The Family Friendly Hike

We decided to take a family hike last Saturday evening to the letter above our house. (I'm trying to be tricky so people can't figure out where I live based on my blog. Is it working?) We have never actually been to this location, but I've heard from most people that it is an easy 30 minutes stroll; perfectly suited for children. It can be a little steep, but only for a moment.

We gathered some water, a couple of snacks and a cell phone and headed up the trail. Jake's little friend came with us too. We arrived at the trailhead, which is literally up the road we live on, and started up the trail. I was in the rear, directing children, while scoutmaster Jeff lead the way. Our first mistake was when Jeff said, "which trail do you think it is?"

I replied, "I heard it is a little steep, so I assume this way (meaning up) but we should head this way, (meaning left) because that's where "the letter" is. Now, I've been on several hikes with Jeff. and unless we are with a group, Jeff has an uncanny ability to get us lost. Not lost like call a ranger lost, but off on a trail that takes us on the most difficult and unconventional route. (Remember Lone Peak Scott and Leann? Yeah, that's what I am talking about.)

So, up, up, up we went! With four children, I might add. At several points I thought, this is WAY to steep to take children, but she DID say it was a little steep!

We finally made our way to this:

Amazing, isn't it? This is in our own backyard! Can you see the waterfall?Beautiful.

We were kind of in a time crunch, as you can see by the lighting. So I tried to hurry things along. Two year olds, on the other hand, don't like to be hurried along! Addy stopped to pick up rocks every few minutes.

All of a sudden, the trail ended! I could see "the letter", but there were no trails leading to it. Now, normal people would have turned around. Oh no, not my husband. He started leading us to "the letter"over bushes, rocks, ledges and grasses. The children were slow due to the rough terrain. They were loving it. I, however, noticed the sun starting to descend over the mountains. I was edging them along. Jake was doing his best to hurry. But his friend, oh my goodness! HE WAS SO SLOW! I didn't want Juliana to hurry. She's a tad uncoordinated. She trips. A LOT. I happen to be the lucky one to hold her hand during the hike. I bet she set a record for the most trips. The funny thing is, she just keeps chatting despite the fact she falls every second!

Anyway, light is almost gone and we still had three ravines to go. They started to get steeper and steeper. And Jake's friend walked slower and slower.

Jeff went ahead to "find a trail" leaving me with three of the four children. I led them over one ravine and I was done. Jeff finally came back. We had a rather heated discussion during which I was told to "enjoy the adventure." I told him that HE can enjoy the adventure when we have to call the firefighters to come rescue us!!

We decided to forgo the destination and head down the mountain to the trail. (The one Jeff found SEVERAL feet below us). The sun was now gone and we were walking with very little light. We finally got onto the trail and booked it down to the car with no light left to spare.

Sure, it WAS an adventure. But one that I would prefer to take in the light and on the trail that we are actually supposed to be on! Once at the bottom, I realized that the "steep" part our friend told us about was certainly NOT steep. (At least compared to what we actually just walked.) And what was supposed to take us 30 minutes, took us over two hours! Next time, wait. There probably won't be a next time!

Fire Prevention Month - It's a Success!

As you all know (or should know), October is fire prevention month. It is a well-known fact that every family should have a fire-evacuation plan. Even the smallest of children should be trained to "stop, drop and roll" the moment they hear the fire alarm. Yeah, that's all common knowledge.

Ok. Ok. So I didn't know it! I only found out when Juliana's playgroup went for a field trip to visit the local fire department during their open house, complete with Air Medic, ambulance and real, live firefighters! The children had the opportunity to crawl through a simulator. While watching my oh-so-calm children crawl through a house filled with smoke, I started chatting with the firefighter:

"This is so great because the children learn what to do in case of a real fire. Where is your meeting place?"

Me: "Umm, the mailbox?"

Firefighter: "WHAT? You don't have a meeting place? Even my 12 month old knows where our meeting place is! She can even get out of the house by herself if the fire alarm goes off!"

Me: (Thinking) 'Why is your child left alone to get out of a house when a fire alarm goes off?'

(Now talking) "Well, I guess I haven't thought much about it."

Firefighter: "Well, you know, 74% off all injuries...."

ok, ok I got it.

So I went home to develop a fire safety plan. I launched it Monday evening.

We started talking about ways to prevent fires. Then I explained what to do in the event of a fire. Jake needed a little more repetition.

Me: "Jake, what is the first thing you do when you hear the fire alarm?"

Jake: "I run upstairs and go out the door!!!"

Me: "No. You FIND YOUR SISTER!" (They sleep in the same room. I could totally see him leaving his sister to escape by her sweet little self. "Again, what is the first thing you do when you hear the fire alarm?"

Jake: " I get up and run out the basement door!!!!"

So, we had some work to do. I then announced that we would be having a fire drill. There was no fire, but we were going to pretend there was and escape out the door and meet at the mailbox. This caused mass hysteria!

"I don't want my house to be FIRED!"

"No mom! NO! I don't remember what to do!"

We preceded with the plan despite the mass hysteria. The first plan took place at "dinner." That drill went quite well. We exited the main floor on our hands and knees (all children accounted for) and met at the mailbox.

Second drill, not so well. This was to take place while sleeping.

"Ok guys, everyone to their rooms and practice the drill as we discussed. Jake, don't forget your sister!"

Jake: "Wait, wait. I don't remember what to do!"

Juliana: "No! NO! NO! I don't want to be fired! Will we ever have a fire? Why are we doing this??" Her crying just kept getting louder and louder and louder.

Adalyn: "I don't want to go night night!"

So we agreed that Jeff would sit on the stairs during the drill to help those people that just might need assistance. (Can you figure out who that might be?)

Addy and I headed up to take our places. We waited for a couple of minutes and then the fire alarm went off!

I quickly grabbed Addy and we headed out the door. As I neared the stairs, I could hear Juliana screaming as she ran to the back door. All our previous training was forgotten as they booked it out the door and to the mailbox. I met a hysterical Juliana outside and we headed back indoors to discuss our experiences.

After I calmed my hysterical daughter down, we talked about what we can improve on for the next drill.

Juliana screamed, "No! Not another drill!" As she collapsed on the couch, she said, "I can't talk about this any more!" Apparently TWO fire drills a night are too much for some people.

"I think I handle earthquakes a lot better than fires, " says Jake.

Operation Fire Drill was a huge success, don't you think??

btw - this photo was taken moments before we went to the dentist. And no, we didn't have any cavities! So eat away, my daughter, eat away!

Fame! I'm gonna live forever!!

We are super-stars! My Dad's company needed a family to participate in a PR shoot for a product called Umcka. Judging us by our good looks, they asked us if we were interested. Lucky for them, we are actors too! Jake was supposed to wear a calm color. I can not even describe the fight we had to get him to wear this shirt. He wanted to wear his transformers shirt. Yeah, right. This is going on national television! And I will NOT have my child promoting a motion picture! Anyway, not the outfit I would have chosen, but you pick your battles.

We arrived at Nature's Way where we went into hair and makeup. (See, I told you this was big!) Jake was mad he had to have makeup on. But then he couldn't even tell. His role was to go into a doctors office looking sick. This is where his acting skills took off! He told the camera man to get a close up as he "rocked back and forth." He was supposed to have a cold, not be dying of a stomach ulcer! It took us about 3 hours and they even fed us lunch. Well, I ate lunch, Jake ate a plate of pastries.

They weren't able to complete their filming that day. They arranged to use my parent's kitchen to film the rest of the shoot. My job was to give my girls Umcka. Into makeup we go...
The girls were enthralled! Then it was Adalyn's turn to be a princess...
And finally, the princess of all princess was thrilled to get her makeup done! (I absolutely love this photo!)
Adalyn was first. We went through about a quarter bottle of Umcka. She took it well each time. It was precious. After she finished filming, I put her into the den to watch a movie.

Then it was Juliana's turn. She too went through a quarter bottle. Half way through filming Juliana, Adalyn wandered into the kitchen. Her face was flush and she looked sick. She came to me and said, "My tummy hurts Mama!"

I quickly said, (while the camera was rolling) "Did the Umcka make you sick?" The director said, "We certainly don't want THAT statement in there!" Luckily, no one had to pay to clean my carpets. She digested it just fine!
That shoot took us almost four hours. We ended it with my statements and testimony of the product (all true, by the way.) We loved every minute of this fun opportunity. When finished, it made me wish for a small moment that I had stuck with my dream of being a journalist - how much fun I would have had! But, then I remembered that I picked my course.

And I'm just as happy!

I think it is time.

I've been struggling with my blog; making the decision to put off making the "big" decision: do I just give it up? I finally decided to keep going when my son asked me to tell him something funny he has said or done recently. Hmmm. Couldn't come up with anything! SAD! (I have a terrible, horribly bad memory.) I finally realized that this is my journal! I obviously don't write anywhere else! I need to preserve these memories, cause they happen quickly then quickly leave my pathetic memory! I don't care who reads it, if anyone, because it is for me and my family.

That being said, I am well aware of the time since my last post. Here is my "Ode to Summer"; my all time favorite season E.V.E.R. This isn't a recap - just the highlights.

Beginning with Labor Day: Spent the week with friends at Lake Powell! It was a PERFECT week full of sun, warm water and fun people. The best part was there were so many kids all with the same ages. Could have spelled disaster, but not for this group. The girls had their cute friend Jesse and Jake was right in the middle of four boys. We had such a great week. We can't wait to do it again!

June: Birthday at Lagoon (FUN!), Thursday bike rides with Craig and picnic up the canyons. We went one Saturday evening picnicking up the Alpine Loop near Cascade Springs. We loaded the children into the car and started home around 8 pm. As we rounded a corner, Jeff slammed on his brakes and yelled: BEAR!!! There was a huge bear standing on two feet in the road. I couldn't get my camera before he turned and ran down the hill. It was such an exciting moment! I guess it could have been scarier - we could have seen him OUT of our car!!

July:

Lots of fun stuff this month!

Uintahs - Our favorite campground is up in the Uintah's. It is just so relaxing to camp there near the river. Jeff and Jake spent the entire weekend fishing. One night they caught over 23 fish!! We even decorated our very own 4th of July shirts!

Daren, Craig and I went for a ride up a trail. Daren, the fashionalist, wore jeans. (Duh.) He was tired about 4 minutes into the ride. Craig and I wanted to go further, but we couldn't leave Daren to head back to camp alone! And risk ruining his jeans? I think not!

Cherry Hill - We camped overnight at Cherry Hill Campground. Daren joined us the next morning vowing that he would NOT do the "freefall". Ha HA!! There was no freefall -so he was off the hook! Isn't something I recommend for older kids - but it was perfect for my children's ages.

The Summer HIGHLIGHT! - Lake Powell with the Gages! It was an incredible vacation. One that even I got to enjoy thanks to four teenagers around to watch my children! The weather was perfect (minus the one night we almost died from the heat!) and the company couldn't have been better! Luckily, Craig made us a cool video that we watch weekly. What a fun trip!

The girls spent the summer in their swimsuits. And they are still in their swimsuits. They are a daily-worn-item. We've gotten more mileage out of these then anything else we own. They love putting the sprinkler under the tramp and jumping. Perfect "summer day!"

We planted a great garden this year. In fact, I planted over 13 pepper plants! 9 bell and 4 jalapeno. But wait!! The tags must have been wrong. I ended up with 4 bell and the rest jalapeno. Yeah, that's a lot. I decided to make Jalapeno Poppers. I was unprepared for the commitment. Hours and hours of preparation to make 60 poppers. Fortunately, Jeff loves them. Unfortunately, he requested more...and didn't get 'em!

August:

Our wonderful Grandpa Bo passed away from cancer. It was a sad, sad week. But (can I say this?) it was wonderful visiting with our cousins, aunts and uncles that I don't see regularly. We spent one particular evening eating pizza, chatting and laughing with our cousin Jason and his girlfriend Renae. What fun! I only wish it was under better circumstances.

My grandma, mother, aunts and uncle:

Since my grandmother's home isn't exactly "kid proof", we decided to spend one day away at the nearby Six Flags Park. Juliana is a smidgen too short to go on some of the rides. Not a problem, I pulled her hair into a high pony and stuck the flower in front. She passed every time! One worker wouldn't let her enter so I asked to speak to her supervisor. The supervisor came, squatted down and looked Juliana in the eye. After several seconds, he said, "Yes, she is tall enough," then he proceeds to instruct the "newbie" how to measure small children: "get down on their level and look them in the eye. That is the only sure way to determine their height." The ironic thing is that the "newbie" really knew what he was talking about. She IS too short! It's obvious. But we managed to get into that "grey area" and slide by!

Juliana before the "grey area do!"

We came home on a Wednesday and had a family wedding on a Thursday. Baby Laura was married leaving the Jeff's parents empty-nesters. Our cute family at the reception:

My cute hubby at the temple:

One week left before (dreaded) school. We spent one day at Seven Peaks.

Sadly, our summer came to an end the day Jake went to school. (Sigh.) Maybe I should have been happy - but I wasn't. It's hard to send my helper, sidekick and friend to a place that I can't go and can't participate. I miss him every day. (But it is kind of nice to have a schedule...you didn't hear that from me!)

Then it was time for my sweet princess to go to preschool. Her leaving wasn't so sad as much as it was annoying. Two hours isn't nearly enough time to accomplish anything. But it IS long enough for her to be gone. Next year will be worse. Am I the only mother that feels this way?

Papa and Mimi took the kids to the fair the first weekend of September. I love this photo. This is after Addy begged Papa to take her down the yellow slide. She had already been down four times. He didn't want to - but couldn't say no! He gritted his teeth and said, "LAST TIME!" Ha HA! Only I knew what THAT meant!!

Finally, Mimi's apple tree produced a BOAT load of apples. We canned over 33 jars of applesauce, 19 jars of apple butter and 18 jars of apple pie filling. It will be well worth it this winter!