Utah Lake

Last weekend we decided to head out to Utah Lake. It was going to be a quick trip for us because we had a lot going on that day. Maggs and Brady had Ava's birthday party at noon and then we were having Brandon's parents over for fathers day dinner at 6:30. We decided that even a couple of hours out on the lake were better than none. So we hurried and packed up all of our gear. Jacks called his friend Ryan to come with us. Brandon and I pretty much grew up on a boat and so we've never realized that kids who have never been to the lake or on a boat are really scared to be out there. It was Ryan's first time and we could tell he was super nervous. After we launched the boat we drove out on the lake a ways and stopped so the kids could swim and we could get things in the boat situated. Ryan jumped in and started to panic. He was afraid that his life jacket wouldn't keep him afloat and he didn't know to use the ladder to get back into the boat. He was DONE getting back in the lake. Brandon and I felt so bad. We decided to blow the tube up for the kids. Ryan was happy to watch the other three get pulled behind the boat. I told Ryan that I was going to ride on the tube with Chloe and I asked him if he would like to go on a really slow ride with us. He still said no. But after watching Chole out there having a good time with me he decided it was safe. We had all six of us on the tube and Brandon was going super slow. Ryan was starting to finally relax and have fun. When I asked if he wanted to go faster he said no. So the whole time I am talking to him and telling him what a good driver Brandon is and that Braden and Maggie have never fallen off our tube before. And while I'm explaining this to him we seem to be going slower and slower..... and turning a little bit. Then suddenly the nose of the tube started to get submerged and we were going in. I held Chole up over my head as high as I could but she still went under the water. It seemed like it took forever for Chloe and I to come up but when we did I was so worried about Ryan.(I knew Chloe was going to be just fine). I started calling out for him and then I looked up and I saw him sitting on the tube gripping both sides. He somehow managed to be the only one who stayed on the tube. Brandon was trying so hard not to laugh at the whole situation and I was trying not to overreact. But once I was sure everyone was safe and happy I started laughing. It really was a great day out on the lake. We finished up our trip with Jacks skiing. He tried to go out of the wake for his first time today and did amazing. He crashed trying to get back in. But he did so great for his first time. I was real proud of him!! Later that night we were fortunate enough to have grandpa and grandma Brooks over for a great dinner. It was a fantastic night to celebrate the men in our life. I truly feel so blessed that my kids have such wonderful examples of what a husband and father should be! Dad, Kay and Brandon I love you all!!

It has been a long time since I've done anything with this blog. I just got out of the habit. The kids are growing up so fast and busy doing everything. Brandon is busy with work, his church calling, coaching Jackson's HC storm soccer team and being a dad. And I've been busy raising a family. I was put in as the young women's secretary last week. They reorganized the whole presidency. Sara Anderson is the new president, Annie Barker-1st councilor, PJ Maughan-2nd councilor. For the lesson I went in with the beehives and the lesson was on journal keeping. After the lesson I felt that this is something that I need to be better about so here it goes. We had a silly thing happen in our family the other week and it's something that I never want to forget. Braden and Maggie had been playing upstairs all afternoon with our neighbor Ava Nielson. I could hear them upstairs playing house. It was time for Ava to leave and so Maggie and Braden headed outside to find some other friends to play with. I was putting a few things away in the garage when Maggie came up to me and said "mom I need to tell you something about Braden. But you have to promise you wont get mad at him." I looked up and I could see Braden hiding in front of our tahoe scared to death. I promised Maggie that I wouldn't get upset and that she could tell me. So Maggie whispered in my ear "Braden kissed Ava today on the lips". We have had a few problems in our neighborhood with the kids making each other kiss and so I asked Maggie if someone made Braden kiss her. The answer was no. I walked over to Braden who looked up at me with his huge brown eyes. I could tell he was really nervous and I asked him if it was true. If he did kiss Ava. He looked at me and said "yes". Then I asked him why he kissed her. And if Maggie made them kiss. The answer was no. So then I asked if Ava made him kiss her. The answer was still no. Then he said "my head just made me do it". I tried so hard not to laugh at his response. It was so honest!! I love this little boy to death and I love being a mom. I explained to Braden that kissing girls is a good thing but that he needed to save his kisses for when he gets older. And for now he should just give his mommy lots and lots of kisses!! When I told Kaci (Ava's mom) the story she asked Ava if Braden had kissed her and her response was just as cute. She said "yeah mom but don't worry I wiped it off".