Bailey can cook dinner

Bailey made us tacos tonight. 

Wyoming

Growing up, we spent many summers going to Wyoming to my aunt and uncle's ranch. When my sister, Amanda, who's been in Vietnam and Thailand the last three years, came to visit, she had a great idea to all go to Wyoming. She brought her boyfriend, Ben, who we all loved. Our parents, aunt and uncle, and three cousins: Lindy, Katie and Jackie, and their families all were able to be there. It was the first time we'd all been together in years and it was the BEST time. I hope we don't wait another 15 years to get together.

On our drive up there, it was just me with the kids so we stopped a lot and checked out some of the sights. The girls camped every night out in a trailer by themselves (like we did with our cousins growing up) next to Amanda and Ben. On Saturday night, Amanda and Ben did fire dances for us all and we did fireworks.

 We rode horses everyday. Kylie and Bailey are getting good riding alone. Kade is getting close to being able to ride alone. It was Ben's first time riding.

We had a ton of fun riding four wheelers and tractors. We did a balance rope and just hung out with everyone.

 On Saturday, the kids had a scavenger hunt that Auntie Carol planned. They were in small teams: Kylie and Jackie, Kade Hollis and Carsen, And Jaxon Bailey and Dad. The adults did a relay race Jeremy and Brent came up with. We rode the ATVs, threw tennis balls across the pond, sorted cups and built a tower. The teams were: Team 1- Brent, Carsen, Ben, Amanda and Lindy. Team 2- Katie, Jackie, Marcia, Paul and Jeremy. Team 1 dominated.

 The kids and Auntie Amanda and Ben, did a lot of swimming a fishing in the pond. Jaxon would have stayed in the pond all day if he could have.

This was one of our best vacations all summer. Thank you Uncle Doug and Aunt Carol for letting us all invade your home! We can't wait to do it again.

Kade and The D word

Over three weeks ago, I took Kade to the doctor (ours was out on medical leave but her temporary replacement seemed good). Kade had been complaining for a while that his legs were hurting. We thought it was just growing pains but I had a feeling something was wrong. The doctor agreed with me, did a full checkup including getting some blood work done. Later that day, he called me telling me his blood sugars were high (in the 300s) but they thought the machine might be broken. I wasn't too concerned but agreed to have Kade fast and retake it the next morning. We had to wait 30 minutes longer than we thought but it was very quick. The hardest thing was Kade is always starving in the mornings and did NOT like having to wait to eat. Later that day, another doctor with their practice called me telling me it was on the high end of normal, 113. We didn't think he had any other diabetes symptoms or so we thought. She did not seemed concerned and told me our doctor would call to come up with a plan to keep an eye on it. We played phone tag a few times but with family in town, I didn't think too much of it all and didn't push it.

A week later, Kade (and all the kids) caught a virus and felt miserable. It seemed to linger for a long time. He still had diarrhea at our Bear Lake vacation. By the end of the trip he seemed ok. He wasn't his normal perky self and we noticed he seemed skinnier. Monday after (July 7th) we went to the movies, ate a baggie of junk food, then we went to Red Robin where he drank three chocolate milks (he couldn't get enough). Then didn't want to eat any of his food. I thought he just had overdone it on the junk. He kept saying he felt like he was going to throw up and would go to the restroom. Right as we were leaving, he threw up everywhere and it was ALOT. We thought it was the junk. He seemed okay afterwards. That week he didn't want to do much and was grumpy/snappy, not at all like himself. He was sleepwalking and wetting the bed. Friday, we went swimming and during the 2 hours he had to use the restroom twice. At first he had fun (didn't smile his normal smile though) then towards the end seemed worn out. We went home, then needed to go to the store to get some food for the father sons campout that night. Kade threw up in the garage. I KNEW something was wrong and I knew it was bad. He wanted drinks and seemed okay.  Paul was running late and they rushed to the campout. I mentioned to Paul my feelings. At the campout, he didn't want to play with friends and was being standoffish (not like him at all). He wanted to drink a lot and during the night had to pee three times. The next mronign they came home, then headed out to a soccer game. It poured rain then was miserably hot. Paul thought Kade had gotten a nasty sunburn (he was so red even with a hat) and had bought him a drink which he downed. That night Paul and I talked about it and I told him I was taking Kade to the doctor no matter what on Monday and if I couldn't get him in we'd go to instacare. He agreed. 

The next morning (Sunday) we went to church. I left early with a headache. Paul came home and suggested we get a blood sugar kit and just check his sugars. I think he was getting the same promptings I was. His blood sugars were 592. We honestly thought it was broken but wanted to get him checked out just in case. I called instacare to get an appointment. They told us to go straight to the ER as there was nothing they could do if he was diabetic. We decided to go to Primary Childrens. Paul took him while I stayed with the other kids. Shortly after he was admitted to the ER, Paul called me telling me it was type 1 diabetes and he was being admitted for 48 hours and they wanted both of us there the whole time. I needed to get the kids taken care of and pack him a bag. Luckily Paul's brother's wife was able to take them with no questions asked. They were a huge blessing! Scott, came over, got the three others and took them back to their house. I was pretty emotional but I made it to the hospital and stayed with Kade. Kade slowly started to act like himself again which was good. He was finally starting to smile again.

The first night we were there... he's starting to perk up.

 The next day, Paul and I met with a dietitian, JDRF, the nurses, etc and learned a ton about diabetes and what we need to do to keep Kade healthy.  We started doing his glucose testing and injections. It was an overwhelming day but good. Kade loved going down to the play center and doing crafts. He went home with a portfolio.

He still gets to eat like he did before (the dietician encouraged it so its not so much change) Type 1 diabetes is so much different than type 2. Type 2 CAN be controled with diet and exercise, Type 1 CANNOT. We want him to eat healthy but he can still have any food he wants, it just has to be balanced out with insulin.

He got lots of visitors and presents in the hospital. He's one lucky little guy. The social worker came and talked to him about how he was feeling about it all and gave him a "hospital buddy" who he can practice shots on and can draw on it. It came with his own medical bag. He thought it was awesome. He even got to take some home for his brother and sisters to help explain diabetes to them.

Things will most definitely be different. I have to keep these things with me at all times now plus a glucogun (in case of emergency). But I'm sure we will get used to it and it will become our new normal. 

Girls vs. Boys

Our tradition for the years good grades is to do a "girls day out." So while the boys were at the father/son campout, we went out to dinner and watched a movie last night. Then this morning went to The Bead Farm where they got to pick out and make their own bracelets. It was so much fun hanging out with these two!
The boys loved the campout. They tried sleeping in the element but it was a little too cramped. They did a ropes course and cooked marshmallows. It seemed like they had a ton of fun.

Afterwards, they came home. Paul took Kade to his first Salt Lake Real soccer game. Paul won free tickets at work and so did his friend who took a son Kades age. They had a ton of fun.

It was a great weekend!!

Activity Days Pool Party

For the two years, I have been co-in charge of activity days for our ward/church. We had planned a great July activity to have a pool party at one ward member's home. Even though the weather predicted thunderstorms (I worried all morning), all we had were sunny skies for our pool party. I think all the girls (plus Kade and Jaxon) had fun. It was one of the most fun activities we have had. I love the activity day's program for my girls and am lucky to be able to do it with them!

Thank Heaven

7-11 free slurpies on 7/11...yum

Cousin Fun

Paul's brother's wife and kids came to visit for three weeks. They have kids all my kiddo's ages and they always have so much fun together.  The first week we were busy...

Water fun in the front yard with cousins

We went to the zoo

Movies and saw Escape from Planet Earth

Played duck duck goose at a park before going to another cousin's bday party.

Swimming in the back yard...

Playing superheroes (Jaxon is batman with a cape) saving the girl with cousins...

At the Splash Pad at the Gateway Mall this afternoon...

Mill Hollow

Kylie and Bailey went to Mill Hollow (overnight summer camp sponsered by the school district) from Monday until Wednesday. We woke up early and were at the school at 7:30 am.

They were so excited!

 At Mill Hollow, they went on hikes, learned about/saw animals, sang songs, did flag ceremonies, and enjoyed being with their friends.

 On Wednesday, when we went to pick them up, we found out their bus overheated on Parley's Canyon. The district had to send a replacement bus and they were delayed an hour. It definitely made this mama a little nervous. They made it home in one piece and we celebrated by going out for some ice cream with cousins! We are so glad to have them home, its not the same without them!

Kade sleep walks

Kade has been sleep walking lately. We keep finding him in funny places...

Happy 4th of July

For the fourth, we rented a condo at Bear Lake with Scott and Jenny's family.  It was the perfect place for us and we had the best time...

As usual, we bought loads of fireworks. The kids enjoyed setting them off, Jaxon would dance whenever the strobe light ones went off.

Friday, we rented a boat for half the day. Then the other half, we played at the beach. On Saturday we just hung out at the lake.

Afterwards, Kade and Bailey wanted to swim at the pool.

It was the perfect weekend!