{Sisters}

 

Eighteen Years Ago...

Eighteen years ago on July 25, Jer and I were married in the Salt Lake Temple. This year for our anniversary, we went to Lagoon. Romantic, right? It was actually Lagoon day for Market Star so we took advantage of the freebies.

I had to work in the morning so as soon as I got home we loaded the kids up and went to Lagoon. Around 5:00 they started the dinner in the pavilion. We try not to complain about Lagoons bad cooking since it's free for us, but you'd think they could learn to cook a burger. After/during dinner, they do a raffle/drawing for all the employees. Last year we sat and complained the whole time about how our dad never wins. This year we actually hoped he might not win since the prizes pushed us beyond our normal limits at Lagoon.

We won these tickets for the Catapult. Ugh. So I spent the rest of the evening stressing because I'm too cheap to let them go unused and I didn't want to be the one to use them. Josh worked on Emma for a few hours - convincing her that she would regret it forever if she didn't do it.

One thing that is a must at Lagoon is the train. It's a nice way to cool off and relax for a minute. I asked Josh to take a pic of Jer and I and between Jer's willingness to be in a pic and Josh's willingness to take it, this is what we get (below). Fabulous, right? At least Jer is smiling. He says he hates Lagoon, but I don't believe him. It's no Disneyland and it surely isn't what it was as a kid, but it's still fun. I made Josh and Emma go on the Spider with me and I screamed like a little girl the whole time. I thought Josh was going to pee his pants 'cause he was laughing at me so hard. I'm such a wanny in my old age. Erin always loves the Music Express and giggles the entire time. I think she likes any ride where she get's to smash me.

This one is the pic Erin took. A little more in focus. Cheesy, but in focus.

Eventually, Josh talked Emma into using the ticket for the Catapult with him. Whew. I seriously was giving myself a headache from worrying about having to be the one to go with Josh. They ended up waiting in line for over a half hour so by the time it was their turn, the excitement had multiplied by ... a lot. Erin and I took pictures and video of them.  Both Josh and Emma say it was one of the funnest things they have ever done! I'm so glad they did it!

It was a fun day at The Goon! We are all glad that Market Star takes us every year ('cause otherwise we probably wouldn't pay their prices to get in).  Until next year, stay groovy Lagoon!

As promised...

Harrison Littleton Black

4 weeks

6 lbs. 3 oz. of Pure Cuteness

On June 17, Cari went in to be induced. Little Harrison had failed every stress test just enough to have to have the test again. Poor Cari spent a night in the hospital while Dr. Macy was out of town and worried the whole time. She was only about 34 weeks along and the on call doctor was debating whether or not little Harry would be better off outside his mama. But, as soon as Dr. Macy got back in town, she decided to let him cook a little longer and they set the date for June 17 which was 37 weeks. There was a better chance that he would not have to go to the NICU if they could push delivery off until then.

For Cari and Travis, their day started out very similar to my day almost 16 years ago when Josh was born. Call the hospital at 6am, call again at 7am.... continue calling every hour until they finally say to come in. They hooked her up to the pit and eventually broke her water. I had taken the day off work with the hopes of being there when Harrison was born. I finally decided to head up to LDS Hospital around 9pm. She still wasn't dilated much passed 2 or 3cm.  I hung out with them for a few hours but around midnight decided to head home. I had work the next day and not much was happening. After I left, mom and dad and Cari and Travis fell asleep. I went home and layed in bed with my phone on my chest waiting to hear. It was only an hour later and Harrison was born. Cari had an easy delivery and all went well.. except that I wasn't there. :)

I was awake most of the night as texts kept coming. I got the sweetest text from his daddy at 2:22a.m.:

"6 lbs. 3 oz. of pure cuteness. He is healthy and strong with no concerns. It is obvious to everyone that he does in fact have downs. And for that we love him even more! Born 1:33a.m."

Many pictures kept coming and lots of updates for the next several days. I couldn't get enough. As tired as I was, I went to work the next morning and then on my lunch went to the hospital to see my new nephew. The picture isn't great as it was taken with my phone by the new mom (who still didn't have her contacts in). I was super bummed because my one hour lunch was not long enough and little Harry was trying to eat the whole time. Nurses were constantly taking turns trying to help. I finally stole him for 30 seconds to give him kisses but then had to go back to work. 

The next day, I did the same thing. I went to the hospital on my lunch. This time my parents were there with Erin and Emma (so so so grateful that my parents took the girls with them - they were so in love with this little guy long before he was born and I knew with my work schedule I wasn't going to be able to take them to the hospital). While my timing was good this time as far as seeing my kids, it still was a little hectic with Harrison. The nurses were taking him for tests and to put him under the lights and for more tests. They would bring him in only to take him away again. I understood - his health is far more important than me getting a turn to hold him. But I felt for my sister. She was frustrated. And tired. Their stay at the hospital turned in to several days - almost a week - before Harry finally was able to go home. His oxygen levels are still not where they want them and he has yet to pass his hearing tests. But, today early intervention people came for a house visit and Harrison is developmentally on schedule (and at a 2 mo. level for some things).

Already he has changed so much - as babies do in their first month. I took pictures of him on his 4 week birthday so I will definitely have to post some of those. He is a beautiful baby (a ginger, btw) and so very loved. My sister waited a long time for him. He most definitely is an angel straight from Heaven. I'm excited to watch this sweet boy grow up!

I don't know why I don't have a pic of him with his mama at the hospital. But I did take one of her holding him the last time I went to visit so I will post that next time. You can see in the picture with his daddy how much he is loved. What a sweet pea. Love him so much.

I feel pretty

Since we are on the 1-4pm schedule this year for church, we have all the time in the morning to get ready. Last Sunday, as we were about to leave, Emma did one last spritz of hairspray and then said "I feel pretty today, we should take pictures!" I actually thought she was kidding about pictures, but I was happy that she did actually feel pretty.  Not many teenage girls say that. Emma is just as hard on herself as the next thirteen year old girl. So when she says she feels pretty, we jump on that and do pictures! She stayed in her dress all day waiting (and hoping) I really would take some pics of her.

 I'm glad I took her up on the idea. She is beautiful. Purple hair and all. I worry lately because she is ridiculously boy crazy and her motivation in getting ready every day is that she may run into a cute boy. She suddenly, after years of hating it, wants to go to soccer practice with Josh every night. Could it be a whole slew of cute boys are all going to be there? It's great that Josh and Emma are somewhat forced to like each other now that they like each others friends. 

 Erin heard what we were going to do so she through her skirt back on and asked if she could tag along. Isn't she a cutie? Both girls were so fun! No drama or whining or fighting. Just a fun photo shoot.

 It started to get dark toward the end so some of the pics are a little dark, but we made it work. We took all these pics in about 20 minutes. Maybe always having a camera in their faces has made them very cooperative. :) Whatever it is, it's great that they actually ask me for pictures. Now to get the dad on board. And Josh. Josh has been promising since last January.

3 v 3

 Alex, Oliver, Leo, Chas, Spencer, Josh

 

These goof balls played in a 3v3 tourney on July 5. It was so stinking hot! They are troopers for playing back to back to back .. all day in 100+ degree weather. Josh was pretty excited to finally play! He is still working back into it after the last year. I had to work so I hurried to Farmington right when I got off and caught the last game of the day. These "Fuzzies" took 3rd place and got those awesome medals to show for it! Pretty funny. They always have a good time together. I love that Josh has these guys and I love that he is back to being on the field with them - finally!

Today is our Independance Day!

Erin, Hanah, Livvy and Collin

 I have no idea why but this year I just wasn't feelin' the whole 4th of July thing. It might be because Girl's Camp was right at the end of June - who knows? I didn't get any decor out and we didn't go to the Magna Parade. It was like 400 degrees outside so we just couldn't do it. So by the time evening rolled around, I decided to take the girls over to the Fireworks in Magna. I'm so glad we did - Erin needed some cousin time that day!

 The kids decided it was a good idea to do gymnastics while holding sparklers.

 It was fun! I'm glad we ended up going because it was more fun than sitting home with Josh and Jer.