Bumpy Roads

We just got home from a weekend full of bumps. We started out four-wheeling with Grandpa Evans. We went up a beautiful canyon and ended up climbing a river bed. It was very bumpy and with Charlie on our backs, I was concerned that he was getting jostled around too much- you know the ever present shaken baby syndrome. So Three of us piled on one four wheeler and Adam tried to stand and absorb some of the bumps so that Charlie would not be as affected by them. We kept thinking and saying to ourselves, just a little further and I'm sure it will smoothout or we will find another way down so we don't have to return over all these bumps. Well, it just kept getting bumpier and bumpier and there was no other way down- we had to go right back over the bumps.

The next day, we were on the boat and decided to try family tubing. Charlie seemed to enjoy it, but once again was getting bumped pretty good so I attempted to shield him by holding him on my lap. Later, I sat in shock watching my three year-old get thrown into the air and giggle and sign requesting more bumps. Adam and I took a turn on the tube without kids which as Adam explained was kind of a death wish, just asking my Dad to try and knock us out. Our new tube is very stable and we hit some major bumps flying into the air, but not flipping over and not letting go. I tubed and tubed until I couldn't take it anymore and had to return to the boat with a headache. It's strange we go out recreating searching for bumps... the bigger the better.

All these bumps got me thinking about lifes bumps. We've had our fair share recently as have our families. We hang on and hang on as long as we can, hoping we won't fall off. But there comes a point where the bumps are just too great and we can't do it alone. We learn to rely on others and seek the help we need. This is one of my favorite poems and I think about it when things are hard. I heard it first from the gymnast Dianne Ellingson who was paralized in a gymnastics accident. This one's for you and you know who you are. Maybe we can't shield others from facing their bumps. We all have to go through our own, but we can support, encourage and empathize. The trials we go through help us understand others and know better how to comfort and console.

Don’t Quit
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest if you must, but don’t you quit…

Sucess is failure turned inside out.

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems so far,

So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit.

It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.
~Author Unknown

Jack's First Fish

When I was little, I loved going fishing with my Dad. It was such a special time to be together in nature and part of "roughing it." Looking back, it probably wasn't that fun for my Dad because between the three kids, someone's line was always breaking or catching tweeds and needing to be rescued. He might have liked to have cast his own lines but he spent his time setting up our poles and de-snagging us and then complimented us on being such great fishermen since we always ended up catching more fish than he did. This weekend Jack and I bought fishing poles and a license and went out with my Dad fishing at Flaming Gorge. I realized that I have no idea how to set up my own pole nor which lures to use in different situations. There I was a ten-year old kid again letting my Dad set up my pole and coach me on where to cast. Jack had a blast for a few casts but then tired out since we didn't catch anything. We went out twice on the lake but didn't catch anything, so we decided to take jack up to a little children's catch and release pond.


Jack did better but didn't like to sit down and wait for the "Bobbie" to wiggle and sink under the water (meaning that a fish had bit)

His excitement when the fish came out of the water totally made up for all the waiting time. He had the biggest grin on his face. He was a little nervous and didn't want to touch it. He squeeled, "Look the fishie's doing a wiggley dance!" After that, he immediately wanted to catch another and was willing to sit and wait (for another 5 minutes before his attention was distratcted again)

Jack told Grandma, "My Fish was THIS BIG" See, I knew he would make a good fisherman.

While Jack was off being distracted, Charlie found the pole and caught some nice tweeds.

(That's a twig/weed) :)

Charlie LOVED the fishing pole and tried to figure out how to use the crank and everything- what a cutie! He just doesn't realize he's still a baby- he think's he's a big kid.

What a special weekend. I guess I'll have to pay more attention and learn from my Dad how to set up poles and un-snag snags so that I'll be ready to be a good fishing mama for my two boys who are bound to out fish me one day too.

Charlie's big owwie

A few weeks ago, Charlie was watching me get ready for church. I thought Id do something special and actually do my hair. So I turned on the curling iron. As Charlie is fascinated with all things that have have buttons or cords, he crawled over and pulled on it. It landed right on his hand. He didn't pull his hand back but let it sit there until I realized what had happened and reached down to pull it off. He cried a little, but I immediatly put it in cold water and he stopped crying. It blistered up and turned dark. Charlie was such a trooper. We had to cover it for a week or two and he never acted like it hurt or even picked at the bandages. At day care they say Charlie is Evil Canival because he dares to do anything and climbs up everything.

(these pictuires were taken after a few days and after a bath had softened it up- I think it looked worse in person and Im afraid it may leave a permanent scar...) Baby skin is so amazing though. He healed so fast and seemed to have no pain.

From womb to walking- a history of Charlie

I never post videos because they take so long to upload, but I decided to try a few short ones:

I miss Laura- This one's for Laura and Chelsea! Charlie's in the belly if you didn't notice...

Charlie loves popsicles almost as much as Jack loved "pocos" (No I don't have a tatoo)

Charlie is learning how to walk- Isn't he a cutie patootie? And no, I'm not biased at all :)

Independence Day Celebrations

Cowboy Jack
Watching the rodeo and the 8 and under kids roping goats

Jack and Charlie at the Flaming Gorge Dam

Jack hiding under the "long neck"

At the Dinosaur Museum

Walking in the Centerville Parade

Charlie riding his bike with his friend Olivia

Charlie is learning to walk

We have had a fabulous 4th of July weekend. It started out Friday with a splash party in our backyard with some fun friends we haven't seen in a long time. We got out the slip n slide we bought yesterday and at first jack was nervous, but by the end he had it all figured out. We had dinner with family on my Mom's patio. Her garden is amazing this year. I'll writre a whole post about gardens I think. Friday night we went to the concert in the park and watched fireworks with our friends Pumkin and Jon and Sammy. The boys did great and Charlie even liked the fireworks, he clapped his hands.

Saturday morning we were going to run the 5K but got asked at the last minute to walk in the Centerville parade with Rogers theatre. Jack liked throwing candy at people and of course the popsickle at the end. The things we do for a popsickle. That afternoon we went and saw the movie UP. I thought it was OK but not near as good as Incredibles, Nemo or Chicken Little. Then we had a barbeque at Adam's Dad's house and lit off sparklers and Nick made homemade fireworks. (Adam and I ran for cover before those came out). We got home just in time to watch fireworks out our bedroom window. That's the best spot I think.

Sunday, we went to Dane and Stacy's baby blessing and then drove up to Flaming Gorge. On Monday we took the boat out and after we got it in the water, it wouldn't start. We took it back to the cabin and Adam jiggled a wire and it started right up. So we took it back to the lake (about 15 miles) and we put it back in the water and it didn't start again. We decided that we just weren't meant to go boating today and went to the beach instead. We played in our blow up rafts and built sandy mud castles. The water is so high this year that our picnick table was partially submerged... It was funny, too bad I didn't take a picture. We drove out to the Dam, ate at the cute lodge and then went to the friendly neighborhood rodeo. We watched the kids ride baby bulls and rope goats and baby goats. Jack asked if tomorrow he could dress like a cowboy and ride some horses.

Tuesday we drove to the dam, took the tour, fed the fish and then drove to Vernal and went to Dinosaurland! What a crazy weekend. It was one of those family vacations that kids talk about later visiting all of these historical sites and educational trips. I feel like I have to expose my children to everything I can and give them all these great experiences. I guess I forget that my boys are 3 and 11 months and that I have absolutely no memories from when I was 3... so they will not likely remember any of this fun. I guess that's why we take so many pictures.