Last Trip For the Summer

We love going up to Brad's family's cabin in Island Park each summer, but when planning this year we decided to do it earlier than normal so we did not have issues with me being pregnant.  So we planned a trip with our friends, Doug and Natasha and their two boys, and went up from June 14-17.

Going up in June was really nice because it was much cooler than when we typically go up in July.  Doug and his family have never been to Yellowstone so we went into Yellowstone on Friday.  With two little boys (4 and 18 months) it made the trip a little interesting because they would get restless and bored pretty fast.  We stopped at a few geysers, saw Old Faithful blow, and saw LOTS of animals (elk, a grizzly bear, bison, and antelope).  After a half day in Yellowstone, the boys were done, so we went back to the cabin.

Brad loves to fish in Island Park, so he and Doug brought their fishing stuff.  Doug thought his 4-year-old would enjoy it too, so they took him to the kiddie pond after we got back from Yellowstone.  I stayed behind at the cabin (as fishing bores me) while everyone else went.  Not 10 minutes later did Natasha come back inside carrying her 18-month-old who was drenched from head to toe.  He is a fast little guy who loves to climb on everything and destroy everything he touches.  Apparently she had turned around for a second and he dashed straight into the pond ending in a face plant.  I'm sad I missed it because it sounds pretty funny.  Natasha rescued him right away of course.

Saturday morning, Brad and Doug went fishing, just the two of them.  While they were gone, Natasha and I spent the morning doing our best to entertain the boys.  When Brad and Doug finally came back, we headed into West Yellowstone were we went to a Bear/Wolf Preserve.  Brad and I had never heard of this place, but basically it houses animals that are unable to live in the wild (usually due to injury).  We got to see lots of grizzly bears, wolves, and some birds (bald eagle, a hawk, an owl, and 2 golden eagles).  We learned that golden eagles will attack deer (these birds are massive) and that one of the wolf packs in Yellowstone specializes in hunting bison.  Crazy.  After this adventure, we walked around a few stores in West Yellowstone, but once again did not stay too long before one of the 4-year-old was done.

Sunday we went and looked at Big Springs, where the Henry Fork of the Snake River starts, and a cabin that was built by this 4'11" guy back in the 1800's.  Doug loved it because of all the intricate work and really chatted up with the volunteers at the house learning all about it.  It was pretty funny.  After this, we split off and headed our separate ways back home.  Brad and I were able to visit my little sister in Rexburg and then make it back home in time for Father's Day Dinner.

I say it's the last trip of the summer because as it was, I did not do a whole lot of activity in Island Park because it was easier to stay sitting in the cabin/car.  And while the temperatures were in the 60's, it could still get a little warm if you were in the sun.  Needless to say, I will not be going on any more trips until after this baby comes.  I'm glad we were able to go on one last trip and enjoy the beautiful Island Park.

When It Rains It Pours

Well, this week has been extremely emotional and hard.  Last week ended with getting some big bills for my teeth.  Yay. With 2 insurances, getting bills has been a bit of a slow process, which on the one hand is nice, but on the other I just want to be done with them.  But getting 2 pretty hefty bills back to back is not easy to handle.  Brad and I also have been talking about getting 6 new tires (4 for my car and 2 for his) because our tires are getting a little worn.

Then Sunday ended on a bad note.  Sorry, no details, it was just bad, always is with stubborn bull-headed clashing.

I figured that was enough bad for a while, so when Brad and I left for work Monday morning I just kept thinking about how excited I was for my doctor's appointment that morning where we would get to see our baby again.  Everything went great on my drive until I got to Lehi, where all the crappy i-15 core construction starts.  My car all of a sudden started to wobble/shake pretty good.  I figured it must be the lane, even though it looked pretty smooth.  So I changed lanes.  Shaking did not stop and now there was an awful noise.  I was next to a semi so I wondered if it was him...and then a piece of tire went flying past my car.  Crap, I knew I was sunk.  Luckily I was close to an exit so I got over and took the exit and parked in Subway.  I probably went a little farther then I should have before stopping, but pulling over on the freeway terrifies me.  I was already freaking out.

Well, at Subway I got out of the car and went and looked at my tires.  Low and behold, my back right tire looked like shrapnel had come spitting out of it because it had 6 nasty/jagged holes in the tire wall and was completely flat.  Good news to the bad news was that the whole tire had not blown off, so my driving had at least been on a bit of rubber instead of just my rims/wheel.  However, the rim still looked all scratched.

Not my tire, but pretty close to what mine looked like

I have watched Brad change a tire once, so I new where all the stuff was in the car.  But I was freaking out, a blown tire was not what we needed right now, plus I was going to be late to work.  So I called Brad.

Brad is an amazing guy.  He has been my calm, comforter this whole awful week.  He told me to calm down and that he was on his way.  When I told him that I was trying to follow the picture and jack up the car, he just told me to sit in the car and wait for him, not because he didn't think I could figure it out, but I always not in a good state of mind and not sure if I was doing it right.  So I sat and used my handy smart phone to find tire stores near by.  I also called my manager and let her know that I would be late.

Well Brad showed up and got right down to the business of changing my tire.  I meant to take a picture of it, but for some reason my poorly functioning brain only thought I would use the picture to show Brad, who was going to see it anyways, so I did not take one.  Oh well, it looked awful.  Brad gave me his keys and told me to go to work and that he would take care of the tire and meet me for the doc appt.

Work thank goodness was not too crazy that morning.  Brad just had all 4 tires replaced.  At least we drive cars that do not require really expensive tires, but it's still a lot of pay for when we were not planning on it just then.  My appointment went great.  Our baby weighs 3 lbs (which the doc said is good and normal for 28 weeks) and everything looks great.  They took some 3D ultrasound pictures which was really neat to see what her face looks like.  She already has some chub to her cheeks.

I made it through the rest of my work week in one piece, no more blown tires for Brad or I, and I finally slept well last night.  I have only gotten through this week because of my amazing husband.  He has calmed me down after everything that has happened, wiped away my tears, held me close, and rubbed my back to help me sleep.  Thank goodness for my husband!  I do not know what I would do without him.

Brad lost his softball game Monday night, which was sad.  He played really well though, so despite the loss he took it pretty well (Brad is pretty competitive so once again I was amazed by his calmness).  Then last night we were all suprised to learn that Brad's little sister, Christine, put her mission papers in and she called to tell me she was opening her call.  She is going to the Monrose, New Jersey mission!  We are so excited for her, the little sneak.  Apparently my scream of surprise made everyone laugh when she told me she was going on a mission.  Luckily she leaves a month after our baby girl should be hear, so she will at least get to meet her niece.

It's been a rough week, but I know we will make it through.  Thank goodness for sturdy/calm umbrellas in rain storms!

Oh and funny enough it did rain this week and we have gotten some strong wind storms.  So fitting for my week.