Summer 2012 Trip out West

This took me a while to compose...things have been so busy...but I am glad that I am finally getting to write down all about what we got to do this summer

Summer 2012 Adventures

We knew at the beginning of the year that my brother was going to be graduating in the Spring or Summer and in the back of my mind, I thought to myself how fun it would be to go out there for it. Later on we found out that it would be in the summer and my parents, Sister Ashlee and I decided that we were going to go out to be there. So there are always a change of plans here and there and Ashlee ended up getting an opportunity to go to Doha to visit Tiffani and her family, so she went out to Utah a few weeks before we were going to go, so she could meet Taylor and Annie's little girl Levy. So I still decided that I was going to go out to Utah and Idaho with my parents. Taylor called my one day and said that he and Annie were going to spend a week at Lake Powell in southern Utah/Arizona the week after his graduation and invited Teddy and I to go along. I was hesitant; I mean I wanted to go but I knew it would be different with not my immediate family and with an 11 month year old in the middle of a lake for a week. I decided that I would go and got my plane tickets for the Tuesday the 17th of July through Tuesday the 31st. My mother ended up going out the weekend before to spend sometime with her sisters and Teddy and I actually ended up going our on Monday evening the 16th. I had bought my tickets on southwest and was able to change things around last minute with not extra charge, which was nice. Monday the 16th all my information for work was due and I was able to get it all done before I had to leave; I was bring a mini computer with me to work when I could, but I was also looking forward to not having to worry about work as well.  

I had a layover in Chicago and was very grateful for that. The first flight was 2 hours and it was a pure nightmare; there was a lady and her son that sat next to us and when they realized they had sad next to a baby, they were like snobbish...it was really annoying...and baby proved to be a terror...but we made it to the layover and I was able to change him, put his jammies on and then he slept most of the next 3 or so hour flight...that was nice...I try to look back at the times when I flew and it was just me and I did not have anything to worry about, gone are those days...  

PART 1-Getting to Utah

I ended up putting a pillow on my knees and laying him down and was able to give my arms a break...so nice, I loved the little break and looking out the window and just staring, I know weird

We finally made it to Utah around 10:30 and my mom and my Aunt Robyn picked us up. They were waiting inside and that was so nice. I had his carseat and a suitcase and a few other small things, that I would not have been able to take all by myself. I almost brought my pack and play but I called ahead and my cousin had one that she was going to let me use. That was super nice of her. So we got to my aunts home around 11:00 or a little later and finally by 12 got little boy down. My aunt had a nice dark room for him and I was able to put in a monitor so I could hear him during the night. Which proved to be useful...I got into bed around 1 and had a hard time falling asleep, it seemed like 10 minutes had passed when I heard him crying...it was a little before 3 am...he had peed through his outfit, the sheets and everything. I got him all cleaned up and tried to put him back down but he would not have it. I just decided to rock him and he finally went back to sleep around . I was drifting on and off of sleep with him in my arms when my moms phone rang. I hesitated a little bit before I decided to get up and look...because it was really early in the morning and I knew no one would call unless they needed her. I checked the phone and it said it was my father; it was around 5:30 his time and I knew in my gut something was wrong if he was calling at 3:30 our time. I called the number back and a lady from our ward answered the phone by saying "sheri". I was like, no its Camille...she was like, is your mom there...I was like, she is sleeping but since its like 3 in the morning, I guess I better wake her and she said in a calm voice, yes please. I was so so so so scared at this point. My mom and I had left our cell phone chargers at home and so we had them plugged into my aunts computer and it was like the longest walk of my life from the computer to the bedroom where my mother was sleeping. It crossed my mind that since someone one else was calling from my fathers phone that there could be a possibility that he was not alive. I got to my moms room and she was in a deep sleep, she had told me that she was taking a pm medication to help her sleep. I woke her up and instantaneously took the baby from my arms and I was like, no...its the phone. She grabbed the phone and then slumped back in the bed and said "o no" and then I was like, "o no" and I really thought that he was gone...then she looked at me and said, its ok...and kept talking. At that point, I was just relieved that she said it was ok. She hung up the phone and said that my dad had woken up with chest pain and had driven himself to the hospital; he had called the first counselor in the bishopric and he followed him in and his wife soon followed. By the time we talked to him the second counselor was there and had given him a blessing and they were just waiting on test results. The tests that they had done had ruled out a heart attack but they were still doing other tests and such. By this time we could not sleep, I had gotten an hour and she a little bit more. I was tired but too wound up. It was a tender moment when all I could think about was how short life is. My dad sounded upbeat and was still trying to get out and talk the doctor into letting him fly to Utah the next day to be there for my brother. Around 8 that morning we realized that we had not told my husband about my father; the only family member that was there and he did not know. We told him and since it was his day off he and a friend PJ were able to go over and spend sometime with him. It was nice to know that even though we were far away he was still being taken care of; there was so much love and support shown to him. 

My mom and I planned out our day and just went about doing what we had planned and waiting for news from back home. We got to visit my Grandpa and it was so fun to introduce Teddy to him. My grandpa had a little brother named "Teddy" that had died at age 2 and my grandpa was 5. My great grandma in her 80's still sometimes cried out for her Teddy...it was a so sweet. Some other family members were there and Teddy was being such a funny boy and they all ate him up

With my cousins Seth, Nate, Grace and Zane...I love Teddy's face!!!

After having lunch with them, we left and went to visit a friend Jana. It was on the way to visit her that we heard from my father that it was in fact a heart attack that he had suffered and he had to stay in the hospital and then in the morning have surgery to check his insides. My mom was torn on what to do; she wanted to be here for my brother but she wanted to be home with her husband. My dad said to stay out west but in the end she decided to go home. My father felt so bad, he thought that he was letting my brother down. It was a tough position for all but it ended up being ok. My mom got her flight changed to the next morning and my brother called me and told me that I should head up to Idaho then and not wait until the following day when my parents and I were suppose to drive up there together. I did not know what to do, I wanted to go up there but I also had plans to meet up with my husbands brother Marshal and his wife Sara and their little boy Jaxon. I decided to still meet them for dinner and I am glad I did, we met at this pizzeria in Orem and it was really tasty. Their little boy is so cute; he is 5 months older then Teddy. They seemed to be ok with each other  he even have him a kiss as they were leaving...so cute. 

Jaxon and Teddy

It was already almost 8 by the time I left Orem and heading back up to West Jordan. I got to my aunts house and my mom was visiting with some friends. One of my moms good friends from College's son is dating a girl from our home ward in Florida. It is such a small world but they were all at my Aunts home having some ice cream. Teddy was beyond mad and tired by the time we got there from being in the car that he was not his perky self but lucky he is so cute

 The Whole Gang...

Becca, Me, Renee, Robyn, Sheri and Teddy, Jared, Emma, Austin, Steve, Becca, Kevin and Amy

The Howe's Girls...I LOVE THESE LADIES...and they LOVE TEDDY

_____________________

I had to decide if I was going to head to Idaho that night or wake up and go. I decided that I would go. 

Helping pack

I got all packed up and we left after 9pm...it was a 4 hour drive. I stopped for gas down the road from my aunts home and Teddy was already asleep. He slept almost the whole way, he woke up with about 30 minutes left and was screaming so hard I had to pull over at a rest area. I changed him and got him a new bottle and he was content the rest of the way. We made it around 1:30 or so and it was nice to finally be done with the drive. 

My milk induced comatosed baby!!!

PART 2-Idaho

I got to meet Miss Levy for the first time. She is such a love bug...she was so small compared to Teddy and it was fun to introduce Teddy to his Uncle Tay Tay and Aunt Annie and cousin. 

LEVY ANN

 I know my brother was sad that my parents were not there but I was glad that I was able to go and be there. We ate out at some fun places, and mostly just chilled. Since my parents were not there it was a little bit more layed back and chilled. I tried to get a little bit of work done in the mornings, we went on walks, got to go up and see the campus, it has changed so much since I went to school there; they are modernizing things and building new things galore. They introduced me to Karie Anne's, which is a icee, custard kind of desert, which is to die for. I LOVED IT...on Friday, Taylor decided that he did not want to go to the commencement or walk the stage so he just put on his cap and gown and we went up and took some pictures. It worked and we got what we needed. I was able to go and visit my former Bishop, Lynn Perkes and that was really nice to be able to see him. His wife was out of town and that was sad but its ok. Teddy also got to meet Luke...Luke is Ann's nephew who was born at 26 weeks last year...he was suppose to be born after Teddy but he was born a month earlier. He is such a miracle and so fun to be able to see him. I am trying to think if we did anything else. I will comment on the pictures if I missed anything.

 Graduation Pictures

 Meeting Luke and taking a picture with all three of the youngens...Levy-3 months, Luke 11 months and Teddy 10 months

 UM, I cam around the corner to this, a headband and purple boots. Is this what a girl in our clan would look like? I hope to someday get a little girl, but for now, TEDDY is everything and I would not have it any other way.

Karie Anne's...with Luke 

 We went to a movie and Teddy was not having it...so I spent most of the time in the hallway...did not get to watch very much...Ann's mom ended up taking Teddy home with her and he fell down the stairs and got a bruise on his cheek...first battle wound!!!

 BIG JUDS...after living in Rexburg for a total of 3 or so years, I never ate at Big Juds...we ended up splitting this burger, some people can eat the whole thing...NOT ME

 There was this other yummy place, I think it was called Sammy's or something like that...it was super good...and we also at at my favorite Millhallow...I LOVE THAT PLACE...

 Teddy and Uncle Taylor and Aunt Annie

 MORE KARIE ANNE'S...they need one here...They have something similar in Orlando called Jeremiahs but it is just not the same. They use custard here and its just so tasty 

We did not have Teddy's stroller on campus on day, so we just put him in Levy's stroller...it worked

 Just Chilling 

Meeting Bishop Perkes and eating fresh raspberries...YUM

It ended up being a nice few days, thanks to Taylor, Ann and her family for being such good hostesses and letting us come and crash

PART 3-The Blessing

So we left Rexburg on Saturday morning and drove down to Utah. We stopped at Jamba Juice on the way out and stopped and got a few other things to get me going. Teddy feel asleep and I just drank my razmataz smoothing, ate some peanut butter mnm's and chowed on some rosemary and olive oil triscuit's. I think I over dosed on those, because I have some at home now and wont eat them...but for this trip, I went to town

I forgot Teddy's life jacket at home and we decided to stop at this marine place in Salt Lake. I had to decide to get Teddy a little life jacket (up to 30 pounds), which is the same as he has at home...or go with the bigger one (30-50 pounds). The picture here is the little one and it was so cute but I decided to go with the bigger one, so in the next few years he would have one to use. I was scared how he would be around the water because at home he does not care for it

We made it to Heber City with a few hours to spare. We had switched the blessing around some but it all turned out perfect. I also was able to get my parents on skype on my phone and they were able to see and hear the blessing. That was so nice. Here are a few pictures from Lev's big day...she was also blessed the same day as her cousin Maddie who was baptized.

Maddie and Levy

Grandpa Mackay, Tay, Ann, Levy and Grandma Johnson

PART 4-Lake Powell

Sunday Morning we went to church for sacrament meeting and then came home and had some lunch and then got in the cars for the 6 hour drive down to Lake Powell. It was a nice drive. I sat in the back with Levy and Teddy...they did pretty good

I found this chewable airborne at the store and bought some because my throat had been hurting while in Idaho an I did not want it to be bad while I was trying to enjoy and relax on the Lake.  

The View as we were driving in!!!

The first night we slept at the docks in the Houseboat...Teddy and I were able to have a little room and I was able to set up his pack and play. I was glad that we were isolated and he would not wake anyone up. He has been waking up at least once or twice a night this whole trip and I was nervous how he would be and with it not being my immediate family, I just wanted everything to go smooth...The next morning we got all ready, this is the view from the top of the boat...so pretty

 Teddy did ok...he was not all that comfortable with the water. He warmed up as the week went on 

This is the view of our resting camp site. We had three houseboats the whole time and that was nice, we were suppose to only have two, but one of Ann's brothers was able to barrow one and it gave a little bit more room =) 

 I wish I had the picture of all the boats together...we had the three houseboats like above and then we had 3  wake boarding/ski boats, one fun ship boat and one older boat that Ann's dad brought down. It was perfect to use when the kiddos wanted to ride on the tubes. So that was 5 motor boats, plus there was also a little dingy raft boat that the kids would use to go knee boarding, it was cool...below are some more cool shots of the week and the view and the boats!!!

The dingy!!!

 Rainbow

 Funship

This was my view all week. It was so pretty; its interesting comparing Lake Powell to Lake Shasta, the place we went growing up. Lake Shasta is in California and it is really green and beautiful, Lake Powell is more of the rustic beautiful. The only thing that I did not like was the water was super choppy all the time. This is because the water does not have a shore line. It hits the cliffs and heads right back into the middle of the lake...and with so many boats its rough...it was good for tubing and boy did they do alot of that. I brought Teddy on the tube for a kid ride with one other little girl and it was the only time the tube went under the water. I was so scared that Teddy would freak out, but I was able to keep him above the water and hold onto him with one arm and the tube with one arm...he did not cry at all

  He sure did like going out on the boat...and he was ok with his life jacket. It was a little bit but it also gave him a nice head rest. He fell asleep many times while we just rode and had a good time. I was able to put him down on the seat a few times and lay out in the sun. I tried to lay out as much as I could when he was down. I did not get as much sun as I wanted to but I got enough.

.

Can I tell you how much I LOVE THIS KID

They ordered me one of their Clark Family shirts...that was very nice of them....Taylor and Ann also got Teddy a Lake Powell onsie but once at the lake we could not find them anywhere...so we did not get a picture with he and Levy in theirs but we did get some pictures of them together.

Teddy looks like a GIANT 

 

My stud brother, doing what he does best!!!

 There was a girl that ha a professional water ski, where there are two complete boots instead of a little boot and a little place for the back foot...it was really cool to try out. I was so grateful for the ladies on the boat that were able to watch Teddy for me while I got to do this. It was only for a few minutes but it was so nice of them.

 One day we took a hike. Ann watched Teddy of me and that was so nice of her. It was hard at times but we were able to make it to the top and it was such a breathtaking view.

I LOVE THIS PICTURE...it was so nice to be able to be up top there and just see the beauty all around

Before the took the big family pictures Taylor was holding Teddy and put him on his shoulders and I looked over and saw this...just had to capture it!!! 

There were 4 babies at Lake Powel...They are in order of age...Luke and Tara, Teddy and me, Capri and Koryn and Levy and Ann

Below is the whole gang, overall I think there were close to 50 Clark's there...I am grateful to Taylor and Ann and her hole family for including Teddy and I in their fun family week and we had such a good time

I think it would be so fun to sometime go to Lake Shasta together again too. Taylor and I talked about it while were were here. Maybe sometime in the future

PART 5- Back to Utah for a few days
and then HOME to Florida
We got back from Lake Powell late on Saturday night...it was an adventure...We drove down on of Ann's sisters cars but then her son had to come home early for football practice, so we rode home with Ann's parents and Grandma. Before they drove down they stopped in Salt Lake because her dad wanted to get new tires for the boat trailer...everyone kept telling him that he did not have to do it and he was just going out of his way but he said he kept calculating air pressure and other things and just had a feeling like he should, so the back of the car was full of 4 new tires. So all I can say is it is lucky that he did. We had been driving for about 15 minutes when Ann's mom said we had not started with a prayer. So she started saying a prayer and in the middle of the prayer we hear this weird noise and then thumps and a thud...the tire thread had been stipped off because the fender of the wheel part of the trailer had bent. We found a rock and Taylor beat it back...we were able to get out the one of the new tires and put it on. So we got another hour down the road and another tire blew...this time is tire was in shreds...so we pulled out another tire and put it on. We contemplated taking the time to put on the two other tires but we decided not to and went on our way. We were able to make it home with only having two flat tires and once we got to Heber City, they put on the other ones. All I can say is I am grateful that her father listened to his promptings and go the new tires, or we would have been stuck for a while...because the spare on the boat trailer was no use either. One of the other boat trailers had a problem too and they were able to get it fixed as well. Ann's family is full of handy men!!!

That night we were able to go our to the Dairy Keen...its a place in Heber City that has awesome food and shakes. Teddy leaked through his clothes on the way and so he had to comando plus the diaper at the restaurant  He was being so funny.

SUNDAY

Sunday Morning Teddy woke up so early...I did not know what to do...and then I realized we were out of formula. I tried to find Taylor's keys but I could not, so I decided it would be a nice morning for a walk. I was not sure what time the store opened but we decided to try...I knew it would take us a while to walk the 2 or so miles anyway. We made it to the store and it was open and I was able to get formula and a few other things. We loaded up the stroller and headed back. He fell asleep on the way home.

We went to sacrament meeting again and took some pictures afterwords. 

Taylor and Ann are such awesome parents. Levy is such a lucky little lady!!!

MONDAY

On Monday I was able to spend the day in Utah and visit some friends and more family...I was suppose to drop Taylor and Ann of at the airport but her brother ended up doing it and that was such a blessing. I wanted to head to Provo after dropping them off and we would not have had room for all of our stuff...so I would have had to drop them off and then head back to Heber and then down to Provo. It would out just great. I was happy for a day to just relax and see some wonderful people. 

I had lunch at 5 guys with my friend Kylie...we met my sophomore year at BYU-Idaho in our College Algebra class and have stayed good friends. She has a a little boy Walt who is 3 months older then Teddy. She met on her lunch break so he was not able to come, maybe someday I can meet him. It was nice to catch up. 

 

I then drove to Sandy and met up with the Crockett's, my first mission president and his wife. It was nice to be able to see them. I was able to get there a little earlier then I had previously planned and was able to catch him home. He had to leave shortly after for a meeting. I stayed for a little while and we were able to catch up, I think Teddy had a good time. 

I Love this Woman, she is so awesome!!!

I then went down and visited my Aunt Wendy and then met up with my friend Brittany and then headed to my Aunt Julie's house for dinner. It was so nice of all of them to let me come and visit and Teddy loved meeting so many new people. 

After Dinner I headed to my grandparents house and they absolutely ate Teddy up. 

This picture is so priceless...I love the look on all their faces 

My grandpa wanted to feed Teddy his bottle and he then fell asleep in his arms. It was so precious. He kept telling me that he would look down and see his little brother, so tender. I am glad that we were able to see them one time before we left. After visiting with them, I went and saw my friend Jana again, we talked for a while and then I headed back up to West Jordan. When I got to my Aunt Robyn's house I was concerned because it was already 11pm and I still had alot of packing to do and my flight was scheduled to depart at 5:30 am...and that means we would have to leave the house before 4. I did not want to do that to my aunt but she was happy to help. On a whim I decided to check southwest and see how much it would be to change my flight. This is what I love about southwest, you are able to make changes to your flight at any time and only pay the difference if it was more expensive. There were a few different options; one would leave midday and would get me home at a decent hour but their was a layover in Las Vegas for 3 hours, so have a 45 minute flight and then sit there for that long and then get on for another 4 hours, I definitely did not want to do that, so the other option was an afternoon flight that got me home late but the layover in Denver was only 30 or so minutes and it was only 4 dollars more then the morning flight and I decided to do it. It was such a relief to be able to not have to worry about packing up that night and having to wake up early. 

TUESDAY

I got up Tuesday morning and thought since southwest you do not have to pay for luggage, I was going to go buy a dufflebag and not have to worry about my suitcase being too heavy and since I did not have the pack and play I had an extra bag to bring. I put Teddy down for a nap and my Aunt watched him while I ran to some stores. I was able to find a few cute things and get a bag. I made it back and packed and got the the airport in plenty of time. It was surreal  two weeks  had passed in a blink of an eye, the trip started out kinda scary but it all turned out great. I did not want to go home to reality but I did want to get Teddy back on a schedule. 

The flights ended up being ok and we made it home. This is me with all my stuff that I was able to bring our to the curb all by myself. I had my suitcase and the dufflebag, my back pack on my back, Teddy's big black bag filled to the brim, him in his stroller with the car seat on top...I was pretty well pleased with myself. My husband went to the wrong terminal so it took a while for him to get to us but he finally made it. We got home around 12:30 and it did feel nice to be back, although I did miss the mountains and the feeling of not having responsibilities, especially with work. I left on the 16th and came back on the 31st. So my busy time started again, I was use to having a few weeks of breather at home but no, it was right back to reports again. Such is life!!!

My husband picked us up at the airport and Teddy was happy to see his dad. I was so grateful that he let us go and have a good time. I hope that he will be able to have a good time when he goes home before us at Christmas time. Over all this was an awesome trip...I was able to see so many wonderful people and have some much needed away from life time. Thank you to Taylor and Ann and all of her family again for being so accommodating. The Clark's are the best!!!