Santaquin Days

Three words, busy, busy, busy!!! Santaquin days are so much fun. There are so many things that we get to do as a family it's becoming one of my favorite summer activities. Monday we started things off with the movie at the park. It was the first time I've seen Planet 51. Kinda funny. It makes for a late night, but . . . it was cool outside.

The next thing we participated in was the mountain bike race. Jacob and Isaac did the youth course and did a great job. Their practice runs on Monday and Tuesday sure paid off. Jacob took 1st place and Isaac took 2nd. (I was just thrilled that Isaac's chain didn't fall off like it did on the practice days.) Dennis rode the course with then just in case Isaac had bike trouble. Both boys finished with good times. Jacob at 23 minutes and Isaac at 26 minutes. Dennis did another great job putting it together this year. He spent a lot of time making maps, organizing and finding sponsors. Breaking trails with help from the city guys. It really is a lot of work to put together.We had to do a little tag teaming. Right after the boys finished their race I packed them into the van and we headed to scouts so that Isaac could earn his Summer Time patch. (For going to Pack meeting in June, July and August.) The boys changed into their uniforms on the 15 minute ride there. We had to pack everyone up again after the awards so that the boys could make it to the awards ceremony back at the race. They were excited to get their subway certificates. Isaac also got a new helmet and Jacob got a new bike pump.

Friday was Rodeo night! Dennis was on a team with a couple others from the city for the steer dressing contest. They've never done it before, but since some anonymous person(s) paid the teams entry fee and was so nice to enter them into the contest, they were good sports and gave it their best. Luck wasn't exactly with them since they drew the biggest, meanest steer. It was so classic and unfortunately, when we got home to watch the video I took of the whole thing, we discovered that I didn't take a video at all. Nothing but a blurry picture of the start. So nothing at all the remember that wonderful experience. Good times!!! And the glow sticks from the dollar store were a definite do over for next year!!

Saturday was the parade. We had fun watching it with our friends the Wallace's. Jacob got to be in it this year with his baseball team. Just one comment, otter pops shouldn't be allowed!!!

We enjoyed some time at the park, the girl had fun watching the concert and the boys checked out the car show. We ended up coming home with three frogs this year from the cup game.

(Jacob riding in the parade with his team.)

(Teddy enjoyed the parade too. His favorite was the horses.)

We also had our last family reunion of the year on Saturday night. It was great to see our family again and catch up a bit with aunts and uncles I don't get to see much. Dennis and Omner had a good time as tennis partners this year, and the kids had fun playing grandma's fun hat game. Not sure who it was funner to watch, the kids or my mom. My mom has so much energy!! She's amazing!! (Khora and cousin Kaysen sharing some Skittles after the hat game.)

What you can pack into a week!! I'm ready for school to start now!!!

So Blessed

Whew. . . what a whirlwind of a weekend! I think I could sleep for a couple days. Friday we went to our Cluff family reunion up at the Heber Valley Camp. This year was granddad Cluff's 100th birthday celebration! It's very beautiful up there and not too far away. Dennis and the boys went on the challenge courses which they said were a little scary but lots of fun. There was a big suspended bridge and a zip line. We all had a good time on the lake with the boats paddling around looking at the wildlife on and near the lake. We saw a doe and her little spotted fawn, a beaver swimming in the water and a couple ducks with their ducklings in tow. Isaac said he even saw a moose. Our kids had lots of fun playing with their cousins and running around and it was good to catch up with everyone there.

Saturday morning Afton fell off the top bunk in the cabin onto the concrete floor. She hit her head and there was a lot of blood coming out her left ear. We had Dennis' cousin who is a nurse try to look at her. Dennis, Tim and Kevin gave her a blessing then we drove her down the mountain to the hospital. I found out later that after we left the others gathered together and had a prayer for her.

On our way to the hospital we were on a long stretch of road with lots of stop signs that my husband was obediently stopping for at each one. I gently told him "don't stop just go through them." Just as he was picking up speed again, out popped a little fawn that ran into the middle of the road before it decided that it was going to turn around and we almost hit it as it was going back. After that I said, "maybe you better stop at the stop signs."

They looked Afton over in the ER. The CT scan, showed that everything was "normal". She had a concussion and a laceration on her ear drum. She was doing good so they cleaned her up and we drove back up the mountain to be with the rest of our children. I ended up sleeping with her in the van since she was already asleep and it would be more quiet and less interrupted. Needless to say Dennis and I didn't get much sleep that night, so after breakfast and clean up we drove back home. I kinked my neck and it's been a bit sore the past couple days.

We had a Sorensen reunion that night, but decided against going. Grandpa Sorensen took the two boys with him, but the rest of us stayed home to rest. Afton had a hard time keeping anything down Sunday, but was doing much better that night, and as Jacob said she was "acting more like Afton."

I have really learned the power that comes when people are unified in prayer in behalf of someone. I have felt that power during this experience. Things could have been so much worse. We have been really blessed, and I'm so grateful to have Afton with us. I love my family so much.

Pioneer Days in Fayette

We had a nice relaxing weekend in Fayette with my parents. It amazes me every time I go home how much things have changed. That was pretty apparent this weekend with the 24th activities. There were so many people there I didn't really know. How odd is that in my hometown of 250 people. Could there really be anyone I don't know. Yup! Guess so. It was the usual Fayette celebration. Scout breakfast, parade, park activities and relays, lunch. We then just chilled at the house. We were able to talk to my sister in Delaware via the web. How awesome is technology! I love it!

Already 2 Months Old

Today, Bonnie is 2 months old, and how did we celebrate? We went to city hall and had her picture taken. They are doing the baby show for orchard days. She was cat napping until we got there, but as soon as I sat down to wait our turn she fell right to sleep and was really out! We couldn't wake her at all.

I can't believe how fast it's gone by. She is just adorable though. She smiles and coos at us all the time. She loves talking to us and loves it when people talk to her. She is such a good sleeper at night and is just getting bigger and bigger. She's about grown out of the 0-3 outfits we have for her. I think she's pretty long because she doesn't fit in the footsie outfits at all. Her hair still seams to be dark, and in the sun it has a very pretty copper color to it. I'm still hoping her eyes will stay blue, but there is the chance they will change. She has a very mellow temperament and only really cries when she takes a bath. She doesn't like it at all.

State Champs

Jacob's team the Santaquin Rockies are the 2010 Mustang State Champs! They won 8-6 against the Lehi Angels. They played a total of 6 games in the state tournament this week in Payson and they played their hearts out each game! Jacob really rose to the occasion and played the best he's done all season! He had some super hits! He has a great eye for the ball, and is really a fast runner (during the championship game, he kicked it into high gear and beat the ball to first base after an in field hit.) Jacob played left field and has a great arm. Some comments I heard about him were that he is such a happy kid, a fast runner and he always listens to his coaches and does his best. Coach Monroe has been so good for Jacob and really helped him excel and build his skills and confidence on the field.

After the game our family were all too excited to go to bed so we celebrated with a Slurpee and a late night movie! I don't think that Jacob stopped smiling all night, he was so excited! The other kids were so excited that he got a trophy which Jacob proudly placed in a place of honor on top of my curio where my special things are kept.

It was so exciting to watch the games this week, but sure did a little number on my nerves and haven't really gotten a whole lot done other than going to the games. Thank goodness it was just in Payson this year instead of further north. During the last game I had to get up and walk around, but had to hurry back when I heard the crowd cheering so I could see what was going on. Holy Cow!!! Well, we're done with baseball for the summer and now I think I can relax and enjoy the rest of it before we start school up again.

Family Camp

Last week the three oldest kids went with Grandma Sorensen to family camp. This was at Mapledale in Payson canyon. They were there for 3 days and 3 nights. I'm sure that grandma slept for a week when it was done, because the kids had a blast! They loved boating and archery and BB guns, they came home singing camp songs and talking about going next year. They all brought back a big bag of things that they made while there. The boys even passed off some scouting things.

I thought I would get more done during the three days that they were gone, but without someone to watch Bonnie for a minute while I do this or that, I didn't get much done. I did venture out and get some shopping done however. Shopping with two isn't too bad as long as Khora is in a helping mood. I also had a lot of Honey-do things for Dennis to help me with. I've been feeling a little claustrophobic lately so I did a little rearranging with the furniture upstairs and that opened things up a bit.

Our 4th Weekend

OK it took a week to get this one out but that's because I think I slept for 3 days after just to recoup. Saturday we had family down to visit and play for Grandpa Marker's birthday. Those who could went on a hike on Dry Mountain up Santaquin canyon. Grandma Joy and I stayed behind with the 4 little ones. We met the group and went for a picnic lunch at Trumboldt. The adults were about half dead on their feet what with the early start that morning. The kids were still rairing to go so we took them to the new park on Sunset drive. They had a lot of fun on the splash pad and throwing the Frisbee. We made ice cream and had rootbeer floats. We had out own little fireworks show out on the car port. It was a very busy and fun day.Sunday we had lots of family spend some time with us to celebrate Bonnie's blessing. We had yummy roast beef sandwiches with mashed potatoes, beans, watermelon and brownies. It was great having everyone around. I admit that I was pretty maxed out by the time it was all over. It was a lot to think about and get ready. Monday we had fun in Fayette. Dennis, Grandpa Sorensen and Jared took the kids fishing at Willow Res. They met Mahonri and Melissa there. Fishing was slow, but they all still had lots of fun.