August Revisited

We didn't make too many plans at the beginning of the summer.  Knowing that Grayson would arrive sometime in July, we kept our summer schedule pretty flexible, and anticipated a rather low-key, lazy season.  Well, now that we are into September, I wonder where the time went, and would have to say that August was especially busy.  In chronological order, here in words and pictures is a summary of our recent events:

When Brent was Bishop he promised the YW that he would take them on an High Adventure.  They always felt it was unfair that the boys had "cool" and more extreme summer activities; so, last fall we planned a YW High Adventure.  Even though he is no longer the Bishop, our current Bishop was grateful that he was willing to still take the girls on the promised trip.  We went to Upper Priest Lake in Idaho and backpacked into a remote camp site.  My pack weighed 40 lbs!  The first day we went about 7 miles fully weighted.  On the second day we used day packs, but hiked about 16 miles, up and over Plow Boy Mountain.  On the third day, we were fully weighted again as we hiked out the 7 miles.  It was hard!  The girls were amazing and we had a good time.

We were clean and full energy before we started!

Brent helped one girl carry her pack on the way out. . . probably was carrying close to 80 lbs!

Back to parking lot. . . we survived!

As we were enjoying a "reward" day at the lake on our way home from the High Adventure, I received a call from my brother Jerry that my Mom was in the ICU in Provo.  She had pneumonia and a collapsed bowel.  Since she is a stroke patient, and already very weak, her prognosis was a bit scary.  Therefore, on Monday I got on a plane and headed to Utah to check on her.  Coincidentally, that was the exact day that Jace was arriving in Utah from his summer in Africa!  He had been gone 10 weeks, and oh what an adventure he had!  I could post so many amazing pictures of his time there.  Just go to his Facebook page to check out his album "This is Africa."  Here are just a few:

That crazy kid bungee jumped off a tower over the Nile!! 
Thank goodness he didn't tell me about it until it was over. 

He taught business and accounting classes to micro/non profit business owners in Uganda. 
He loved teaching, and quickly grew to love the people as well.

He got to play in the local community basketball league!  Wow . . . white men can jump!

Love this picture. . . aren't the children adorable?

A family he spent quite a bit of time with.

Jace was in Africa on July 15th and missed being "live" for Grayson's birth.  We were actually on the phone together when Stuart came into the room with Baby G for the first time.  I think I hung up on Jace pretty fast!
 These two pictures are of Jace meeting Grayson for the first time.

I stayed until Thursday, at which time Brittney, Grayson and I flew back to Spokane.  Mom was stabilized and responding to treatment, so we felt OK about keeping our vacation plans.  We were headed to Trinity Lake for a repeat of our fabulous houseboat vacation.

Grayson's first plane ride.  He did awesome.

Trinity Lake was just as wonderful as last year.  If possible, there were even LESS boats on the lake with us.  School had started that week for the locals, so I swear we only saw a handful of boats all week.  Like Camille said, it is a true vacation for the McLaws Family. . . we are forced to ignore our cell phones, computers, etc. (except for Brent's Ipad we shared and a basic verizon phone we bought with pre-paid minutes since we wanted to check on my Mom).  We are captive on this houseboat and when not out on the lake skiing or boarding, we really did truly just relax.  We had "McLaws Movie Matinees" every afternoon (Brent brought a projecter, large white sheet and speakers.  No wimpy TV arrangement for us!) followed by board games or naps.   Of course we ate very well.  Having a full size kitchen is great.  The water truly is waveless. . . in fact we are probably even more snobbish about "Daddy water" than ever before.  We hope to be able to go again next August.  Here are a few snapshots:

Grandpa B and Baby G

I think this was an early morning ski run.  Stu's just waking up.  It's too bad that babies don't know that their
Daddy needs their sleep when they are on a houseboat!

Jace looking pretty smooth out there!

Grandpa B jimmied up a little "lifeboat" for Grayson out of some life vests.  He loved it. 

The Maxfield Family



It's what I do best. . . I'm the flag Mom!

Ahhhhhhhh!

What a group of manly men! 

Stu trying out the skurf board.  I think he was trying to lasso the boat!

Russ looking pretty sharp.  He never stopped. . . that guy would go forever.

"Stu the Fearless."  We decided that a helmet was prudent (to go with his glasses that were tied to his head!)

The kissing couple again. . . aren't they the cutest?

After our week at the lake I hitched a ride back to Utah with the kids and sent Brent home alone to Spokane with the boat and gear.  Since Mom was in the hospital, I wanted to be there.  Luckily she was discharged from ICU and sent to a specialty hospital in Orem.  As she was on a ventilator and feeding tube, her recovery is going to be slow.  Fortunately her body is healing, and as of today she is free of pneumonia and her bowels are unobstructed.  Her struggle will be regaining her strength.  She is extremely deconditioned and very weak.  She is "resetting" her health care and learning to live with less pain meds and working at becoming stronger so she can go home.  We hope that within the next several months she will be much better.   We are all trying to be her cheerleaders and encourage her to fight for a better quality of life.  One silver lining is that I have been able to spend more time with my brothers.  They all are great examples to me of caring and loving sons. 

On Labor Day weekend Brent joined us in Utah and we prepared for Grayson's blessing day.  It was a wonderful day all around.  When I think back to how long we have all waited for this miracle, it is truly overwhelming.  We are so grateful for him and it is amazing to not only feel the joy personally, but to see the joy and happiness radiating from Brittney and Stuart and their little family.  They had such good support from family and friends on this special day. 

Everyone who came to celebrate with Grayson. . . family and friends.

These men all participated in the circle as Grayson was blessed.

Our family. . . it's growing!  Yea!

Me and my beautiful daughters.



Mommy Brittney

Daddy Stuart

Grayson is starting to smile! 

He grows everyday.  Look at those cheeks!

Our beautiful baby boy.

Auntie Camille and Grayson have a special bond.  He is always good for her. . . he loves her!

On Labor Day we enjoyed a fun family day too.  We had a yummy breakfast at Kneader's and then that afternoon we went up American Fork Canyon and hiked for a while.  It was Grayson's first hike, and he was quite the little dude.  In fact, he was just ahead of his Dad the whole way!!! (lame joke, I admit!)  After hiking Jace was able to join us for dinner and a movie.  He spent both Saturday and Labor Day in the library studying. . . no messing around when you are in the accounting junior core.  It's going to be a busy semester for him. 

Whew, so that's the last month or so!  Super long post, so if you are still with me here, thanks for sticking it out.  Like I've said many times on this blog, family is where it's at, and I'm so grateful for all my family.