A Kick Off To Our Summer

This is a pitiful representation of pictures from our trip, but I was too busy enjoying myself to pick up the camera. Besides, my bro-in-law got some great ones, I just haven't bothered to get them from him.

The day after school ended, we loaded up the car and headed to St. George, Utah. It was my family reunion. All of my siblings, their spouses, and kids were there, including my nephew and his new wife. In total, we had 36 people, it was awesome! It was so fun to be together again and renew friendships.

My niece, Cecily, with the boys. She couldn't get enough of Parker, but I was happy to let her try.

It has been YEARS since I've been to Southern Utah. I forgot how red everything is, even the dirt. It's very pretty though with lots of fun places to explore.
Jamie and Parker on the Red Hills with the St. George temple in the background.

Who knew Jacob would love so much climbing? Almost everywhere we went, he was at the head of the pack, trying his best to keep up with the big boys and going up every rock that looked even a little bit possible.

Mason, Parker, and Micah in their "Man Cave". All of the cousins were so good to my boys. Since I'm the youngest in the family, most of Jacob's and Parker's cousins are a bit older than them older. They were all so cute to them and willing to help out.

Our least favorite part of the trip was when Parker ate a peanut. It was our last day there and the entire crew was getting ready to leave for Zion's Nat'l Park. Jacob came to me and told me that Parker ate a peanut. I ran to him but he had an empty mouth. I asked Jacob if he saw him eat it. He told me no but that he saw a broken peanut on floor by him. I then found an open trail mix bag not too far away. About 20 minutes later, Parker had a few red bumps on his face and he started to just look different. I said, "Parker got a peanut, here's Jacob and some snacks, we'll call you when we are done and meet up later," and we were off. We selected "Hospital" on our GPS and we got there in about 8 minutes. Every minute that ticked by, he got more swollen, more uncomfortable, and scratching lots. It was so sad.

Here he is in the ER bed, asleep, with his IV because the last time we had to do the steroid orally, he threw it up. I was very sad to miss the big day together, but so thankful, once again, for family that we could just hand Jacob off and know that he will be loved and taken care of. Parker recovered well and was playing that afternoon like nothing happened.

We had a great trip! My brother did a great job planning it and made me wish, even more, that my boys had cousins and/or grandparents around. Not as an exception, but as a regular thing.

My Brother Came to Town

I have a brother that lives in Oregon. He and his family had finished a family vacation with my sis-in-laws family in San Diego, and we were their pit stop on the way home. We only got to have them for a couple of days, but it was really fun to hang out with my big brother again, even though he still calls me "Brat" and torments me a little.

We had a picnic lunch at the park by the Palo Alto Children's Museum and then headed over to check out the museum itself.

This is my brother, Devin, helping Parker figure out how to make the ball go up. I love that Devin has his fist clenched too and moving it in a circular motion, it really did help:)

Parker spent awhile at this exhibit. I only encouraged him, because maybe one day he'll be on The Price is Right and end up playing Plinko! You never know.

My darling nieces with the boys.

We had a little Don Pico for dinner that night, put a movie on for all of the kids in my room, and the four adults watched "Kicking and Screaming" in the living room. It was a fun and easy couple of days. We love time with family, in any time duration we can get!

July 4th and more Parker sickness

I threw my last party as Activities Chair for my ward. We had a 4th of July Pancake Breakfast, complete with flag ceremony and children's bike parade.

I didn't get nearly as many pictures as last year, but I was sure to get a picture of the tables that I arranged as a flag. I thought it was very clever even though I don't think many people got it. There were even stars on the blue tables in the corner, courtesy of Chelsea.

The very next day I was called as the Primary President. I enjoyed the party planning, but I know Jamie is glad to be done with it because let's be honest, I made him do a lot too. I've been in the primary for a number of years and it is fun to be back, just taking me a little longer than I expected to find my groove.

As for Parker, another ear infection led to more junk in his lungs and more breathing treatments. This is Jacob being the awesome big brother that he is and helping out. Notice neither one is taking their eyes off the TV though. Priorities, after all.