Last Week in June

We've had quite the week.  Lots going on.  Here are some highlights from the last week of June.

On Monday, June 26th, Steve went in for surgery.  I took off work to be home w/ the boys while Dave took him to the hospital. He had the Duodenal switch done to his stomach and intestine.  Definition: Duodenal switch surgery is a weight-loss procedure that combines the principles of restriction and malabsorption by making the stomach smaller and rerouting the intestines. This combination of treatments is a proven, effective way to lose weight and improve weight-related health issues.

Steve ready to go to surgery.  Just coming out of anesthesia, then taking a walk later that evening.

We went over to the park to play, then to Bahama Bucks for a snow cone!

We later played w/ water balloons on the trampoline and I threw the ball w/ Piper.

That night we order pizza from Pizza Hut.  Nyles and Carter earned a free personal pan pizza from readying all month.  I ordered one for Hudson too and he ended up eating the whole thing!!  Later playing in the sand box, laying in a hole the boys dug.  Steve stayed overnight at the hospital.

On Tuesday, we met up w/ Nyles' friend Lincoln and went to a splash pad.

They had a lot of fun playing!

Beautiful Lilies in bloom, Daisies and Tickseed.

Our neighbors Ron and Becky got 2 bunnies.  They keep getting out though.  Nyles and Carter helped many times try to round them up.  Great quote.  Steve got back Tuesday evening at 6pm.  The next day he laid down after putting Hudson down for a nap and Piper came and snuggled up next to him.  She knew he wasn't feeling well.

Nyles and Carter went w/ our neighbors to do Geocaching.  They had a lot of fun!

Steve was feeling a little better on Thursday and took the boys to Thanksgiving Point farm.  

Carter loves the goat!  They also rode horses, so fun!

They then went over to the Butterfly Museum.  

They had fun, but Steve overdid it and was pretty tired the rest of the day.

Friday night, Stacie came and picked up Nyles and Carter to have a sleep over at their place w/ Conor.  They had a Free Frazil on Friday, then went to a movie in the park that night.  Carter loves to snuggle w/ Mesa.  They built a fort too!

Saturday was the 1st day of July.  That morning we took Hudson to the Draper Splash Pad.

He had a lot of fun playing in the cooler water.  It was July and all of a sudden it was HOT!

More pretty Lilies!

Saturday they went to some fun activities in Centerville celebrating the 4th of July.

That afternoon we met up to get the boys back, and decided to go swimming at the Cottonwood Rec Center.  Hudson figured out the slide pretty quickly and went down MANY times!

Hudson later figured out he could float w/ his life jacket and wanted to do it all by himself!  After swimming we went back to Dave/Joann's for dinner.  Hudson putting lotion on Claire's friend Maddie.

On Sunday, Nyles former primary teacher came over and gave Nyles a .22 rifle.  He said he really appreciated Nyles in his class.  That afternoon we went up Little Cottonwood Canyon to Snowbird to get some cooler air.  We did the little nature walk and saw a deer!

Quick family picture.

It was a beautiful day up there w/ beautiful scenery.

Saturday morning we also learned that Dexter's little girl Sage got kicked in the head by a horse.  They life flighted her to St. Luke's in Boise and did surgery.  Her head was too swollen though so they couldn't get in and relieve the pressure.  They did several tests to check for brain activity, but couldn't find any.  They ended up calling it on Sunday after no activity.  Dexter and Michelle decided to selflessly donate her organs though.  They did surgery to donate what organs they could to others on Tuesday, July 4th.  She was such a precious little girl, so full of energy and spunk. She had such a cute smiling face and fun personality.  We were so blessed to have her in our lives. Until we meet again..

Here is what Dexter said about her:

My little cowgirl went to heaven yesterday.

It’s difficult to describe a person like Sage. She touched so many people and made a lot of friends, but I will try

She was a “daddy’s girl.” Sage was always right there on my hip and had to do everything I did. She loved all animals, especially her horses and dogs.

Sage was super positive and very energetic. She could always entertain herself if her dad was busy. She would sit on a tied up horse for hours while working cattle and be happy as a clam. Or sort a bucket of bolts while I was working on a project in the shop.

It’s not easy to admit but she was “the boss” and had me wrapped around her finger.

I have a whole in my heart that can never be filled. But she would want us all to carry on.

I know that she is looking down on us from above.

You will always be loved and remembered Sage,

Love you always

This was our family picture we took in April over Easter.  Sage is sitting on Barb's lap.

Great quotes.  Ironically our Sunday School lesson this week was on the Resurrection.  I am so thankful for the knowledge that we can see our family members (and others) again after this life.  I know Christ lives and we can have eternal families through Him!

3rd Week of June

Here are some highlights from the 3rd week of June.

On Monday, June 19th, I had the day off for Juneteenth Holiday.  The year before we were planning for the Primary kids to go to Camp Tracy and I suggested this day (that way I didn't have to take work off).  We had 7 girls and 8 boys go.  I drove up, along w/ 2 other leaders, plus one mom w/ her son who is autistic.  She wanted to go up separate in case she needed to go home at any moment (he doesn't usually do well w/ new experiences).  We met at our circle at 7am, checked to make sure we had everyone's forms filled out correctly, had a sack lunch, water bottle and closed toed shoes, said a prayer, then divided up in cars and left.  I led the pack, leading the way up Millcreek Canyon (close to where we turn off to go to LuDean's house at 3900 South).  After checking in, the camp leaders did some skits, then had us head out to our first station.

In our car: Sienna Gatherum, Clay Evans, Zoee Gatherum, Kaitlyn Moreton and Nyles (they all live on Crestridge road next to us).  Kaitlyn's mom Kyle also rode in the front w/ me.

Our first station was a little nature walk around the pond.

We got done a little early, so we played games at the pavilion.

We then went to the pond to get instructions on using the boats/oars.

We had fun rowing around, then trying to get small balls one of the camp leaders threw in the water.

Then we went to the BB Gun station.

Nyles had a great time shooting of course, as did most of the kids.  The autistic boy Ryder Anderson (our backdoor neighbor) was especially nervous to shoot, but after a little bit he was really enjoying it.  He later said he wanted to buy a BB gun!

Then we went to the archery station.  The kids did awesome!

Then we went to the Trading Post where the kids could buy snacks or other things.  

We got a group picture while waiting to go in.  The kids L to R: Bode Jensen, Jace Brinkerhoff, Tyler Lovell, Spencer Fry, Finley Morris, Nyles, Vivian Alvey, Bailey Carlisle, Jane and Chloe Chipping, Ryder Anderson, Kaitlyn Moreton, Zoee and Sienna Gatherum and Clay Evans.

The leaders: me, Kyle Moreton, Misty Anderson, Lisa Lovell and Emily Jensen.

The kids getting some snacks.  Jace, Nyles and Clay.  Then we had lunch: Nyles, Clay, Jane and Chloe.

Nyles and Clay building a necklace. Kaitlyn making one too.  Another group pic and the kids who wanted to made necklaces with small symbols of each of the stations we went through.

Vivian and Bailey bought a sucker w/ a scorpion inside.  They also got fake mustaches. :)

Then going on a rock wall obstacle.

Vivian was adamant to try the scorpion, even though it grossed her out.

Lastly we played gaga ball.

Our group won the award that day, yeah!!  We're not sure what the award was for since they didn't say, but we'll take it!  The kids were super excited about it!

Notice the tie dye shirts.  We had the kids made them 2 weeks before camp as an activity.

After we got home, and Hudson woke up from his nap, we went to Thanksgiving Point to see the life size dinosaurs in the gardens.  Hudson was especially excited to see them again!

They're so big!

Nyles and Carter pretending to be dinosaurs.  Pretty flowers.  

While Hudson was sleeping, Nyles and Carter played outside w/ the kids on our street, Crestridge.  

I helped Carter make a tie dye shirt as well so still be part of the group.

The boys had their 2nd week of swim lesson.  Having fun playing w/ magnetic blocks.

On Wednesday, Dave and Steve took the boys fishing.  I finished work a little early and kept Hudson at home.  Hudson was sleeping, so Joann came over just in case he woke up.  Ironically he didn't, but we appreciate her help either way!  Conor was staying the night w/ us since the rest of his family were up at girls camp, at the cabin actually since Stacie was in charge.   They had fun fishing and caught many!

So pretty!  After being around me so long, Steve said he notices the pretty flowers more.  

The boys watching Dave clean the fish.

Silly Nyles, Hudson and Carter in Dave/Joann's bed one day.  Our neighbor Ron/Becky got little bunnies and they kept getting out of their cage into our yard and eating our flowers!

Steve cooked up the fish they caught for lunch the next day.  Fish and chips!  Good work Steve!

Hudson also got a big Lolli pop!  I also helped him make a tie dye shirt, which he loves!

Beautiful flowers in bloom around the yard.  Peaches and pears getting bigger.

Friday night we went through the life size replica of the Old Testament Tabernacle.  It was really neat.  Carter wasn't feeling well by the end of it, saying his ear really hurt.  Steve dropped us off, then took Carter into the Instacare.  The Dr confirmed he had an ear infection.  Thankfully we got his antibiotics that night and started his first dose.  He was pretty exhausted.  The next day Carter feeling better, in the garage w/ many of his school pics.  Hudson trying to ride his bike w/ training wheels.  His little legs barely reach the pedals though.

Saturday morning, Nyles and Carter had another martial arts graduation.  

It was only the Draper studio this time, which was great for time sake.  They did awesome!

They demonstrated a few things, including breaking a board they had a goal they're working on. 

Carter's Martial Art's skills.

Nyles martial arts skills.

Nyles advanced to a brown w/ black stripe belt and Carter advanced to a purple belt!  Awesome job!

Silly Hudson wanted to put on their "old" belts :)

That afternoon we went to Blackridge Reservoir again in Herriman to kayak and play on the beach.

We had a lot of fun, even though we witnessed 2 dust devils.  The first one tore apart several canopies.  And the 2nd one also tore apart several canopies but then kept going along the beachline and picked up paddleboards, camp chairs, innertubes, and even a couple small kayaks and threw them into the water.  It was crazy to see!  Thankfully we weren't in it's path and no one got hurt (that we know of).

Fun times kayaking.  Nyles picked our first raspberries on our bushes.

We put together a headboard for Nyles.  The boys had fun tearing apart the Styrofoam.

Sunday evening we had dinner over at LuDean/Diane's place.  Dave/Joann came, along w/ Stacie/Phill.  Dave and Phill gave Steve a priesthood blessing for his surgery the next day.

Great quotes.