Saturday, July 15, 2017
SQUIRT GUN OBSTACLE COURSE
We recently had some friends over for a Friday night activity: our squirt gun obstacle course. This was one of those activities that sort of just came together at the last minute and worked out pretty well. We divided the kids into teams and had them working side by side to complete the course. Filling a bucket with water using sponge bombs. Knocking down ping pong balls off of golf tees. Maneuvering a rubber duck from one end of a trough to another using only their squirt guns. Army crawling under a web. Running trough sprinklers. Sliding a cup down a line with water. Filling a cup by skirting a backsplash. And running and jumping into a pool of water at the end. It was such a blast.
Thursday, July 13, 2017
SO LONG, FAREWELL
I've been avoiding this post. Because writing this post and publishing these pictures means that we really did say goodbye.
A couple of years ago, one of my dearest, sweetest friends (of 18 years) moved from Virginia back home to Arizona. And I was elated. Not only did she move back, she moved two short miles away from me. But I knew from the get-go that her family was hoping to return to Virginia when her husband finished law school. Something that, at the time, felt eons away. Guess what. Time went by faster than I could have ever anticipated. So here I sit, remembering all of the wonderful things that we've done together over the last couple of years. And missing her oh so much, yet grateful for all of the precious memories that I have because of her friendship.
Two days before their family hit the road and headed off on their new adventure, we made one last [early] morning visit (with a couple of boxes of donuts in hand). We spent the morning eating donuts, playing out back, and savoring our last few moments together. The most bittersweet part about this whole thing is that we know they'll be back to visit, we just don't know when. Watching good friends move far away never gets any easier.
A couple of years ago, one of my dearest, sweetest friends (of 18 years) moved from Virginia back home to Arizona. And I was elated. Not only did she move back, she moved two short miles away from me. But I knew from the get-go that her family was hoping to return to Virginia when her husband finished law school. Something that, at the time, felt eons away. Guess what. Time went by faster than I could have ever anticipated. So here I sit, remembering all of the wonderful things that we've done together over the last couple of years. And missing her oh so much, yet grateful for all of the precious memories that I have because of her friendship.
Two days before their family hit the road and headed off on their new adventure, we made one last [early] morning visit (with a couple of boxes of donuts in hand). We spent the morning eating donuts, playing out back, and savoring our last few moments together. The most bittersweet part about this whole thing is that we know they'll be back to visit, we just don't know when. Watching good friends move far away never gets any easier.
Friday, July 7, 2017
CROSS COUNTRY ROAD TRIPPIN': PART THREE
If you are looking for photos, there are none in this post. If you are looking for a fun story, not so much here. If you are looking for sunshine and rainbows, well... no.
This is the post about my car as a result of traveling to Idaho.
Over Memorial Day weekend, we took a camping trip. And my car wouldn't start. Bad battery that cost us just shy of $100. A day after returning, my father-in-law ran diagnostics on my car. A new fuse and mass airflow sensor later, another $100. This all on top of new tires back in April that ran us about $850. We have dropped a lot of money this year to keep my SUV running smoothly. And don't even get me started on the new $4600 transmission that my husband's truck needed two weeks after our camping trip. Or the ten days that we went with only one vehicle...
A question asked by my mother-in-law prior to my Idaho trip rings out as clear as a bell right now. "Do you think your car is going to make it on the trip?" Of course! I mean how could it not with a new battery? But now we know.
When my car started overheating at the Idaho state line, anxiety and stress hit me FULL FORCE. I began doubting everything about my choice to go to Idaho. I mean, what the hell do I know about cars? My husband likes to give me a hard time because half of the time I don't even think to check the gas gauge. And here I was, in nowhere Idaho with six kids, a teenager, and a car that's temperature gauge was in the red. Luckily, I knew more than I realized and immediately turned off the AC and pulled over to the side of the road. Luckily, there was a small town in the near distance that had a Chevron. And luckily, my car made it to the gas station without the engine blowing out. At Chevron, there were two helpful strangers that saw my distress and assisted me to the best of their abilities. Adding a gallon and a half of coolant allowed me to drive the remainder of the way to Rexburg, where my sister-in-law and her friends came to my aid. It wasn't until I called my dad that evening that I finally broke down and cried. Which was sort of random, looking back. But he reminded me that it couldn't have happened at a better time, in a better place, or around better people. And he was right. Bringing the car to a shop the next morning confirmed suspicions of a leak: the water pump. By that point, $450 felt better than what I had anticipated. And we were all set! Or so I thought...
When the engine light popped on at the Grand Canyon's North Rim, anxiety and anger flooded through me. Because WHAT. THE. HELL. At least with the 'engine coolant hot' sign, you know exactly what the problem is, even if you are unaware of the underlying cause. With an engine light, its anyone's guess until you run diagnostics. And of course, we were in a location with zero cellular service for 100+ miles. So I drove. And prayed that I at least made it SOMEWHERE other than the middle of NOWHERE. By the way, a lot of middle of nowhere up in Northern Arizona. But I made it to Cameron, which was when the 'check oil level' sign popped on. Which, frankly, pissed me off. Not willing to chance another issue, I added a quart and finished the final leg home. When my father-in-law ran diagnostics on the car a couple of days later and we realized it wasn't a quick or easy fix, I melted into a pile of gloom. And I've sort of stayed there since. You see, my engine overheating likely cause a cylinder in my engine to start misfiring. And now we are to the point where the more I drive my vehicle, the more I risk complete engine failure. Long story short, my SUV needs a new engine. And that runs about $6,000-$7,000. On top of the $6,000+ that we have already invested in cars IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS. First world problems, I know. Never the less, a problem. Because we don't have that kind of money in our savings. At the beginning of the year, we could have dealt with this blow a bit better. But not so much now. So if you and I have had any social interaction in the last week and a half, you have probably noticed that I am tightly wound. And this is why.
But the SUV is being fixed this next week. And we are renting a car to get us through until then. But dropping all this money? Yeah, it's not helping to ease my anxiety. So here it is. The final part of my Idaho posts. The part where I tell you just how much that trip cost me. Amazingly enough, in the end, it was still worth it.
This is the post about my car as a result of traveling to Idaho.
Over Memorial Day weekend, we took a camping trip. And my car wouldn't start. Bad battery that cost us just shy of $100. A day after returning, my father-in-law ran diagnostics on my car. A new fuse and mass airflow sensor later, another $100. This all on top of new tires back in April that ran us about $850. We have dropped a lot of money this year to keep my SUV running smoothly. And don't even get me started on the new $4600 transmission that my husband's truck needed two weeks after our camping trip. Or the ten days that we went with only one vehicle...
A question asked by my mother-in-law prior to my Idaho trip rings out as clear as a bell right now. "Do you think your car is going to make it on the trip?" Of course! I mean how could it not with a new battery? But now we know.
When my car started overheating at the Idaho state line, anxiety and stress hit me FULL FORCE. I began doubting everything about my choice to go to Idaho. I mean, what the hell do I know about cars? My husband likes to give me a hard time because half of the time I don't even think to check the gas gauge. And here I was, in nowhere Idaho with six kids, a teenager, and a car that's temperature gauge was in the red. Luckily, I knew more than I realized and immediately turned off the AC and pulled over to the side of the road. Luckily, there was a small town in the near distance that had a Chevron. And luckily, my car made it to the gas station without the engine blowing out. At Chevron, there were two helpful strangers that saw my distress and assisted me to the best of their abilities. Adding a gallon and a half of coolant allowed me to drive the remainder of the way to Rexburg, where my sister-in-law and her friends came to my aid. It wasn't until I called my dad that evening that I finally broke down and cried. Which was sort of random, looking back. But he reminded me that it couldn't have happened at a better time, in a better place, or around better people. And he was right. Bringing the car to a shop the next morning confirmed suspicions of a leak: the water pump. By that point, $450 felt better than what I had anticipated. And we were all set! Or so I thought...
When the engine light popped on at the Grand Canyon's North Rim, anxiety and anger flooded through me. Because WHAT. THE. HELL. At least with the 'engine coolant hot' sign, you know exactly what the problem is, even if you are unaware of the underlying cause. With an engine light, its anyone's guess until you run diagnostics. And of course, we were in a location with zero cellular service for 100+ miles. So I drove. And prayed that I at least made it SOMEWHERE other than the middle of NOWHERE. By the way, a lot of middle of nowhere up in Northern Arizona. But I made it to Cameron, which was when the 'check oil level' sign popped on. Which, frankly, pissed me off. Not willing to chance another issue, I added a quart and finished the final leg home. When my father-in-law ran diagnostics on the car a couple of days later and we realized it wasn't a quick or easy fix, I melted into a pile of gloom. And I've sort of stayed there since. You see, my engine overheating likely cause a cylinder in my engine to start misfiring. And now we are to the point where the more I drive my vehicle, the more I risk complete engine failure. Long story short, my SUV needs a new engine. And that runs about $6,000-$7,000. On top of the $6,000+ that we have already invested in cars IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS. First world problems, I know. Never the less, a problem. Because we don't have that kind of money in our savings. At the beginning of the year, we could have dealt with this blow a bit better. But not so much now. So if you and I have had any social interaction in the last week and a half, you have probably noticed that I am tightly wound. And this is why.
But the SUV is being fixed this next week. And we are renting a car to get us through until then. But dropping all this money? Yeah, it's not helping to ease my anxiety. So here it is. The final part of my Idaho posts. The part where I tell you just how much that trip cost me. Amazingly enough, in the end, it was still worth it.
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
CROSS COUNTRY ROAD TRIPPIN': PART TWO
I'm not always known for my rational thinking, so when my youngest sister-in-law said that I should visit her in Idaho, I basically decided it was a done deal. I convinced the mr., booked an Airbnb in Rexburg, and extended an invitation to my favorite neighbor girl to come along (who was seriously the biggest help on the planet). Everything else just sort of fell into place. What an adventure we had.
THURSDAY
hit the road at 7 am after a quick breakfast
drive to Las Vegas, Nevada
lunch and splash pad at a cute, little park
make super speedy visit with a friend
back into the car for the last leg of the day
arrive in Hurricane, Utah just before dinner
play and play and play with our cousins
chat with my second oldest sister-in-law
don't eat dinner until 9:30 as a result of chatting
go bed around midnight
FRIDAY
leave Hurricane at about 8 am after pop tarts
drive to Orem, Utah
lunch with another friend at another cute, little park
play for a while before hitting the road again
smooth sailing until we pass the Idaho state line
all hell breaks loose
'engine coolant hot' pops on
engine starts overheating near Malad, Idaho
get off the highway, check coolant level
ZERO coolant
add 1.5 gallons and continue on our way
hit construction - one lane for miles and miles
hit more construction - one lane for miles and miles
travel 100 miles in 4 hours while engine temp creeps
arrive at Rexburg, Idaho at 7:30 pm, stressed
decide to stick to plans and see youngest sister-in-law
head to Beaver Dick park for bonfire
cry because of stress it took to get there
comforted by sister-in-law's awesome friends
get to our Airbnb home out in the middle of NOWHERE at 9 pm
go to bed around midnight
SATURDAY
up at 6 am
navigate my sister-in-law to my middle of nowhere Airbnb
neighbor friend stays behind with littles
drive into Rexburg to bring my car to a shop
get a couple of uninterrupted hours with my sister-in-law
walk around BYU-Idaho campus
hang out and have deep conversations in the garden
car is finished so pick it up and return to Airbnb
slam quesadillas for lunch
hop into the car and head to Yellowstone Park
pass through Montana and Wyoming to get there
Artist Paint Pots - pretty cool
Grand Prismatic Spring - my absolute favorite
Old Faithful (which neighbor friend misses because babies have to pee)
picnic dinner in Yellowstone Park
drive back to our Airbnb - GLUTENED
lay and the floor and die a little
go to bed around midnight
SUNDAY
wake up to the sounds of irrigation sprinklers outside the window
pack our stuff, load the car, clean the Airbnb
leave Rexburg at about 10 am
take back roads and lesser highways
avoid construction on the I-15 at all costs
wind in and out of Idaho and Wyoming for hours
picnic lunch at a gas station in Thayne, Wyoming
wind in and out of Wyoming and Utah for hours
skirt Salt Lake City traffic - a win
travel through the most gorgeous scenery all day
arrive in Hurricane, Utah just before dinner
eat dinner and play with cousins for hours
go to bed around midnight
MONDAY
leave Hurricane at about 9 am after pop tarts
drive to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon
let the kids marvel at the beauty of the Grand Canyon
hike a 1.4 mile loop with terrifying cliffs
eat a picnic lunch near the edge of the Rim
hop in the car for the drive home
engine light pops on - zero cellular service
grip the wheel and pray while driving along Marble Canyon
hit the 89-A and feel a bit less stressed
stop in Cameron to gas up
'check oil level' pops on - I cry
add a quart of oil and continue on
grip the wheel and pray we make it home
arrive home at about 7:30 pm
walk in the door to a Soda Shop drink from the mr.
collapse from exhaustion
I will never forget this trip. Despite the difficulties along the way (and just how much it will ultimately cost us), it was unforgettable. We were able to do new things and explore places we've never visited. I was able to share my love of travel and geography with my children. And I learned how to focus and respond in the midst of a seemingly overwhelming trial. I'd gladly do a trip like this again
2,500+ miles. 50+ hours in the car. 6 states. 5 days. 4 nights. 8 relatives. 2 friends. Trip of a lifetime.
FRIDAY
leave Hurricane at about 8 am after pop tarts
drive to Orem, Utah
lunch with another friend at another cute, little park
play for a while before hitting the road again
smooth sailing until we pass the Idaho state line
all hell breaks loose
'engine coolant hot' pops on
engine starts overheating near Malad, Idaho
get off the highway, check coolant level
ZERO coolant
add 1.5 gallons and continue on our way
hit construction - one lane for miles and miles
hit more construction - one lane for miles and miles
travel 100 miles in 4 hours while engine temp creeps
arrive at Rexburg, Idaho at 7:30 pm, stressed
decide to stick to plans and see youngest sister-in-law
head to Beaver Dick park for bonfire
cry because of stress it took to get there
comforted by sister-in-law's awesome friends
get to our Airbnb home out in the middle of NOWHERE at 9 pm
go to bed around midnight
SATURDAY
up at 6 am
navigate my sister-in-law to my middle of nowhere Airbnb
neighbor friend stays behind with littles
drive into Rexburg to bring my car to a shop
get a couple of uninterrupted hours with my sister-in-law
walk around BYU-Idaho campus
hang out and have deep conversations in the garden
car is finished so pick it up and return to Airbnb
slam quesadillas for lunch
hop into the car and head to Yellowstone Park
pass through Montana and Wyoming to get there
Artist Paint Pots - pretty cool
Grand Prismatic Spring - my absolute favorite
Old Faithful (which neighbor friend misses because babies have to pee)
picnic dinner in Yellowstone Park
drive back to our Airbnb - GLUTENED
lay and the floor and die a little
go to bed around midnight
SUNDAY
wake up to the sounds of irrigation sprinklers outside the window
pack our stuff, load the car, clean the Airbnb
leave Rexburg at about 10 am
take back roads and lesser highways
avoid construction on the I-15 at all costs
wind in and out of Idaho and Wyoming for hours
picnic lunch at a gas station in Thayne, Wyoming
wind in and out of Wyoming and Utah for hours
skirt Salt Lake City traffic - a win
travel through the most gorgeous scenery all day
arrive in Hurricane, Utah just before dinner
eat dinner and play with cousins for hours
go to bed around midnight
MONDAY
leave Hurricane at about 9 am after pop tarts
drive to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon
let the kids marvel at the beauty of the Grand Canyon
hike a 1.4 mile loop with terrifying cliffs
eat a picnic lunch near the edge of the Rim
hop in the car for the drive home
engine light pops on - zero cellular service
grip the wheel and pray while driving along Marble Canyon
hit the 89-A and feel a bit less stressed
stop in Cameron to gas up
'check oil level' pops on - I cry
add a quart of oil and continue on
grip the wheel and pray we make it home
arrive home at about 7:30 pm
walk in the door to a Soda Shop drink from the mr.
collapse from exhaustion
I will never forget this trip. Despite the difficulties along the way (and just how much it will ultimately cost us), it was unforgettable. We were able to do new things and explore places we've never visited. I was able to share my love of travel and geography with my children. And I learned how to focus and respond in the midst of a seemingly overwhelming trial. I'd gladly do a trip like this again
