The Walmart Scare

We went for one of our usual trips to good old Walmart the other day and as we were standing in line to checkout, Dan realized that he forgot to get something. So, he went off to get it and Tavin followed along behind. Well Dan came back a couple minutes later with the item but no Tavin.

When I asked where Tavin was, Dan responded that he didn't even know that Tavin had come with him! We immediately got out of line and started searching for him....in the toy section, at the fishies, between clothes racks...it had been ten minutes and I started to tear-up. Someone has taken my sweet innocent little boy...he could have started talking to any stranger and they could easily walk out with him-claiming him theirs forever! What kind of parents are we to lose him! Please Heavenly Father let me find him!

My heart was aching-all I wanted was my little boy...then I heard his voice-talking to someone at the customer service desk. Dan ran over and the lady explained that She found Tavin asking for his mom and dad and figured he could sit with her until one of us showed up. I immediately picked him up and squeezed the life out of him. Our conversation went like this:

Mommy: Tavin you scared mommy!
Tavin: I scare mommy? ROOAAAR!
Mommy: I didn't know where you were and it made mommy very sad.
Tavin: I was just hiding mommy!

For the rest of the trip-he stayed safely in my arms and my eyes stayed tear filled-as I tried to get over the whole episode.

Recent Happenings At Our House

Here is what we have been up to:

Staking our raspberry bushes,

Watering and weeding our grass

planting flowers and a garden

Cutting down a HUMONGOUS tree

"Ahoy Mateys"

Last Wednesday was Katie and Tavin's first in going to Story time at the library-the theme was Pirates and Tavin LOVED it! There was a puppet show, story, song, and activity-we got to make pirate hats:) The boy wore his around the house all day saying arrrrg I'm a pirate mom! We had to talk in pirate voices too. He was so mesmerized by it all and followed right along with the songs and expressions the teacher wanted them to say. Katie was just as mesmerized by all the kids and what they were doing. Needless to say, we will be visiting the Library for story time again this week:)

I also signed Tavin up for summer reading...if we read 5 picture books together a week-at story time we get a treat. This weeks is a bag of M&Ms (Tavin's Favorite Candy!:)

Life Lesson Learned

We have been very busy these last couple weeks and mowing the lawn wasn't anywhere near the top of the list when it came to prioritizing what needed to be done....I didn't even think about it actually-I was enjoying the fact that the yard we seeded last summer is now growing like crazy...it was OK to just let it grow and look healthy right?

Then, I started to wonder if it might have been a mistake not to mow it when I saw the neighbors looking at our yard and whispering about it...it was getting a little long-our dog could lay in it and be invisible to the world-it was like his own little jungle. Well JUNGLE was right!

Both Dan and I had to use all our weight to push the dumb lawn mower down the rows as we took turns trying to cut the grass-and after ONE row...yes just one-I had to empty the bag. At times I was at a stand still because I couldn't push hard enough. And most times we had to go over the rows 2 times to get things cut even. It took 12 black trash bags of grass clippings to do the whole yard. And over 3+ hours.

No wonder the neighbors were pointing and whispering....I am sure they all were camped out at their windows watching me try and mow our jungle-getting a little comic relief out of it for the day!

Well lesson learned-we will put cutting the grass at the top of the list this time around. Now that I think about it, tomorrow sounds like a good day to cut it again:)

P.S. I mowed it it my bare feet and I looked like Shrek afterward.

Accomplishments

Weeping Rock, Hidden Canyon, Riverside Walk, Emerald Pools-total of about 11 miles in 2 and a half days. We left just in time...as we were pulling out of the park, a huge thunderstorm broke out. (Check the side bar for the rest of the pictures.) We definitely recommend going if you have never been! We will be back there again soon.

Thanks Whitmill family for a great start to our summer-here's to many more trips just like it-LOVE U GUYS!

There Was Some Mischief of Course

How could we go on a trip without Dan finding some way to surprise the boys:P Aidan got a big surprise when a huge rock Dan threw in the water- made a good sized slash close by. Gotta Love the face!

The Water Hole

After hiking we needed to cool down-so I took everyone to a private swimming hole I learned about when working up there a couple summers back. The water was refreshing. The boys loved climbing the big rocks that surrounded the water.(Aidan is like a mountain goat when it comes to climbing-he is a natural and often led the pack.) So much for Katie's first time swimming-she spent the whole time sleeping-exhausted from riding in the pack I guess:) I was proud of Krisha and I for keeping everyone hydrated and no one got sun burned!

Hiking With The Kids

Many people might be wondering how it went -hiking with an 8 month old, a 2 year old, a 4 year old, and a 6 year old? (or maybe wondering if we temporarily went out of our minds:) But things actually went way better than expected! Krisha's boys-Ethan and Aidan were able to do some of the harder hikes and even sang while doing it. Tavin and Katie enjoyed their padded comfortable seats in the packs Daniel and I wore on our backs (now that was a little bit insane-glad I was in pretty good shape or I think I would have died!) They talked and sang and randomly fell asleep when they felt like it. By the end of the second day, I think we all wanted someone to carry us in a pack. People passing by either looked at them with envy or looked at us like we were crazy:)

Zion's National Park

Our family's hiking/camping traditions have begun and our first stop was Zion National Park-one of the most beautiful places on earth. God made this place, along with many other places and things in life, to drown out all the ugly places and things in the world-to show us that he cares.

My sister Krisha and her family came along with us-at first the plan was to camp the Tetons but weather was supposed to be rainy and who wants to camp in the rain with kids! Then, plan B was to travel to the Unitas to camp and hike there-but soon after plans were made, they too were consumed in rain and miserable weather. WE WANTED SUN! So finally we found our sun...8 hours away....but it was great and so worth it. Memories were made, heights were reached, and bonds were strengthened the will last forever.