Day 1 cont: Jacob’s Puddle

Our day’s journey ends at Jacob’s Lake, just north of the Grand Canyon North rim.  We had thought we might camp closer to the rim, but Tatum (just back from camp) is crying and saying she has to pee, but can’t.  It already feels like we’re pretty far from civilization, so this is where we stop.  I am imagining a rough night of screaming pain from a looming bladder infection, so I dose her up good with Motrin and shove a bottle of water in her hand.

We settle into our campsite, pulling out the brie and bread.  We’re roughing it on party leftovers.  We decide to go for a walk and check out Jacob’s Lake, since they told us at check in there was a foal with his mother by the water.  The baby horse was there as promised…but the lake was missing.  It was more like Jacob’s Puddle.  We giggled and headed to the forest for a little hike.  Unfortunately, Carter wanted to be held the entire time, so it wasn’t much of a hike.  We did get some fun pix of everyone crossing a log over a little wash.

We had steak, snow peas and fried potatoes (oh, yes!) for dinner.  Camping is the best!  We hung our little trailer park outdoor lights between some trees and Jack ran around shirtless, in gym shorts and cowboy boots.  I think you could almost hear a collective groan from our fellow campers when they saw all of us coming!

It turned out to be a lovely evening.  Tatum seemed fine, so no visits to urgent care (at least not yet).  Carter slept in his first big boy bed- bottom bunk.  Some guys in service at World Wide made up the coolest side rails for the bunks, so no little boys flying out (um…not yet).

Day 1: Let Summer Road Trip '09 begin!!!!

Hooray!  We just pulled out of town.  We're heading to Idaho for Dave's Ironman, but we're taking the scenic route to get there.  The motorhome is packed to the gills...I think we packed the entire house.  We're hoping to make it to the north rim of the Grand Canyon by tonight, but it took forever to get out of the driveway!

Lunch is on the road, meaning the short order cook/waitress is in power motion.  I've throw organic, whole-wheat caution to the wind and it's "Uncrustables" on the menu.  The kids are thrilled, but I notice that not a single one of them finishes theirs.

The girls have turned the over cab bed into an American Girl Loft, complete with photos hanging from the ceiling.  It even smells like girl.  The boys have reign over the bunk beds, but are stuck in the carseats for the ride.  Carter is none too pleased.  He’s screaming, “Mommy, NO-NO, Mommy” as he fights his nap.  Only another 5 hours or so.

Mommy's Little Helper

Just had to share this one. Carter is, by far, the busiest little animal ever. He's so cute. But he's sneaky. I was making dinner, turned and realized he had dumped the entire contents of my purse on the floor and was trying to pull a twenty out of my wallet. Always helping.

Scarlett O'Skogebo

Tatum used to have a very pink room. It was Hannah's pink room before she moved on to her "anything but pink" phase. And there were these beautiful silk curtains in that pink princess room. When we moved all the bedrooms around, the pink room became the boys' airplane/ sports room and Tate go her horse room. The curtains didn't go with the new theme.

So one day, Tate wants to make a dress out of them...scissors in hand. I say no way! So she calls her Jana (Grandma Skogebo) on the phone and asks her, "So i've got these curtains and I'd like you to make me a dress". So Tatum's pretty lucky because Jana comes up with this beautiful dress, complete with jacket...just in time for Easter. Made from a pair of curtains.

Our Easter Bunny

Hannah's 11 now! And she finally got her yellow skinny jeans that she has been eyeing for months. And my personal favorite: Reebok hi tops. They're back!!!! They didn't have these cool colors when I had them on my wish list!

Easter Revised

So I have to admit...I have certain preconceived ideas about how Easter should be. You wear a new dress, you go to church, you hunt for eggs and have ham. Right? Over the years, our traditions around here seems to have shifted away from my childhood ideal. For one, we now go to church a day or so early to save the Sunday seats for those who do not normally attend. I haven't had a new Easter dress in like, 10 years. The girls have, so i'm not a terrible mom...just perhaps one who is a bit behind on the fashion times. And apparently, no one really likes ham.

We do still hunt for eggs, eat more deviled eggs than one should in one sitting, and most importantly- reflect, in awe, that Christ died for our sins and rose from the grave! That part hasn't changed. I did get up early and go for a 2 hour bike ride with a friend. Then Dave swam Canyon Lake with his Tri group, while I stayed home to make white chicken chili. Yes, our Easter was an Easter Fiesta.

What was special about THIS Easter was that it was also Hannah's birthday! 11 years ago, a beautiful baby girl was born on an Easter Sunday and this year we get to celebrate the same days together again. I remember the nurses bringing me a blue hard boiled egg after she was born. So around here, when it's your birthday...you plan the menu!

Thus, Easter Fiesta included white chicken chili, tostatas (from scratch by aunt Julie), chips and salsa, deviled eggs and banana cream pie. It was WAY better than ham!

So here's a few pictures...notice Carter has no pants on. I should have known all bets were off when they woke up and had chocolate bunnies for breakfast.

Parenting Style

So, tonight, as Dave was heading out to meet with the high school boys, I heard a ruckus in the back yard. Around the corner I strolled and there stood Jack with a garden hose- hosing down poor 1 1/2 year old Carter. Carter is dripping wet. Jack is grinning. "We do not hose down our brother!" I bellow. "David...come here!" I call him mainly because it's just funny, but also so that i'm not the only bad guy.

Dave walks out, takes it all in and casually takes the hose from Jack. He hands the hose to the baby and cranks up the water. Then Carter lets loose on Jack. Just a little contrast in parenting style. Of course, then he leaves and i'm left with two very wet little monkeys in my house.