We started the month out strong...and barely survived the end. But we're still grateful for July
Random photo of Tanner enjoying our sectional...It has probably been our favorite big purchase. Even if it took almost a year to get the whole couch, it was worth the wait.
We went down at the beginning of the month to celebrate Terron's birthday. We played at the church for a while and then had a campfire and followed that up with delicious cake.
The next day we went on an epic bike ride as a family. We borrowed a bike trailer and didn't realize it wouldn't work with Tanner or my bike until we got to the trail. So we improvised and put the trailer on Mariah's bike. I decided I would be the one to pull the girls because I felt like the bike would be way too small for Tanner. Chet rode on my bike and Mariah was on his. Chet about gave me a heart attack multiple times on my huge bike. But he only fell off the seat once and was able to walk it off.
I started out pretty well, but when we got to the first hill I began to struggle. I was determined not to stop because I knew if I did Tanner would take over. I was huffing and puffing but was doing ok, and then Eliza started honking the bike horn that Mariah had given her. I knew we were quite the spectacle and there were a lot of people passing us. So then I started laughing...and let me just say, you can't pedal up hill while laughing, or at least I can't. So Tanner turned around and saw me pushing the bike up the hill and immediately insisted on taking over. His knees stuck out so far and I'm really sad I didn't get a picture of him on the bike. I kept hearing circus music in my head whenever I looked back at him. Needless to say, he turned around pretty quickly after that and went back to get the truck.
The older three decided they wanted to ride the whole way which was around 12 miles. Austin started to fade and get pretty discouraged before we were even halfway through but I did some major cheerleading and he had a total mind shift. He used his "pancake power" and I was really impressed with how he did on his little bike. At one point we were trucking along pretty good and we passed by a big feather on the side of the trail. Austin immediately screeched on his brakes and shouted in his awesome squeaky voice, "Mom! Did you see that feather?" But I encouraged him to keep pedaling because I was afraid if he lost his momentum it would all be over.
We met up with Tanner at the Cordova observatory tower; there are 170 steps to the top. I thought it might be the complete undoing of Austin after his long bike ride but he went right up with Tanner and then went up a second time with Chet and I. If the bike ride didn't humble me enough, those stairs definitely made it clear how out of shape I am. I started out running up them and was doing pretty well, but then my brain caught up with my legs and remembered my lack of physical fitness...
The boys kept daring me to drop my phone off the tower to "see what would happen." And that is one reason why parents are important...
If you're ever looking for someone to teach you how to look as big as possible in a picture, I'm your girl.
We ended our adventure with some delicious ice cream and then headed home. We had a friend from church over for dinner and Tanner made a delicious meal.
I was able to convince the girls to dress up for the Fourth...Eliza only kept that dress on for pictures and then immediately changed into her green dress that she wears every Sunday...I'll take what I can get.
One of the handsome boys...minus Tanner. He was probably avoiding me.
After church and a baptism (how did we ever do three hour church?!) we headed to Aunt Brittany's and were able to see Aunt Heidi who had come out to visit.
We made our Tres Leche cake and sang Happy Birthday to America.
While driving home from Kirksville, I remembered that the fire works were that night. I was feeling pretty good and so I asked the kids if they wanted to go to the fireworks. Tanner was surprised at my enthusiasm and was more than happy to stay home with Vivi. By the time we had reached home I was regretting my decision because I felt so tired. But I had already promised so we packed up some camp chairs and headed out to the reservoir. Eliza's reaction to seeing fireworks for the first time made it all worth it.
The kids found a nest in a tree in our front yard and used my phone to see if there were eggs in it. They were pretty excited when they hatched.
Uglybirds being Ugly...if you know the reference, you must be a parent.
We've spent lots of time at the pool. I don't do a good job taking pictures. But I had to document Eliza trying to eat the popcorn as quickly as she could before her siblings saw her. It's a tough world being one of five kids...and she is a survivor.
I got to go to our Church's Young Women's camp again. This time I didn't have to do any planning and was just able to help out and have fun with the girls. And I've decided that is the best way to do camp. It was wonderful to be out in nature and be surrounded by uplifting, joyful people. It doesn't get much better than nature and working to get closer to our Savior. I was so grateful for Tanner, Brittany, and my in laws for holding down the fort back home.
They made some pretty cool chalk art while I was gone.
On the drive home from camp Tanner called me to ask the best method for removing throw up from the rug. And that is how he gently warned me of what I was coming home to. The oldest three kids went with Grandma and Grandpa down to Kirksville to surprise Miri for her birthday and Mariah threw up in the yard right when they got back. She was up all night with the flu and I was up with Vivi quite a bit through the night. I was already pretty sleep deprived from camp so I felt like a zombie. The flu slowly began to travel through the family.
On Monday the 25th, Tanner came home from racquetball hobbling and informed me that he had ruptured his achilles. He then showered and hobbled off to work. I started to feel sick that Thursday and while I was laying in bed feeling sorry for myself Austin threw up all over his bed. Tanner hobbled in to "help" and I thanked him for his willingness and told him to go lay down. while cleaning up Austin's mess, I had to take a break to throw up in a bowl and then went right back to cleaning...I had to laugh, because the alternative was crying and I didn't think that would help.
On Saturday those of us who were finally healthy went to our church's Pioneer Day Activity. This is to celebrate the early members of our church who were driven from their homes in Nauvoo, Illinois and traveled all the way to Utah. The kids participated in a stick pulling tournament and a three-legged race. I even joined in with Eliza.
Brittany came up yet again to watch the kids during Tanner's surgery. He usually wakes up from surgeries super chipper and ready to eat anything. But that was not the case this time. He was super groggy, his mouth was dry and nothing sounded good to him. When we got home I asked what he wanted for dinner and he said pretzels and soft serve ice cream, half jokingly. It was a treat that he loved to have back in Junior High. So the next day the kids and I surprised him by making pretzels and running down to the local ice cream shop and getting soft serve ice cream.
He was delighted.
And that was what we had for dinner...nutrition!
At the end of the month Chad surprised Tanner and came out for a few days. I had to leave early in the morning to pick up some youth from a church camp so I didn't get to see the surprise. But it was so wonderful to spend some time with him. The kids especially loved having him here and never left his side. He even played some soccer with them which was a highlight. They've heard many stories about his amazing soccer skills and were excited to challenge him.
So July didn't go quite as we had planned...but Tanner is a trooper and is already back at work. We are so grateful for his coworkers that have made it doable for him and for all the people who have offered to help. We really appreciate you all so much! We're not sure yet what we're supposed to learn from this but we know that it's all part of Heavenly Father's plan.
And here's some beautiful things about July...
