Darby Dog Died Nov 23 2008- miss him....

More Snow in SLC, Darby and Aspen friends already

 
 
 
 

playing in the snow

 
 
We had an Oct. snow storm last weekend. The kids enjoyed it soo much! Max is an avid sledder and Ada has always loved sledding. We pushed them down the hill by our house. Ada is signed up for ski lessons this winter and hopefully MAx will be inspired for next year. She is enjoying Fine Arts Preschool and really trying to learn her letters and teaching herself to read. Tom is bust with worka nd trying to figure out what he could do to make millions and I am still at Huntsman Cancer Hospital. We are loving the break from the heat and excited for winter fun. Aspen is fitting in nicely and we just love hiking with her.

 
 
 
 
Aspen, the husky in the picture has joined our family. She is 11 yrs. old and very sweet. We are happy to take care of her through her golden years. Max is in teh process of sleep training which is going very well. He is in his crib after sleeping with us for 18 months. He doesn't exactly love it yet, but he's getting better every night. He doesn't wake up until 5 am ish and then easily goes back to sleep until 7am. YEAH! Crying it out does work I guess. Well see how it ends up after the weekend. The weather feels more like fall and we are getting out alot more. We bought a trailer bike for Ada to ride behind me and Dad pulls Max in the trailer. It has been fun to bike on the weekends.

Let's Talk about Max

Well- he is sooo stubborn, like his daddy. He is totally in love with his mothers boob- (notice it is not plural.) Currently it is about 1 hour and he is still crying in his crib trying to learn to sleep on his own. I have not taught him that great skill in 17 mo and now he has been crying so long, he has probably forgotten why he is crying. Bad mom.... He is usually pretty frantic throughout the day. He enjoys playing with water in the sink when I do dishes. He likes playing with balls. He says "Ball" and "shoe" a million times a day. He is also addicted to shoes. They have to be on. Not only his, but everyone in the house must have their shoes on.

I am starting this post over 10 days later. He is now asleep in his bed after no crying. He just roles over and goes to sleep. A HUGE improvement from 10 days ago. He still does not nap well during the day, but if his sister wasn't such a social butterfly he would have the time to stay in one place. He loves his music class and the music in the car is really helpful when driving. He is enthralled by the dogs, and can't get enough dog food to eat- I think it could be his favorite food. He likes beans and rice, meat and fruit. Veggies are REALLY hard to get Maxwell to eat. Ada loved spinach at this age, but Max-NOOO wayy JOSE! nothing green. I thinkhe will love. Popscicles are a hit and I think I will start mixing something green into them for his daily serving. He is 18 months now and very cute. I am trying to teach him how to kiss me instead of tear at my face and eyes, which he likes to do frequently. Also very interested in books now- particularly three with just pictures in them and single words. That's enough for now- Love you Maxwell!

 

The girls love the carosel also. This is a new feature at the zoo this year. Quite a hit with the little kids!

Zoo

 
Maxwell loves the carosel!

Camping- how it has changed!

What camping used to be: fun, relaxing, good food and drinks, great campfire smells, exercise and fatigue after a long day climbing, sitting around with a nice buzz talking to friends, maybe a cigarette by the camp fire, sleeping in under the stars snuggled warm in the bag next to the lover at the time, a winter hat in the morning boiling water for some french press coffee, an extravagant camping breakfast, another day of climbing or hiking or simply enjoying the out of doors.

What camping is now: stressful, dirty, keeping an eye on the kid at all moments so you don't end up in burn trauma unit, constant dirt patrol and creek patrol so the kids don't drown, giardia watch, no exercise or climbing b/c the kids will fall off a cliff while you belay, constant snacks for kids, no crazy creek lounging by the fire, feeding more snacks and protecting sippy cups from going down the creek, preparing meals that just get thrown in the dirt, no enjoyment of alcohol or cigarettes because of lack of a minute to find a bottle opener or much less smoke in front of the kids, pee patrol, scooping kid crap off the ground b/c they are too young to bury it themselves, changing poopy diapers in the back of the car, a dog that has rolled in cow pies and mud and is sleeping in the new car, no sleep because you are protecting the kids from becoming cold in below freezing temps, freezing temps and no lover to cuddle with, waking up at first light, suffering through breakfast only to get in the car, get the hell home, clean the gear, the dog , the car and pass out in bed thankful that the mattress is soft and the kids are asleep finally. I won't do it for a long time!

Camping Slide Show

 
I guess Ada thought she was at a model shoot- she kept saying, "one more", just one more. She was posing like some model on a rock. I asked her why she was acting like that and she said she "just wanted to look like a mermaid." We had fun this day and actually Tom and Ada did a little climbing nearby the lake. We had to rush home so i could get to work. MAx had a good nap in the backpack.

cecret lake hike, little cottonwood canyon

 

A Little Lake Wobegon

 
Karyn and I spent the evening with Garrison Keillor of Prairie Home Companion last eve. The show was awesome. The music, jokes and sound effects were just what I needed. I enjoyed a bit too much wine and laid awake in bed trying not to puke, but I recovered fine. Tom was supposed to join me but his plane was cancelled out of LA and did not make it home. Karyn wass able to get a sitter at the last minute. We brought a big smoked whitefish,olives, crackers, suishi and zucchini muffins. We also brought chocolate, but what we did not know was that it was 91 % cocaco- soooo bitter. we now know there is a rating system to fine chocolate. Also included is Fritz and Hannah, our friends who got us tickets. Fritz works at Red Butte where the concert was held. Excellent evening all around.

The girls, and one guy....

 

I again rode the crest trail this weekend with my friends Sasha, Gigi and Daniel. It was a great temp and a blast. Sasha is new to the sport but she had balls! No problem for her. She will learn to be a great biker with a bit of practice.

Mom & Ada

 

Mom and Ada at Lagoon- As i mentioned before we had a wonderful time. EXCEPT- I have been sick ever since. I have contracted a flu/stomach bug since that day that will not quit! I guess since it had been two weeks I will seek a DR. advice. Bad food at Lagoon- pack your own lunch!

About Me

Two names you go by:
1. Jamie
2. Mama
Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now:
1. Earings
2. swimsuit cover-up
Two Things You Want Very Badly At The Moment:
1. Financial Freedom
2. chocolate chip cookies
Two People Who Will Fill This Out:
1. Christy
2. Gretchen?
Two Things You Did Last Night:
1. worked
2. Searched for old friends on facebook
Two Things You Ate Yesterday:
1. Chicken
2. Rice
Two People You Last Talked To:
1. Husband
2. Karyn
Two Things You're Doing Tomorrow:
1. violin lesson
2.watching Karyn's kids for her b'day
Your Two Favorite Holidays:
1. Christmas
2. Thanksgiving
Favorite Vacations:
1. Camping in the desert
2. Someplace with a beach in winter
Favorite Beverages:
1. kombuccha
2. coca cola (occasionally)

Mountain Biking

 

This is at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon on the Wasatch Crest trail. I love this trail. It has a steep up to get to the top and then it heads down to desolation lake or to Millcreek canyon. The flowers and butterflies were everywhere. I rode this day with Quino, who is a roadie. Once he got used to the shifting he really enjoyed biking in the mountains and might be buying a mountain bike! Today is Sat. and Tom is still in Hawaii. We are heading up to Silver Lake near Brighton for a picnic.

My cute Dad

 

Dad finally broke down and bought a personal water craft for the lake. It is an older model but I'm sure he will still get a thrill with it. He likes taking it out with his friend George on the chain of Lakes. The stop for lunch and spend the day on the lakes. It must be rough being retired. He deserves it. He worked so hard for us all those years. I'm glad they are so happy in Eagle River- just wish it was closer.

Sara & Ada at Lagoon

 










For a theme park in Utah Lagoon is pretty fun. Ada and I opened the place at 11 am and stayed until 7:30pm. We could have stayed until close if it wasn't for Max and my left breast about to explode. An entire day w/o Max and it gets a bit uncomfortable. The unfortunate part is that after all the fun I went home only to get sooo sick at about 1am. Puking uncontrollably. I think I have a stomach flu or else lagoon food poisoning- It is Sunday and I am still feeling the effects. Nothing is worse than puking. Luckily no one else has gotten it. Tom is flying to Hawaii and I really hope he doesn't get sick on the plane or something. By the way Ada loved all the rides. I think she will love rollercoasters when she is tall enough.

Lagoon The Cars

 

The Pool

We spent the afternoon lounging at the country club pool- on our friends membership. Lunch, sun, and plenty of pool side drinks. What could be better when its 98 degrees. The pool has that nice salt water cleaning system which leaves you feeling like you just got out of the ocean. Much better than the awful chlorine water. Ada is quite the fish and today I started dunking Max after I just realized water precautions with ear tubes is old research. He loved going under. He will be a fish too I think. He is starting Music Together class in fall and I think he will start swim in winter. Tom is going to Hawaii for a week starting Monday- must be a rough place to go for work. I wish I could go with.

Mom Water Skiing

Well I did it...Got up on water skiis for the first time since fourth grade. I was a real thrill.
I even managed to get up on the first pull with the help of a great driver.
Today it is hot again in SLC. Wishing Iwas on the Lake. Max is walking up a storm. He really started on Wednesday and has been walking ever since. All that worrying for nothing.
Ada has been playing with her friends Sophie, Lily, Sara, And Grace.
She is happy to be home, but the minute she's tired it is a long drawn out saga of "I miss Grandma" that goes on until she passes out to sleep.
She is going to Lagoon with me on Thursday if she goes to bed every night w/o crying or drama-ing. (My new word) Lagoon is a Utah amusement and water park. I love rollercoasters.
Hopefully it won't be too hot. Went on a 34 mile mountain bike ride today.
I was not on my game b/c I was thinking about an old friend Kurt whom I just found out died three years ago
in Moab while biking in the heat. I just couldn't get him out of my head.
He left behind a wife and two young girls. So Sad. I wasn't hot today biking because we were at 10,000 feet, but the ride home on the road was quite hot. It gets to you fast.
Here is a great pic of maxwell. He is sooo cute! I am biased.

The family at the lake

The last day at the lake we took this picture. We are now back home and into the daily grind. Max is finally walking! He is also teething which makes him terribly miserable. It is 100 degrees here today and our air condition can't keep up. Too hot! We miss eagle river weather.

grandmom and grandpop

The Boat parade, eating turkey, and the winners!

The cousins decorated the boat for the boat parade on the fourth. They won first prize! We ad a deep fried turkey and a fish fry. It was delicious. Max was happy eating the meat from the bone. Whatever works! We definitely have tired kids. Today the last of the bunch leave. Ada will be sad.