers! Much to my dismay Grandpa made sure they never went without. Sherri crocheted hats for Jade and Cambrie and I made one for Hailey. We hung out with Doug and Liz and their girls one night and the boys went out and got some yummy pies!

When Shanna came into town, she Sherri and I went out shopping. They helped me find a brown shirt for our family pictures. It’s so much easier shopping with people who will give you an honest opinio3 n, rather than by yourself. Then we went to Seagull Books and got some layers shirts – Yep, buying shirts at a bookstore, only in Idaho right, well maybe in Utah too. Anyway, I was way excited because they don’t sell those types of shirts out were we are. When Nancy and family came into town, all the girls hopped in the car and went to Freeman Park to check out some good spots to take family pictures on Saturday. That night the three girls got to sleep over at the Pinder’s house. Almost every time we come to Idaho our girls do a sleep over with the Pinder girls. It’s something they look forward to every time we come. Then came P-day. We had a traditional breakfast at Grandma and Grandpa’s house and then after Brett got off work we started getting everybody ready to go take pictures. I think it was a process we were all kind of dreading. Trying to get a decent picture with 24 people all looking and smiling at the same time… was it even possible? YES! We did it. With the help of Sherri’s Mom and the Canon’s self timer with 10 x’s rapid fire, we got a picture where everyone’s eyes were open, no one was crying and you could see their faces… for the most part. All in all the process wasn’t too bad and we got some pretty good pictures! After we took pictures with all the family, James and Shanna wanted to try some less traditional pictures over on some of the old train tracks in Idaho Falls. After seeing the final product, we all wished we had gone and taken pictures on the train tracks. They turned out really cool! We spent the rest of the night playing with the pictures, trying to find our favorites and adding a few Photoshop touches. We were actually pretty happy with most of the results. Besides, after taking over 460 pictures, we should be able to find one or two we like right. (that’s no exaggeration) The next morning, the day we were leaving, I got up, grabbed the kids and took them into Grandma and Grandpa’s for our last big breakfast. I left Brian to sleep in since he would be the one driving through the night. After breakfast everyone headed out to Brett and Sherri’s to play. We rode the 4-wheelers again and played in the sandbox with all the cousins, Doug and Liz and their kids. They had come by to play and say goodbye.

It was fun as always, which made it even harder to say goodbye. It always seems like we run out of time before we run out of fun! Oh well, I guess it just leaves us wanting more so that we really look forward to coming again!