Our Grand Adventure Day 1

We decided because of some circumstances beyond our control - to go camping this weekend.  Uncle Chris bought a really swell motorhome that has everything one could ever desire in a camping vehicle.  Heat, bathtub, air conditioning, potty, lots of beds, fridge... it was awesome.  We packed up and headed out to Grand Teton National Park.  First off, let me preface that driving 6 1/2 hours with a 2 year old was a little intimidating.  Let me also tell you that he was PERFECT!  He was happy, he didn't throw a fit.  6/12 hours of bliss from a toddler.

Be forewarned, there are lots of pictures.  That is because I consider this to be one of the most beautiful places on the earth and I haven't been there for over 10 years.  My heart and soul were refilled with peace when we left.

Aiden did this...

or this through the whole ride.  It was awesome.  He was such a trooper.

One of the famed Jackson Hole arches.

We made it to Jackson Lake! 

We sat at the beach for a long time.  Aiden and I threw rocks into the lake and I enjoyed the memories of my own childhood.

We went to Jackson Lake Lodge for the most delicious dinner (I had the portabello sandwich and Aiden had the best mac and cheese I have ever tasted.) followed by huckleberry ice cream!

In my humble opinion, the most beautiful spot in the whole world.  Right here.  On the deck of Jackson Lake Lodge.

The God Rays came out for only a minute but it was breathtaking

After dinner, we came back to the campground and attempted a hike.  Fully swathed in bug repellent, we still only lasted about 10 minutes because the mosquitoes were so thick!

We are really roughing it!Yes, he is watching Thomas.

The motorhome was fantastic and we bathed little monkey and headed to bed.  Big day ahead!

In my own words...

Yesterday there was a lot of controversy over a certain parent and the death of her child.  I have no opinion on the case, the verdict or the woman in question.  But it got me thinking about being a mom and being a huge fan of all things motherhood.  From my blog, I am sure anyone can guess that I have one main squeeze in my life and he is about 30 inches tall and (jealous) 24.8 pounds.  I would give anything for the health and well-being for this little monkey.  

I also thought about all the things in my past that have led me to this moment.  I thought about my own upbringing, my own choices, and my own thoughts that have made me the mommy that I am.  I am the kind of person that has to learn things the hard way.

I needed to have a cheating man to realize the importance of fidelity to me.  I had to go through a lot of struggles - years without children, difficult pregnancy and delivery - to understand the struggles of others who do not have children.  I had to lose my own mother to realize how influential she was on my life.   I had to be an older single woman to learn to love myself and be happy with or without another man.

I may seem jaded with men, but I am not.  I love the family I have now and can't imagine adding someone to the mix unless it is someone who can truly have parallel goals.  I want someone who is willing to fulfill priesthood callings and responsibilities rather than someone who will sit in the hall while the kids go to Primary.  I want a leader, not a liar.  I want a man who can be a partner.  And I want a great role model to my son.

I want to teach my son to be all of those things.  I want to give him the gift of chivalry, of responsibility, of knowing how to treat his "woman" like a queen.  A real man paints his daughter's nails and lets her paint his in return (Michael) - a real man understands that a wife loves nothing less than standing all day at the kitchen sink doing dishes - a real man knows how to communicate with a woman and not just shut her out when the going gets tough.  A real man wants nothing more than to be a leader, a partner, a provider, and an intricate part of his family life.

One day he will have one of his own:

And what can be better than that?

Happy 4th...

What a beautiful way to celebrate our nation's independence.  I have lots of warm fuzzies about America and the sacrifices that so many have made so I can do what I do.  I remember listening to a radio program that highlighted Iraqi women who were not allowed to drive.  They protested by driving and were jailed for 2 years.  the things that I do every day that I take for granted are here because of the freedoms that were fought for.  A goal in my life is to teach my Mister the importance of patriotism.

We didn't really know how Independence Day would play out.  Just the day before, he had thrown up really badly at another family function.  Danger...

For the celebration part, we went up to my old neighborhood for a tradition that goes back further than I can remember - probably before I was born.  My old neighbors get together for a Bishop's breakfast early.  This year, Shiree played her bagpipes to help celebrate.

Aiden "helping" Shiree play her bagpipes! 

We skipped the city parade in exchange for a nap and watching Star Trek with Uncle Chris.  Then off to Rays for another 4th of July tradition - BBQ and swimming!!  Aiden looks like he was in agony after the slide, but he was just a little cold.  Poor bug.  Lisa's pool is usually the heat of a cool hot tub, so he warmed up quickly.  After he just couldn't take swimming any more, he went to the sandbox and loved every minute of it.  Then, we played pool!  

A few brave people in our family playing Chicken Wars.  The younger boys took turns mooning us as they were diving off the diving board.  

Stu helping him with the cue.  He was a maniac!!

Finally, the extended family decided to go to Morgan for the fireworks and a concert.  My little man had not been feeling well for a couple days anyway, so the thought of a tired, sick toddler sitting for 2 hours during a concert was just not going to happen.  So we went to the Layton castle to watch the fireworks in the valley.  Even that didn't last long.  We got in the car and headed home before they started... only to find that the best seat to see fireworks was in our front yard.  

He was asleep before we even pulled out of the parking lot of the castle.

OH!  and I made a pie.  Cute, eh?

Miracle of Life

Saturdays are my days with Mister.  I love those days because I get to do what I love most - be a Mom.  I was born for this lovely calling.  I love being with my man SO much.

Today we went down to Thanksgiving Point to the dino museum and the farm.  First, the museum.  He is now officially at the age where he can really start to interact with the exhibits.  He can point at the teeth, he understands a lot more, and he enjoys it.  We really enjoyed it today.

He is fascinated with dinosaur teeth.  Like these TRex teeth.

The traditional picture in front of the ancient shark thing.  He wasn't afraid of him at all.  I have mentioned this before, but Aiden is not afraid of things that most kids are.  He was so fascinated by the teeth.

Aiden found a lady friend to dig in the dirt with.  They flirted, they threw sand, they laughed.  It was all very wholesome.

After the dinosaur museum, we wandered down to the farm.  We didn't stay long because a) it was really hot  b) I forgot to put sunscreen on Aiden    c) it was hot and    d) it was hot.

But we did get to see two little goats being born.  We literally walked up and this farm worker was in the pen just looking at this goat who is freaking out and in pain.  She turned to me and told me to stick around for about 5 minutes and we would have babies.  She was right.  It was beautiful.  Two really healthy, perfect little goats.  Remember that these pictures were taken with my phone so they are terrible.  

Looking at the chickens

The goat is just born.  Just barely.  Like 3 minutes before this picture.

Tiny thing is already walking.  So cute.

As we were leaving, another worker told us to hang on because chicken eggs were hatching.  So we were able to see the miracle of life full on today at the farm.  2 goats and 3 chickens introduced into the world.

Happy Birthday!!

Yesterday was Aiden's 2nd Birthday.  We played all day.  Started with a waffle breakfast followed by cupcakes at Smeds (to celebrate that Aunt Kari's birthday was the same day!!).  Then we took a trip to meet the cousins up in Logan at the ice cream factory, then home to play with his new train table (for his Bday) and cake/Thomas playing.

Mom spent the better part of the evening reading stories and generally snuggling.  I almost lost my little man 2 years ago on 2 separate occasions.  I am the luckiest mom in the world.