A Scare, Buffalo Bill, Blood, and Books

I'm trying to catch up a bit, as I fell behind with blogging after our lovely trip to UT.  :)

Week of 3/3-3/8

Reid and I often, morbidly, joke that Rhett has a death wish.  He has "close calls" all the time and, so far, has caused us the most grief of any of the boys when it comes to physical danger.  (Others top the charts in other grief categories).  Well, I had a lovely friend take Connor for the day so I could spend more time than usual up in Billings.  Rhett was my little shopping buddy.  Our first stop was Target.  We leisurely browsed through the store.  Rhett thought he was cool stuff wearing these sunglasses (looking at himself in the mirror).

This kid is not one to sit still in the cart.  (Is there such a kid??)  He's always wriggling out of buckles, standing up, etc.  I'm constantly telling him to "sit down" and pull every trick I have out of my purse to get him to do so.  This day was no different.  I gave him my phone to play on while he sat in the big part of the cart.  It kept him content for quite awhile.  

As we were perusing the beautiful throw pillows, Rhett stood up (again) and as I reached to sit him down, he fell backward out of the cart, landing on the back of his head with a THUMP on the tile floor. 

 My. heart. stopped.  

You just envision these things as a mother, every time he'd stand up, I'd envision this happening.  Then it happened!  He yelped out so loud.  I quickly picked him up and held him.  Then, he went quiet, and limp, and was trying to close his eyes.  DUDE!  I did everything I could to keep his eyes open.  He would still respond to me so, thankfully, not unconscious.  He didn't have any blood, but a big red spot/bump.  I was nervous that he hurt his neck, since he didn't want to hold his head up.  I ditched my cart, and walked fast out to the car, just shaking.  He just laid on my shoulder.  I panicked.  Being far from home, I didn't know if I should take him to the ER, try to find an urgent care close by, etc.  I decided to call my pediatrician's nurse and explain his symptoms to find out what I should do.  She decided he had a mild concussion, and told me to keep him awake for awhile, then told me the signs of brain trauma to watch for.  Eeeek.  I knew he'd fall right asleep if I attempted to drive the 1.5 hrs home, so I gave him a sucker, and we went to Costco.  I held him for the first little while, then he started to get back to his happy self.  After about a half hour, he was saying hi to everyone we passed, and just being sweet.  Oh, I was so relieved.  I am SO glad his injury wasn't more serious.  I felt so horrible for letting it happen.  That awful image of him falling backward, that I can't shake, reminds me to keep him secure, despite his fits.  This experience definitely makes the Top 5 Most Terrifying Events in my career as a mother.  Oh, that boy!

The boys had Friday off of school, and Reid had the day off work, so we headed to Cody, WY to visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.  It includes five different museums, and we hadn't explored any of  them yet.  I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the museums.  It didn't have as much for younger kids, as I had hoped, but I'd love to go back with Reid to spend more time reading the stories and captions.

An exhibit at The Plains Indians Museum

One of the museums is the Cody Firearms Museum.  It "houses the most comprehensive collection of American firearms in the world."  I think our brother-in-law Cody would be in heaven here.  The name is fitting.  :)  Sorry for the blurry pic!  I had little ones hanging on my arms at this point.

Lest we have an uneventful trip, Jack decided to make it eventful by slicing his finger while shooting one of the pistols in a shooting game.  He started yelping and freaking out.  It was bleeding pretty good, and started to drip.  I ran with him to the info desk asking for a bandaid.  Surely they would have a first aid kit?  No luck.  We hustled to the bathroom, leaving a trail of blood and cries behind us.  It was a sight.  

(We found a band aid and all was well.)

Clark taking pictures in front of the shooting games.

 In other news, I attempted to finish The Goldfinch for book club, but just couldn't get into it.  The book was LONG, the print was tiny.  It's set in NYC, and the "F" word is used freely.  Just wasn't into it.  

I finished Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver.  I wasn't a big fan of this book.  It had a Groundhog Day feel (minus the hilarity of Bill Murray).  I ended up skimming through the last 1/4 of it.  The main character is in a group of "mean girls", and I just didn't care for her character or voice.  I was a little bummed, because I really liked Lauren Oliver's Delirium series.

St. Patty's Day rant?

So we're not big St. Patrick's Day celebrators. We wear green if we feel like it and maybe eat some green food if I'm feeling saucy.  :)  Growing up, we celebrated my brother, Patrick. Haha.

Today, one of my sons REALLY wanted to wear a new shirt that Reid brought him from his recent business trip, and didn't care to wear any green.  He assured me this is what he wanted to wear, even after reminding him about St. Patrick's Day.

After school, my heart broke to see my tough son's chin quiver, trying not to cry, as he told me it was not a good day at school today.  He had been pinched repeatedly for not wearing green, and some kids wouldn't stop after he asked them to.  (Bravo to the couple that did stop).  Poor kid.  He's not the type to complain or get his feelings hurt easily, so to see him so sad was heartbreaking. 

Can we please stop with the pinching??  It's not a fun tradition. 

I'm positive I participated in this awful tradition in my youth, and feel terrible. Oy.  With the pinching and the naughty leprechauns, I'm just not a fan!

Keeping it real.

Dinosaurs, Guns, and Falcons (aka Trip to UT)

The kids were off school Feb 27 & 28 for the Regional Basketball Tournament (a tradition around here), and I'd been itchin' to get outta town.  So, I packed up the boys and we headed to Utah at noon on Wednesday.  Unfortunately, Reid didn't get to come with us.  We've got the 8 hr drive down to a system.  We rent 2 movies from Redbox, load up on snacks, stop 2 times, and we're there.  The drive is actually pretty pleasant.  Not much traffic to deal with, so it's not very stressful.  I listened to the audiobook Midnight in Austenland, by Shannon Hale (Sequel to Austenland).

Sunset near Evanston, WY

Middle of nowhere, WY (through the Wildlife Open Range)

Heading up to South Pass, WY

We stayed with Megan's family in Sandy on Wednesday night.  The cousins were so happy to see each other.  Megan had kept our visit a surprise for her kids.  Megs and I went for a lovely walk after the kiddos were in bed.  We had a huge snowstorm come through Cowley right before we left, so to walk around without a coat, or boots was thrilling.  We stayed up WAY too late talking in her front room, like sisters do.

Thursday, we chilled at Megans.  It was super rainy!  While Avery was at school, I took the boys up to Ogden for a quick visit with our friends (Parkers).  It was great to see them in between their move from CT to WA.  Rhett won over Alissa's mom pretty quick.  Their girls are so adorable, and girly!  I love it.  Robbie and Alissa continue to inspire me in so many ways.  My mom came up to Megan's after work, and we got take-out from The Cheesecake Factory, since I've been sitting on a bunch of gift cards I earned from mystery shopping in Oregon.  Yum.  Later, mom and I took all the kiddos down to stay at their house in Orem, since Megan had a Girls Camp Mtg to go to.

Millie Vanillie

Friday morning we met up with Megan and Millie at the Museum of Ancient Life (a.k.a. Dinosaur Museum) at Thanksgiving Point.  I think the boys liked the Tinkering room the best this time.  We got yummy artery-clogging food at JCW's for lunch afterward.   Hello onion rings, fries, fry sauce, bacon burger, and a chocolate peanut butter milkshake!  Mmmm.  When we got home, the babies took naps, and the older kids played the Xbox connect and out on the swings.

Digging for fossils

Don't worry, they're dead.

After everyone else got off of work, we all met at Grandma and Grandpa Jackson's house up at Sundance for dinner.  Rachel and Jordon made the trip down from BYU-Idaho, so all 5 of us siblings were in town together.  It was awesome!  I took the kids on a ride up and down the in-house elevator.  They thought that was SO COOL.  Grandma sent me home with a bunch of old photos of her ancestors to add to FamilySearch.org.

We had fun playing games and chatting back at Mom and Dad's house all together after the kiddos went to bed.  Rachel, Megs, and I stayed up way too late (again) talking, painting our nails, and laughing at inside jokes.  I love my sisters!!

Saturday morning started off with the traditional Saturday Morning Music playing while Mom and Dad made us a lovely breakfast of eggs, bacon, and Dad's famous pancakes.  We also had some Daylight Donuts and dancing in the kitchen to top it off.

I remember most Saturday mornings growing up starting this way - it was a super happy atmosphere that just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy to think about.  I love these traditions, and find myself continuing them in my own home.  Of course, Saturday was also a day to work hard so after we were all nice and full of happy endorphins, we were put to work.  (Luckily, I got out of mowing the lawn this visit).

We made a stop into our family favorite Mexican restaurant, Los Hermanos, for lunch.  (Thanks for watching the kids mom!).  Then, Dad took us all out to some fields in Vineyard to shoot guns, ride ATVs, and watch one of his falcon's fly. We had a blast!  It was the first time that the boys have seen the falcons in action.  The sky was stormy, but looked really cool to me.  Thankfully, the rain held out until we were finished.  I am always in awe of the mountains there. (More pics on next post)

Dad, me, and peregrine falcon Shockanah

Saturday night we had pizza and then played Guitar Hero after the kiddos were in bed.  It's always a party with the sibs.  Mom and Dad were both wiped out and fell asleep on the couch (pretty much a nightly occurrence) while we rocked on.

Sunday we went to church.  It's always fun to see old neighbors, Sunday School teachers, and YW leaders from the ward I grew up in.  Many of them had such an influence on my life, and I just admire them so much.  We had a yummy dinner of Hash Tacos, a family tradition that a lot of people think is nasty. My cousin Alli and her family stopped by for a visit.  And, lucky them, they got to try some.  :)  I think they actually liked them.

We had to say goodbye to everyone Sunday evening.  It breaks my heart to see Avery cry about saying goodbye to my boys.  I'm glad they like each other so much.  I hope my boys stay close to their cousins.  I grew up close to my cousins, and they are still some of my very best friends.

The drive home on Monday  was uneventful UNTIL between Worland and Basin.  I got pulled over.  Lol.  In the exact same spot I got pulled ov
er last summer.  You think I would have learned!  Luckily, he gave me a warning, and sent me on my way.  I think I've learned my lesson now.

South Pass, WY

We came home to another 8 in. of snow covering Cowley.  Crazy!

Our home is at the end of this road.

Overall, it was a fabulous trip!  More pics to follow in separate post.

Sunset when we got home.

More UT pics!

Little Patrick and I

Danaan, Patrick, and I took a ride in the ATV

Jack in the ATV.  Danaan & Heather took the kids for rides.

Lined up for shooting

Aunt Rachel teaching Connor how to shoot a BB gun

Clark had fun shooting his bow

Danaan taught Heather how to shoot

Mom, Millie, and Patrick watching the shooting

Dad explaining how things work

Shockanah with her hood on pre-flight

Gorgeous view of the mountains, Dad's falcon flying 

Connor, Alex, Clark watching the falcon fly

Watching the falcon fly!

Dad and his two lovebirds

Connor, Alex, and Clark with Gpa and Shockanah post-flight

I cannot get over the UT mountains!  They're GORGEOUS!  

The sky was crazy awesome.  I could see the Mt. Timpanogos temple over there in the sunshine.

Clark, Jack, and Avery Playing in the water & sand at the Dinosaur Museum (Millie, Megs, and Alex in the background)

Rhett had a ball.  He was content to stay in this area for a LONG time.

Uncle Jordon and Clark (photobombed by our Senior Pictures)

Connor and Alex  walked around with pencils in their ears saying "We are fixers!"  We thought it was so adorable, until Jack came up and said "Alex & Connor drew all over the walls!".  It was all over the freshly painted walls downstairs.

Handsome Rob, Dad's prairie falcon, chillin' in the living room