Steam Engine Meadows - The infamous site of the stuck ATV
The whole gang at the pizza parlor.
Our little tree hugger
Friday, September 25, 2009
Cabin Fever
Earlier I blogged about my adventures riding an ATV while at our friends' cabin. Here are the pictures to accompany the rest of the adventures that weekend.
Steam Engine Meadows - The infamous site of the stuck ATV
The whole gang at the pizza parlor.
Our little tree hugger
Steam Engine Meadows - The infamous site of the stuck ATV
The whole gang at the pizza parlor.
Our little tree hugger
Pool Party
A salute to summer...A salute to fun! Oh how we have enjoyed thee, pool, and how we greet cooler temperatures with mixed feelings. While I am excited to be able to work outside without melting my face off, it also means the end of swimming for now. Good night cool water. We'll see you again in the spring.
Monday, August 10, 2009
A brush with death
I love ATVs.
They have not always loved me in return, however. I’m not quite sure I remember my first experience with one, but I do remember my first mishap. I was riding on the back of a three-wheeler with Ryan Ellsworth. One second I was riding, the next second I was on my back with all the ligaments in my right ankle torn. Apparently you’re not supposed to put your foot down, even if you’re about to tip over.
Now. Flash forward 25 years or so to last weekend. Our good friends had invited us once again to their cabin in the pines. The weather was a little cool but felt so good after the scorching we’ve been getting here in Las Vegas. The bonus to this cabin by the way - an ATV. I shed my titles of father and husband, and become “Bubba,” the redneck chauffeur – deftly shuttling my yunggins around them thar hills.
On Saturday, I put off Grey Grey as long as I could (even though I do love riding the ATV – once I saddle her, I’m committed for a couple of hours of ripping. You do know I have six kids, right?), but after some major pleading, he and I set out a little after lunch.
I was bored with the usual trails around the cabin so I decided to try one a little further up the hill in majestic Steam Engine Meadows. We had barely been off road for maybe 10 minutes when we came to the mother of all hills. I looked down the foreboding descent and was about to turn around. I asked Grey what he wanted to do – certain that he was going to say, “Turn around.” (You do know that Grey is my timid one, right?) Instead, he says, “We can do it, Dad.”
“Well, OK then.”
I knew we had made a mistake about halfway down, when I had the brakes practically locked and I’m telling Greyson to lean back as far as he can. With the handlebars having me sing soprano, we finally made it to the bottom. Except, here came the problem. The trail pretty much ended right there, so the only way to go was back up.
I shoved it into 1st gear and started a nice slow ascent – me picturing a Stomper rolling over Lincoln Logs. Yeah, that didn’t work. We made it about halfway and the engine ran out of power. I locked down the brakes and had Grey slowly climb off (I mentioned that we were on the mother of all hills, right?) I asked him to climb up the hill to the top and wait for me there. When he reached the top, he started jumping up and down, Rocky-style, yelling, “I made it! I made it!”
Yes, son, you did. Tell your mom that I love her and you can finally play with all my super hero action figures. Now for dear, old dad. Gulp… I started backing down the hill and hit a particular steep part. The front wheels picked up off the ground. Gulp… Cue me mumbling something like, “Please don’t let me die. Please don’t let me die.”
I finally made it back down the hill and got the engine really going. I let it rip in 1st and go full throttle at the hill. I bounce and claw to about 2/3 the way up the hill when the ATV’s engine gives out once again. The hill is just too much for it to climb. So what do I do? I back it down and try again of course – because backing down was so much fun the first time, I just had to do it again.
Next – just read the previous two paragraphs and you’ll get the gist. This time, however, when the engine can’t propel me any further, I get the idea to climb off to “lighten the load.” With my hands on the throttle and brakes, I work my Cirque du Soleil magic on that bike and land nimbly next to it on the rocky hill. I give the ATV some gas and it starts to move, but nothing happens. The back wheels broke free and started digging into the hill. I shoved some rocks under the wheels and dug out the front lip of the holes and started her back up. I gassed it, pushed, but the ATV just lunged out of the hole and then rocked back in. Dang gravity!
So I accepted it. The ATV was stuck on the mother of hills. My son and I were now going to walk out and get some help. I made it up to Grey and told him to walk with me. Because I had my cell phone, he started telling me to call for help. I didn’t know who to call, since I knew Kim wouldn’t have her phone on. So we walked.
About 10 minutes into our hike, Greyson says, sheepishly, “You know what we need to do, Dad… It’s something we do everyday… It starts with a ‘P’.” Now you know that I said about 5 prayers while I was trying to get that ATV up that hill, but I agreed with Grey and decided to stop and pray. I asked him to say it and he said, “But I said it at lunch!” After I insisted, he said a sweet, humble prayer asking for some help to get us and the ATV home safely.
We continued walking for about another 20 minutes when Kim called. We were now in Steam Engine Meadows again and about to walk down the hill to the cabin. I explained the situation and got the phone number for the local motorsports dealer. They showed up with a winch and were able to get the bike out.
It was interesting, because at one point, Greyson asked why we weren’t getting any help after we had prayed. I explained that we actually received a lot of help. Grey was able to get off the ATV and climb to the top of the hill. The bike hadn’t rolled back on me and possibly caused severe injury. I happened to have my phone with me and was able to talk to Kim. I was also able to get help to get the ATV out without a scratch.
Yes, we were immensely blessed, and I was wracked with the guilt that comes from jeopardizing so much with my son’s life and mine. Yet, I was also extremely glad to share that experience and build our faith together.
By the way, I’m ready to go off-roading again – I’m just going to stay away from any of those hills with posterity.
Friday, July 24, 2009
10 Recent Realizations
10. I realize that my son Gage may be Latin!
OK, so I know he is not, but with all the tremendous amounts of swimming that we have been doing, he does not look like he belongs to us. All you need to do is catch a glimpse of his tan line on his backside, and you will need sunglasses!
9. I realize that I am still doing homework even at 35!
Because I am tutoring 9 kids (almost 10), I am doing homework almost nightly. I am reading three books currently, and none that I had on my summer reading list. It is good that I like children’s and young adult literature. It’s good though. I love all the kids I tutor. I do not have a bad apple in the group.
8. I realize that my children are fish.
Well perhaps they do not have gills, but you think they might with how much they love swimming. The oldest are all independent swimmers and the Bubs is nearly there. Cooper and Brooke do love getting in and after a day of swimming, I am pooped!
7. I realize that I was a little "creamy" to take 6 kids to Krispy Kreme for a field trip.
Actually they were all extremely well behaved, and I was so grateful for them. I really do enjoy their company.
6. I realize that I like the fact that Mitch has a three-day weekend every week now.
Mitch began his 4 tens the last week of June, and we are liking the three day weekends. He does not even seem to mind the long days too much either!
5. I realize that my now two year old is getting in touch with his feminine side.
Cooper loves Dora! He asks to watch it all the time, loves his Dora books, Dora movies, Dora phone, and Dora backpack. I do not mind buying Dora too since I am getting a leg up on toys for Brooke.
4. I realize that Brooke is growing up way too fast!
She is rolling over (She even rolled off my bed. I cried.), trying to sit up, and plays with rattles. Amazing.
3. I realize that my mom is an angel!
She helps with everything. She empties my dishwasher, picks up after herself, sweeps my floor, does my laundry better than I do, picks up Brooke whenever is necessary, and loves Cooper to pieces (This can be tough at times. He is two.). I think she is still radiant at 63, too. I am glad that I look like her. Perhaps I will get better looking with age. One can always hope.
2. I realize that God sends his tender mercies to me.
We went on a real quick trip to Ely this past week. We were in the car for 6 hours (due to a side trip to the Lehman Caves), and Jace threw up after we got to the motel, not in the car. He was not feeling up to going to dinner so my mom (another reason for angel wings on that woman) stayed with him in the motel. (He could have thrown up in a restaurant as well, so yet another blessing.) When we got back to the motel, I took the linens to the front desk only to find the worker about ready to leave so I got to wash the linens and get new towels just in time. Mitch took our items to the laundromat, which was across the street and picked up Lysol, all purpose cleaner, and paper towels at the market, which was also across the street. Cooper got a fever too later that night, but did not throw up. Aiden got sick moments before we got on the train, but I brought the trusty ice bucket, which, incidentally, we used on the train and it worked like a charm. Aiden got sick once again when we were near a bathroom- very handy. We drove home with no other incidents, and just about 20 minutes after we got home, Gage began getting sick- nutty I know. People may call it coincidence, but I know otherwise. Oh, and as a funny aside, when asking the kids “if they could go anywhere in the world, where would they go?” To this, Greyson declares, “ELY!” (If anyone has been to Ely, they can see the humor in this.) Aiden then pipes up, “Ya, that’s because he was not sick on the trip. I never want to go back there again, ever!“
1. I realize that there were benefits to being a teacher with regard to selecting your kids’ teachers.
We have three unknowns for next year. Aiden’s teacher has not even been hired yet, Gage’s is new to the school entirely, and Grey’s is a strict teacher who gets serious results, but also has been known to have a short fuse! I just keep praying that it will all work out. Oh man I hate the unknown at times! Who am I kidding? I hate it all the time.
OK, so I know he is not, but with all the tremendous amounts of swimming that we have been doing, he does not look like he belongs to us. All you need to do is catch a glimpse of his tan line on his backside, and you will need sunglasses!
9. I realize that I am still doing homework even at 35!
Because I am tutoring 9 kids (almost 10), I am doing homework almost nightly. I am reading three books currently, and none that I had on my summer reading list. It is good that I like children’s and young adult literature. It’s good though. I love all the kids I tutor. I do not have a bad apple in the group.
8. I realize that my children are fish.
Well perhaps they do not have gills, but you think they might with how much they love swimming. The oldest are all independent swimmers and the Bubs is nearly there. Cooper and Brooke do love getting in and after a day of swimming, I am pooped!
7. I realize that I was a little "creamy" to take 6 kids to Krispy Kreme for a field trip.
Actually they were all extremely well behaved, and I was so grateful for them. I really do enjoy their company.
6. I realize that I like the fact that Mitch has a three-day weekend every week now.
Mitch began his 4 tens the last week of June, and we are liking the three day weekends. He does not even seem to mind the long days too much either!
5. I realize that my now two year old is getting in touch with his feminine side.
Cooper loves Dora! He asks to watch it all the time, loves his Dora books, Dora movies, Dora phone, and Dora backpack. I do not mind buying Dora too since I am getting a leg up on toys for Brooke.
4. I realize that Brooke is growing up way too fast!
She is rolling over (She even rolled off my bed. I cried.), trying to sit up, and plays with rattles. Amazing.
3. I realize that my mom is an angel!
She helps with everything. She empties my dishwasher, picks up after herself, sweeps my floor, does my laundry better than I do, picks up Brooke whenever is necessary, and loves Cooper to pieces (This can be tough at times. He is two.). I think she is still radiant at 63, too. I am glad that I look like her. Perhaps I will get better looking with age. One can always hope.
2. I realize that God sends his tender mercies to me.
We went on a real quick trip to Ely this past week. We were in the car for 6 hours (due to a side trip to the Lehman Caves), and Jace threw up after we got to the motel, not in the car. He was not feeling up to going to dinner so my mom (another reason for angel wings on that woman) stayed with him in the motel. (He could have thrown up in a restaurant as well, so yet another blessing.) When we got back to the motel, I took the linens to the front desk only to find the worker about ready to leave so I got to wash the linens and get new towels just in time. Mitch took our items to the laundromat, which was across the street and picked up Lysol, all purpose cleaner, and paper towels at the market, which was also across the street. Cooper got a fever too later that night, but did not throw up. Aiden got sick moments before we got on the train, but I brought the trusty ice bucket, which, incidentally, we used on the train and it worked like a charm. Aiden got sick once again when we were near a bathroom- very handy. We drove home with no other incidents, and just about 20 minutes after we got home, Gage began getting sick- nutty I know. People may call it coincidence, but I know otherwise. Oh, and as a funny aside, when asking the kids “if they could go anywhere in the world, where would they go?” To this, Greyson declares, “ELY!” (If anyone has been to Ely, they can see the humor in this.) Aiden then pipes up, “Ya, that’s because he was not sick on the trip. I never want to go back there again, ever!“
1. I realize that there were benefits to being a teacher with regard to selecting your kids’ teachers.
We have three unknowns for next year. Aiden’s teacher has not even been hired yet, Gage’s is new to the school entirely, and Grey’s is a strict teacher who gets serious results, but also has been known to have a short fuse! I just keep praying that it will all work out. Oh man I hate the unknown at times! Who am I kidding? I hate it all the time.
Friday, July 17, 2009
A Pictorial of Recent Events
These aren't in any order, as you can probably tell. This sums up a fraction of what we've been up to this summer.
1. Cooper sleeping in wierd places.
2. Brooke involved in whatever the boys want to do (whether she wants to or not), including building a train track.
3. Independence Day
4. Cooper's birthday - which is also Independence Day - filled with lots of things "Dora" - his favorite.
5. More Cooper sleeping in wierd places.
6. Cooper filling Brooke's crib with diapers
7. Enjoying our beautiful daughter.
8. Cooper sleeping in more wierd places - this time the baby bouncer.
9. Aiden scorpion project for school with real scorpions from Aunt Cory's house. Yikes.
10. And lots and lots of swimming, of course.
1. Cooper sleeping in wierd places.
2. Brooke involved in whatever the boys want to do (whether she wants to or not), including building a train track.
3. Independence Day
4. Cooper's birthday - which is also Independence Day - filled with lots of things "Dora" - his favorite.
5. More Cooper sleeping in wierd places.
6. Cooper filling Brooke's crib with diapers
7. Enjoying our beautiful daughter.
8. Cooper sleeping in more wierd places - this time the baby bouncer.
9. Aiden scorpion project for school with real scorpions from Aunt Cory's house. Yikes.
10. And lots and lots of swimming, of course.
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