Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Catchin' Up and Wrappin' Up

Well, Summer 2013 is history and we have officially entered Fall.  I'm always sad to see Summer end--it is my favorite season.  However, Fall is a close second.  It's just crazy how one day it is 85 degrees and I'm in shorts, and literally within a day or two it's 65 degrees and I wake up looking for a sweatshirt.  That seriously is how it happens around here in the Northwest. 

A lot of things have been happening--we've been busy, but then who isn't?  So, here we go!

* TRINITY LAKE:  Our 3rd annual trip to Shasta National Forest and Trinity Lake was once again a success.  We've gotten pretty good at planning, preparing, and packing for our family's favorite week of the year.  As in past years, the weather was perfect, the lake was almost barren, the water was like glass, and the lovely days together on a houseboat were awesome.  Technically this was Grayson's 2nd trip, but hey, last year he was all of 6 weeks old.  He was a wonderful little traveler!  He did just fine roaming around the houseboat, and he seemed to enjoy being on the ski boat with us all.  He didn't mind his life jacket, and would just sit and watch whatever was going on.  He loved the water and whenever Stu and Brittney took him in the lake, he had a ball.  He kept us all entertained and we loved watching him enjoy himself.  Camille, at 28 weeks pregnant, was a trooper.  She was determined to come (her doctor wasn't thrilled) and did just fine.  This was her year to just float and relax!  Next year she will tear it up again on the skis.  Jace brought Bella, a darling girl he is dating, and we all benefited from her awesome photographer skills.  She's also a fast learner!  That girl has some props--she did everything the guys did.  It was kind of cute watching Jace "turn it up" a bit, no doubt wanting to impress.  Can't say I blame him!  Anyway, it was a wonderful time! 

* UTAH (Again :)):  Like last year, I caught a ride to Utah with the kids and sent Brent home by himself with the boat and gear.  I kept busy down there with projects, visiting Mom and Dad again, and just hanging out with my kiddos.  Brittney hosted a wonderful baby shower for Camille, and it was fun to celebrate the twins impending arrival with her friends and family.  Brittney and Stu have bought an awesome home in Springville.  It is a mid-century ranch that is in superb shape--straight out of the early '70's.  It is so totally them!  There are some projects they want/need to do, but it is very livable right now.  Brittney is thrilled to have 4000 sq. ft. of living space, storage, a studio space for Stuart, and even a garage.  The yard is in great shape too, and Springville is just a quiet and quaint community.  It is only 10 mins south of Provo, but they grew tired of all the traffic and hustle and bustle of being so close to campus.  They sold the duplex pretty quickly, made a decent profit, and are glad to be settling in.

* SPOKANE:  Brent came down to Utah over Labor Day, and we finally drove home a few days later.  All total, I was gone once again almost a month.  I'm sure if I kept track, I've been in Utah about 3 months of this year already!  Before we went on vacation, we had a new roof put on our house, and had just started painting it.  I came home to a 'new' house!  It was 98% done, and looks really good.  The house was green before, and I choose a bluish tone this time--called Juniper Ash.  I like it.  Amazing how a fresh coat of paint makes such a difference.  This has spurred the desire to "de-junk" and organize.  I've been busy doing that, and trying to be patient while Brent finds some time so we can have a major garage de-junking day.  He's just so busy with DataDot, Action Drain, and a myriad of other things.  I'm blessed to have a husband who is talented, driven, and ambitious. I've been furiously sewing burp rags and baby blankets. . . I mean c'mon, we have twins on the way!

* DENTAL WORK:  I have a love/hate relationship with Dentistry.  I am grateful that there are talented dentists who can fix my family's crazy teeth, but really, who likes going to the dentist?  I had implant surgery a few weeks ago (my 3rd).  One of my incisors literally just broke off last Fall, and  I had to have a bone graft and wait 6 months before I could have implant surgery and wait another 5 months to get a 'real' tooth!  (That was probably a run-on sentence)  Anyway, glad that's done.  In February this whole ordeal will finally be over and I'll have permanent pearly whites!

* BABY WATCH:  Well, over the weekend it was determined that Camille was in pre-term labor!!  She has been put on strict bed rest.  She is 34 weeks, and although the babies are big enough--about 5 1/2 lbs. they predict--they would like her to go another week or two for lung development. So, this Grandma is heading down to Utah on October 1st.  Stay put little babies. . . wait for Grandma to come!  We are all so excited.  My next blog post is going to be all about babies, that is for sure!!
Doesn't he look like a baby 'surf bum' model or something! 
Beautiful boy

Gray and his Dad going for a swim

Helping G-pa drive the boat.  He thought that was fun!

Jace trying out the air chair, our latest water toy.
That's Bella with her fancy camera!  We really appreciated her talents.

The Maxfield's going for a spin in the tube.  Grayson was so chill!

Captain Jace side-by-side with the houseboat as we cruised into the marina.
We are always sad to end the week.

At Camille's baby shower.  These little ones are going to be so decked out!  Baby clothes these days are
 really just miniature adult outfits.  I mean really, Camille would totally wear that!

Little Boy Lewis wasn't left out.  He will look pretty spiffy himself!

 

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