Mini Vaca

We left Friday afternoon for
Star Valley
We stayed at the Bott's cabin with Jess and Ryan. (Thanks again Jess!!)
Jess and I ran a half marathon Saturday morning.
I finished in 2:20. Not fast but my best time yet!
And I finished about 5 minutes before it started down pouring!
Lucky!!

Saturday afternoon we went into 
Jackson
and then hiked to Hidden Falls at Jenny Lake.
One of our favorite traditions.
Although we usually like to hike to Inspiration Point, my knees couldn't take it after running 13.1 miles.
We ate dinner at Bubbas and headed back to the cabin.

Sunday morning we had breakfast with Jess and Ryan.
Then we were off to
Island Park
where we stayed with one of Eric's friends and his wife and little girl.
We talked, relaxed, went for a walk, ate dinner and talked some more.

Monday we all got up and went to
Yellowstone National Park
I hadn't been there for years so it was fun to go back.
We didn't have near enough time to explore and see all that I wanted but we did some hiking and had lunch with the Nelsons before heading for home.

It was a great little get-a-way with my family and I can't WAIT to go back next year!!

Firsts

I Love "firsts"

It's so fun to see Kyson do things and experience things for the first time.

First swim lessons

First Slurpee

First kiss ;)

 First swim pool

First time to Hidden Falls

First :( mosquito bites 

This picture is showing his fat lip and swollen arm from bites. His little body is learning what to do with these darn bites. Poor baby!!

July 4th

We were finally able to go camping for the first time this year.

We decided since it was the 4th of July weekend, we wanted to go somewhere that wasn't going to be super busy.

So, we chose the high Uintas by Little Elk Lake.

It was BeAutIfuL up there and we got to spend time with the Houses and the Partridges.

But...we made a quick stop in Park City to watch the parade.

I wasn't too impressed. They didn't have any fun, fancy, colorful floats. 

We left a little over half way through and made our way into the mountains.

Our trip didn't start out great with a flat tire thanks to "the road from H-E-L-L"

All of a sudden we heard "pshhhhhhhhhhh"

The tire was flat within seconds.

But, we got it changed (and prayed the spare would hold out for the rest of our trip).

I have NEVER been on a more rocky bumpy road in my entire life. 

I was so glad to finally see our camp spot!

I have loved camping ever since I was a little girl.

I don't know if it's the 

peaceful feeling

s'mores

camp fire

fishing

relaxing

tin foil dinner

dutch ovens

but whatever it is, I still love it to this day.

Kyson is at a hard age for camping though.

He isn't walking yet but is so busy and doesn't like to sit still.

I had to step out of my comfort zone and let him crawl around in the dirt.

That was HARD!!

Not because I didn't want him to get dirty (hello, he's a boy)

but because I myself am paranoid about Ticks and Spiders and the thought of them crawling on my helpless baby boy made me a little anxious!!

But, despite how I felt, he loved it!

We played horse shoes...

Hiked...a very steep rocky mountain!!

 Kyson did NOT like his head in the shade!

 Big Elk Lake

Fished...

And played games in the tent during the rain storm...

We had a WoNdeRfuL weekend with gReaT fRieNds!!

Summer

I Love Summer

The older I get the more I hate being cold.
Although I'm not a fan of this 100+ degrees we've had lately, it's still better than below zero temps!

We finally took the boat out!
Pineview is so pretty!

Kyson is not a fan of having to sit on my lap and not be able to crawl around while the boat is moving so we spent a lot of time on the beach while the boys wakeboarded.

Rock Springs

Eric and Kyson finally got to meet Evelyn.

Kyson was so adorable with her. 

He loves to kiss her and give her loves (by plopping his head on her chest)

We still have some work to do with teaching him how to be gentle

but he's going to be a Great big brother someday!!

 

Hamm and Rice cousins

We love Evelyn and can't wait to see her soon!!

We also spent time with my Amazing Grandparents!!

This is one of my favorite pictures!!

Life

Life can get cRaZy sometimes!

Happy Times and Sad Times


I haven't blogged in almost two months but wow a lot has happened in that short time.

May 13th
After many many bumps in the road, we finally moved into our new home in Layton.
However, we rented our condo out and had to be out by May 1.
So, we stayed with some good friends for a few weeks. They have been lifesavers more than once!

June 2nd
My AMAZING Grandparents celebrated their 73rd Wedding Anniversary!
They are the most Incredible Loving Giving people I have ever met!
They have been Wonderful examples to me my entire life!!!

June 9th 
I got a call from my sister telling me that my ex-husband passed away
due to injuries he suffered from a crash racing motocross.
I never thought I would receive that news and I definitely never thought it would
hit me as hard as it did.
Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE MY LIFE NOW!!
I LOVE my husband and son more than anything!! I wouldn't trade it for the World!!
But, at one point:
I loved David
He was my entire life
I watched him race almost every weekend
I watched him crash and get right back on his bike and finish the moto
I loved his family and our friends

For days after I heard the news, I couldn't stop thinking about his family and his poor wife and kids!
I kept putting myself in Lindsay's shoes and I still couldn't imagine what she went (and is still) going through.
My heart hurt!
My heart was broken for them.
All I could do was pray every day that they would be able to find Peace & Comfort 
during such a difficult time!

June 10th
My sister called me at 3:30am to inform me that she was having contractions every 2 minutes
and they were on their way to Evanston.
I was so excited that I happened to have Monday off!
I found a sitter for Kyson then headed to Evanston around 9:30.
She delivered Evelyn Jean at about 12:25pm.
6lbs 3oz
I felt like I was watching my own delivery.
Besides the fact that I was induced and was super swollen,
our deliveries were almost identical.
She progressed rather quickly and 4-5 pushes later, she got to hold her precious baby girl!
I was SO happy that I was able to be a part of such a special event!

Congrats Hamms

Then
Eric has lost all four of his grandparents within the last 13 months
with the last one being a few weeks ago.
We decided since his funeral was in San Diego, we would make it a mini vacation.
I was a little upset that him and David's funerals were on the same day but I knew that being there for Eric was more important.
Because his Grandpa was in the Marines, they did a 21 gun salute.
Such a great service!
We had a GREAT time in San Diego and I can't wait to go back someday!

San Diego Temple - Incredible

Kyson wasn't so sure about the ocean

but he LOVED the sand!

Lastly
About a month ago my mom's husband was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma.
It's quit progressed and his back is broke in four spots.
He started chemo a couple weeks ago which makes him quit sick.
At this point, we don't know what the road ahead looks like but it has definitely changed their lives.
I not only pray for Tommy but I pray my mom will have the strength to make it through this!!

So...I can only hope that things will start to slow down and we can enjoy our summer!!