Change of Plans...

Last weekend Nate's friend invited us to go hang out at his cabin for the weekend. We were excited to go and get away for a bit. The cabin is right by a pond that is stocked with fish and the boys were SO excited to go fishing!!!  They also have a fire-pit on the property, among other things, and the boys were excited to roast hot dogs for dinner.

We had soccer games Saturday morning, so we couldn't leave until lunch time. We figured we would get up there in the early afternoon and then come home Sunday afternoon.

While we were at the game, Nate's friend called and said he was concerned about the conditions of the dirt roads leading up to the cabin because it had rained quite a bit over the last couple of days up there and the roads would be pretty muddy. We figured we could handle a little mud and it wasn't worth calling off the trip.

We left at noon and met our friends and made the hour drive to the turn off. The we had about 14 miles of dirt roads to drive on to get to the cabin property. But the dirt roads were not dirt, they were mud piles by this point. We started off a little sketchy but then we seemed to be doing pretty well. It was a long and tedious drive up the mud hills but we were making good progress. Until we got to the mother of all the hills. Our friends knew there was no way their little SUV would make it so we all piled into our SUV hoping our new tires would make us proud. Nate and I were both really nervous because this was a BIG hill. We were in the middle of nowhere by this point, and we had no cell phone service. Nate offered a prayer that we would make it safely, without incident, and that we wouldn't get stuck. Then we started our climb. We got about 3/4 of the way and then we had to slow down to make the turn and we just couldn't make it. We tried over and over and we were just sliding all over. We debated just hiking in the rest of the way (about another mile to the cabin) but it just wasn't worth it with all of our luggage, ankle deep mud, and 6 little ones between our two families. So, we backed down the mother of a hill, and retraced our progress back down the miles of mud we had already conquered and came home. Very disappointing. But the worst part was, it was our friend's little girl's birthday that day and they had been telling her for 2 months that they were going to take her to the cabin for her birthday. They had all of Maggie's party stuff in the car ready for celebrating. She was one sad 6 year old!

So we headed back to our homes, power washed 87 lbs. of mud off our cars, unloaded our coolers, and asked Maggie what she wanted to do for her birthday instead of go to the cabin. She reluctantly agreed to a movie so we headed off to the theater to see Zookeeper. But, as our streak of disappointment continued, we got the to theater only to find out that the movie was sold out. Strike 2...

So...what now? Out of desperation her dad suggested miniature golf. We headed to Cherry Hill and thank heavens...they were open. So we had a fun playing golf.

The cheater

I know the ball is in here somewhere...

How does this thing work?

Preston's form was so awful, we aren't sure how he ever actually hit the ball.  And after all those "golf etiquette" lessons from dad...

Our unconventional way of golfing...Lauryn on Nate's shoulders while he lines it up.

Almost a Four!

After golf, we went to our friend's house for a BBQ and a Birthday party.  Maggie seemed all smiles by the end of her day.  And although the weekend didn't go as planned, we were grateful that we didn't get stuck, and that we all made it home safely.

This is what happens when Daddy's in charge...

Our diaper ends up on our head!

Speaking of Spencer...

Spencer just started his third season of soccer.  He has always enjoyed playing soccer but he is not that super athletic, coordinated, outgoing kid that you usually see excelling at soccer.  I have been really proud of him for trying and at least having fun with it.  However- this season is different!  Spencer has been playing AMAZINGLY well!  He is running much faster, he's trying harder, he's paying close attention to the game.  It feels like I can physically see how much he has matured and grown just in the last six months.  I can't believe how much he is growing up. He has only had two games so far and he has already scored 3 goals! (after scoring 1 goal all last season)

(He's the one in red and black leading the pack)

He had a game this morning and they had a much bigger field to play on than usual.  It was nearly double the size they're used to.  Only four boys showed up to play so there were NO subs.  And the other team was really good.  Spencer got out there and played his heart out.  He stayed right in the game and played the best I have seen him.  He was loving it.  I kept waiting for a breakdown out of frustration that he was too tired, it was too hot, and the other team was too good and he wanted to sit out.  But the breakdown never came. He just kept a smile on his face and kept running. 

And three (exhausting) quarters into the game, Spencer took the ball all the way from half field to the goal all by himself and scored his teams one and only goal of the game.  I have never been so proud in my whole life!  I was yelling and screaming like a crazy mom.  I was just bursting with giddiness.  Not just because he scored a goal, but because my quiet, little, passive, insecure, shy, stubborn, Spencer - stuck with something he enjoys, tore off that shell he lives inside of, and went for something big and intimidating, and succeeded!!!  The whole team was cheering for him and he was beaming. This is what I had hoped Spencer would gain from playing soccer, a good work-out, a fun time, and some self-esteem and confidence.  And to know that if there's something in life that he is determined to achieve, if he really sets his mind to it, and works hard, he can do anything!  

Enjoying a well deserved, celebratory lime rainbow after the game!

Great job Spencer!

We have a 7 year old!

 Spencer's birthday was yesterday and it is still not sinking in that he is 7 years old! He requested a "Sea Monster" birthday this year. I can't say I ever envisioned myself pulling together a sea monster themed birthday party.

He got to open a few presents in the morning when he woke up. He got a couple of toy sea monsters (thank heaven for the Internet) and a sea monster National Geographic movie.

Then he chose "snakes" (sliced crepes), sausage, and orange juice for breakfast.

After breakfast, Nate and I took Spencer out to do some fun stuff with just the three of us.  We took him to Clark Planetarium to see a movie about sea monsters called SEA REX in 3D! 

Here he is waiting for the show to start with his 3-D glasses and a green slushy.

Then we took Spencer out to lunch. He requested Red Robin because they have "The best macaroni and cheese in the whole world!"

Mmmmm!

Here is his sea monster cake.

He wanted his cake to be, "A sea monster that kind of looks like a snake with big teeth" (I don't know why the pictures are so dark).

Party time!

What an adorable party guest!

Time for more presents!

We gave Spencer some new swimming goggles, and a new swim suit and then we told him he is going to take swimming lessons for his birthday gift.  He loves to swim and he'll love it!

still more presents!

Spencer with Papa & Grandma Martin

and Grandma & Grandpa Monson

I think Spencer had a great day! We are so proud of him. He is such a smart boy. He loves school and he loves to learn. He is doing great learning French and making new friends this year. Preston is lonely all afternoon waiting for his big brother to come home from school. And Lauryn gets so excited walking to the bus stop in the afternoon because she knows Spencer is coming home. She adores her big brother! And Spencer loves Sasha so much and he takes such good care of her. He has such a good caring heart. He loves to have fun and we love having fun with him. Happy Birthday Bud!

Third Birthday!

We celebrated Addelyn's birthday last week. We went to dinner first. Lauryn enjoyed dipping her crayons into her applesauce and licking it off.

We had a nice dinner together.

Then we had a party for Addelyn at her grave.  Here we are sending our balloon messages to her in heaven...

and off they go!

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl.