Purple Eye

Monday morning was an interesting day but a good outcome.  I send the kids off on their bikes several minutes before 8am so they have time to play with friends at the school playground before the bell.  About 10 minutes after 8am I see there is a call from the school... In my mind I'm already rehearsing, "she will be fine, she can go back to class..."  This time wasn't one of those times.  The nurse had called telling me that I need to come down because she will need stitches.  Got my attention, but still a little skeptical, because it could still be just something little.

I get there but to my dismay, blood stained clothes from a huge gash above her right eye helped me realize I was very wrong.  Bleeding had stopped, but she was pretty upset at the word "stitches".

Swinging on the bars at school, she had slipped one hand and dangled with the other causing her to crash into the bars head on.  She said she hurt, but didn't think it was too hard, until he put her hand up to her eye and her hand was all red with blood.

Waiting at Urgent Care and the numbing gel on her wound.

Ammon was playing my phone and snatched this one of the doctor working his magic.  Although Tarin was still pretty shaken up with "stitches" being put in, she didn't feel a thing when the doctor mentioned he already put one in...that was when she stopped and realized she was ok.  She will say that the shot jabbed multiple times into her gash was pretty painful, but was glad it did the job.  She ended up with 11 stitches!  I think Jarom had the family record of 7...Tarin is the new record holder.  Let's hope for no more record breakers!  Overall, the day turned out pretty good despite the pain and anguish.

Stopped by Orange Leaf for some ice cream to make 'everything better'.  Ammon was pretty happy about that.  I enjoyed the time together more then any of them.

Next morning, she was still feeling pretty good, but looked pretty beat up!  Drainage had swollen the eye and painted some pretty colors.  I though it was kind of cool, but she was embarrassed to go to school looking like this.  Subbing her class half day, I was able to see her mid day and she was in good spirits.  I think she knew it was ok and that it wasn't that big of a deal.

Had to post this too.  She was trying to put ice on it before school, in hopes it would go down.  Trent had the idea to use this head band to hold it in place...pretty funny.  But as you can see she wasn't laughing...poor girl.

Raegan's Piano

With piano getting expensive, I did decide to pull Raegan out of lessons from an outside teacher.  4 kids playing gets pretty pricey...  This is her first year and I still wanted her to learn.  I taught our first two kids for their first year, and that is what I've decided to do with Raegan.  I have all the books and knew with her eagerness to learn, she would do alright with me as her teacher.  She has done extraordinarily well.  She has only been playing since the beginning of September, and has completing the first book.  I'm so proud of her.  

One issue she had, was her trying to play up in the black keys.  Her fingers were stiff and couldn't move.  Even though I kept reminding her to curl her fingers and play in the white (on the edge of the keys) she couldn't remember.  So finally it dawned on me.  I dampened some toilet paper and stuffed them in between the black keys.  Hallelujah!  It worked.  She's doing better.  Here in a few weeks, the others have their recitals and I will have Raegan all ready to play for the family at the next fast Sunday gathering.  Nice work baby girl!

Last Chance For Hiking

The kids had Fall Break from school, a 5 day weekend.  So the first day I noticed it was going to be beautiful weather, and probably one of the last days of the season to get out and hike.  We decided to do the Stewart Falls hike since no one has completed it from our family...  Also, Jarom and Raegan needed to pass off Faith in God requirements for Primary, so they planned this hike which also included gathering garbage along the trail.

Yep, Jarom's eyes are closed...darn it!  At the trail head ready to go with lunched packed and bags in hand.

Even though the fall colors were nearing their end, we were still able to enjoy spectacular views!!  This spot where Tarin is, was my favorite corner in the trail.  A few weeks earlier when Ammon and I attempted this trail, all these leaves were on the trees above and bright pink! 

Almost to the falls.  This is looking out toward Sundance Ski resort. If only pictures could do justice to the views...

Finally, we made it.  We are at top area where the trail opens up to the falls.  We climbed down the trail to the base of the falls.

Gorgeous!

After eating lunch, jumping rocks and learning the law of gravity with shoes slipping into the water, we headed back.  Still couldn't help taking pictures of the wonderful world we live in.

                                       Raegan and Jarom                                                                     Tarin and Ammon                                             

Yep, tired and soggy shoes.  They were glad to be done.  But as you can see, we gathered a bunch of trash from the trail.  There was bunches more, but we didn't have the means to gather everything up.  They did a great job!

Then of course, we drove the Alpine Loop home.  I love it!  Had to drive pretty slow, so the kids wouldn't get car sick, but all the better to take in the views!  Again, wish I had my big camera...the Aspen trees were glorious!  Literally glowing like yellow fire throughout the valley.

Just over the peak of the drive and making our way down to the American Fork side, this was an amazing view of Timpanogos.  Seriously can not explain how much I love this beautiful earth.  My heart fills with amazement and gratitude every time I get to be apart of it's beauty.  I hope, some day, that my kids appreciate this as much as I do and remember what a wonderful creation the Lord has given us.

St. George Marathon 2012

Moving out here, Trent was determined to try the St. George Marathon.  It's notorious for it's "down-hill" course but non-the-less a challenging race.  Luckily he was able to get into the lottery drawing and officially be a runner for this race.  He's been training and trying new things to prepare himself for this race and had great results because of it...but of course even after it was over and he shaved 18 minutes off of his previous marathon time he is already thinking he can do better.

At the expo, we thought we would try the spaghetti dinner.  Pasta Makes You Go Fasta.   Wasn't too bad, but I don't think I'd do that again...

After dinner, we headed out to Tuacahn Amphitheater.  A well known, must-do, hot spot playing Disney's Aladdin.  Wish our kids could have been there, they would have loved it!!  It was a great night and a warm night at that.  Perfect for me.

Next morning...if you want to call it that...about 3 hrs of sleep...he was up and ready to hit the buses at 4am that will bus him to the top of the race.  Even though it was only 70+ degrees outside, up the canyon, it was 35-45 degrees with windy conditions.  Bon Fires and sitting around was all he could do for about 2+ hours.  At 6:50am he crossed the starting line and was ready to tear up the course.

I got back to the hotel and went back to sleep...hey, someones got to drive the 4 hrs back home when this is over...  At 8am I made my way to mile 16 which is up Snow Canyon.  No problem, unless you are one of the families of over 7 thousand racers also trying to get to the same location!  Yep, sticky situation.  Took me over an hour to get there; parking on the side of the 2 lane road, running up hill for about 1 1/2 miles to catch a glimps as he runs by...

That is exactly what I caught...a glimps.  I was running up (out of breath) and was lucky enough to see him...go by.  Because I was late getting there, I was thinking I had missed him altogether...I was almost in tears huffing and puffing up the hill wondering if I'd even see him, or even know that we went by.  Good thing I pushed on.  Then it was the run back down...good thing it was down this time!  Whew, I didn't run a marathon, but it sure felt that way after adrenaline wore off.

I had to race back to town to make it in time to see him at the finish!  Driving out of the canyon was gorgeous!

I did make it back sooner then expected and cheered on all the amazing runners.  Wow, all kinds of ages and people, I was impressed!  Yes, I did have a picture taken of me, I had to have proof that I was really there...right?

Then...here he came!  Trying to snatch a picture and cheer him on with a sign, was a task, but was worth it. oops, eyes were closed...

I need to look up his exact time, but close enough... 3:51!  His goal was under 4 hrs. and he did it!  Very cool. yes I did doctor the time board...wish I was at the finish line as he crossed it...

He found me at the fence outside the runner area.  This is what his medallion looked like (red stone marbled in)

Together at the end.  Good job honey!!

Family Pictures 2012

It has been a very long time since we have had a family picture taken.  So I took matters into my own hands and made it happen.  With a tri-pod and a remote in hand, this is what came about...

My centering specimens...just waiting around.

Now these next few pictures are outtakes.  You'd think my 4 yr old would be our problem child in getting "just the right picture"...Look closer and you will see who the culprit really is....

Some more of the crazy little woman...who later told me it was her way to get herself to smile and laugh...sheesh....

Finally a compromise.  The one to grace the wall of our home.

Another group picture...these I allowed them to get crazy and fun.  Thought you all would enjoy...

                                (a precious hug)

This would be a true reality to our every day life of a family of 7!  Worth framing for sure!

A "normal" picture of or little family.  They each bring such a unique joy to the family.

And yes, the boys are worth a few crazy takes...

And the sweet girls...

"okay everyone tell me what you really think of this photo session..."

nice input...I will remember that for next time...

By the time we got to mom and dad, the evening was starting to get a bit dark, hence the grainy-ness, but props to Rian for taking it for us.

So blessed to have such healthy, normal, energetic, loving, creative, and fun-loving kids.  A family forever.