We love our men. They work hard for us. They make everything more interesting. They're good men with good hearts and they know how to have a good time.
But sometimes you just gotta be with your girls.
Not too often. But you know...sometimes.
This is particularly great in the summer time - what's better than hanging out poolside with your grandma, mom, aunt, cousin and *future* niece? Yes, an all girls pool party is perfection.
Prologue
The last time we did this was 2008. Hence, the "future" part of "future niece." In 2008, the little one was still just my cousin once removed. But then I married her Uncle in 2010. It's really not so complicated or weird as it sounds. Promise.
Anyways, the famous 2008 all girls pool day looked like this.
The Story
However - that was a LONG time ago. Another all girls pool party was definitely in order. I mean, that little baby in those pictures above? Well, now she looks like this:
AND she has multiplied. Or rather we have. There are now THREE little girls.
It's tough to be a kid. Do you see them all geared up for the pool, INSIDE? They had to wait FOREVER for us adults to get suited up and outside.
However, we did mosey outside. And this time around the youngest among us was not so sure about getting in the water. So she chewed on a star and watched from the patio furniture.
But it does look like more fun over there.
And boy, it sure is hot outside.
Hmmm...maybe if Grandma helps me out....
...and the big girls show me the ropes...
....and if Mommy paddles me around.
Heck, who needs mommy? I got this.
She conquered it. She spent most of the remainder of her time independent - floating around with Kailey and Charis.
Which was just fine because then we adults got to have a bit of fun ourselves.
Nothin' but net with Grandma Lords!
After a refreshing dip in the pool we headed inside and got dressed again. We also got the necessary equipment prepped and ready for lunch.
You can't really tell in this picture, but that is a pineapple cup. It fit our summer pool day theme. We also all had flowers in our hair earlier in the day...
Lunch was so good it got devoured before any pictures could be taken. Hamburgers. Potato Salad. Watermelon. Potato Chips. Soda Pop. What more could a tummy desire after a hard swim?
Well, maybe some of this...
A perfect ending.
Maybe we should do this more often than once every five years?
Epilogue
Daddy joined Ammely and me at Grandma and Grandpa Lords that evening after the rest of the girls went home to their men.
He wanted a little swimming action too.
So we suited up again and got into the pool with Daddy.
Unfortunately, it's hard to be the life of the party when there are TWO parties in one day.
I went grocery shopping today. I usually do not enjoy this particular chore. Especially because in these times and at this stage in life I often feel like the buck just doesn't stretch as far as I would like. When you add in trying to buy healthier versions of everything sometimes the cart (and fridge at home) can look a little thin. We're never struggling for meals or anything and we always have what we need...but, well, I guess I'm human. And I find myself wanting more.
However, something magical happened today. I came home and unloaded groceries and do you know what happened?
I couldn't get them all into the fridge.
There was not room.
This has never happened to me.
My grapes shall have to sit out on the counter.
As this was happening I could not help but to hear this in my head:
"Bring ye all the atithes into the storehouse, that there may be bmeat in mine house, and cprove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not dopen you the ewindows of heaven, and pour you out a fblessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." - Malachi 3:10 and 3 Nephi 24:10 (emphasis added)
I'm just feeling blessed today.
The Lord always keeps his promises.
I love when the fulfilling of those promises is so obvious. And I don't want to forget so I'm writing it down.
It is summer. The season of vacations. I find that this is especially true when you live in the desert. Blistering hot summer definitely equals vacation.
And so the day we had been waiting for arrived at last - the day we fly North for a summer adventure:
Day 1
Wednesday, June 19th.
An early rising, a drive to Grandma Baysinger's house, and a drive to Sky Harbor Airport landed us here...
...just watching and waiting, and waiting and watching.
Our turn arrived.
We boarded.
We got comfy.
We gave the baby a bottle.
We flew.
We played puzzles and read books.
We landed. North.
Where is North you ask?
Why, Colorado of course! The land of Grandma and Grandpa Breakall! It's a magical land.
A land where even work is fun.
Waiting for Mommy and Daddy while they get their teeth cleaned at the dentist office Grandma works at. Dr. Lee and Shanna did a great job - our teeth are like new!
A land where the food is full of nothin' but Good Times.
Good Times. The best fast food burger joint in the world. We'd gladly trade In N Out for this place. We realize we may be stoned to death for having this opinion.
A land where the toys are never in shortage.
A land where there is a throne for the princess, snacks on-hand and appropriate entertainment.
Blue's Clues with Apple/Sweet Potato/Pineapple sauce in a Dora chair? Ummm...yes, please.
A land where the princess is famous and lavished with attention.
Grandpa Breakall showing Ammely a video on his phone of Ammely , as seen here.
A land where there are toys for the grown ups too.
Grandpa and Mommy before they took the motorcycle grand tour of Strasburg.
Daddy - cruising off on an adventure of his own.
A land where the cement will not burn your hands and knees as you explore.
A land where Grandpas introduce you to grown up toys.
...and they understand even when you're not quite ready to play with them....
Didn't I tell you this was a magical land of adventure? That is a LOT of awesome for just one day!
Fortunately for us, our vacation was longer than one day. Much more adventure was in store.
Day 2
Thursday, June 20th
We packed up the truck and camper, settled in for a mini-road trip and voyaged on towards the Rockies.
Upon arrival at the beautiful Rock Creek, we quickly unloaded a few of the necessities - such as a place for the baby to play outdoors safely.
That way the men-folk could go and check out the surrounding area. You know, to be sure we had the best spot in all of the Rockies. And to gather for firewood. And to feel the bugs and mosquitos fresh mountain air in their faces.
While waiting for the men to deem our spot "the place" we did just a little exploring of our own.
They did eventually roll back into camp and declared our spot to be the one. Do you see Ammely checking out Grandpa's ride? Hmmmm....maybe that does look like fun. Maybe.
I better check this guy out and make sure he's as fun and safe as everyone says...
While Ammely cozied up to Grandpa, we got all settled in and enjoyed the remaining moments of the evening. Eventually we settled in and hoped for a good night's rest so that we could enjoy the adventures of the day to come.
Day 3
Friday, June 21
Well, the sleep was not great due to a 14-month old bed hog and morning dawned earlier for some than others. The young Daddy was trying to catch any sleep he could with a squirmy little girl next to him. The older Daddy was sticking to his lifelong motto - the early bird gets the worm. Or in this case the early worm gets eaten by a fish.
Rise and shine Ammon! The lil fishies are in the stream, waiting for you!
The boys were up and at 'em from that point on and did a little fishing and a little fire making while we ladies finished getting our beauty sleep.
Then it was time for breakfast. Nothing beats camping breakfast. Pancakes. Eggs. Bacon. Sausage. Cherries. Grapes.
You know it's a good breakfast if by the time you remember to take a picture the only thing left is bacon. That means it was all very good and there was bacon in plenty. Oh yeah.
After breakfast the little girl peeked outside to see if it was worth getting out of her pajamas.
And it was.
She not-so-patiently endured a clothing change before we set her free.
We girls enjoyed a walk up the mountain road while the boys headed out to catch some more fishies.
After the walk, some rehydration and a bit of relaxation the boys returned to camp.
She was very happy to see her Daddy.
And very happy to be set free outside. No playpen. No stroller. Just her and the wildflowers.
The men-folk headed out for some more fishin' and we tried to get the little one to take a nap.
Easier said than done.
There are so many new things to destroy explore.
And Grandma to play games with...
....and read stories with....
...and we had to decorate our hair with wildlfowers..
...and practice our howling abilities, a vital skill to possess when out in the wild. Luckily for our crew, she has this perfected, check it out here.
With no luck at getting the baby to sleep, I left that dirty work to Grandma and headed out to watch the fishing in action.
So beautiful.
So relaxing.
And Ammon even had some success while I was there to see it. He's a fisherman folks. We have pictures to prove it.
And he's manly enough to carry me across the waters...am I a lucky girl or what?
And my Dad pulled a few out of the water too.
Grandma did manage to soothe Ammely into a nap while we were gone and when we got back she was ready to play.
Everything at camp is just her size!
Well, almost everything.
But she'd been on here before. And she'd warmed up to the Grampy. Alright, I'll try this out again.
And she did pretty good.
Only a few sympathy-whines whenever she could see the Mommy and the Daddy. I think she liked it.
I mean, that doesn't look like a child in torment, does it?
Still, she was happy to let Mommy have another ride with Grandpa. Besides, that way she gets to have Daddy all to herself.
She's obviously in love with him.
I guess I'll have to break it to her gently that she can't have him.
Daddy's taken? I won't believe it.
And while Grandpa slaved away with dinner...(an amazing dinner by the way - nothing beats perfectly cooked hot dogs on the campfire)
...we took the chance to get Ammely out on her feet...and snap a picture of the three of us...
After dinner we indulged in another camping delicacy - perfectly roasted marshmallows. Be jealous.
We did a little enjoying.
We played with Grandpa.
And with Mommy.
And we had more awesome bedtime snacks. Like Twinkies...
...and matches.
What is she eating? It's a match! Spit it out Ammely!...yucky!
And thus concludes the Summer Adventures of Day 3. Onward!
Day 4
Saturday, June 22
Did I mention that it makes a lot of sense to fly north for the summer when you live in the desert?
Well it does.
Let's just that back home, you can't wake up to this in June. Or really hardly ever.
Especially when temperatures at home this past week looked like this:
Ewww.
Anyhow, where were we?
Oh yes. The morning. Cool crisp air.
Time to pack up and go home.
But not before we walked Ammely down to the water!
Rock Creek ladies and gentlemen.
It's a beaut.
A little breakfast in us and it was time to load up and head out. Bye bye dirt bike roads. Bye bye frosty mornings. Bye bye beautiful Rocky Mountains.
It wasn't too sad to leave though. Because then we got to do things like shower. And we could still sit outside in the lawn chairs and enjoy. With popsicles no less!
Day 5
Sunday, June 23
Sunday was just as wonderful as every other day. We got all spiffied up and went to church where we got to see Bishop Grandpa Breakall in action. We also discovered that Ammely is more amiable to using her feet in Colorado. Must be the elevation. She circled the church a couple of times, and of course Grandma was ready with the camera.
Once home from church we headed outside to try to take advantage of our spiffiness and Grandma and Grandpa's wheat fields. They turned out pretty cute - just wish we hadn't done it with middle of the day lighting. You can't see our eyes too well. Oh well. Something's better than nothing.
That afternoon family traveled from far and wide to pay us a visit. And while we'd like to think that everyone came to see me and Ammon...
...it was pretty obvious who the main attraction was:
Kailey and Ammely
Ammely, Aunt Kristen, Tasha, Kailey
Aunt Beth; aka the baby whisperer
We can't really blame them though. We think she's pretty fun too.
And she really steps up to the plate when she's the center of attention - look at her standing on her own! She even took a couple wobbly steps.
I'd also like to take this opportunity to say that
1) It was raining - another thing we're not seeing yet back home.
and
2) Why is it that the better family picture is the one taken when you step out quickly for a picture in the rain and you're all in t-shirts and standing in front of everybody's cars? Not the one in the cute clothes in the middle of the wheat field? Sigh. A mother's problems.
It was wonderful to see everybody who made it. It gets harder and harder to get everybody together as the years go by and I'm glad for every moment I get with family.
Day 6
Monday, June 24th
This is the saddest day of them all - the day that marks the end of the Northern Adventure Days.
Still Ammely was pretty happy to try that flying adventure out again.
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands...
And it was especially awesome because Grandma came back with us! Yahoooooo!!
Note: This is what Ammely looked like during the entire flight. Amazing.
Even though it was the end of our northern adventures for the summer, it is not the end of summer adventures. There is more to come.
In the meantime, thank you Grandma and Grandpa Breakall for making our trip so memorable!
A perfect ending.
