Camping Trip

Camping with Grandma and Grandpa

Last weekend we met Grandma and Grandpa for our "only us" trip. Each year we visit both sets of grandparents when it is only us for the individual time with them. This is something we started when Kenna was a baby and we have come to cherish these visits. (We love the ones with everyone too.) It turns out that I have a lot to learn about going camping. We haven't done a whole lot of official camping (other than in backyards) so I am an amateur. One thing I learned on this trip is not to plan on using a new camping stove to cook your food. (Must be tested first before you rely on it for your meal) I bought an unused stove at a garage sale and we assumed it would work. Mike thinks there was something wrong with the propane tank, but whatever the problem, it wouldn't cook breakfast. Thankfully, Mom and Dad had their trailer and we were able to cook in there. After we were already on the road, I realized that I didn't pack a spatula - a tool that kind of helps when flipping pancakes. Once again, Mom and Dad to the rescue. This time I did remember to bring tin foil for our tin foil dinners - also comes in handy. I guess the hiccups will help us remember the trip. Getting ready for camping is SO MUCH WORK!!!! I don't know how my mom did it with 5 kids! But once we got up there, we had a great time.

It was a camping trip of firsts for the girls. Friday night, we got the fire going and let the girls experience s'mores for their first time. I know it is sad that they are almost 7 and 5 1/2 and hadn't had them. We also roasted laffy taffys and flavored tootsie rolls. We concluded that they aren't quite as good as starbursts, but still pretty tasty. As we waited for the fire to die down, we visited and watched the sky. There must be at least 3 times as many stars visible out there than at our house. It was beautiful! Our next "first" was shooting stars. We watched for about a half an hour and probably saw 8 or so. All of us, except Grandpa saw at least one. He must have been looking in the wrong place everytime - possibly his eyelids. I love the peaceful, simplicity of camping - once you get there, of course.

Before Mom and I were up Saturday morning, Mike and Dad took the girls for a walk. The wild flowers there were gorgeous and Whitney and Kenna picked us each a beautiful bouquet. Because of the technical difficulties with breakfast, we had a true three course meal. None of which were ready at the same time. I think we were cooking for about an hour and a half, but none of us went hungry. Eggs first, then sausage, then pancakes - a true camping breakfast. Yummy! I guess it wouldn't have been very memorable if we hadn't had trouble.

Then on to another first - we rented a flat bottom boat and floated the river. It was a lot of fun. Whitney was pretty brave getting into the cold water. Kenna liked putting her toes in. Mike and I floated the same spot on our honeymoon in a canoe. We had a great time exploring all kinds of channels and things when we were there 8 years ago. It was a little more difficult in a bigger boat with 4 extra passengers. We did have fun trying though. In one of the channels we stopped for another "first" - teaching the girls to skip rocks. Both of them even got a few to skip - they are fast learners. After getting packed up we took a walk and enjoyed the forest. This world Heavenly Father created for us is sure beautiful! Even though it was a one night trip, it was still a great time and we made some great memories.

Clogging Camp

The girls, along with their cousins, just finished a week long clogging camp. They had a lot of fun! We tried this to see if they wanted to do clogging or gymnastics, but the deal was they had to choose the same thing. (At least for now) They said they had fun, but still wanted to do gymnastics instead. So we will see what we can work out for the fall.

The last three days were all theme days - this one being crazy hair day. Neither hairdu withstood the bouncing and we had to take them out, but they were a hit. Kenna was very worried about what everyone else would think. It took a lot of convincing to get her to let me do it and once we got there, she wanted it out. I thought it looked really cute. But at least she let me do it.

Splash Park

We took one of our favorite babysitters (Shayla) to meet her sister Jessica at college and play at the splash park and ride the carosel. I didn't get the camera out before they were too cold and ready to change, but at least I got a picture on the horses. It was a fun day.

Swimming Lessons

The girls recently finished swimming lessons and LOVED them! They both are starting to swim independently and really enjoy that freedom. Whitney has started jumping into the deeper (4'6") end and swims to where she can touch. The first time she did it, it scared me because I was across the pool and didn't know she was going to. But she did great. We made a rule that I have to be watching though - just in case she has trouble. Last year Makenna didn't really like getting her face wet, but it doesn't bother her this year. She's a little fish, I am very impressed by how much they progressed this year. Now we just need to practice, practice, practice. Unfortunately, almost every day is windy here so that makes swimming kind of cold. The girls don't seem to mind too much, but I sure don't like it. I guess I am just a pansy! You'd think being pregnant that I would like to cool off, but I don't like being wet in the wind.

Whitney swimming on her own

Whitney and her teacher, Lindley

Kenna and her teacher, Brier - Kenna got to have her new friend Bailee in her class and they had a lot of fun together.

FHE Attempt

Every year there is a display of 1776 flags in town around the 4th of July. So for FHE, a week after the 4th we thought we would go see the flags. On the way, we had a lesson about our country and the freedoms we enjoy. We are so blessed to live here! We talked about why there were that many flags and the Declaration of Independence and the sacrifices that many people have made. We soon realized that we were a little too late. I guess they took the display down early this year. So there was only the one big flag in the middle. We were all excited to take pictures in their July outfits and everything. Oh well. The good news is that there was an ice cream shop across the street so we still got to have our family night treats.

This is what the display was supposed to look like. (taken 2 yrs ago when we weren't too late) It is a pretty amazing site to see that many American flags. What a great nation we live in!

28 Weeks!

Here is my growing tummy. I am terrible at getting my picture taken - this was about try 15 - in all the others I have red eye. The only ones I didn't have it was the one Mike took of just my belly and the one that I purposely closed my eyes. You can't have red eye if they are closed, right? I know that is a fixable problem, but I don't have time to fuss with it - so this is what you get. I don't know if I just forgot how much babies move inside or if this baby is more active than my girls. She is all over the place - pushing out both sides at the same time. The girls think it is really fun to watch her move and see my tummy go crazy. It is so cute to hear them laugh and guess what she is doing and which body part is poking out. They already love her so much!

A few weeks ago we went to see a fantastic perinatologist, Dr. Belfort. He was very thorough and gave us the good news that this baby's heart looks good. He first had his Echo Tech run the machine while he watched and then he took over to double check. When this picture of her face came up the tech thought we needed it so she printed it for us. Dr. Belfort has diagnosed the heart defect Makenna had (TAPVR) in utero before and was very confident that everything on this baby looked good. We are counting our blessings. I think until I see her and know for sure, I will always have our Kenna memory in the back of my head, but it was a huge relief. Now we just need to find a name. I keep having dreams about not having a name for her. The most recent one was she was all dressed in her blessing outfit ready to be blessed with no name. It is a good thing we still have 12 weeks!

Cheating

Ok - so I have to admit - for anyone who has been checking this for the last month, I cheated. I wanted the dates to be right for when these events happened so I changed the posting dates. Mostly so I can keep track of when things really happened. But really I posted the last several today - sorry. I am going to try to be better about posting regularly instead of a marathon session like this one was.

Cutest Dad

This morning I woke up to this. It was time for Mike to be leaving, but Whitney wanted to read to him so he sat and snuggled her and let her read. I love that he is willing to take time for the girls even when sometimes it's not really convenient. He is a great Daddy! Typically he puts the girls to bed, but a few nights this week he has been gone and so I have instead. They have really missed having him. One night they wanted him to call and do songs over the phone. He is one loved Daddy!

Happy 4th of July

We had our traditional waterfight at the Desmonds. Jason and Katy couldn't make it up this year and we missed them. Maybe someday we will be able to have the WHOLE Jones family here. It was great and as usual, everyone got very soaked. Except the photographer (Grandma). I didn't get to be a part of it for very long, because any amount of running makes me cramp and start contracting and we aren't ready for that. There is something that just isn't fair about having a waterfight where you can't run away when being attacked. I didn't get any pictures of the action - I will have to get some from Grandma. Then it was down to the river for the fireworks. They were spectacular! It is nice to have a great show here in our own community.

We didn't get many pictures of waiting either. I am not doing so hot with the whole taking pictures so I can post them thing. Hopefully this blog will make me take more pictures.

Saturday everyone went out to Dick and Rosalie's helping with digging fence post holes. It is fun to see the guys (Dick, Grandpa, Mike and Dale) all working together. The kids LOVED riding their mules. They are regular cowgirls - my girls HAD to wear their hats.