Lake to lunch

We spent our first night of the season in Ashton last week. Even though it was cold, it didn’t stop the boys from having fun. Their favorite adventure was fishing. My favorite adventure was watching them get the fish from the lake to the lunch table. 

Tayden and Brody both caught a fish. Beckett didn’t pack his pole, so he was pretty bummed he didn’t get to fish. But, he was an excellent fish gutter and filleter. Then they all seasoned and wrapped the fish and cooked it over the fire. It was pretty tasty and I was so proud and impressed with those boys. 

This picture is perhaps my favorite story of all. Beckett really wanted to use Tayden’s pole, but Tayden said no. Beckett was pretty hurt and upset and Tayden genuinely felt bad. He apologized to Beckett and Beckett reluctantly accepted. I told them to hug it out, as always, but Beckett wasn’t feeling it. This is how their hug looked. They both came up with smiles on their faces. 

This is about as far as Tayden got gutting the fish before his little brother took over. 

I love that our boys have the opportunity to live this life style. They love it. It suites them. And I love watching them learn and grow. I’m so excited for the upcoming camping season and the adventures to come! 

Stitches

Beckett has been begging for a machete. For months. Finally, we gave in. Well, the other day his friend really wanted to see it. Against Becketts better judgement, he got it out to show him. As he was putting in back into the sheath, he missed and sliced his finger open. It ended up being deep and big and needing stitches. 

Although he was terrified to get stitches, he did great. He cut a blood vessel and it would not stop bleeding, so the procedure ended up being long and painful. Luckily for Dr. Dan, our cousins husband, Beckett felt comfortable and at ease. It also helped that little Kyle made sure Beckett had Monkey before he left. In fact, Kyle was the star of the evening. He ran to get Becketts shoes and socks and sat next to Beckett with his arm around him. The minute we left, he knelt down and prayed for his big brother. Its moments like those I feel like we're doing something right as parents. 

90 minutes and 7 stitches later, Beckett has a new rule with his machete; no more machete. 

Mane Cut

Tayden finally cut his wild mane. And boy does he look handsome!

Back to Ashton

Yesterday, after church, we took a drive to Snackards. Although we’re not quite ready to set up camp, we couldn’t resist the chance to see our property. It’s been a long six months without the Ashton air filling our lungs. The boys, and Luna, were so happy to be up there. We only stayed an hour or two, but it was wonderful. I love this place we call our home away from home. 

Friends with Grandma.

These pictures sum up perfectly the relationship my kids have with my mom. It’s priceless. 

Owens Hoop

 My closest and dearest friend, Jodie Hansen lives across the street. For the past five years our kids have grown up together running across the street to play. Also, for the past five years, I've watched the Hansens battle to find a diagnosis for their sweet son, Owen. Owen had been struggling with balance, muscle tone and growth yet all tests kept coming back inconclusive. I watched the tears and frustrations and fear of a mother who has advocated for her son day after day. I have seen Jodie fall apart, breaking under the stress of the unknown, and pick herself back up with a smile. Jodie is fiercely brave and strong. 

A couple of months ago, Owen was approved to take a very expensive test. This test was the absolute last step in his journey to a diagnosis. After the test, there was nothing else that could be done. Finally, the results came back and it was devastating. Owen has Ataxia Telangiectasia or AT. AT is a neurodegenerative disease. It will never get better. It comes with a shorten life span and a higher chance of cancer. Eventually, he will loose the strength to walk and use his body. He will end up in a wheel chair. It was not the diagnosis they were hoping for. 

The past couple of weeks have been hard, to say the least. The Hansens are trying to navigate a new normal. They are prepping their house for a major renovation to make it wheel chair accessible. Before that renovation happens, they will be pouring a third bay of concrete and were planning on installing a basketball hoop. Owen LOVES basketball. However, now a traditional basketball hoop just won't due. Not in the long run anyway. 

So, the boys wanted to help. They wanted to raise money to help pay for a handicap accessible hoop that will lower down to five feet. Austin Snarr came up with the idea of power raking yards and donating the proceeds to the Hansen family. Immediately everyone was on board. I reached out to people around the neighborhood and scheduled yards. People caught wind of what we were doing and the donations started pouring in. 

The Saturday we were scheduled to work, was forecasted to be really windy. We wanted to get done before the wind, so we started Friday night and we were able to put a good dent in our list of homes. Saturday came and I knew the winds would too. I prayed and prayed that we would be fast enough to finish the rest of the yards before the wind came. I am not lying when I say the first gust of wind came as we started to load the trailer of the last house. It was a miracle. God heard our prayers and we finished just in time. 

We were really hoping to make about $500. Between the work and incredible donations from our amazing neighbors, we raised a whopping $2000! We paid for the hoop in whole. The boys were ecstatic and could not wait to give Owen the check.  There were tears and hugs and the best feelings all around as we presented it to the Hansens.

I am so proud of all the boys. They worked so hard and never complained. They saw a need and filled it. They have the best hearts. It was a great lesson in compassion and hard work. I hope they never forget how good it feels to help people. 

3in1

 This weekend was busy! We celebrated Kyles 6th birthday and Easter and enjoyed General Conference. 

Kyles birthday was great. I was nervous I was going to let him down because his expectations were so high. However, it turned out to be everything he was hoping for. He took treats to school, had a party and told everyone he met that day it was his birthday. The party was insane. We had ten kindergarteners, Cache, Beckett and two of his friends and Tayden and one of his friends. 16 kids total. Kyle loved having the older kids there, it made him feel so special. Plus, they were a huge help to me since Scott had to work. The kids made ninja headbands, sword fought, played "ninja, ninja, robber" and did all the traditional birthday party stuff. It was an exhausting success and a huge reminder why I don't do parties often. 

Kyle is the best six year old. He is strong willed and convinced he's the boss. Ky is rough. He doesn't put up with any teasing of any sort from his brothers and often retaliates with his fists. He knows his mind and has a hard time changing it, unless of course it was his idea. But for every ounce of stubborn, he is as equally as sweet. He showers me with love and hugs multiple times a day, often out of no where. We got him a watch that he really wanted for his birthday and he told us "thank you" no less than 20 times over the space of two days. Kyle is resistant to learning. He does great in school, but has no interest or patience for it at home. Its something we're working through and I think have found a solution with a sticker chart. Kyle loves to play with his friends, loves to go camping and build with legos. He is as cute as they come and makes the perfect caboose to our crazy train. 

Easter and conference went hand in hand this year. Easter Sunday fell on conference weekend and that is just how I like it. We spent the weekend listening to the General Authorities and filling our spiritual cups. This is the third conference in a row that has been virtual due to COVID, but I heard so many messages of hope that it was hard to feel too upset about it. Especially when you have dogs to cuddle. 

Easter was great this year. Because of Kyles birthday, I had put off Easter preparations until the very last minute. We're talking until the night before. Scott and I went out after the Saturday afternoon sessions and fought the crowd of procrastinators and walked away with less than we anticipated. As we laid in bed that night, we decided to talk about The Resurrection before we did any Easter gifts. It turned out to be a beautiful moment with our kids. We bore testimony, talked about the Great Plan of Happiness, the gifts and blessings that The Resurrection provide, and the love of our Savior and Heavenly Father. Then we handed out our small gifts- a shirt and a couple pieces of candy. And you know what, the kids were fine! More than fine, they had the true spirit of Easter in their hearts. Scott and I decided a new tradition had been born and we would not commercialize Easter, instead focus of the empty tomb. I am so grateful we had that experience and I am looking forward to years to come.

We went to Packards for Easter dinner and spent time with Grandma, Grandpa and Ashley. The weather was beautiful and the boys enjoyed time jumping on the tramp, playing at the park and the egg hung that Ashley planned. It was the perfect ending to a beautiful day. 

This weekend was busy, but so so good. We are blessed beyond measure!