Roughin' it

Last weekend we went back to Bear Lake but took the trailer and roughed it this time. We took a couple of families from Trent's work up with us and had a great time.My sister Mikah taught Teegan to say, "Would you like a slice of cheese?" and show a little leg when you say it. I don't get it....are they referring to cottage cheese legs?? If so, he ain't got any! Speaking of legs.....look at these bird legs. Jaysie is just a bean pole. Rachel gets a chuckle every time she sees Jaysie in a swimming suit because she definitely doesn't have the Meyer legs. Baby Kate on the other hand is just rolls of fun. She wasn't too fond of the cold, wet grass I made her lay on to get this picture. She is really starting to babble and can say Da-Da now. I'm working with her every day to try and say Ma-Ma. No luck yet...
Trent usually climbs poles that go the other direction...
Geez...trying to get this picture was like pulling teeth! I got called Krystyn and Grandpa Bitton (those in the family will understand) for just asking for a simple smile. Oh well, I guess fake and crazy smiles (Teegan) will have to do.

Trent to the rescue!

Thought I'd share some stories about my beloved husband, Trent. It seems like lately he has been in the right place at the right time when it comes to helping people in need. A few months back a car went of off the N.O. Divide and luckily our neighbor saw it happen and called 911. The sirens started heading up the divide but they couldn't see the car anywhere. The EMT's finally located the vehicle down in a ravine but didn't know how they were going to get the injured man off the mountain because no vehicles could get to him. Trent got on his new toy (the one that we've plastered pictures of all over this blog) and went down to check out the scene. The EMT's decided to strap the guy to our Ranger and take him up to the ambulance. From then on, we've called it the Rescue Ranger.
So then we go up to Bear Lake and decide to go get the famous "Rasberry Shake" one evening. As we are headed down the road we see flames and sparks up ahead. When we get closer Butch notices that a live power line is down. Trent springs into action again! He works with power lines every day, so this is right up his ally. He called the power co. and gives them all the in depth details and makes sure that everyone is safe until the situation is under control. You could see in his face that he LOVED every minute of it. If he would've had his tools and climbing gear, he would have been up that pole fixing it himself. He cracks me up!! Just glad that he loves what he does for a living....
Then the next day....we are headed to church (in Bear Lake)and running late. We pass an old man who was kneeling by the side of the road with a cane in his hand. We couldn't tell if he needed help or not....we thought he might be fixing a sprinkler or something. Trent finally said, "Let's go back and ask if he's o.k. I'd rather ask and know that he's o.k., then worry about it." We backed up and asked him if he needed help. He had been on a walk and said that his legs just gave out on him and he couldn't get up. So we helped him up and took him back home. Poor guy had to be in his 90's and could hardly see. Trent stopped by and checked up on old Russ Cottle after church and he seemed to be doing fine. We were thankful that Trent decided to back up and help good old Russ.
These few moments have made me realize that it is important to take the blinders off and look at our surroundings and notice those in need. It also made me proud to have such a wonderful husband!

Bear Lake

Took Grandma and Grandpa on a ride up Fish Haven canyon. What a beautiful place!
Trent and kids on top of the mountain overlooking Bear Lake.

The passing of our dog Sydney

We lost a member of our family last Saturday. Our dear dog, Sydney, was put to rest after suffering from liver cancer for the last 6 months. Trent and I were working in the yard Saturday morning and had noticed that Sydney was starting to fall when she walked and couldn't lay down because her stomach was so distended. The kids were gone to Grandma's house, so we decided it was time to put her down. I said my goodbye's and shed a few tears before Trent took her on her last truck ride down to the vet. He said it was even tough for him...he shed a few tears too.
We thought we'd wait for the kids to notice that she was gone before we had "the talk" with them. They didn't even notice that she was gone until Sunday afternoon after dinner. Jaysie wanted to give her leftover corn on the cob to the dogs. When she went outside to call for the dogs, we figured we'd better say something. We told them the news and they actually didn't seem too sad about it. Teegan didn't care....he was asking if we could get a new dog before the conversation was over. Jaysie seemed o.k. about it until she came back upstairs and had a few minutes to think about it. Trent asked her if she was o.k. and then the tears started to flow. She wanted to know where Sydney was buried....we didn't quite know how to answer that one. She asked if Sydney was buried next to my parent's dog, Jessie, that died a few months back and we thought that sounded good, so we we went with that one. It took about 5 minutes and Jaysie was over it and on to asking for a new dog just like Teegan.
We'll miss her crooked head and obnoxious bark every time we came home.....We had her for almost 10 years but still have our 12 year old deaf, arthritic Oakley to love for now. As much as we grumble over chewed up shoes or poop on the lawn, we still love 'em.

Summer begins.....

Summer is here! Atleast that's what the calendar says...the weather hasn't cooperated yet, so I don't have any sunny outdoor pool pictures. I took the kids to the Clearfield Aquatic Center a few months ago. How come kids always look cute in swimming suits?? My baby sister Mikah joined us....she is like an older sister to my kids, but better. They aren't with each other 24/7, so they actually look forward to seeing each other and get along well.I can't seem to rotate this picture....but this was Kate's 1st day at the pool. She was about 3 months old and loved it!!

The school year is over....

Jaysie in her Starfish costume for her "Oceans of Fun" 1st grade play. She had the opening line and annunciated her words clearly, as practiced. It was pretty good...for a 1st grade play.

Kate and Jaysie after the play. Kate got sunburned (OUCH!) and she's got some funky tongue thing going on...... Jaysie is standing by some of the sea creatures she made for the backdrop.