Picnic at the Park

Saturday was great. Some friends of ours planned a garage sale and so we took our stuff over last night, and then I made my yummy whole wheat muffins for the sale this morning. We were selling a bunch of old clothes, books, toys, stuffed animals, crib and changing table, coffee table and stroller, just to name a few. Well, the wind was very windy and cold; our over sized killer whale and dolphin, at one point blew away. A whole block later we retrieved the whale. Our friend's little girl Elly (age 2 1/2)was so upset (tears of terror) that anything that was out of the garage from that point on she dramatically held on to while screaming for help, tears running down her cheeks and all. We set the coffee table outside on an area rug and she was terrified that it would blow away! Needless to say there wasn't that much success. We packed up and decided to give it a try the following weekend.

Just after noon Bill and I took the kids to a park for a Candlelighters event "Spring Fling". There were bounce houses, hotdogs, snow cones (not remotely comparable to the family shaved ice), popcorn, a magician and raffle. The kids had a great time on the bounce houses and playing with the Shiblaq family. (Their daughter Leila was diagnosed 2 weeks prior to Livi.) They got to climb aboard a fire engine and look at all the gear. Livi got picked to

help with the magic show but kept looking at me with those, "get me out of here" eyes! And Aaron won a bike! He was so proud. He even rode it away from the spot. But of course, in true Aaron fashion, couldn't let go of the snow cone.

All in all, a great family weekend!

Whoa

Apparently I was further behind than I thought. Grandma, keep scrolling to check them all out!!!

Two weeks without Dad

On Thursday, April 16th I took the kids on a tour of the Great Harvest Bread Company with a mom's playgroup that we do with church. YUMM-O! It was really cute. The lady let each kid "make" their own bread and showed them what the different machines do. Then, while the bread baked they nibbled on cinnamon swirl bread and she read 'The Little Red Hen". (I loved it. I remember my mom reading that story to me!) Afterwards, we bought a loaf of "pumpkin pie bread" as Aaron calls it.   

On Saturday, the 18th, Olivia and Aaron were invited to join Candlelighters for an art day. There was an upcoming golf tournament, for fund raising, that needed awards. So, the kids all got to paint canvases that were to be given as the awards in the tournament. A local artist, Diane, was there to help. The kids loved it. I honestly think they could've spent all day there. For Aaron, only as long as there was an endless snack supply! Leila, a friend we've met through the treatment process, was also there with her sister Deena, mom Laura and grandma Kay.

The new week brought new temperatures. Mid 90's on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Luckily some friends of ours have a pool and we were able to relax in its wonderfulness, but we also enjoyed the park earlier in the day. My bike and trailer was used a lot this week. It's easier to get the kids in and out of the bike trailer, and faster too. Sunday, we went to our friends for dinner and as I was pulling the kids up the hill Livi said, "Mom, you're not going fast enough. We can still see the trees!" me: "I'm going up a big hill". Livi: "What hill?" AH! It's fun to not use a car... as an option.

Livi adores her new swimsuit cover-up from Grandma and Papa T.'s trip to Acapulco.

The quick rise in temperature brought lots of bugs too. This lady bug crawled all over the kids! They both squirmed as it crawled up to their ears'.

On Tuesday, the 21st, I walked in to Aaron's room to "lock down" for the night and saw this. For some reason, seeing this made me realize how big my baby is getting. He stretched across his entire big boy bed! Don't get me wrong, in no way does it make me "baby hungry", Bill and I have decided with sincere prayer that we are done, but it does make me want to pick him up and rock him in my arms. If Aaron keeps growing this fast, soon I won't be able to hold him. He has always been our little love. Such a tender heart. He plays so hard. He loves food and TV. But if given the option to "DO" something over watching TV, he'll walk away from the picture in a heart beat. Olivia the other day said, "What's Aaron good at?" (It was a sincere question. She had just finished reading to me and I had praised her for doing so well.) I smiled and replied, "Aaron is VERY good at enduring. Some things are really hard for him, like speaking. It's hard for him to make all those sounds but he tries and tries and doesn't get frustrated." He can tell you something 10 times and if you still don't know what he's saying he'll keep trying. He doesn't get mad at you for not understanding. He simply says, "No, no, no, no, no." And then tries again. He loves babies and thinks they're so cute. He always wants to touch them.He has also really come to love music. I caught him B' boppin' to Jack Johnson the other day. I had to covertly get this film. It's quick but it's funny.

New skills

This was day one of "getting it". We were both so excited! (Actual date: April 13, 2009)

Utah Easter

So, off to Utah and all my mom's family. Going to Utah is very bitter

sweet for me. It's great to see Adam, my younger brother, friends, my mom's sisters and brother, and most of my cousins, but being around all of them reminds me so much of my mom. Her sisters and her all shared similar attributes, varying in each sister. Aunt Lorraine and mom have the same hands, I hear my mom's voice at times when Aunt Yvonne speaks, mom's love for her grandchildren in mirrored by Aunt Karen, and her unceasing laughter is echoed by my Aunt Tammy. I cherish them all so much for who they are to me, and what they have become to my children; placeholders in their lives of where Granma once was. Women to teach them about the woman who holds a special place in their hearts. Angels on earth to fulfill the role of one who cherishes Livi and Aaron's childhood wonder and play. 

We met up with Dad and Gee when we got to Voni's house to have an early celebration of Gee and Adam's 25th birthday. A lot of the cousins were there and ALL 5 sets of aunts and uncles were there! Pretty impressive. It was fun, as always to visit with everyone. And like always, my younger cousins kept the young great grandchildren in heaven. (On the ride up I wasn't sure where we were going to stay that night. I asked the kids if they wanted to stay at Sean and Liz's or at Aunt Voni's. Aaron emphatically shouted, "Aunt Voni, Aunt Voni!" Okay, that was settled.) Livi got to sleep with Gee, which is pretty customary on trips like this, and Aaron bunked with me. 

8 o'clock the next morning, Livi and Gee were coloring Easter eggs. Angie and Dad were

 to drive home Saturday so Angie wanted to get some of the festivities in before she left.  Too bad The two of them were up 'til one in the morning laughing. (Angie blamed it all on Olivia.) Our cousin Chloe came over to watch and Uncle Adam came over to join in the fun as well. Livi found a new art medium... eggs! 

I think she ended up doing 3 dozen, at least, over the course of the day. My younger cousins, Alyssa and Natalie, hid eggs for the younger ones (Chloe, Jacob [both cousins],

Livi and Aaron) and gave out paper bags for an egg hunt. Sean and Liz's little girl Kate (the kids' "cousin" according to Olivia) even joined us for the festivities. All the kids had a blast. It was a great day.

That night we had dinner with the Williams' and spent the night there as well.

Easter morning.

We attended Easter Sunday church with the Williams' in their ward after "opening" Easter baskets. The kids were excited to see their new jump rope (for Livi) and spill proof bubbles (for Aaron) and of course all the candy. For church Livi wanted to wear the same blue Easter dress that Gretchen had given her last year. It fit, and this Easter she actually felt good enough to enjoy it. She also got to wear her special gloves that my mom had given to her for her 3rd birthday. After church we went to Tammy's for a snack and then had  an egg hunt at Yvonne's. 

The Easter bunny told Uncle Randy where the eggs where, so he was able to help. The kids really enjoyed being able to find

some outside in the "warm" 65 degree sunshine. The kids then hid the eggs for Adam to find. Adam was always the last one to find the eggs at home, this year was no different. Aaron grew impatient and started finding them for Adam. Aaron did prove to be quite the little egg finder. He surprised all of us at how aware he was.

Easter dinner was spent at Aunt Karen and Uncle Bill's house. Adam and a girl friend, Erika, joined us for the evening. It was a very nice way to spend the afternoon/evening. We were able to talk a lot and reminisce about my mom. Aunt Karen had little Easter baskets made up for

the kids, and as usual made me cry at how aware she was as to the TLC my kids' need from another Grandma. Uncle Bill even got tears from me when he pulled Olivia onto his lap so she could open her birthday present from them. So special.

 

The meal was fabulous and the company was even better. Their 3 girls were there, Kira, Anna, and 

Andrea, which are always fun to chat with. Anna's 4 beautiful toe-heads kept my kids entertained.  And for dessert, individual bunny cakes for the kids and sherbet angel cake for the grown-ups!

Monday the kids and I played with Liz, Kate and Dylan for a while. The kids enjoyed the sunshine and Livi learned to jump rope! We picked up Adam and took him out to lunch for his actual 25th birthday. We went to Five Guys, a burger joint from the east coast. On the phone, when I told Bill where we had eaten for lunch, he said that he had eaten there the previous night. It's like In and Out with thicker patties, grosser fries and more expensive. The idea of the restaurant is the same. Good burgers though. It's always so much fun for me to be able to talk with my brother, the kids adore him. Aaron refuses to call him anything except "Uncle Adam" which comes out sounding like, "Unka Agam".

Monday night the kids and I had plans to stay with the Lovell's, some friends of ours a bit further north, in Sandy, but things didn't work out and we were able to stay with the Williams an extra night, which the kids responded to with , "YEAHHHH!!!" We made one of my favorites, beef stroganoff, for dinner and I didn't even taste it. I was sick. I never threw up, thank goodness, but I sure wanted to. UGH! I didn't know what I was going to do the next day driving home.

I got a good night's rest, but, I'm never sick. (We always joke that everyone else can get sick, just not mommy.) Wow, did it wipe me out. 1 1/2 hours into our drive I could not stay awake, it's about a 6 hour trip. I didn't know what to do. I did recognize the overwhelming evidence that I was not going to make it so I finally gave in. I pulled off on a non-service exit, parked the car and told the kids mommy needed a nap. They were not to touch the doors or windows no matter what happened. If they saw anyone they were to wake me up right away. I was out in a matter of minutes. I didn't even unbuckle the kids from their seats. They watched their movie and didn't complain once. When I woke up about 30 - 40 minutes later, all they said was, "Mommy, I'm sorry you're sick." They were great. We stopped and ate some lunch, I was feeling a bit better and then finished our trip home. 

The kids make traveling so easy. They were fantastic there and back. It's great to be able to take advantage of distant family living so close. We love when we get to visit everyone there!

Aaron's rounds

(This is so far behind schedule.)

 Things worked out well, Natalie left Thursday night and the kids and I drove to Utah, Provo area, Friday morning. Bill had a trip that he was leaving for on Easter Sunday so he stayed behind. Aside from the fact that Aaron threw up all Thursday night and left me tired for the drive, everything went well. 

Here's the actual post. This is solely for journaling, feel free to read and respond but I am not to be held accountable for queasy stomachs: We don't know why Aaron threw up. He doesn't get sick like that, and nothing came after that night. Bill and I were down stairs trying to pack up for the trip and all of a sudden we hear a very high pitched voice coming from upstairs. Bill runs up and yells down, "Uh Rachel, I think I'm going to need your help with this one!" Aaron sleeps on his back, my guess, he choked on the vomit and created the high pitched noise. After the initial flow we could tell that he wasn't done, he couldn't get comfortable. Bill laid down with him in our bed while I tried to get some more things done for the trip. Soon Aaron was laying on the carpet just outside the bathroom where I was. He got squirmy and I pulled him forward onto the linoleum just in time. Round two. When it was over he grabbed a little square of toilet paper, which is all the strength he could muster, walked over to the mess on the bathroom floor and proceeded to clean it up. I quickly stopped him and smiled sympathetically at his response, "I sorry mommy, I didn't mean to." What a sweetheart. The night was full of "rounds" which soon became dry heaves every hour on the hour. In the morning, a brand new day. Aaron was playing with his sister and asking for breakfast first thing as usual. As for me... well, how is it that the mom never gets to recover?

Early Easter

Grandma Susie... such a blessing in our lives. With Easter 3 days away the kids received

a much welcomed package in the mail. I don't know where she finds them, but her Easter snacks are ALWAYS a hit! The camo underoos and lace socks were also such a treat! Thank you Grandma. We LOVE YOU!

Keep 'em coming

One visitor after another... I love it! A lot of people say, "Oh, we don't want to be a bother." My response, "Are you KIDDING?!" I love when people come see our world. And I've decided, back to back company is actually more easy than it sounds... everything is already clean!

So, the weekend with Papa and Gee finished great. Saturday night we went to an authentic Mexican restaurant, Lindo Michocan. On the menu is a name of a city in Mexico that if properly said on the first try to your waiter you get free churros. I gave it a shot and the waiter said that I got it right on. (I've always felt that I should be fluent... I would love to live where I'd have to use it.) Sunday was nice. We laid low and watched conference, or as much as you can in a warm room with a comfy couch and two boisterous kids!!! Monday Papa and Gee left early and the kids and I went on a bike ride. I pulled the kids behind me in the trailer. It was a tough ride pulling about 100 lbs. for 7.5 miles. Nothing east to west is flat around us so as I was coming west and struggling to keep my rear in the saddle I shouted back at the kids to cheer me on. "Go mommy, Go mommy!!!" (Livi had fallen asleep at this point, Aaron was great.) We got home and barely had time to get ready to pick up Natalie from the airport. Natalie Cabezud is a friend of mine since we were 3 years old. We don't get to talk very often and see eachother even less, but when we get together I always have a great time. This trip didn't disappoint.

 

Originally Bill was going to be in town but then was to be out on assignment, then, he was pushed back so he was in fact home for Natalie's stay. The kids were so excited to have her come. Olivia kept telling Aaron, "You know Natalie. She's mom's really tall friend, taller than Daddy. Her mom is Pat and her dad Frank took you down the lazy river... remember?" (Boy, we'd better remember, 'cause her memory is razor sharp!)

After picking her up we ate lunch back at the house and then attempted the park. Unfortunately we were invaded by about 40 youth from the YMCA due to spring break so we retreated into the library. It was nice having an extra set of eyes and hands to help with the kids. The kids had a blast with Natalie at the grocery store. She ran them up and down the aisles with the shopping cart. At one point I could hear them screaming from the extreme opposite corner of the store! 

Tuesday was great weather so we took advantage of it and headed out to Red Rock Canyon. It has been quite a while since we last went and it was wonderful to be back. I think it was the most perfect weather we have ever had there. It was a bit more crowded than usual, due to spring break once again, but we were able to find our spots and enjoy our explorations and picnic. In true Aaron fashion he lay down every chance he got and of course wanted to be carried. It was great being able to share a special place with a very special friend.

Wednesday, we did the "tourist" thing and went down to the strip. When Natalie and I had come down in October of 2007 I bought some name art for the kids down on the strip and Natalie wanted to get one for her brand new baby nephew. No luck finding the art but we did have an awesome time at the Belagio. This was our first time seeing the conservatory inside the Belagio, having gelato there, and the kids first time seeing the water fountains out front. 

The conservatory was incredible! My mom would have been in heaven... tulips were

EVERYWHERE! I didn't even know that tulips could look the way they did. All kinds of flowers, water art, a butterfly house... so wonderful. We noticed it as soon as we walked through the doors; instead of the normal hotel/casino smell of stale air and smoke, the aroma of pollen almost knocked you over. I could've stayed there all day long.

The kids and I shared a strawberry gelato dessert (the chocolate fountain is real, in case there

was any doubt)  and then we went outside to watch the show. It was fantastic. Natalie and I loved it. The kids loved it. It was great. (The last time I had seen a show was with my mom, and some others, it was a nice memory to play in my mind.)

Wednesday night we were fortunate enough to find a GREAT babysitter last minute and go

out with us adults. Bill took us on a VIP tour of his office. I was very honored and Natalie was thrilled. She loves all the crime/law programs on TV, so this was a great somewhat behind the scenes look as to what it really looks like. It was really neat.

Afterwards we walked from Bill's work to Freemont St. to partake in the "Freemont Street experience". We experienced it... and will now let others know that they don't need to. Natalie asked, "Is it rude to think some people should not reproduce?" Mine and Bill's thoughts exactly.

Thursday, and Natalie's flight home came all too quickly. We relaxed all day and tried to decide which of the 4 color splotches on my living room wall should gain permanent residency. She also took me down to Home Goods to help me get an idea of accessories that could work for the space. Natalie, like her mother, is so good at that sort of thing. Now I just wonder when she's going to come back to put it all together.

I had such a great time with my childhood friend. We had many conversations that only Natalie can make great. She has truly been blessed with outstanding communication skills and I love learning from her charisma. Until next time... we'll be missing you.