Hayden's surgery

Hayden was born with a meatal stenosis (just a small pee hole) and his pediatrician suggested to us a few years ago that he get it fixed. Everything he told us that would happed has happened but we have just kind of kept it in the back of our minds, until a few weeks ago Chris saw Hayden pee by the road. Chris said we need to get it fixed, that Hayden was squirting out about 20 feet. I got him into the urologist and he said. "Wait until he is in college, he'll be squirting out there 20 yards - he doesn't want to be that college kid". The urologist said after the procedure, pee-ing will be cool with a capital C. Using the potty has never been a pleasurable experience for Hayden (not that it's fun for anyone). He would dance around for hours just to hold it in. Luckily, he hasn't had problems with urinary tract infections or kidney problems. The doc assured us that the procedure needed to be done, if not, there would be big problems down the road. So we got him scheduled in before he joins the world of kindergarten.

Here he is before the little procedure.

Before the boys go to bed the kids and I talk about where we are going to meet in our dreams. We quite often will meet at Chuck E Cheese, the North Pole, the ice cream shop, the zoo, anywhere fun. Lately we agree to hop on our dragons (Toothless and Sparkles) and meet somewhere far away. Sometimes Hayden's dragon is sick so we meet somewhere really close. We told Hayden that he would get to take a little nap and I would meet him in his dreams. I asked him where he wanted to go and he said home. Chris got to go in and stay with him in the OR until he was asleep. He chose skittles flavored gas, and the anethesiologist then rubbed skittles flavored chapstick all over his mask (we had no idea that's how they flavored it). The procedure took about 10 minutes and after being in recovery for 15 minutes, they said we could join him.
And this is how we found him. The nurses were so excited to tell us that this is how he woke up, with a great big cheesy grin. All the other kids were waking up screaming and disorientated and Hayden moved his head to the side, opened his eyes and grinned. They said he was just beaming!

He acted like it was his birthday and got spoiled like it too! He got this speed racer car from my parents, a buzz lightyear from us, and a bouncy ball from Dusty. From the moment we woke up, he acted like nothing ever happened, except for it burns when and after he pees. I can imagine it would hurt, they cut away skin and put in several small stitches. Hayden is a funny kid, he is good at making us laugh and is full of surprises. When the anesthelogist walked in, she asked if he had any allergies and Hayden said, "penicillin". Chris and I both turned and looked at each other in amazement. I then asked him what happens if he has penicillin, and he said "I get a rash". I had no idea he knew that! Last night before going to bed he said. "Mom the doctor said I can't ride my bike or my scooter or go swimming until Sunday. But did he say anything that I can't brush my teeth?". I said, I don't think brushing your teeth will hurt anything, in fact, I'm pretty sure he said you had to brush your teeth. As we were going to bed he wanted to sleep in our room and he said that he shouldn't sleep on the floor where he usually does because he might cuddle up and roll into the vent on the floor, and that might hurt his stitches. So he got to sleep in our bed. What a smart boy!

Summer vacation

We just went on the longest vacation we have ever had. We were gone a whole 10 days! Chris was trying to look for something for him and I to do for our 10 year anniversary, since we haven't had the chance to even get away on a dinner date (I am still hoping for a few hours for just the 2 of us!). He found something really fun, but we decided the kids would love it so we took them too. We packed the bed of our truck completely full and headed to Glenwood Springs, CO.

We got up in the morning and got into a tram car and headed to the top of the mountain.

This is the view on the way back down the tram!

On the top of the mountain is this Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.

One of the very first things the boys wanted to do was jump on the bungee-trampoline.

Hayden learned to master the back-flip.
All 3 boys did the rock wall climb.

Our family went on the cave tour, which was pretty awesome! The kids did an enclosed trap thing they had to make their way through, they rode the mechanical bull, the raced through Fort Where Am I, which is a life-sized maze. We watched a few short 4-D movies, one of which was in an old covered wagon, we played several games of laser tag and went on a roller coaster that went part way down the mountain.
There wasn't a whole lot for this little one to do, but I think she still had a good time. It was a great day!

Of course we also had to enjoy the hotel pool both nights we were there. The pool had a big slide and a basketball hoop, lots of fun!

I think Chris was able to realize why I refuse to take the 3 kids swimming by myself. Hayden is the No. 1 reason. He is completely fearless, loves to go off on his own and is all over the place.

I don't know how the kids were able to stay up and watch a movie and eat popcorn. I was exhausted!

The next day we got up and headed to Garland and were able to drive through Vernal. Our first stop was to visit some of our old neighbors and friends. Then we headed up the street to check on our dog, Ranger. I think we all miss that mutt, Chris was tempted to throw him in the back of the truck and take him home.

Then we passed by our old house. I think the yard looks worse that it did before we bought it. All of that hard work we did, the landscape edging, the beautiful grass, the weed killing, the plants and flowers that were planted - GONE! It makes me so sick! I feel like I betrayed my house by selling it. I loved that place and I treated it so well. I even talked to it! It's like it had a soul (Chris reminded me that it did, literally). That house means so much to me. It was our first home, and one of my first true loves. I probably shouldn't have taken these pictures and then I could just remember it the way it was when we lived there, the way we made it.

Here is another picture, SICK! This yard was all beautiful grass, flowers, decorative landscaping. Now the whole yard is nothing but weeds, dirt and junk. This property has tons of parking, and where did they park the trailer and boat? Right on the side lawn! I don't get it! It makes me angry. It breaks my heart! Our neighbors said they don't think the buyers ever watered or mowed even once since we sold it. I miss my house and I bet it misses us! It hurts like I can't explain - it is a part of me, and now it's garbage. It's scary for me to imagine what the inside is like. In less than 2 years, and the stupid owners have turned my home into trash. Chris told the boys to let it be a lesson to them, that things only last if we take care of them. We then headed to main street and it was some good to see that the city still has all the beatiful pots along the road, overflowing with flowers. I will just have to try to keep the memory of Vernal and our house the way it was when we lived there, it is too sad to see it the way it is now.

We made it to Garland and the kids instantly got busy playing. They love it at Grandma's and Papa's house. My dad set up a big screen and we all watched a movie outside. Taylor was the lucky one, she instantly became friends with Kyrie. She held her hand and lead her around, fed her lots and lots of grapes and shared her popcorn. I say Taylor is the lucky one because Kyrie just scowled at everyone else. I thought she would warm up after a few days, but she never did, the whole week!

We also spent a day at Bear Lake. It was a perfect day to be on the beach, very relaxing! Here is my dad, Taylor and Ky showing her normal for the week, although she did happily go out in the water a few times with him.

Dusty and Sara searching for seashells

The lucky one and Kyrie

See, she is as happy as can be with her dad!

The 6 kids and their sand castle

We also went fishing and took Grandma Scott, she told me a few months ago that she would love to go with us, and luckily Chris remembered. She caught a little tiny fish, and then this big one. Dusty also caught a little one! We had Grandma over to my parents for dinner the next night so she could help eat her catch.

Hayden and Papa were able to spend some good time together.

The fishing clan

and the supervisor

and the explorer!

We also visited this special property. We visit everytime we are up that way. This is all new to Kyrie and she enjoyed it (especially the pennies). I enjoyed it too! It is very good therapy for me. I was wishing that Tina could physically pop down and visit with us all, even for just 1 day. I'm sure she stills visits us, but ya know - it's just not the same! Miss ya Ti!

On Friday the whole fam except for Erick's group met at Joni's for the annual family reunion. Her and Dallas were the lucky ones to be in charge this year, and she has a huge new back yard, so we all camped out. Jo had lot of fun crafts for the kids to do.

Hayden spent the majority of his time bouncing around. He spent hours on this ball and absolutely loved it!

waiting for the parade

Dallas driving the firetruck

and Dusty as a passenger

Dallas let Rylee, Sara, Kenzie, and Dusty ride in the firetruck through the parade, I think it made Dusty's day. Now he is a little confused. Does he really want to be a cop or does he want to be a firefighter? The pictures he has been drawing are now firetrucks, firefighter badges, and Engine # 20.

And we did fire works. The END!!!

More Summer Fun

A few weeks ago we went and spent a few hours at Elitches water park. They have a really fun kid pool - if you don't mind being sprayed all the time.
Chris

Staci


Dusty Boy

Hayden Bear

Little Miss Kyrie Belle

We had a great time until the storm rolled in - just our luck!

Kyrie and her little red, white and blue. This summer has been a hard one on us so I feel the need to post the good and fun stuff to remind me that we have also had a lot of playing this year. I just wish I have had some more quality time with the kids. Maybe some cuddle and quiet time at home. It just seems we are always in a rush to go somewhere!

So we had a really low key 4th of July this year. We had a couple of BBQs for our little family. We wanted to have a party and invite some friends, but we were just too pooped to organize something and make it happen. We celebrated by eating food, going for a family bike ride and going to the fireworks.