Summer 2010

It has been awhile since I posted and thought now would be a great time to start up again. We had a busy summer this year so this might be a long one. We didn't do our road trip like we have the last two years but it was still busy even without the trip. This summer was a hot one. It was a summer where I felt like we were never home. Good times were had, new friends were made and a few loved ones were lost but all in all a great summer with many great memories.

The kids got out of school end of May this year. Things were pretty calm those first two weeks out of school and they complained they were bored there for awhile but things picked up quick and they rarely had a chance to complain about boredom. They spent some time at the pool....and not very much time at the rez. We took them to Lagoon...TWICE...both times for at least 2 days. They have been on every ride except for the kiddie rides. I went on the Skycoaster with my two little daredevils and that is a memory I will never forget. Hearing Trent yelling, "Woah, woah" almost like Joey Lawrence on Blossom and over my screaming on the way down is something that is burned into my brain. Kaela didn't make a sound...I think...until we swung back and out came, "THIS IS AWESOME!!!" That girl! I have always said that one day I'm gonna get a phone call from her saying, "Mom. I'm in a plane and I'm gonna jump. I love you." Sigh. Just call me after the fact when you are on the ground and safe...PLEASE! They both also went on the Catapult together. We bought the video...PRICELESS! Their expressions and the things they are saying to eachother are just flat out hysterical. I've watched it probably 10 times and it's still just as funny as the first. I hope that they never grow out of this will try anything phase. Trent just kinda got into it. Kaela has been riding crazy rides since she was 4 or 5! That was the first time she went on Tower of Terror at Disney and LOVED it! That and Splash Mountain are...or at least were her faves. I just want to them to grasp at opportunities that are given to them because they might not come around again and tomorrow is never guaranteed. I've learned that...the hard way....this summer.

Dalan and I kind of took separate vacays this summer. He went to a shooting class in Vegas while I went to NYC with my cousin and met up with some friends. This was my first trip alone! I can't believe I survived it. I had never flown by myself before...ever. When the taxi dropped us off near our hotel I stepped out of the car, looked up and couldn't stop saying "WOW". I was amazed at the buildings and how close together they are. We saw all the must sees like the World Trade Center site, the Today Show and GMA studios, the Statue of Liberty, experienced "the train" and walked 5th avenue down to Central Park. We still didn't get to see everything we wanted to see. We decided we needed a few more weekdays. It was a fun trip and I can't wait for my next trip with the girls.

The 4th of July was spent here. We went to the parade, then the park and then...I don't remember what we did. It was just like every other 4th of July spent here. At the end of July we went to Lake Powell with Dalan's parents and some friends of the family. I hadn't been there since high school. The kids LOVED it and it was a good time...well, the boats breaking down wasn't all that fun but sliding down the slide of the houseboat and jumping off the back of it from the top was pretty awesome! Just being able to float and relax and not have a worry in mind is nice.

August...ugh...my birthday month. We will just skip that part but Trent had a great birthday. All he wanted was an Ipod Touch. So, he got it! Kind of an expensive birthday gift but he needed a replacement for his old nano. I bought the nano off Ebay for him two or three years ago and told him if he took care of it and actually used it we would eventually upgrade him. Years passed and he never really asked for a new one til this year. The Ipod Touch is pretty fun and now I want my own! The day before his birthday we went up to Seven Peaks and I allowed him to take a friend. We also tried out Cowabunga Bay this summer and it wasn't too bad. My niece and I stood on the walkway by all the tube slides and sprayed people as they slid down. I could've stood there all day! I know...how old am I again?

This summer was also a sad one. My grandma passed away about a week before my NYC trip. I wish the kids could've met her at least once but with them living in Florida, it was always so hard for us to try to fly all four of us out that way. We were actually going to try this summer and do DisneyWorld and decided to wait one more year. Wouldn't have mattered anyway I guess because we would've done it in July and would've missed her anyway. RIP Grandma. We love and miss you!

Our friend, Ren (aka Ren 10 10 or just 10) also passed away this summer on my birthday. A few days after we found out the strangest thing happened. I hadn't really looked at the clock all morning that day. I had just gotten out of the shower and something popped into my head and told me to check the time. When I looked at the DIGITAL clock in our room it said 10:10. I only knew him for about a year but he was a very likeable guy. It was tough to hear about his death and come to the realization he isn't here anymore. I will never forget his smile and how he always seemed to be having fun no matter what. For years, Dalan has been trying to get me to pick up the sport of golf. I hated going because I would get so frustrated with the sport...and him. One day this summer, Dalan begged and begged and begged me to go out with him and Ren. I kept tellin him no and then finally gave in. Ren gave me little tips here and there and helped me out. I've been going out on the course a lot now and I'm really starting to like it. I'm even getting better at it. Finally found something Dalan and I can do together that we both like. We love and miss you Ren and we will never forget you!

Just a couple of weeks ago my Aunt Terri passed away unexpectedly. Her and I just reconnected over Facebook a couple months ago. I chatted on IM with her a few time or we'd e-mail or she'd comment on my page or I would her. Our very last convo was....on my birthday (sigh...like I didn't hate my birthday enough already. What is it about that day?) She wished me a happy birthday and we commented back and forth a little and that was it. One of the last things I said to her was, "So glad you found me on here. Makes it seem like you aren't so far away." A lot of people are really negative about Facebook but when used right it's a great tool. If not for Facebook, I probably wouldn't have gotten that opportunity to chat with my aunt. I know, I could've called. I'm just not a phone person because once I get on the phone I have the kids and Dalan driving me crazy. I have found so many old friends on there and have been able to keep in touch with my east coast family so much easier. They can view the pictures of my kids and feel like they aren't missing out on anything. Anyway, there are a lot of people who are going to miss her including myself. It's too bad I didn't get to see her just one more time.

After going through all that this summer I have told friends and family they are not to go dying on me anytime soon. Not sure if I can deal with it anymore. I know I'm gonna try to have more fun in life and do and go places when I can. I will try to live every second I can of my life. Right now is all that matters. Not yesterday or tomorrow. Today is a gift. That's why we call it the present.