Memorial Weekend

We spent Memorial Weekend in the mountains.  It was a nice relaxing weekend and it was great to be away.  My boys LOVE to be outside and sleep in our new trailer so they were pretty happy!  I was just happy to have my own toilet available and it was nice to bathe my filthy kids each night.

Doug & Rachelle's girls adopted Hunter for the weekend and took care of him.  It was so sweet!

It was sure nice to have a jr. babysitter for him!  I spent most of the weekend reading magazines in a chair!

This is one of the few pictures of have of Jacob from the campsite.  He was off in the woods playing with Gavin every second of the day that I barely even saw him.  He didn't even take time out to eat, he was too busy playing!

This kid was worn out. They were going to bed later than usual and getting up at disgustingly early times.  I finally forced him to lay down and take a nap. He was out in less than 5 minutes.  After 2 1/2 hours, I decided to wake him so he wouldn't have any trouble falling asleep that night. It took forever to get him awake.  He still went to bed that night and fell asleep without any difficulty.

Trevor spent the ENTIRE weekend tinkering with our trailer.  I felt bad that he didn't really get a chance to relax, but he said that's what he likes to do. 

On Monday, Memorial Day, we went to a park and ate lunch (Trevor stayed behind for some quiet time).  The kids played for a bit and I was actually able to get some pictures of Jacob.

Hunter is pretty brave for a 2 year old.  He has watched Jacob his whole life and assumes he can do whatever Jacob can.

Hunter actually climbed up this wall to the top.  I was pretty amazed.

After the park, we stopped for ice cream. Jacob got bubblegum ice cream.  After he finished his ice cream, he stuffed as many gumballs into his mouth as would fit. He could only fit about half of them in there!

We shot at some old water bottles and soda cans with some bebe guns.  I was surprised that I actually enjoyed myself.  It was probably because I was actually hitting the targets.

The boys enjoyed the true meaning of camping..unlimited junk food.

Both boys passed out on the way home. I was even able to carry them both to their beds when we got home where they continued to sleep for hours.  Jacob NEVER takes naps and will wake up immediately when we try and remove him from the car when he's sleeping.  He was obviously worn out!

The 14th Henderson

Most people assumed my parents were satisfied with the 13 kids that they already have. Then this beloved little creature came into their lives.  He is their baby, Sunshine.  I was given the important assignment to visit and feed this irreplaceable love while they went to UT for a week.  It is a pretty intimidating job.  If anything happened to this bird on my watch, I doubt I could ever be forgiven!  He is my parent's baby (my dad's mostly, my mom gets irritated with the constant attention he craves).  We had fun visiting Sunshine and he LOVED the attention!  In fact, sometimes it was impossible to get out of there without him flying/chasing after me! Sunshine lives in my parent's room only where no cats are permitted.  So it's pretty tricky getting out that door and closing it securely behind you while a bird is flapping after you!   

Jacob was so pleased that Sunshine chose his head to perch.

  

Hunter was very distraught for a few days when Sunshine wouldn't perch on his head.  He was finally rewarded!!

Sunshine had many visitors that week.  He made us feel so special but as soon as someone else walked in, he only wanted that person's head.  So fickle!

We are pleased that Sunshine survived the week in our care and were happy to return him to the care of his loving parents!!

Pinetop Overnighter

Our new digs.

We made the trip up to Pinetop to drop our trailer off the weekend before Memorial weekend.  Trevor's dad owns some property up there and he so graciously made a space for all of us to park our trailers for the summer.  It was a slow and semi-stressful drive pulling that trailer up.  We wanted to get a head start and miss all the holiday traffic.  We are just glad we finally made it and it can stay there for a while!

Unfortunately the awning didn't survive the trip.  It was a VERY windy weekend and we had a situation on the way up.  It was already partially ripped and with those powerful winds blowing, it didn't stand a chance.  It blew up and over the trailer, landing on the top and smashing/bending anything in it's path.  We felt this big gush and heard or felt something.  I looked at my rear-view mirror and saw these poles hanging down and stretching out on our side.  After what seemed like forever, we finally found a safe place to pull over and assess the damage.  The motorcyclist who was driving behind us was lucky and we were so grateful nothing fell off and hit him.  The awning was still attached at the top by the canvas, but it was halfway ripped.  Trevor finished ripping the entire thing off.  Then we didn't know what we were going to do with all of our debris.  There was a bend in the pole, so he continued to bend it in half so we could fit it in the trailer and dispose of it properly.  Farewell awning!  We didn't even get a chance to enjoy your glorious shade!!

When we have gone camping in the past, my one complaint is the lack of facilities.  The last time we went, we had a pop-up trailer that lacked a restroom.  I was always invited to use the family's trailer bathrooms, but when I had to go in the middle of the night, the only option I had other than to uncomfortabley hold it, was to use a bucket/toilet in the middle of the trailer while everyone was sleeping (hopefully) around me.  It was not ideal.  I enjoyed the availability of my own private toilet (well, I had to share with the boys) to use as I please and without any discomfort.  Trevor insists this is not camping.  I disagree!

Crazy boys!  They had a blast playing together.

Even though we were camping, the Jedi Training must continue.

This was the coveted spot. I didn't even get an opportunity to enjoy the hammock on this visit. It was always being used!!

We visited this creek because we were told there were hundreds of crawdads here.

This was one of the lone crawdads we actually saw and he was not happy to be found!

We found dozens of crawdad claws.  We suspected a racoon dines at this creek often.

Hunter and Jacob are such sweethearts and love to bring me flowers.

Hunter always runs up to me with his hands behind his back and says, "Mommy, I have a surprise for you!"

Had I known family pictures were going to be taken, I wouldn't have let myself be talked out of wearing make up!!

Our fun creek time came to an end when Hunter fell in and got soaked.  It was still pretty windy and I'm sure he was chilly being drenched!  Luckily I had some extra clothes in the car.  They do always come in handy!

I seriously bet there isn't a person out there who looks at this picture and is not even a little bit tempted??  I doubt anyone of that nature exists!!  It's a pretty natural urge!

Rosita Chaquita Juanita Chihuahua..I teenk

This little girl (sorry for the creepy eyes) came into our lives on Friday, May 21st.  I first saw her that afternoon when I was walking my mom out to her car (she babysat the boys for me).  The dog was across the street, sitting on the neighbor's lawn.  I thought it was strange since I knew that neighbor didn't own her.  I noticed a collar and thought I would check & see if there was a phone number I could call.  I didn't even make it to the end of my driveway before she started barking like crazy at me and running the other direction.  I was pretty offended so I just left her alone.  Later that night, we were walking Trevor's mom out to her car and we noticed she was still out there.  Trevor said she had been there a few days.  I decided I was going to leave some old ham on the sidewalk for her that I was planning on throwing away anyways.  Trevor took the ham from me and tried to get her to come over.  She was very hesitant, but came once she realized we had some food for her.  I ran in to get her some water.  She was basically starving and dehydrated.  At first she was very skiddish and was trembling with her tail between her legs when she was near us.  She pushed through her fears for a tasty treat.  Trevor kept trying to pet her and help her feel comfortable with him.  She finally warmed up and then she wouldn't leave him alone!  He started walking inside and she followed with tail wagging.  He wasn't interested in keeping her, but I told him we couldn't leave her out there all alone.  I persuaded him to let her stay in our yard until we could try and find her owner.  Of course I ran right away to the grocery store that night at about 10:30 to get her some dog food.  We got her fed, played with her a bit and got her settled for the night, then we went online to try and find her owners. No luck.  Trevor thinks she was abandoned at the park or something.  The boys were VERY excited to find her in our yard the next day. She was SO nice to them!  She loved to play with them, she let them hold and pet her, she followed Jacob everywhere..I thing she was just happy for the attention!  She is the sweetest dog and we felt very fortunate to find such a well-behaved dog.  We decided to think of a name for her.  I wanted something hispanic since she is part Chihuahua.  The only thing coming to mind was Chi Chi, but I didn't think that was very appropriate.  We settled on Gigi since it sounded so similar.

She LOVES to play fetch with balls.

She is almost rabbit-like, bounding over any obstacle in her path.

She is also cat-like.  She is very good at scaling the walls and the brick paths we have in the back yard.

We had plans to go to Pinetop the next day to drop our trailer off.  We hated to leave her, but we only went overnight so we stocked her with food and water and went on our way.  When we got home the next day, she didn't know what to think about Trevor for the first minute.  He said she probably felt abandoned again.  She was SO excited when she heard the kids trying to get out the back door to play with her.  She actually started barking, which we hadn't heard her do once since we brought her to our yard.  It was a happy reunion.

We didn't have any luck finding her owner and we (not the boys of course) decided we should find her a better home.  She is such a good dog.  It made me feel guilty to have her outside all the time, especially since it was going to be getting very hot very soon. I think she was probably an indoor dog and she acted so sad when it was time to close the door and leave her for the night.  I started asking around in the family to see if anyone would let her into their homes.  I struck gold when I asked my sis-in-law, Linda. She had been wanting a small, indoor dog and she agreed to take her.  She felt guilty taking the boy's beloved dog away and told us if we changed our minds and wanted to keep her, she would understand.  We were heading up to Pinteop again for Memorial Weekend, and she offered to dog-sit.  Gigi loved it over there and was even allowed to sleep in their bed with them!  She climbed right in, under the covers and slept at the foot of their bed all night!  We decided we didn't want to be the ones to keep her from being spoiled rotten!  Especially since we wouldn't be able to provide an indoor life for her.  How could our box on the patio with an old towel and old jeans compare to a warm and cozy bed indoors??  She seems like a smart dog..we are pretty sure if she could make the choice herself, she would want to be there. So Trevor and I decided that Gigi should live with them.  We had a great time with her and have a special place in our hearts for her.  We have extended the offer to dog-sit anytime so my boys get some visitation with her!

There were some sweet moments when I peaked out the window and found Jacob swinging with Gigi on his lap.  He made up a song that I overheard.  Part of it said, "I wish she could stay forever!"  Poor Jacob!

Father & Sons Outing, May 14-15th

It was a fun time for all when Trevor and the boys went to Father & Son's Outing.  They enjoyed camping and I enjoyed the night without kids!

Check out those fangs!! He'll be pretty popular with the Twi-hard crowd!  

Hunter is stealing every spare second he has left with his binky.  He loses it when he turns 3.  I keep reminding him.."What happens when you turn 3?"  "Binky gonna be all gone."  I am trying to prepare him, we'll see what happens when the time actually comes!

Trevor & the boys found this elk skull and they were really excited about it!

I spend my lovely, quiet evening shopping for trailer knick knacks and eating out with Trevor's mom.  It was a nice break!!