BMX Etc.

We have had a lot on our minds the past couple of weeks. We decided that it is important to keep our kids schedules regular. Keep their lives as normal as possible. So, Troy has been taking Gabe to BMX practices up at Rad Canyon. They just love it. I was finally able to go this week and watch. It was soooo cute! Gabe just rides as hard as he can and his face turns bright red. And then he rides some more.

A few pics:

Troy and Gabe (Like father like son)

Isn't he cute?

He still has a red face because it was soooo hot!

A few more pics of the other festivities this week:

Kennecott with a whole bunch of kids!

Family pictures, Nunn and Poppa with all their Grandkids

Gabe gave me the flower. It went well with the yellow theme.

Ouch!

Sorry, Mr. Kennecott Guy

The past two days I have been hateful. I am definitely in the angry, pissed off phase. This morning, Jill and I decided to take the kids to Kennecott. We figured the kids needed to get out and do something fun and exciting. As we pulled up to the gate I was on my cell phone talking to a friend. I told her to hold on so I could talk to the man. He immediately told me to put my phone down. I wasn't even talking to her. He said "You need to put your phone away while you are on Kennecott Property." Whatever, so I told my friend, "This man is getting mad at me, so I will call you back later." In kind of a rude voice he said: "I'm not mad at you, you just need to relax!" So, I piped back: "My mother-in-law was just diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and you are telling me to relax." I don't think so! He felt bad and then told me to go on my way.

Sorry, Mr. Kennecott Guy. I usually don't snap at people like that, but cancer sucks and makes us do things that we normally wouldn't do. Everything bothers me. If I am mean to any of you, just remember that cancer sucks. Blame it on the cancer!

*ps. We did have a fun time at Kennecott. The kids loved the binoculars and the huge dump trucks. We even watched the movie and all the kids watched the whole thing.

The Surreal Life

We are living a surreal life right now. Last weekend, we spent 4 days in St. George with Troy's whole family (minus Sean). We had a great time but Paula was sick and not feeling well. We came home and after receiving a blessing she finally went to the hospital. Honestly, she was the color of an egg yolk. She did not look well. We thought it was hepatitis. We were soooooo wrong. At about 1 am we got the news that it was cancer. Pancreatic Cancer!!! We stood there and wanted to puke and scream and cry and..... We couldn't do anything! After just moments we were crying and haven't stopped yet. We just don't understand why. This is not how it is supposed to happen. Our kids are supposed to have their grandparents forever. We shouldn't even have to think about telling our kids that their grandparent might not see them get married.

Through all of our emotional rollercoasters over the last few days Paula has been so strong. She is such an amazing woman holding us all together. She has such grace and dignity. I just wish that I could face challenges like her. We love her so much and don't know what we will do without her. Right now we have her and we will spend as many treasured moments as we can.

This still feels surreal. Thanks to everybody for their love and support!

We have started a blog for her, Cancer Sucks, if you would like to keep up on the situation. Feel free to comment and leave her messages.

When is Madison coming home?

Last friday we went to Las Vegas for Olivias baptism and Carters ordination. It was a fun weekend. We packed a lot of things in in just two days. Madison decided to stay there for a few extra days with her cousins from Vegas and Chicago. I have only talked to her once and she didn't even really care to talk. She just wanted to go play.

Well, since we left her, Gabe and Eli have been asking, "When is Madison coming home?" Everyday, about a hundred times a day. They miss her so much. This is the first time she has every really been away from home. I miss her too! She is always such a good girl to help me with things.

Can't wait to see you in a couple of days, Madison!

What's for dinner?

Well, it's Tuesday. Every tuesday is a crazy day for me. So at six o'clock, on our way home from piano, it's Little Caesars Hot and Ready pepperoni pizza and an order of crazy bread with no sauce. The funny thing is that Nunn (Troy's mom) got the same thing. She was leaving as we pulled up.

See you next tuesday Little Caesars and Nunn too!

The Tie Grab

This past week we have had a crazy week. It seems like we run from place to place and I feel like I never get anything accomplished. Troy took the kids camping with the ward and I went out on Friday night with some friends. Troy said the kids were up until midnight. Then on Saturday they were all tired but it was date night. So they went to Jeff and Lori's house (my bro and sis-in-law) and we didn't get home until late. The kids were sooooo tired.

First thing this morning, Gabe says he doesn't want to go to church. Troy and I both knew we were in trouble. Then we get to church and Eli won't get out of the car. It took him about ten minutes to sit down in the chapel. As soon as we got in there both boys were fighting over my lap. After about 30 seconds I was done.

Then when the sacrament came around, Eli wouldn't take a piece of bread so I grabbed one for him. He still wouldn't eat it so I stuck it in my mouth because I didn't want to sit there and hold it. He started crying and Gabe was driving me crazy so I sent (okay, it was more of a throw) Eli to Troy. I said, "Take him out before they say the prayer for the water." So Troy took him out kicking and screaming through the front door of the chapel. After about a 1/2 second Eli came running back in. Standing in the front of the chapel screaming. He wouldn't come to me or go to Troy. Everytime Troy tried to grab him he would move into the chapel a little more. So Troy finally grabbed him. He got a hold of Eli's tie and pulled him out of the chapel right as they started the prayer. Throughout the whole prayer you could hear Eli screaming outside. I kept picturing him throwing up. I was sure he would puke out in the hall or a garbage can or something.

So thanks to my friend Sarah for coining the word 'Tie Grab'. As far as I am concerned, the tie grab could be a very useful tool for parents to use in the removal of an unruly kid from any situation. I think from now on I will have Eli where a tie where ever we go.