Moments

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We took the kids to Utah for one last SHA-BANG...before school started. We drove all the way to Park City, and I tell ya what, "By far the best purchase of the day was the $8, new Miley Cyrus CD." We blasted that thing most of the drive, never tiring of the beat or the lyrics. Nope, we just, "Nodded our heads like, "Yeah!" Moved our hips like, "Yeah!" Track 2, the trip theme song FO SHO!

So, we did lots of fun stuff.

We basked in the beauty of Park City.

Raced down the mountain side on a sled, screaming through trees and belly laughing the entire way.

We strolled the ever eclectic main street, ate too much delicious food, swam in the hotel pool, napped, and visited with some of the Logan Ladies.

The talented and lovely Miss Steph and Angie B. of Whimsy Pix took our family photos, and Em helped out by dancing and acting down right out of control, making us laugh hysterically. Afterwards, shy guy Owen kept telling Robert, "I love Aunt Emily."

We also spent a day in Lagoon. The weather was over cast and perfect. We rode the rides all day long until the kids were asking US when we were leaving. Wow! Now that was a first. They were EXHAUSTED!

So, I had a few MOMENTS on the trip. You know, moments when you step back and realize, this is MY life, I am the parent of these kids, and they're pretty amazing (most all of the time), and I love em' with this enormous feeling that I can't find a word to describe or justify its intensity,

and I am GRATEFUL.

I recognized that it wasn't the big trip that created these moments, but it was the simple times when the kids did or said something that cracked us up, or when we realized they were happiest just swimming with mom and dad in the hotel pool, or jumping wildly off the hotel beds. And my best moments were seeing them get along, laugh, wrestle and dance with each other. And even better was when they were plumb wore out and crashed on their beds. Then it was ME and BOB time! Boy was it nice to just hang out, snuggle on our bed and flip through the channels aimlessly, without working on our computers, talking or texting on our phones, folding laundry, or doing dishes!

I also had a few flashbacks of my own life growing up and taking road trips with my family. We traveled a lot in the summer, following my oldest brother's baseball team. I remember the excitement of being away from home, staying in a hotel, eating at restaurants, wrestling with my brothers, playing silly games in the car to pass the time, and loving chasing all the cute boys at the ball field!

I guess what I am trying to say, is I am thankful for ROAD TRIPS, those I took as a kid, and those I am taking now with my little family. The quality time rendered on road trips makes me step back, have a MOMENT, and feel grateful.

Perfect Day

What's my idea of a perfect day?

Family, games, deeelicious eats, visiting, football playing, hiking, beautiful views and weather to match?

Yup......that pretty much sums it up!

Baumgartners 2009

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Baumgartners is a camp ground up past Featherville in the Sawtooth wilderness area. It is one of the nicest, most fun, incredibly beautiful, campgrounds. When Robert's grandma was a little girl, her family camped in the mountains near Baumgartners. After she was married and had children of her own, she would take them camping there too. In fact, grandpa worked and couldn't always come, so she would take her three, young boys all by herself. They would fish all day and sleep under the stars at night. If it rained, they would crawl under the car to sleep where it was dry.

Well, those three boys grew up and had families of their own, and they continued to take them to Baumgartners too. So, back in the 70's the family decided to make the trip together, the entire extended family, the first week in August. To this very day, they have kept that tradition.

So, now it is Robert and his cousins too, with families of their own, grandpas and grandmas, aunts and uncles.....going to Baumgartners and enjoying the beautiful area and time together. Most of the family spend the entire week at camp. We never are able and always feel like our time there is too short, especially this year because it rained pretty much the entire few days we were there. When it wasn't raining, it was unusually cold. We didn't even get in the river this year. That was a first, and I had just learned to dive and was getting myself geared up for looking real cool, like the rest of the bunch, by diving off the rock this year! Boy did we get good use out of the hot spring pool. The kids swam and we adults pleasantly soaked up the warm water.

I love the Peterson family. They're a rare bunch of people who are so laid back, loving, giving, and just salt of the earth, GOOD people. I love that they have this family tradition. I love that it gives us an opportunity to visit and catch up. I love that when we get together it is as if no time has passed and we all enjoy each other's company, swimming, eating, gaming, and enjoying beautiful, Baumgartners together.

Here's looking forward to Baumgartners next year. May the sun shine and the weather be warm all week. May I get the GUTS up to dive off the rock, and may we somehow make it up for more than two nights!

I'm getting it!

So, I am really trying to figure out this Picasa 3. I have so many pics. from camp that I really want to display them in a collage, etc. Here's my first attempt! Woo Hoo, it worked. I'm finally getting it, thanks to Sally's step by step directions!

When we went to camp this year, the sun was sleeping. The rain and cold weather smothered us like a blanket the entire time. So, it's the last day, we're driving out of camp, headed home, and sure enough, we get our first pocket of SUNSHINE. Robert pulls the trailer out of the campsite, down the road, and off towards the river. We get out, and enjoy the SUN! The kids had a ball gathering wood and making a fire to roast some hot dogs for lunch. What is it that makes roasted hot dogs taste so incredibly good?! I don't know, but we scarfed em' down like we'd been starving for a week, and you know no one is starving at camp!

So, it's time for me to make this family some dinner, but later tonight when the monkeys are sleeping, I am going to really get this collage thing down and post more pics. of our last summer adventures!

If I were in Utah...

It has been almost a year since I was introduced to and fell in love with NieNie. She is everything I aspire to be. She has a vision of life and the things that encompass us in this big world that is unique and wonderful. She sees her husband, children, parents, family, home, food, nature, people and places in a light that is all her own. Through her blogging, she has shared this light with others, and I personally, have been uplifted and inspired, over and over again.

NieNie's life and story are remarkable, and (I must warn ya) sad too. I can't read her blog without shedding a few tears too. Alright, it's a down pour of tears.....every single time! But, it's a good cry. You see, she reminds me what is REALLY important in this life. She reminds me that "hey, things are never that bad." She reminds me to "stop and smell the roses." She reminds me to "be grateful for the things we do have." She reminds me to "have faith" and rely on my Heavenly Father and Savior. She also breaks down from time to time. She's real. For that....and much, much more....

I love NieNie.

So, she writes on her latest post....

This Saturday (15th...which is tomorrow) I am hiking the Y mountain at 7:00 pm in honor of our 1 year anniversary since the accident. If you want to join me, I would be honored and happy to have you along.This will be a big milestone in my life since last years life-changing events.I would love to thank you personally, from the bottom of my little heart. Kisses!

I can't be in Utah this weekend. I rallied mine and Robert's family. I invited them all to meet on Sat. in Twin Falls and have a "last weekend of my summer" PARTY! We're going to bring lots of food and visit and play in the park all day long. I love our families and am looking forward to spending the day with them.

But if it had been a different weekend, if we were twiddling our thumbs wondering what to do, if I had read this post a week prior...I would throw Robert and the kids (o.k I couldn't really throw Robert, but I could throw the 3 kids, and give Robert a giant shove) in the car and drive to Utah. I would tell my kids stories about NieNie the entire way there. We would meet her and all her peeps at the Y mountain at 7 p.m. and we would CLIMB!

Here's to you NieNie........You CAN do it, I know you will! I wish I could be there to hoot, holler, and cheer you on, and cheer for YOU.... I would.

If I were in Utah......

If Life Were a Deck of Cards

So, I finished The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan last night. It's a must read. I loved it. Yup, loved it. The book is a memoir about Kelly, her journey through breast cancer alongside her father's journey through prostate cancer. And although cancer occupies a majority of this book, I can't relate to the awful disease. Nope. Here's crossing my fingers that I never will. But, I sure learned from and enjoyed reading Kelly's humorous, real, touching, brave approach to life with cancer.Kelly and I are different in a lot of ways, but as I read her memoir I was surprised just how much we were alike, and couldn't help but to immediately recognize that there were HUGE similarities between us. She loves being a mom, feels destined to have four, feels loyalty to her brothers, adores her husband, uses the word, "yup", and she has a love for her father, like mine, that's beyond description. Robert must read this book. I need him to see that it's not just me. I'm not the only daughter out there with a connection to her dad that's bigger than life.

I told him I was posting about my dad today. He chuckled and said. "Again, most people don't post about their dads every month." "I don't post about my dad every month," I argued. "No, no," he sweetly agreed. "You only post about him every 3 or 4 months!"

Maybe I do. Guilty, I'm sure. I apologize, but my dad is one of the best people I know. He's not perfect, I have learned as I have grown older, but I must say, he is pretty darn close. He is one of the most hard working, upbeat, friendly, good hearted, people you'll ever meet. In fact, just the other day I had the opportunity to speak to an old friend. We chatted for hours, catching up on everything life had thrown at us in the past year. When the subject of my dad arose, she laughed out loud at what a silly guy he was and how much she missed my dad. She was trying to remember the funny nickname he gave her. He did. He gave nicknames and sang silly songs for every friend who came to visit. He made each of them feel as if they were the most special person in the world, the best friend we had, the visitor we never wanted to leave.

I guess that's one of the biggest reasons I love him so much. He has always made me feel this way, special, loved, important. In fact just the other day I was feeling a little blue. There was no particular reason in the world, other than my hormones must have been getting the best of me. I picked up the phone and dialed his cell, needing a little "pick me up." I glanced at the clock and realized it was the noon hour, one of his busiest times at work. I thought our conversation would be brief and maybe not what I needed.

Oh, how wrong I was. My dad answered the phone in the most joyful voice and said, "Kristi! My pride and joy! How is my favorite daughter today (I am his only daughter)? How are my beautiful grand kids? Tell me all about em'!" He acted like we hadn't spoken in weeks, like the call was so out of the blue, and was the highlight of his day, when in reality it had probably only been a day or two since we had spoken last. Tears streamed my face, but I gathered my composure. I didn't want him to know I was feeling sad, because somehow it didn't matter. All was right in the world, thanks to him.

I could go on and on telling story after story about how amazing my dad is, at every stage in my life, he has been terrific. Oh, and I know I have a million more, way better pics. than these I have posted, but for some reason, they're hiding deep in picture files. I promised the kids we'de do a Lemonade stand today. They're patiently waiting for me to make the sour stuff, so I'll end here.

Read, The Middle Place. I promise you'll like it. You'll see that Kelly Corrigan was proud to be and always saw herself as her father's daughter. I feel the same way and will forever remain.....

Stan Hales' little girl.

Unfortunately, life deals us some bad cards. It's inevitable! I have had my share, believe me. But, I can't help but to feel so blessed and grateful that....

If Life Were a Deck of Cards....

with my good, old dad....

I was dealt an Ace!

Boating

Taylor style...

See we McBrides are kind of wimpy novices when it comes to doing all the fun tricks you can do behind a boat.

I mean, we are pros at jumping in....."Cannon ball!"

We can do a dive or two...Swim like fish in the water...Pose like surfers...and front flip from the deck.Owen's only skill....pushing cute girls off the boat.But when we went out with the Taylors....it was on! Even their 18 mo. old Indie (is she not the cutest thing you've ever laid eyes on?) surfs with her dad!Oh, ya, no fear in her! She WANTS to touch the water!She's happy as a clam on that surf board!Her adorable, big sis, Liv....surfer girl too!Oh, and that's their mom, Sally, she's pretty much the pro. Can she do a 360? With ease and grace!So, Bob and Pay tried too.
They gave me some much needed tips on how to TRY to jump the wake!

Here's what that's supposed to look like.Even Miss Aves did a little surfing action, thanks to Brandon.

Sally was nice enough to play captain so I could take some pics.

Here's Bob enjoying a few waves!

Sally made surfing look so easy. I tried, I really did. There's no pics. Funny thing is, the ones of me didn't download. Bob doesn't believe me, but it's true...can't say I'm disapointed. I think it's a camera miracle, really.

Taylors.....thanks for giving us boating lessons 101. You guys were more than patient and helpful with our novice crew. We had such a fun day on the lake with you, mad-skilled, mega fun seekers!

Boating....Taylor style....we liked it!

Simply......"blankie"

This little snuggle bunny jumped up on my bed and begged and begged for her mama to let her sleep next to her all night long.Since her dad was out of town, I obliged. She's a goof ball, especially when doing her new favorite trick.....crossed-eyed, Avery! So, I snapped a few pics. of the little one being silly on my bed.
and then it occurred to me, I have never posted about "blankie", yes that's the simple name, long ago, she gave to that ball of material you see sitting in front of her.

That stringy thing looks a, down right, mess!Oh, but how she LOVES it! You see, Miss Avery J has slept with this "blankie" since the day she arrived home from the hospital, over 5 years ago.
It goes everywhere that Avery goes. I don't know that she could sleep a wink without it.Oh, and the wear and tear is treacherous, I know. One might think, "Geez...sew the little one a new "blankie."
Don't you worry....we have! Grandma McBride made her a perfectly, adorable new one. It's made with Avery's favorite bright colors and her favorite animal, a puppy dog, printed lovely all around.

Nope, she won't have anything to do with it. It sits folded nicely at the end of her bed, but "blankie" continues to be the one she snuggles and cuddles each and every night.

I don't know how much longer "blankie" will last....literally.

Good thing I cut off a perfect square a little while back, a keep-sake, so she'll always remember. Sweet dreams little Avery J.

I know how much you love that "blankie" of yours. I know, I know....because even though it's hard for you to imagine anyone loving anything more than you love that "blankie", this mama loves YOU more!