When The Cat Is Away

. . . the mice will play. And since Brent has been gone on the high adventure with his teachers, Hudson and I have been playing. We invited Nik and Bentley to go to Ross Park Aquatic Center yesterday to cool off and beat the heat. The boys loved the water and had a lot of fun. The ride home was quite with the two sleeping boys. We stayed and had pizza with Nik before heading for home. I decided to go out garage saling since I've taken a little break from it. I didn't find any incredible deals but did get an ice cream maker, an old window with a mirror in it, some antique jars, a wet suit for Hudson, and rear bags for a 4-wheeler (hoping that we will some day get one.)

Sand in Our Sandbox- Finally

I finally decided that it's time I put some sand in Hudson little sandbox. It wasn't very hard since we live on a sand hill. I borrowed the Rhino, drove around back, shoveled in the sand, and in minutes Hudson was enjoying his sandbox. He played for an hour before I made him come in for dinner. I had a nice surprise when I changed his diaper. Needless to say, a bath was mandatory to get rid of all of the sand. Don't worry, it has a lid so we keep it covered and prevent the neighborhood cats from taking it over as their litter box.

B&B Nomination

This morning I decided to get a little creative in the kitchen. I made raspberry lemon pancakes and lemon curd to use as a syrup. Brent isn't too adventurous when it comes to eating, but he took a bite and then exclaimed, "these are bed and breakfast worthy." I'll take it as a compliment. I might have to make them more often, it's a nice twist on pancakes. I just added lemon zest, a little lemon oil, and whole raspberries to my regular batter. The lemon curd is 2 eggs, 1 cup of sugar, 1/4 c. lemon juice, and 2 T lemon zest. So if you're breakfasts have gotten to be cold cereal the bulk of the week, try these.

Ward Shin Dig

Tonight we had a ward party in honor of it being Pioneer Day. Hudson and I helped transform Tracy and NiCole's golf cart into the Deuel Cabin as featured on temple square since we're related to them somehow. Just as they were driving it to the church, the gusty wind came up-- nothing that duct tape couldn't fix. Hudson was pretty cute in his bibs and bandana that matched the girls. Yes, he's tough enough to wear pink. He didn't get into the greased pig, so we will get up early and start training for next year. What a disappointment, must take after Brent. Even though there were pinatas, a dunk tank, and cow riding Hudson most enjoyed the sand boxes with buried treasure. He stayed and played all by himself while I walked off to watch the cow riding. I've decided I need to take all of the trucks and tractors that occupy the sandbox and put the real deal in it. I think it would keep him entertained for hours. Hope you all had a happy 24th.

Business as Usual

Now that we've played for the last few days, there's some catching up to do around the house and yard. Brent is trying to get things in order and brace himself for the next three months. We'll probably start straw next week and then the madness will begin. Staw and 3rd crop at the same time, 4th shortly after, and then corn harvest the beginning of September. It was nice to be able to enjoy the summer a bit before all the work hits and it's over. I had a lot of fun picking Hudson up from Grandma at American Falls. We had a boating party and the weather couldn't have been nicer, well. . . it could have been a little cooler. Thanks to all of you who came- hope you enjoyed laughing at Chris and Chod as much as I did. Hudson found a new toy at Grandma and Grandpa Hillmans yesterday. (We got together for a going away party for Tristan.) He loved riding around on the Gator with Sydney. They get along well and are good buddies.

While We Were Trippin'

Brent and I had a good time in Jackson. We camped at Lizzard Creek in Teton National Park, took the shuttle boat across Jenny's Lake, hiked to Cascade Waterfalls, ate at the Million Dollar Cowboy Steakhouse, and went rafting. Rafting was by far my favorite thing. Check us out. http://snakeriver.elevationimaging.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=284904
We're the first 2 on the right. It felt good getting wet since it was even 96 up there. I was ready to get back to my Hudson. The sad thing is, he didn't even seem to have missed me. :(

Why Do I Bother To Dress Him?

Since Hudson will be going to Aunt Nikkala's today, I dressed him in a cute outfit. What was I thinking? It was only 8:00 a.m. By 8:05 he had found mud outside. I don't know why I bother to dress him. He can have outfits dirty in a matter of minutes. If it were up to me I'd let Hudson run around naked. That would mean much less laundry. Now that he's down for a nap, I've washed the overalls and they're hanging on the line. I'll make sure not to put them back on until we're loading him into the car. We had a slight change in plans, instead of doing a complete backpacking trip I've opted for an overnight backpacking trip and then a vacation with more ammenities. I must be getting used to all of the luxuries of life. A few years ago, I can't think of anything I'd rather do than strap on a backpack and head out for a week but now it sounds a little too primitive.

Multi Tasking Child

Today Hudson combined exercising with snack time (quite an odd couple.) He would come and get a goldfish cracker from me, run and pull himself up into the rocking chair, sit down, and then run back to get another cracker and repeat the process. Maybe he's seen me do too many things at once, that he's suffering from my same illness. I really think there's something wrong with me. I cannot hold still and relax. Yesterday was no exception. I weeded my garden and flowerbeds, sprayed more weeds, (anyone else have a weed problem?) pulled out my expired pea patch, did laundry, put up Hudson's swimming pool, had Tristan over to play, sewed her a skirt, fixed lunch, went to Gem Lake (wakeboarded, tubed, skied) completed 2 scrapbook pages for Tristan, mowed my lawn, put out my pipe on the lawn, and fixed dinner at 10:30 pm. I need to learn to pace myself. But since Brent and I are hoping to go on a backpacking trip tomorrow, I have a lot to get ready.

Stinkin' Hot

So while Brent is out baling, I decided to kill some time while our bedroom cools down. . . Hudson and I got home from Burley only to find a sweltering house. We plugged the swamp cooler in immediately and it's been running ever since. Since the house was messy, I tried doing some house work in the heat. Now what kind of a stupid idea was that? Housework puts me in a bad mood and so does the heat, so put the two together and it wasn't pretty. We got a babysitter for Hudson so Brent and I could go to the temple. By time we got out of the session, it was beginning to cool down. I love summer nights! I wish they lasted longer. I guess Hudson cried an hour and a half for the babysitter. She was one of my beehives and it was her first time watching him. Who knows if she'll ever want to tend him again with the way he acted. But she was so sweet, she wouldn't let me pay her since we went to the temple. I owe her big time.

Summer Fun

Hudson and I have had non-stop fun while here at Grandma and Grandpa's. We filled up a galvanized tub with water and it kept Hudson occupied for awhile. He would take his cup and drink out of it and stomp in the water to make it splash all over. Grandpa set up his slip n' slide and Hudson enjoyed going down it. We also got to go to the river and swim in the Burley kiddie pool. I think we've worn Hudson out because he's been taking 2 1/2 to 3 hour naps. We have also gotten rid of the bottle while we've been here. He hasn't seemed to mind much at all. It has been easier than I thought. The moon must be right (Mom says Grandma Quast used to call her up and tell her when the moon was right to take the bottle away from us kids.) I think we're both getting ready to go home and see Brent. It's been a fun trip but you know what they say, all good things must come to an end. I'll add pics when I get home.

To Grandmother's House We Go

Hudson and I had a busy morning getting the yard all watered and lawn mowed so we could head to Burley. The weathered was very unsettled on the way here. It hasn't improved much. I'm glad that we get to spend some time here so Hudson can get to know his Grandma and Grandpa better. It took him a bit to warm up to everyone after waking up from his nap, but he's already having lots of fun. Grandma bought him a fun Bob the Builder sippy cup that he enjoys. Grandpa taught him how to play with his measuring tape, and Aunt Tameka was snapping photos of him. We dressed him up in his Wranglers and boots and we all laughed at how he toddles around in his tight britches. Before bedtime, Grandpa pulled out the teeter totter. Hudson LOVES it. He's not scared, in fact, he's a little too brave- he scares me. He clacks his tongue at it to try and get it to move like he does on Rock It (his rocking horse.) We might have to comission Grandpa to build Hudson his own teeter totter. It's fun to be home.

If Only

CAUTION: INTROSPECTIVE
If only I were more patient, I'd be a better wife and mother.
If only there were more hours in the day, I could get more done.
If only summer nights lasted year round, then Brent could enjoy them with us.
If only I could go waterskiing when it's over 90, maybe then the heat wouldn't make me so ornery.
If only I could get Brent to try me garden grown vegetables, I'm sure he'd be hooked.
If only Hudson would let me video tape him being cute, he grows up too fast.
If only icecream were calorie free, I'd eat it every night.
If only exercise were as easy as breathing, I'd never miss a day.
If only . . . there's too many to list.

All Things Water

Hudson has been very obsessed with sprinklers and garden hoses lately. We can't drive down the road with out him making the sprinkle sound . . . tsch, tsch. . . whenever he spots a pivot, handlines, or sprinkler of any form. I made the mistake of letting him take a drink out of the hose. Now it's his favorite toy. He loves to stick it right in his mouth. He gets soaking wet. He'll drag the hose all over. He likes to find dirt since he already knows math: water + dirt= mud, and mud = mess, which = fun. The other day he played with the birds on the handlines as I was putting them up off the lawn. He also like to play in the water that would pour out once I unhooked a pipe. (If I can't make a pipe mover out of him, I don't know what we're going to do.) I've decided it's just easier to let him loose with the hose and mud because he seems to find it even if I'm trying to prevent it. We've just learned how to strip him down before bringing him inside.

Bonky Bonk

Yesterday when Brent opened the door, Hudson decided it was his chance to escape. He made a run for the door. Unfortunately, the door caught him right on his forehead. He has a nice goose egg now that beginning to turn green. Hudson got to spend time at Grandma's while we tried to chop the peas and oats at Youngs. I was summoned to my post as baglady. It was still too wet for the bagger to take it. We spent all day trying to get something done. We would have been better off to call it a day at noon and go boating. Hopefully it will be dry enough tomorrow that we'll get something done.

Brent and I survived our speaking assignment today in church. We should be safe for awhile since we've both given 2 talks within the last 9 months. They must be pretty desperate.

Cousin Kenzie

We had our niece, Kenzie, over today to play while she's up from Utah. She was great at entertaining Hudson so I could pick peas. I gave her lawnmower driving lessons today and she even did some of my mowing for me. It was nice to have a day to catch back up in my yard since it was a bit negelected last week. We started cutting 2nd crop, so wouldn't you know- it has to rain. They have been freak thunder showers, but enough to make a person want to get out of the haying business.

Holiday Hangover

I got up yesterday and made patriotic pancakes before Brent headed out for his last day baling in Swan Valley. (It was supposed to be finished the previous day, but the baler broke
down.) Hudson and I did some laundry and then we got ready and headed into the parade in Idaho Falls. It took awhile for the parade to reach us so Hudson played in the water running down the side of the curb and with the ants. Once the parade finally reached us, Hudson was entertained. He seemed to like it. After the parade, my family was one the phone with one another for about and hour planning a get together. We finally decided to meet at the Massacre Rocks boat dock for a river party. Since Brent was still gone, Hudson and I rode down with Nikkala and Chod. Everyone was there except Brent. The facility wasn't the best (the grass was sparse and brown) and the weather was overcast, but we still managed to have a good time. Chod grilled the burgers and brats. Dad assumed his position behind the wheel of the Blue Ghetto. Mom tended her boys. And we all did our share of eating and playing. Hudson fell asleep on the way to Blackfoot. He went right back to sleep when I moved him to our car. Once home, I put his jammies on and changed his diaper while he slept. So instead of dragging him into the line of fire for the Melaleuca fireworks, we put him in the carseat and drove to Haney's corner and watched the fireworks from there.

I Got My Baby Back

Hudson and I had a few long days. We played sluff-enough-a-gusses on Sunday and skipped church. On Monday he was still miserable. I called Mom crying, and she decided to take the matter into her own hands. She called her friend Betty who helped us to get some much needed medicine. The doctors around here are worthless. Last time Hudson had these same syptoms was right before we went to Featherville. I took him into our doctor before we left to have him checked out. He treated him for strep. When Hudson woke up in the middle of the night screaming at Grandma and Grandpa's we decided we had to do something. Mom called Betty and got us into Dr. Page who was able to help us out. So once again, it takes the Grandma connection to Betty to get Hudson feeling better. He slept through the night and woke up so happy. It's nice to have my baby back.

New Peas and Potatoes

My garden has been coming along nicely. Last night I picked peas and dug potatoes. Brent and the sick Hudson sat on the porch with me and helped to shuck the peas. Hudson got a kick out of tossing the peas onto the step and watching them bounce- whatever made him happy. I fixed up a mean batch of peas and potatoes. Of course I made way too much so I will be able to sneak some cold spoonfuls out of the fridge today. MMMM! Nothing says summer like a garden fresh meal.

Something Is Not Right

From the time that Hudson woke up yesterday, he was very clingy and whiny. He had a fever and was burning up. I knew something wasn't right when he rolled over on the couch and took a nap. After holding him most of day, I finally decided to take him the the doctor to get him checked out at 3:00 pm. As usual, we waited a long time before any getting to the root of the problem. When the doctor checked his throat he said "Oh my goodness, those are the worste looking tonsils I've seen in a long time." He took a culture and ran a strep test. It came back negative, so he decided that it was one of those things that would just have to run it's course. I've been keeping the tylenol and ibuprofen down him. He woke up this morning without much of a fever, so I think he's going to make it. He is the toughest little guy around. The doctor was surprised that he was even eating or drinking anything. He said most other little kids wouldn't. I'd rather he wasn't sick, but it's been a good excuse to just hold and cuddle him. It doesn't happen too often anymore. He's getting so big and has found funner and more exciting things to do and discover than Mom's lap.