Living the Good LIfe

Zion National Park

On Sunday we took a drive into Zion. We parked our cars and took a shuttle into the canyon. To really see Zion you now have to have permits or take a shuttle. The last time I was there was when I was 8 years old and it was 2 weeks before my Mother passed away. Going back there was a great experience and brought back so many memories of being there with my mom and our family.

Here we are in front of Zion's lodge.

Just the cute couple

Our cute family in front the tree.

When I was there 22 years ago this tree was so small that we climbed on the branches and had our pictures taken. As you can see the branches are to high to do that now. I will have to scan a picture in so you can see the difference.

Hollie loved being on Papa Chris' shoulders. They had the best time together and thanks Chris for being so patient with her...she still talks about you.

The family went on a little 1/2 mile hike while I stayed back and rested in the shade.

Playing and cooling off in the little stream

Nana and Hollie

Love this picture!

Ethan found a squirrel and couldn't get enough of it. He was laughing so hard and wanted so badly to touch him, but daddy kept his safe.

Gotta LOVE the chubby dirty feet.

Playing in the river of water again. And here he was soaking wet...such a boy!!

Sunday we were trying to get a few family pictures of the cousins and this is the best we could do. Ofcourse, it was our kid that wouldn't cooperate.

Nana and Papa with the kids. We had so much fun with them and are glad we got to come.

Thanks guys!!!

Our trip to St. George...Watch out this will be long with LOTS of pics

We headed to St. George for Ryan's family reunion (his mother's side) last week. We stayed in a beautiful condo with all his siblings and their families. And then his Mother's siblings and their families were in other condos...to say the least we had a blast! Here are a few of our happenings...BEWARE LOTS of pictures!!!

We enjoyed LOTS of Pool time!

Enjoying time with their cousins

Ethan had no fear and would back into the water even if there wasn't a step.

Time with Papa Chris

I couldn't get in the water yet, so I sat on the edge with my feet in

A drive through Snow Canyon...beautiful!!

Bath Time

The girlies LOVED their bath...full of bubbles and jets.

Grandpa Butler...89 years old!!

On Saturday we went to the St. George Dinosaur Tracks Museum and I am sorry to say, but it wasn't very impressive. There were NO dinosaurs!! Just tracks and a movie and the only thing the kids liked was the gift shop and a small section where they could color and uncover dinosaur fossils. So, we as parents, thought that we needed to make up and do something fun and we all took the kids to Jumpin Jacks....SO MUCH FUN!! The kiddos were in heaven and had a blast!

Tuacahn Theater

Saturday night we all went to the Tuacahn Theater to see Footloose. This theater is all outdoors against the beautiful red mountains in St. George. The Play was fantastic and I loved how they used part of the mountain in the play. We were up close and my favorite part was all the dancing...ofcourse.

While I was in the hospital my cousin brought me the most wonderful book in the world, "A Mother's Book of Secrets'.

This book is about motherhood and enjoying the moments! I just love it! Reading it has made me see motherhood in a different way. Sometimes we get caught up in life and forget to enjoy the moment. Before we know it these moments will be behind and we will sit back and wonder what happened. The book gives ideas on how to enjoy the moment and make life memorable with our children. I highly recommend this book to all mother's. I can't wait to read it again!!

Oh, and a little something special, Hollie's baby picture is on page 123 and my cousins kids are on the page just after the table of contents.

DELICIOUS!!!

Tonight Ryan walked in the door with these.......

Can we just say YUMMY!!!!!! Strawberries are my most favorite fruit yet alone CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES!!! I have already eaten about half of what is on this plate and I think I am ready for a couple more to tuck me into bed. Thank you Christine for making them and thank you Ryan for not eating them all before you got home, Love You.

Thank you Thank you Thank you

I wanted to give a BIG "THANK YOU" to ALL those people who have been of service to us and helped us during this time. I can't even begin to tell or explain all the love, concern, prayers and help that has been given to my family. I will be forever indebted to all those that have helped. A big THANKS to all our family who took time out of their schedule to stay with us and make sure all days were covered for the first 2 weeks. We are really blessed to have family out of state and in-state to take time out of their busy schedules to help me and my family. A BIG THANKS to all those in our ward who made us FABULOUS meals for the week! THANK YOU to my close friends for all their love, support, concern and help with my children and running a few errands. I am truly blessed to be surounded by such great people and to have the bestest friends...THANK YOU! Thank you again to everyone who has helped us and continues to be of service to our family. We love and appreciate all of you. Thank You Thank You.

Ethan

Ethan just makes me smile. How can this kid not make you smile when you look at him. As my aunt Kathy says, "he has the look like he knows a REALLY big secret and he won't tell you."
If anything has been difficult during this "recovery" time it has been not being able to hold and cuddle with Ethan. He has always been such a momma's boy and lately it has not been that way. There is only so much I can do for him and it's really hard.
The other day he had a breakdown, yes a breakdown. It was Sunday and Ryan and Hollie were at church. Ryan put Ethan down before he left for church and we were hoping he would sleep till they got home. Well, that didn't happen. I had our neighbor come over to get Ethan out of his crib and for 45 minutes Ethan threw the biggest fit I have ever seen. I was doing all I could to comfort him and console him, but nothing was working. I sat on the floor to try and have him come to me and he didn't want ANYTHING to do with me. I sang him songs, talked to him and he just threw himself on the floor, cried, screamed, would walk around and then throw himself back down on the floor. To be honest I think he has just HAD IT and WANTS his MOMMA BACK!! Yes, during this breakdown I was crying too because it was breaking my heart. I was completely helpless and my son didn't want anything to do with me. Finally, after trying everything I gave him a popsicle and it took a few minutes but he calmed down. I held him for about .2 seconds told him I loved him and I am sorry and then he was on his way up the stairs. I still cannot pick him up for another 3 weeks, but he is now starting to come to me if I sit on the floor and hold him. He has yet to give me a kiss...maybe soon...I hope.
Sunday evening before we headed out to my aunt and uncles for dinner I couldn't help but take a few pictures of this little man. First of all LOOK AT THAT HAIR!! It is out of control and we don't know what to do with it. Well, I would trim it, but Ryan likes it long, you know, that "messy surfer" hair. It is getting to the point that when you brush it, put a little gel in it within 5 minutes it looks like this. It is cute, but I think it needs to be tamed. Here is my adorable little boy who I just can't get enough of.

Nana Time

Ryan's mom was also able to come out during my recovery. It was great having her here with us and I know that Hollie LOVED having Nana here! It was all about painting nails, necklaces, anklets, and being all girl! Thanks Gayl!! Hollie loved getting her toes and nails done and she still talks about it. We have painted them a few times since and she just wants to have all the colors on her toes...too cute!!

Mommy Hollie Time

While I have been down and out, my sweet princess has been my best friend! She is always concerned about me and how my tummy is. She will randomly come up to me and say, "Mommy how's your tummy?" She was so concerned and really wanted to know how I was doing. She would come up and give me kisses, hugs or just cuddle. My favorite part was when she would come up and lay down right next to me and watch a movie or just talk. I LOVE hearing her voice. There is nothing better than hearing my little girl talk. I can have a conversation with her and I just LOVE it!! She is adorable and those moments of cuddling with her or just talking with her are priceless.

She also would come in my room when she woke up in the morning and crawl into bed with me. She wanted to be right by my side. We would talk, read books, cuddle, watch cartoons and she even helped me do sudoku (well, she liked telling me all the numbers). The time with her was PRICELESS. I love her so much and am so grateful to have her as my daughter, my princess. This surgery has taught us all a lot and although Hollie is young she understands. She knows that mommy's tummy has always been broken and that surgery was going to help me feel better. My tummy being broken will always be something that we talk about because that is why she came to us the way she did. We truly are so lucky and SO blessed. I am so glad that Hollie is young and I hope that these cuddling moments will continue.

Camping

A year ago we planned to go camping over the Fourth of July with the Hough family. Unfortunately my surgery interupted the plans and it turned out that Ryan and his brother Austin ended up going for just one night. I have to say I was really sad to not be able to go, I missed ya Shanen...maybe next year.

So, Ryan's brother flew in for a week and Ryan was very excited to spend some "one on one" time with Austin. Watching them pack for their little camping trip was cute. Ryan got everything they needed and he even went to the grocery store, picked out some food and from what I hear made delicious foil dinners. They both enjoyed their time together as brother's and loved being with the Hough family!

You may think he was crazy to leave me, but I was okay with him going. I knew it was already in the plans and if I would have told him I didn't want him to leave I know he would have stayed. Renee (she is like my second mom) was here and we just watched girl movies and chatted, it was great! I am glad Ryan had a good time and enjoyed being with his brother.

Brother's proud of their last name (Nope, no relation to Larson Waste from what we know of)

Fun with Papa and Janene

When I was going in for surgery my dad and Janene were here with the kiddos. It was evident that my dad and Janene were very excited because they seemed to have all sorts of stuff to do along with driving our little princess to all her activities. During their "watch" time, they had their running shoes on and ran from morning (5:30am with Ethan) till night. My dad and Janene did a great job and I am so grateful for them. Here are a few pictures I found on my camera of all the fun they had.