Suburban Seats Eight: June 2010

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

22 hours... kill me now.

That's about what I wanted to say when we were 12 hours into the trip. Somewhere in Colorado, I think-- and it was 4 am. You see, I was crazy to think I could actually drive by myself to Utah with my 3 younger kids. Bill was SOOO reluctant to let me do it, but I convinced him over and over again that it would be fine. I was "caravaning" with another family from my ward-- so if anything happened, they could help me out. But I had my 5 hour energy shots and a book on tape and I was READY TO GO!!!!!!!

It ended up last minute that I added 2 more passengers. 2 of my friends' kids wanted to ride with me and stay with an aunt & uncle in Utah. They were going to help me on the ride. And they did. Linnen helped with the kids in the back, Quade did too-- and he kept me awake... sometimes. He got pretty sleepy too! Who wouldn't in the middle of the night!?! Somehow, my two youngest babies (28 months and 7 months) BOTH got the runs. NICE... I was changing diapers like you wouldn't believe. And we had our fair share of blowouts. (diaper blowouts, thank goodness not tires!) Poor Linnen got carsick with about 5 hours to go and tossed her cookies right in her lap-- it was a scene all of us in my suburban, I tell you!

I wanted to give up in Montecello, UT. I still had about 5 hours to go and I just didn't think I could do it. I called Bill and I called my parents and I wanted to give up. It was about 6:30 am and I was SOOOOO tired. Like, can't even keep my eyes open tired. I was absolutely sick to my stomach from four 5 hour energy drinks and a Monster drink too. I was jittery and just felt awful!! I just kept praying, "Please let me get through this!!!" Rebecca drove for an hour for me and I crashed hard. I woke up and drove again the last 4 hours. Made it to Lehi by 1 pm and never wanted to get in my car again! But we did-- every day for the rest of the trip- to go somewhere fun and exciting! And this started the fun 3 week vacation we took this summer!

Sunday, June 27, 2010

He's all stocked up!

This is the picture of Bill's healthy eating lifestyle... (minus the hotdogs & soda)

We got him all stocked up for the next 10 days while I am in Utah with the 3 youngers.

He'll join us there soon, but until then--

Love you babe--- hope you don't starve!

Dayne's Messy Face

Dayne enjoying himself some yummy rice cereal and applesauce...

YUM!!

Monday, June 21, 2010

And... they're off!! 2010 version

The big 3 are off to Grammy & Papa's... for 2 whole weeks!

No, Brock- it's not Hawaii, but just as dreamy!

Can you tell they're a little bit excited?

Poor Barrett- next year you get to go buddy!

Nope, not yet!

Still not your turn!

Barrett cried when he said goodbye to his older siblings... and was pretty weepy all day. Poor kid! A little time away does wonders for sibling rivalry!

We miss you already guys! See you in a few weeks! BE GOOD.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Stanford Weekend

Last weekend- Hannah, Dayne, and I flew to Sacramento for Hannah to have some testing done @ Stanford University. We flew in a few days early so Hannah could ride Harley's with Papa. (really for a visit w/ Nana and Papa!) :)

Papa and his "Harley Chick" as Hannah named herself. She's so glad he's taking his Harley to our family reunion in a few weeks so they can reunite again.

In the meantime Papa... hope you can survive without your harley chick.

On our way to dinner one night... like the boots?

Hannah before church on Sunday. Nana gave her this darling dress, and of course she curled her hair and did it 1/2 up, 1/2 down... her favorite!

Sunday evening, we drove 3 hours (in traffic) to Palo Alto to our hotel. And Monday morning bright and early we started the testing. Hannah participated in a study for Turner Syndrome Girls. This is a neuroimaging study where they examine the brain during different activities. Hannah took lots of tests, played games, gave them some of her blood, and sat VERY VERY still in an MRI machine for 3 hours total.

Here she is right before her first time in the MRI machine. She was a little nervous.

I had to stand on the other side of the window and I could only take pics w/ my cell phone... so they're not too clear. But this is Hannah talking to Matt... one of the researchers. He was reassuring her that it wouldn't hurt and that she could do it!!

Here she's double checking EXACTLY what is going to happen and when. As long as she knows what to expect, she handles it pretty well.

Sweet Matt was helping her into the machine and positioning her just right.

He even held her foot the whole time so she would know he was there. She adored him.

These are the socks they gave her to wear. Look familiar dad? Can you say knee surgery? TIGHT!

This is Kristen, another researcher. She spent a ton of time with Hannah doing "practice MRI's" and explaining all the things she needed to do. She was SOOO patient with her. Hannah loved her too!

Dr. Bria... she is the Doctor who is heading up this part of the study. She asked Hannah lots of questions, played games with her, and even gave mommy some homework! Lots of it!!

And Matt, her MRI foot holding buddy. This was after she finished her last scan of the whole trip. She was so relieved. She did SO well, we were so proud!

Nana went with us over to Stanford to help take care of Dayne. But we didn't get any pictures of her. BUMMER!

Then on Tues. night, we drove the long drive back to Nana and Papa's and our Riverbank friends came to visit. This is Aliya, Hannah, and Claire. They were BFF's when we lived in Modesto.

Still able to have tons of fun together!!!

They were all born within 3 months of each other. They went to preschool together, and would have gone to elementary school together if we hadn't moved. Claire and Aliya still live by each other. Hannah misses them! Here they are eating Papa's banana cake. MMMMM!

Cute girls.

Cute mamas! L-R: Jessica, Julie, Becca, and Jen LOVE these ladies. For sure my closest friends in Riverbank. Miss them too! Thanks for making the trip to come see us!

Moms and daughters. We also all had another set of kids together. Becca had Curran first, then Jen had Melanie, and I had Barrett. Curran is our little buddy in heaven, and Mel & Barrett were raising a ruckus at their respective homes.

Becca and Jules... miss you girl! Becca is Curran's mom (and mom to 5 other cute kiddos too!) So hard to live so far away! I just know our little boys would all have SO MUCH fun together. Move to TX! :)

This picture shows EXACTLY how Hannah and I felt at the end of the trip! It was non-stop!! Lots and lots of activity. We had to get up at 3:45 am on Wed. to go home. SLEEPY!!

The trip was SO worth it. I am so glad we went. The testing done at Stanford will help others as well as Hannah. They will give us the reports in a few months. It was so fun to see our friends and especially Nana and Papa. Thanks for everything everyone! Miss you already!

Barretisms

Tonight, Barrett and Bauer were in the shower and Barrett was screaming at the top of his lungs and blowing big mouth bubbles on the shower door. Hunter went in to see what all the noise was and said, "Barrett- stop doing that and quiet down!" Barrett yelled back: "NO!! I am a Child of GOD!" Ok... does that mean you can do whatever you want?

Last week Hunter asked for a donut for breakfast. Barrett followed suit and asked for an icecream sandwich. I quickly said "NO!" (although really- is a donut that much more healthy for breakfast than an icecream sandwich?) I then said, "Who do you think you are?" To which he replied: "Michael Jackson." Alrighty then.