Trip to the Rock

On July 5th we decided to take the kids out to the rock at the Great Salt Lake. Every time we drive by they ask us when we are going to stop and climb the rock. So today we did. Of course, it stunk (which Don and I knew it would) and the kids were a little shocked at how bad it smelled. But they made the best of us and with help from the men in our house, us girls made the climb to the top. It is a lot steeper then it looks. The going up wasn't too bad, but the coming down was a little more difficult.


Once at the top, we were able to have a spectatular view of the islands and took the opportunity for a great photo of the kids.

Home at Last!

Yes, we are finally home. Well at least the girls. We survived the blazing heat on the East coast and are ever so greatful to be back Utah.

As you can see the idea of me blogging my trip did not work out as planned. We were soooo busy during the day that by the time we got back to the hotel, the only energy I had left was used to bathe the girls and myself and flop into bed.

So just to update you on what happened since the last post. We next went to Gettysburg and what a fascinating place. The musuem there is enormous. You could spend a couple of days going through it. The movie and the Cyclorama was awesome! The girls really enjoyed that. We did the battlefield tour with the help of a CD dad purchased and our car. The battlefield is huge and it took about 3 hours to do the tour. As we stood in the blazing heat at the base of Little Round Top in what is know as the Devil's Den, Mom and I came to realize what it must have felt like on that day in July, with full uniforms on and the heat beating down on those men as they fought one of the heaviest battles during the Civil War. We looked at our watches and it was 3:00 which was exactly the time that the battle actually occured. Great appreciate for those men and the sacrafice they gave on that day so that we could have the freedoms we do.

Next we went on to D.C. As you probably have heard, D.C. has experienced one of the hottest summers on record and it just so happened that 3 of those record breaking days were while we were there. I have never been so wet in my life from just sweat! It was unreal. The first day there we walked the Mall, took a tour of the capital, walked to Union Station, saw the Lincoln Mermorial and finished off with a trip to Arlington. By the time we got to Arlington we were so physically exhausted. The heat index that day had been 115°. Mom and I went into the restroom at Arlington, looked in the mirror and had to laugh! We looked awful, but so did everyone else. We splashed water on our faces and continued on.

While at Arlington, we had the opportunity to see the Exchanging of the Guard as well as a wreath ceremony. One of the Boy Scout Troops from our counsel was asked to participate in the ceremony and so all of our boys were there to enjoy. Extremely fascinating and oh so sacred!

At this point in time our trip takes a little detour. Don had some bug bites on his leg that had been progressively getting worse and by the time we all got to Arlington, his breathing was very shallow and he was coughing alot. I decided that the hospital was a needed option. I was so fearful that the pnemonia he had last year at this time was starting over again and the bites had made his foot swell up to about 4 times it's normal size. So we hopped on the Metro and headed for George Washington University Hospital. We spent the next 6 hours getting our diagnosis and some medication. Good news was that his lungs were clear and they gave him antibiotics for the bug bites. He was also told he had to take it easy the next day. So at 12:30 in the morning we jumped back on the Metro and headed toward our hotels. Dad picked us up at the Metro station and we took Don back to his hotel and me and dad continued on too ours.

The next day we didn't go anywhere. The girls went over with their dad and swam while mom, dad and I did laudry for 38 scouts in an unairconditioned laudrymat for three and half hours. Again, we had to laugh. We looked like we had jumped in a pool again! Dad says that we have done our "Good Turn Daily."

In the evening we decided to go down to the Iwo Jimo Memorial. We arrived just as sun was beginning to set and on how awesome the memorial looked. Again, such a reverent place. We continued on the Pentagon where we were able to see the memorial there honoring the victims of 911. Beautiful! Dad then took us up to the Washington D.C. temple. By this time it is really dark and the temple is gorgeous. It sits like a pedestal on the hill.

I will post more about the trip tomorrow. Just want to let everyone know that the men are doing great. Darek is home sick and struggles with getting out of the campsite. The heat has really taken it's toll on him. Parker is having the time of his life! He hasn't done much in regards to merit badges, but he has become an avid Patch Trader. He is so his dad - loves to barter! He has collected some AWESOME patch sets. Can't wait to see what else he comes home with.

Don is doing better. The breathing is good, but last night he told me the foot is still swollen. He's a trooper! The heat has decreased. He said that yesterday had been really comfortable. We'll keep praying for the cool weather to hold out.

Sorry I haven't updated this. It has been long, crazy days. We are having a terrific time. Our flight getting here was delayed and they downsized the plane which made them 20 seats short for the booked flight. They were trying to get people to take a flight to Atlanta and then to Baltimore. We chose to tough it out and hope we didn't get bumped - which worked. Then there were problems with traffic control in Baltimore so we had to wait at the gate before taking off. The boys had an even longer wait - 45 minutes on the tarmack in S.L. and then another 45 to taxi from the runway to the gate at JFK. Needless to say, we were all a little tired by the time we arrived. Way to much waiting to finally get here.

On Tues. we were up bright and early and off to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. We didn't get to spend too much time at Ellis because I wanted to be at the Statue of Liberty with the boys. But we did hurry around. The girls found a "Barbies around the World" exhibit, which they fell in love with - as you can imagine. Took pictures of EVERY Barbie.

We then went on to the Statue - met up with the boys and took a family photo in front. The boys continued on and we made the climb to the Pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. It was amazing! And oh, the view of Manhattan and Long Island. It was breath taking and worth the climb.

We then went to N.Y. which was insane and crazy to drive in. After 2 hours of driving around downtown N.Y. we found a place to park - with the help of a policeman and walked to Ground Zero. This so far, has to the be highlight of our trip. We found the memorial wall to the fireman and it was so moving to read each fireman's name. It was such a sacred place! We then went into the WTC Visitor's Museum (which will be moved when the new memorial and museum are completed at Ground Zero). We must have been prompted to go in because it wasn't in the plan, but oh, what an experience. We had a gentleman come up to us and ask the girls if they had touched the metal beam from the Twin Towers. The girls said no and he proceeded to give us a story that will forever be imbedded in my heart. He was survivor! Tom is a fireman with Company 44 that was trapped under the tower when it fell. He dug his way out of the rubble with severe head trauma and burns (which as present you could never tell). He told the girls they had to touch the metal because then they could go back to school and tell their friends that they had touched the twin towers. He proceeded to tell us about the memorial wall which has pictures of all the victims. He asked what the common factor in the pictures was and Rachel immediately said, "They are all smiling." "Yes," he said. And that is the way we should always remember them. He said to always smile when your picture is taken because that is how we want people to remember us - during the happy times. And that is what the wall represents. He spent another 20 minutes telling us stories of about 5 pictures on the wall. And I spent the 20 minutes sobbing - not just tears of sadness, but tears of gratitude and happiness. What an awesome experince for all of us.

Today we say the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Betsy Ross home and the Declaration home. We learned a lot about Ben Franklin and what a great influence we was on American History.

The weather was miserable today- hot and humid. Yesterday wasn't too bad. We will hope tomorrow is better, however, tonight in Lancaster it is down pouring!

Tomorrow we are off to Gettysbury and on into D.C.

On Our Way!

In 12 hours we will all be on our flights to New York. There is much anticipation and anxiety at this house tonight, but we are excited for the opportunity to see so much of this great country. The boys fly out at 10:30 and mom,dad and the girls and I leave at 10:05. We pray for safe flights and that we will all have a memorable time.



I will keep everyone posted on the events of the day. Our first stop is the Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, Central Park, Rockefellar center and Times Square on Tuesday. It should be a spectacular day.

Out at last!

Well, we made it! School is officially over today. I'm so excited to finally have summer and no homework.

Darek made it with all passing grades - which up until last night he was failing one class. I guess a teacher loves him and decided to give him a D- in the class. Today he is with his best friend riding motorcycles. His friend has his license and they loaded the bikes into our truck and off they went. Scary moment as a parent, but I have to put trust in him sometime. So better now than later.

Parker also completed the 7th grade. He has had a fun-filled week helping his dad cook lunch for all the 8th graders and then a carnival on Thurs. He was excited to get his yearbook and have all his friends sign it. He just showed me the book and I have to say it is done really well for a Jr. High book.

Becca and Rachel both have had a terrific week. Rachel started off with a head cold and missed the first few days, but was anxious to get back for the last 2 days. Becca participated in Field Day on Tuesday and took 3rd place in the long jump for the 3rd/4th grades. I told her to keep up the good work and she could have Grandpa and Aunt Karen coach her in a few years.

Both girls did remarkably well this quarter and their grades were great. Rachel had all A's, of course and Becca finished off with A's and B's and a big pat on the back from her teacher for making such leaps this year. Both girls were assigned teachers for next year. Becca will be in Miss Howard's class and Rachel will have the teacher she shares a name with - Rachel Dawn Andrews. Miss Andrews calls Rachel "my little me" and Rachel loves it. She is so excited.

I too am taking a summer vacation. I have quite my job and will spend the summer being a mom to my wonderful children. So happy!!

Alive and Well!

Yes, we are alive! Life has been very busy as we prepare for the National Scout Jamboree in July. We have 67 days and counting! It is coming quickly, but we are all very excited. We are in the final planning stages and the final sewing stages. All of the council patches still have not arrived as there was an error in the order. As soon as they get here I have 12 shirts to finish! Thank goodness for a mom and grandma to help sew.

The kids are anxious for school to end - Darek and Parker think they are done and are having a hard time finishing (or even starting) term projects. I am also looking forward to summer and no homework - which tends to be a nightmare at our house.

The girls recently participated in the Japanese Festival in S.L. They were models in the fashion show and got to wear some beautiful (and very expensive) family Komono's. They looked stunning and had a great time.

The boys have been busy building a skate ramp that they are welding together as well as working on 4-wheelers and items for National Jamboree. They have also been working on their flyers for their Tractor Mowing Service in hopes of making some good money this summer.

Both are doing good in school, despite their motovation. Darek has adjusted very well to high school. He has become the favorite student of his FFA teacher. He is taking a welding class from this teacher and is so good that the teacher has Darek teach the class on the days he has FFA commitments. He checks Darek out of school, they hire a sub. to supervise and Darek teaches 4 periods a day. This has been an awesome experience for him in that he has learned to have more self-confidence and he realizes how grateful is for his dad teaching him so much. He is also working on getting his learner's permit. He has taken the test twice, but missed passing by one question. Now he is a little worried about taking again and so he keeps putting it off. We just keep encouraging and know he will go for it soon.

Parker is also adjusting to Jr. High. He has some of the same struggles Darek had, but we are learning to cope. He still struggles with reading and writing, but he is making progress. Thanks to Grandma for tutoring him 2 days a week. He doesn't like to go, but it is working and we are confident that he will get to grade level soon. He has been taking an American Sign Language class and has found that he really enjoys it. I, however, am not so sure when he signs to me and won't speak. I worry about what he is calling me because it is usually when he is angry. Oh, well! Maybe that saying of "what you don't know, won't hurt you" is a good thing to keep in mind. He is such a character!!

Becca has made remarkable progress this year and is almost reading at grade level. Ya!!!! She has jumped a whole grade level since last school year. WE are so excited. She has become such a creative writer and loves to write stories. Her imagination is endless. She recently bought some roller blades and is learning to blade. She also has found a love for swimming. She went with the boys to the pool the other night for their scout swim check and she ended up swimming 2 full laps - 2 on her back and 2 with a front stroke. Maybe this will become a new hobby for her.

Rachel is excelling in school - as always! She is our straight A student and thank goodness! I know the Lord understands that I just can't possibly do one more child with disabilities. She is such a jewel in that she does her homework EVERY night without being asked and she LOVES to read. You can always find her wrapped up in a book and most recently chapter books. She also loves to be read to so I have been reading to her and Becca. Since the first of the Feb. we have read The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe, all the Fudge books by Judy Blume and now we are working on Beverly Cleary's Ramona books. We have read 3 and started our fourth one last night. The girls have loved these books. Becca has also got us reading Inkheart, which I'm excited about.

Don and I are just busy being parents - and loving it! As the kids get older it is so fun to spend time with them. They do cause us some grief, but that good times far outway the rough times. We feel so blessed to have happy, healthy and smart kids.

We are headed off to the sand dunes this weekend to have our family time and everyone is excited - even the dogs. They know when the toy hauler comes home their going camping. We hope the weather will cooperate. The last 2 times we have been we have had wind so bad that we have had to come home. We'll keep our fingers crossed.

Welcome 2010!

My goal this year is to keep this blog current! So here is the my first post of 2010.

It's hard to believe the year is gone. So many things have happened and yet the new year brings anticipation of even bigger changes in our lives.

Big mile stones for our boys - Parker will officially be a teenager in March and Darek turns the big 16 and will be driving (not sure if I'm more concerned about the driving or the dating). We have a huge family vacation planned for July. The girls and I along with my parents will be tagging along with the boys as they head off to the National Scout Jamboree in Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. We plan on sight-seeing with them for about 13 days prior to the Jamboree itself. The kidsare already anticipating certain historical sites. Rachel is dying to climb to the top of the Statue of Liberty and Becca is just anxious to see it all. Parker has his hopes set on seeing Ground Zero and Darek looks forward to visiting Arlington. I just pray that I make it through the plane flight (I HATE flying).

I'm going to post some pictures in the next couple of days of events that have taken place over the last few months. So much has happened & of course, I have tons of pictures.