Blair and Shanna Visit!!

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Well, besides the tragic accident that happend on the first day of their visit...having Blair and Shanna come stay with us was a BLAST!! The kids played every minute they were awake and we filled each day with fun activities!

On Monday night we had planned to go to 7 Peaks Waterpark...but we couldn't stomach taking the kids near water...so we went to Jumpin Jacks instead! The kids had so much fun jumping and running around...but Blair didn't waste any time there either!

Even Brooke came by to hang out...plus the Bachelorette was on that evening, so the entertainment lasted into the night.

On Tuesday, Blair and Shanna went to Salt Lake for the day. It was me and Jake's 9 year anniversary...so Blair and Shanna were kind enough to watch the kids that evening while Jake and I hit dinner and a movie! The kids had a great time hanging out with their cousins!

Wednesday we decided to take the kids up to the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point. Jake even took a long lunch break to hang out with us! The adults were as intruiged as the kids...and I think we liked playing the sand as much too!!




On Thursday we all hung out and tried to catch our breath!

Friday was Pioneer Day here in Utah. Shanna convinced us all to run the Mapelton 5K in the morning. Karlee and Rylee ran in the kids run first...they were so excited about their participation ribbons! Then a babysitter came to watch the kids while all the adults (including Brooke) came to run the big 5K together. We HAD a great time...even though we didn't exactly MAKE great time! The we grabbed the kids and headed off to IHOP for breakfast!



After some naps we decided we were prepared to try 7 Peaks Waterpark...we packed up the kiddos and life jackets and headed out! Everyone had a blast cooling off in the water! Spencer insisted on wearing these sweet goggles while going down the slide!

That evening we made some rice crispy treats and headed back to Mapelton to enjoy a fireworks show. We got out on the grass and set up and noticed an ominous set of clouds heading our way...sure enough a considerable rain storm came our way and we hid in the van eating treats and playing with glow necklaces for about 45 minutes! But, just in time for fireworks it all dissapated! We sat, a little too close, to the large speakers and danced to some sweet tunes and then watched an amazing fireworks show happen directly above us...it was the closest I have ever been to the actual fireworks! It was the perfect ending to a great visit with Blair and Shanna!


Anyways, I am SSOOOO glad you guys decided to come stay with us...please come back again soon!

Tragic Day

It's taken me nearly a week to muster up the strength to write this post...but I feel like I need to. It was painful, but I feel that maybe there is a lesson here that I need to remember in the future. Last Sunday evening Blair and Shanna and their family arrived at our house to spend the week with us. We were so excited and had plans for each day! On Monday morning we woke up and decided to take the kids to Bridal Vail Falls for a picnic and hike. Jake headed off to work and the rest of us packed up a lunch and headed out.
When we arrived at Nunns Park we decided to hike to the Falls first and come back to eat. We unpacked strollers and scooters and headed up the path. We were stopping to take pictures and check out the bridges...we all noticed that the water was higher and stronger than we remembered in the past.
Right as we were about to reach the Falls tradegy struck. Shanna was up the path the highest with all the kids and Blair and I were a little slower, but heading up. We all suddenly saw people running and screaming, "Baby in the water!! Baby in the water!!" Panic struck immediately and Blair and I turned and ran down the path looking for a way to see in the river. I hit the clearing first and saw the child floating down the river...I started screaming at the top of my lungs that I saw her...somebody help! I was frozen. Next thing I saw was Blair jump in the river in front of me.
Relief and then terror came within a split second. I couldn't see Shanna and realized that she didn't know Blair was in there. I ran up the path screaming to her, "Can Blair swim?? Can he swim well??" I screamed to her that Blair had jumped in and we traded posts...I took the kids and she ran after Blair. I immediatley felt that I had put my brother's life in danger and can't describe how that felt. I began gathering up the kids...holding on to each one of them and started back down the path. Within a minute we saw Blair (soaking wet) and Shanna coming up the path towards us...tears began streaming down my face and I ran and hugged him.
He told me that when he jumped in he felt her and tried to grab her, but the swift water had ripped her from his hands...he tried to reach her again, but she drifted too far too quickly. He had to find a way out of the water and he used large tree roots growing into the river to get out. He was devastated.
The devastation hit us all hard as we left the path and saw search and rescue, firemen, police and helicopters searching for her. Nobody knows that Blair jumped in there...he wasn't on the news, he didn't stop to tell anybody, he just did his best and quietly moved on.
We later found out that she was found a mile down river stuck under a rock. She was flown to Primary Children's Medical Center and passed away the next day.
Blair swears that he didn't hear me scream for someone to jump in and save her...he says he was throwing clothes, a backpack and flip flops off as he ran down the path because he knew he had to try to save her. My little brother is a hero in my eyes and I have never been prouder to be his sister. I hope he never again doubts his strength and courage...I know I won't.
As for me, it is humbling and frightening to me that I didn't do more in that situation. Jake says it just teaches me my limits...I wish I had been stronger. All I know for sure, is that I am hugging my kids a little tighter and keeping them a little closer. My prayers go out to that sweet girl's family and I hope they can find strength. She was 8 or 9 years old...very close to my Karlee...I can't describe how difficult it has been to try to get this out of my mind. It seems to be haunting me still and I hope that I never have to witness something that difficult again.

Lake Powell...It's about time!

Jake and I both grew up going to Lake Powell each summer with our families...and it is the place of some of our favorite memories! So, when we started having kids we tried to keep going each summer with them...but, it is not a great place for little ones...so, we haven't been back in about 6 years. This year we finally felt like maybe we could handle it and the kids would enjoy it, so we decided to go with the Clarks. We made it a short (3 day) and manageable trip and I can happily report that we all had a total blast! The weather was warm, the water was perfect and except for a few boat issues (really, what is a Lake Powell trip without a few boat issues???), it was a perfect getaway!

We spent most of our time swimming in the Lake with floaties and life jackets...we explored "Lizard City" (or, "wizard city", as Spencer called it) and jumped off some little rock cliffs.

We did a little tubing behind the boat...the kids aren't very daring yet, but Jenny and Candice were very entertaining! Doug and Jordan weren't too shabby either!

It was really fun to hang out with Jenny and Jordan and Candice and Doug...it keeps me feeling young...or maybe a little old...I don't know...but they were hilarious!

The girls thought sleeping up on the roof of the boat was the best...each night we told "scary" stories and watched the stars come out...I have to admit that sleeping on the roof is one of my favorite things about the trip too!

I'm sorry, but isn't my husband a hottie behind the wheel?? I love this guy!

Our boat was parked in the perfect spot for hiking and exploring. The boys went looking for gold (one of Jake's favorite pasttimes) and then Grandpa took Rylee and Will to find tadpoles...Rylee brought back 5 of them...it was love at first sight! Unfortunately, they quickly started dying and got thrown overboard...to say Rylee was devastated would be an understatement, she survived and we have moved on.

Here I am with my crazy hair...I have never mastered the fine art of having fabulous hair at Lake Powell...or the beach...or really anywhere else...it's a work in progress.

Happy to report that nobody got sunburned and we had a great time with all of the family...the last day we were there Holly and Sam and the kids came and Adam and Jess too...it was really great to spend time with everyone and we can hardly wait to go back next year!

Fourth of July

Fourth of July is always one of our favorite holidays! The big Freedom Festival Parade is something the kids look forward to all year long! We love to hang out with the family, eat lots of powdered sugar donuts, cheer for the floats (or the police motorcycles) and just be together! It really is great to see every person there wearing red, white and blue too!

Karlee has been sick with a fever the past 4 days...the night of the 3rd she woke up in tears during the night because she didn't want to be sick for the 4th of July...she was still not feeling well on the morning of the 4th, so we pumped her up with Ibuprofen and kept her full of it all day so she could enjoy (and she did)!





The boys always have a great round of afternoon golf (while the kids attempt to nap...but almost never do!)...then it's off to the Norm Nemrow house for a BBQ with all of the extended family! This year there was a sweet old neighbor who brought over some "interesting" music machine to entertain the family...and it did not disappoint! The pinata was a big hit and the cotton candy machine made Rylee's day!


The evening was filled with fireworks, treats and family...isn't that really what it's all about?? We had such a blast, as we always do!

By the way...the shoes in the picture above are Spencer's first pair of new shoes in over a year (he just isn't growing real fast)...he was so excited about them that he threw fits the night we got them until we let him sleep in them! When he woke up in the morning...he was still wearing them and has hardly let us take them off since!