Valentine's Day

What did I do for Valentine's Day? Had a blast snowmobiling with my hubby and our great friends from Wyoming. This was our second annual snowmobiling trip. Last year we stayed in Bear Lake, UT and this year we stayed in Island Park, ID. It was amazing. All of us chipped in and rented a cabin. Jory borrowed a couple of really nice sleds and off we went. Saturday morning we fueled up and hit the trails. I still can't figure out how Dallas found his way around. It took me a while to get used to riding. I only go once a year, remember. At one point, we went off trail and followed the river where a herd of elk were drinking. Yes, I forgot the camera. For lunch, we stopped in at Pine Lodge to warm up and fuel the men. That afternoon, Dallas led us on what I thought was a crazy mountain trail that would get us lost. We ended up going through the mountains to a big open field and then 10 or so miles later, the cabin! I couldn't believe it. What fun!!! No one was hurt too badly, though I have bruises on my legs and arms. I got brave and learned how to stand on the side and turn. Fell a few times, but the snow was six inches of new powder. Later, the hot tub saved all of us aging friends. We had a great time and can't wait for next year.
Jory is pretty cool to watch. He floats through the snow! I'm pretending to ride at the time. I was too tired at the moment to do much else. I finally got the hang of going to the side to turn. It's kind of fun!

I've been tagged

I'm so glad to be tagged. I need to catch up on this. We had so much fun this weekend, but I don't have time to share yet, so I'll just do the tag. Here's my sixth photo in my sixth file.

This is Jory T. riding his Uncle Jonathon's mechanical bull in 2005. Hubby Jory was getting the bull ready to be shipped to Japan. Jonathon had sold it to someone and shipped it out from Seattle. I was the Laurel advisor for our ward at the time, so we set it up for the youth one Wednesday night. My kids had to show how it's done. They ride like pros. We still have people come up to us, remembering that night and how bruised they were after riding. Jory still misses running the bull every once in a while. Just for fun, here are the rest of the kids riding.

Okay, I'll tag whoever reads this. Is that cheating? I hate naming people, so if you want to do it, go ahead. Great way to journal and look back at all your photos you haven't scrapbooked yet:) By the way, Cody has a clean bill of health. Took him back and he was great. I took Dallin as well just for a check up and he was wheezing and made the doctor very concerned. Me, the great mom I am, didn't even know he was struggling. I think he's just used to feeling miserable, poor kid. He's doing better and was able to play hard all weekend.

Baby Blues

Cody started not feeling well Friday, because it was a weekend. Don't all kids get sick on the weekends? Saturday, Kylie babysat while we watched Camri and Dallin play basketball. She called to tell us Cody was having a hard time breathing. He did this at Christmas and the Dr. in Idaho said to treat him with Dallin's Albuteral and nebulizer. So I told Kylie to start that again. I was angry thinking he probably has asthma like Dallin.

We made it through the weekend and went to our family Dr. on Monday. Knowing Dallin's history, he also wondered about the asthma but tested Cody for RSV as well. I couldn't believe it, but he has RSV. He's doing fine. The nebulizer was the right thing to do. It probably kept us out of the hospital.

Dallin was three when he started showing signs of asthma. He didn't want to play. If he did play, it would only be for a little while and then he'd be tired and short of breath. At night he would breath fast even in a sound sleep. He coughed so much, but I just thought it was drainage from his allergies. Finally, one day I sent him to a good friend's house to be watched while I went to class. When I picked him up, she told me his cough was worse and it sounded more like her daughter when her asthma flares. I called the doctor, and they said to come NOW. By the time I got there, he was hardly moving. But after a treatment, he perked up and we didn't have to hospitalize him.

When Dallin was diagnosed with asthma, I went through so many emotions: sadness, anger, guilt and more. I didn't realize how severe asthma could be. I learned later that when a person is diagnosed with a chronic illness they go through the grieving process. I think I went through that with Dallin. I learned a lot about asthma that year. Asthma is the leading cause of children to miss school and one of the leading causes of hospitalization of children. But Heavenly Father blessed my family by providing supportive friends, family, teachers (who let me miss class whenever needed) and wonderful doctors to help Dallin with his illness. Now I can see how Heavenly Father continues to bless our family, because Dallin's asthma has given me plenty of experience with respiratory problems.

I laughed when I saw Dallin doing his medicine one day with 3D glasses on. He looked like an alien.

I'm a little relieved Cody has RSV, because, like the Dr. said, we don't have to call this asthma, which I hope he never has to deal with. Cody uses the nebulizer every four hours and doesn't mind at all. However, he hates his other medicines, a decongestant and an antibiotic. The video was taken Wednesday and Cody was feeling much better.

Sorry it's sideways.

Artsy and Creative Boys

Yes, that's my boy behind that mask. Jory T. took an art class last quarter and made this joker mask. His teacher was so impressed, she displayed it for a few weeks. It's pretty scary. He's saving it for next Halloween.

To finish up his Family Life Merit Badge, Jory T. (with the help of his dad) made a stool for his baby brother Cody. I asked for it so Cody could wash and go potty. Jory did a nice job.
On the finished product, Jory T. put Lightening and Mater. Cody has used it to wash and go potty, with the boys cheering him on. I never knew potty training could be so entertaining.

Dallin did a great job making his "The Bullet" derby car. He didn't win, but had lots of fun participating. Dallin was a good sport. Me, on the other hand, set a goal to win big next year. I decided to take notes. I will be sanding nails and wheels next year before the big race. No more waiting for dad to do it;)

When your husband is sitting beside you on the ski lift with a camera phone, just smile because he's going to take the picture anyway, even if you look like a marshmallow.
Jory and I had a fun time skiing Monday at Bluewood with my dad, Kylie, Jory T and Dallin. We took Dallin for the first time. He snowboarded and did amazing. Jory T. also went snowboarding for the first time (he's skied before) and by the end of the day he was hitting the big lifts. The next day, both boys were extremely sore, but bragging.

When your mom doesn't get up to get you a piece of candy, get it yourself.

Cody discovered what I call my candy cupboard. He also discovered if he's really quiet, he can pull a stool over and get the candy himself.

When you're tired of waiting for mom to get ready and open the door for you, just find another way out.

My sister's hall closet is also her bathroom closet. Cody found it was a great place to practice his climbing skills.

Okay, I'm sorry about all the pictures. I couldn't figure out how to do a slide show. If anyone knows how, give me a holler. But for now, here's some fun Wyoming scenes. For our 16th anniversary, we spent a night in Jackson Hole, Wyoming were Jory used to work building log homes. We took the kids on the Elk Refuge Sleigh Ride. They really enjoyed it.

The boys were fascinated by the elk. Dallin asked the guide quite a few questions.

This bull elk was so close. The guide said as long as we stay in the sleigh, the elk are used to people. But if we were to get out, they would all spook and run, which would be dangerous.

These are the hard working horses who pulled the sleigh. The guide suggested we take a picture next to them to show how big they are. We were lucky enough to pet them as well.



Here we posed under the famous elk arches that are on all four corners of the park in Jackson. The guide said every year the boy scouts gather the antlers on the refuge and have an auction. The funds go to the refuge and boy scouts. One set of really big antlers can go for $2500 big ones. Kylie thought the antlers came from hunted elk. We reassured her elk shed then regrow them every year.

At Aunt Cori's and Uncle Justin's house in Riverton. The kids enjoyed the bon-fire used for our dutch oven cooking. Can't go wrong with food and fire. We went through a lot of hot cocoa.



Dallin and Jory also enjoyed playing country boys and helped to feed the livestock.

Our children love to ride horses. Uncle Justin has taught them well. He claims he needs them to come back this summer to ride more. I might take him up on that and have a vacation.

Kylie really is talented. She picked up some riding skills very quickly. I think it's because she could ride the mechanical bull better than most men. Kylie even gave Cody a ride, but he wanted down before we got the camera out.

I was amazed at how well Dallin rode. This is Blue, and Justin claimed only the big kids with more experience could handle her. Dallin wanted to give it a shot and surprised Justin at how well he did.

Camri didn't want to go ride horses at first (she hadn't been feeling well the whole trip). I made her go and she didn't want to get off.

Jory, of course, was in his element. I'd get horses just for him if I could afford it. He has a lot of talent and loved it. He's one that might have to go work for Justin for the summer when he gets older. (I don't know if I could part with him yet.)

Wyoming was so much fun. It was a long drive through some pretty nasty weather, but worth it.

Christmas Break

We had a busy Christmas break. We went to my sister Tiffani's to spend Christmas with family. My children kept saying we needed to go so we could have snow for Christmas. When it snowed at home, I suggested we stay. However, Idaho has both cousins and snow. Also, it's half way to Wyoming that has even more cousins. I lost the argument and off we went. The weather didn't look too cooperative, but we made the trip between storms. Here are some of the exciting things we did:

Cody beat everyone up the stairs to see if Santa came!

Santa brought Cody a race track that's very loud.
Camri received the chalk/white board she asked Santa for.

Camri and Ashton each got a huge stuffed dog (not planned but convenient.)

Dallin got to open presents with his cousin Coleton. They

both got helicopters (purely coincidence that it happened twice.)

Jory received camping equipment. He's quite the scout. Kylie finally got her cell phone and a new coat. She kept wearing mine.

New Year's day we took all the cousins to the gym.

That evening we celebrated Kevin and Anthony's birthdays.

That night we partied hard playing Wii outdoor adventures with all my siblings and their spouses. Everyone made it but one husband. We planned games and ate into the New Year.

My brother Rychael cheated by pushing my sister Jeni. Needless to say, he won.
Tiffani and Amber tried jump roping. They weren't to good at it.

Teri and Bryce had to show us how it's done.

Shauna and Denelle in mid-jump roping action.
Even mom and dad gave it a shot.

We had lots of fun with my family. But the fun didn't end there. A Wyoming post will be next. I didn't know my kids were such horsemen.