112 Degrees!@%!

Cameron needed to be in St. George to defend a deposition today and the rest of us were happy to tag along. While he was working, we decided to try a new hike from the Chuckwalla Trailhead.  We knew it was going to be hot (the forecast I saw earlier in the week had said 100 degrees) but we underestimated just how hot (it was actually well over 100 degrees)...  

 

 

To keep cool, we used squirt bottles to mist ourselves.  They helped quite a bit, but the water evaporated so quickly that the relief they provided was very short term.

 

At one point along the trail, Austin discovered this lovely mountain formation and dubbed it "Butte Rock," only he pronounced Butte as if there were no 'e' on the end of it.  Lovely.

 

 

The guidebook I had read referred to an elephant arch hidden along the way.  I really hoped we would find it before we had to turn back.  With a little help from an afternoon jogger who pointed us in the right direction (did I mention that it was well over 100 degrees?  He must be crazy.  Nice, and very helpful with directions... but crazy for sure.), we found it.

 

 

A few pictures and it was time to go.  We had gone through half of our water, there was almost zero shade on the trail, and it made me nervous to be out there in such extreme heat with all my kiddos.  Besides the helpful crazy jogger, we had not seen another person on the trail.  We made it back fine and when I turned on my car, the temperature reading on the dash said it was 112 degrees.

 

112 degrees!@%!

 

 

We stopped at Orange Peel for smoothies and Five Guys for spicy fries and spent the rest of the afternoon at the Hurricane Outdoor Pool.  The pool was a much better idea than the hike.

Hayden Is 10!

To celebrate Hayden's tenth birthday, we invited ten friends to the Lehi outdoor pool. 

 

The birthday boy had so much fun. 

 

 

His friends had fun.

 

 

His sisters had fun.

 

 

Keeping track of all these kids was making me crazy, so I finally gave up and left it to the lifeguards. 

 

I had fun.  They did a fine job.  And we all left in one piece.

  

That night, we opened presents.  Hayden asked for money to put towards a motorcycle that he is saving for, but we still wrapped and gave him some small, inexpensive gifts (a magnet board, Pringles, PowerAde, etc.).

 

And for dessert: Texas Donuts (same as Austin; my kids are nuts about these).

 

We sure love this boy! 

 

Some of my favorite things about Hayden are:

1. His excitement for life.  This kid loves to have a good time.  He is always looking forward to fun things in the future.  It doesn't matter if we are going to Disneyland or roasting marshmallows in the backyard... he just can't wait to get the party started.

2. His desire to do what is right.  Hayden is our child that wants more than anything for us to be happy and pleased with him.  He works so hard at this.  He will often surprise us by doing extra chores around the house just to make our day brighter.  As a result, I am pretty sure that Hayden has earned more "golden buffalos" than the rest of the kids combined. (FYI: a golden buffalo is an award given to any child that goes above and beyond what is expected of them without being asked.  The award usually consists of lots of praise and a can of soda from Mom and Dad's stash.  If you are wondering why we call it the golden buffalo, I don't think I could begin to explain, other than to say that I was in a really goofy mood one night last year.  It has since come to be one of the highest honors that our children can aspire to achieve.)

3. His kind heart.  Hayden is so loving and sweet.  He is always game for snuggling with Mom and wrestling with Dad.  He still likes to be tucked in at night with a hug and a kiss.  He is a big fan of all of his siblings (most of the time); he is protective of the younger ones and adoring of the older ones.  He writes kind notes and expresses love easily and often.  Hayden is always happiest when he is with the people he loves... us!  And the feeling is mutual.

 

Happy Birthday Buddy!

In A Nutshell

Ellie's first grade academic performance, in a nutshell:

 

Family Pictures at Old Star Mill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heart Attacked!

Cameron came home from work with a headache last week.  While he was lying down he kept hearing hushed little voices and giggles outside the door.  He asked several times what was going on and was consistently assured, "Nothing!"

 

When he finally opened the door, this is what he found:

 

 

The kids had "heart attacked" him.  This is just a sampling of the love notes that they left for him:

 

He is one lucky dad, to be so loved.

Andrea and Noah

Andrea and Noah were married today.  I am so happy for her, as she has waited such a long time for this.  Together they have eight kids, so life is bound to be a bit crazy for them.  But, I know first-hand that having someone great to share the crazy with makes every part of it better.

 

They are such a beautiful and happy couple,

 

and I am so glad I got to be there for their special day! 

 

Marci, Jen, Andrea, Jenn, Amy

Spring Spectacular Clogging Show