Sledding and Games

My dad made scones for breakfast.  Why can't this deliciousness be healthy?  Bubs and John went to Swan Valley to pick up Cassie.  Cassie was nervous about driving the rest of the way back.  Bubs drove John to her.  That was nice.  It was also nice that John and Cassie now have a key so they can drive their car to Virginia tomorrow!

Anne, Matt, Jeff

Sledding and games was how we spent most of the day.  This was Cassie's only real day to enjoy sledding.  We went to the springs with John, Cassie, Mike, Matt, Maysen and Jorja.  That was a lot of fun, except the one time I decided to spin out early and ended crashing head on into Cassie.  It hurt my neck so bad.  I was nervous about it for a few seconds, then was able to walk it off.  Mike pointed out a jump to John. He took it two times.  I heard he flew the second time, but I wasn't down quick enough to see it.  I think I was driving the 4 wheeler that time.  It's nice going with so many adults, because we were able to take turns driving up.  We laughed when we saw kids sledding without adults, and here we were sledding without kids!  Minus Maysen and Jorja of course.  Yes, I know Maysen is officially an adult, but she is still in her teen years!  We also joked about our childhood.  We can't imagine our parents and siblings sledding without us when we were little.  Maybe they did when we were asleep.  Makes me laugh just thinking about it.

Collin

 Lincoln, Stockton, Ella, Preston

Abby, Mallory (behind Jorja) and Jorja playing Scum

 Maysen loves her new Christmas present.

She spent a lot of time working on her stories.  Yay!

 Cassie & Collin

Jorja did a lot of nails this trip.  The girls loved it.  She even did Cassie's fingers and toes.  She is getting quite good.

Jorja & Mallory

 Mallory

Mike and I brought up 9 Paracon sleds, 2 Harmon sleds, 1 Torpedo without a back, one sled we got at the hardware store and I weird Zippy sled.  The Harmons sleds were the best!  All 9 Paracon sleds have broken and the Harmon sleds are still going strong.  The Torpedo was also a winner.  The lady at Scheels said I could take the sleds back if I wasn't 100% satisfied.  I asked her if they were broken if they would still take them back.  She said yes if I had a receipt.  I laughed as I walked away knowing they would all break.  I made sure to put the receipt in my glove box.  Anyways, we want to get more of the Harmons sleds.  They said American Plastic Toy Company or something like that on the back.  We found their website and saw that they have a 'dealer' in Sandy.  Mike is planning on calling him when we get home. Wouldn't that be awesome if we could buy a ton of those sleds from him?

Mike, Maysen, Preston, John and Matt played Pirates.  Maysen won. John had a chance.  He attacked a merchant ship on his last turn.  If he rolled double sixes he would have won.  He did not.  It would have made a cool story though.  John, Cassie, Matt, Maysen and I played Ticket to Ride.  We stayed up until 1:30 playing.  Probably not the smartest thing to do before John and Cassie drive for three days straight across the country.  Matt ended up winning.  He went around the board more than two times.  200 plus points.  Showoff.

Matt - green

Stephanie - yellow, Maysen - blue, John - black, Cassie - red

Birthday #43

Today is my birthday.  Cabin birthdays are the best!  It is so beautiful here!  This is what it looks like outside.  The snow fell all day long! Perfect, except for Cassie who waited most of the day for the tow truck to get here.  Carolyn Jones came and picked her up and took her to Idaho Falls.  The tow truck driver was several hours later than he said he would be.  When he finally came, he was not happy.  He said he had been on the road for eight hours already.  Eight hours of horrible roads. Mike said, "Add winter tow truck driver to jobs I never want to have." Cassie had to stay at Carolyn's overnight because the driver wasn't able to get her car to the shop before it closed.  Who knew lost keys would cause so much trouble?

View from the cabin

We had a ping pong tournament today.  Stockton won.  He kicked John out of the tournament.  John came up through the loser bracket to play Stockton again.  John won that game.  Stockton won the championship game.  We thought a foosball tournament would be fun.  We didn't get around to it until the end of the day.  Mostly because we were sledding. Mike said we should have the kids sleep up here so we could play foosball downstairs.  I said we should just bring the table up here.  Next thing I know, Mike and Stockton took care of that.  Too bad I didn't win the tournament.  I lost to John 9-10.  It could have gone either way.  I hit a shot that I thought was in, it bounced out and John hit a super lucky shot that shouldn't have made it.  It was funny.  I got kicked out of the tournament by Stockton of all people!  It was the first time he has ever defeated me at foosball!  I will no longer be on his foosball pedestal.  John ended up winning this tournament, Matt was really close.  Matt should have won it.  I was surprised how good he was!

Stockton & Mike

Sam & Jeff, Stephanie 

 Stephanie & Dad

 Stephanie & John

 Maysen & Jorja

I'm happy John loves his Blue Jays socks.  He wore them for a couple of days straight.  Haha!  Cabin rules!

 Welcome back to the land of the living Jeff!

Mike and Jorja picked out a birthday cake and pie for me.  I picked the pie.  It was chocolate caramel and it was delicious!  You can tell by the crumbs all over my face.

Anne, Millie, Stephanie, Dad

 My kids kept laughing at my dad in his weird positions

My dad gave me an Israel sweatshirt that is just like the Israel shirt he gave me.  I love it!  Mike gave me play tickets to Hale Theater.  My kids made me a Wonderland game.  That was fun.  We finished the day with night sledding.  It was me, Bubs, Mike, Matt, John and Jorja.  We were out there for a long time.  Bubs took a video, I wish I had gotten the file so I could put it here.  We just did trains over and over.  It was so much fun.  I wish I had gotten a picture of my face when I came in.  Snow was frozen all over my hair.  I would have liked to put it on Facebook with the caption, "This was how I spent my birthday."  Haha!  It was so much fun!  I wish my other kids would have been out.  I think Jorja loved being the only kid though.

I stayed up playing Dominion until it was no longer my birthday.  Still won the game though.  Yay me!

Eight to Eight

I wasn't feeling so well this morning.  I was pretty nervous about that because Cassie and I had a long day ahead of us.  Luckily, by the time we had left my stomach had calmed down.  Cassie and I left around 8:00 this morning and drove to Utah.  We would have liked to have left earlier, but we were waiting for the sun to rise.  The roads were not the best.  Not super horrible, but not wonderful.  After we were on the freeway for awhile it wasn't too bad, but it is about an hour and a half to the freeway.  Sherry met us at my house around 1:00.  Sherry got there a few minutes before we did.  There was so much snow!  I couldn't make it up the driveway.  Poor Sherry was wearing sandals. Sherry met us to do Collin's handprints.  (Collin was with us too, obviously.)  Collin was great on the ride down.  He did not cry at all. He also did not cry when Sherry was pushing on his hands and feet getting them into the clay.  He didn't even look distressed.  Wow! Cassie has some pictures of that on her camera.  If I get them, I will post them later.  I also have pictures I need to get my family member that were taken six months or so ago.  Hopefully Cassie is more on top of things than I am!

I brought some garbage and laundry home.  I unloaded those things and picked up several things we wished we had.  There were a lot of neighbor treats on our porch, so I loaded those up too.  I think we were at my house a total of thirty minutes.  Maybe forty five.  We left for the long ride back.  I stopped at Harmons to pick up more sleds.  They were out.  The Harmons sleds were the best and most durable sleds of this trip.  I wish I had bought more than two!  I also grabbed some gatorade for the ride back.  I was worried I was getting dehydrated.  The gatorade helped a lot.  I sat in the car while Cassie grabbed some things and then we headed to Rod Works.  I wanted to get more wall hanging things for her handprints.  The parking lot was a nightmare!  I had to go around an accident to get out of it.  Plus, Rod Works didn't have the piece we were looking for.  As I was pulling out it dawned on Cassie that we didn't stop at the bank.  We were planning on doing that after handprints, but I went down a different road to get to the correct stores.  Cassie had mentioned several times on the way down how it would be nice to get those checks in the bank.  I was willing to go back, but Cassie didn't want to.  We were both anxious to get back on the road.  I was not looking forward to that last part of the drive at night.

Cassie and I had a great time talking while we were driving.  The roads were great and everything was working perfect.  Until Tremonton. That is when I ran out of gas.  I felt the car pull weird and looked down.  That is the first time I noticed we were on empty.  I managed to make it to the side of the freeway.  I saw we were one mile from an exit and I was willing the car to make it there, but no luck.  I don't know why it didn't cross my mind to get gas.  Especially when I was sitting in the car with Collin while Cassie was in Harmons.  There is a gas station in the parking lot!  I don't like where the gas gauge is on the van.  My left hand covers it and I have to go out of my way to see how much gas I have.  Well.  There was nothing to do but get out and walk.  Cassie and I were laughing so hard. I have only ran out of gas one other time.  That was when I was driving to Wyoming with Sam and Maysen.  Sam flagged down a truck then.  No way was I doing that!  I figured we were just over a mile from a gas station.  This could be my exercise for the day.  Cassie took a picture of me walking away.  I'm the little dot.

I had walked quite away when I noticed a truck backing up.  He had his window down and I walked up to it and said, "Hi, I ran out of gas."  He asked if I would like a ride.  I said, "That depends.  Are you a scary guy?"  He laughed.  I noticed a loaf of Kneaders bread on the front seat and said, "You can't be a scary guy if you have Kneaders bread."  So, I hopped in the car hoping for the best.  I asked the guy his name, but now that I'm typing everything I can't remember it.  We will call him Hero.  Hero took me to the gas station and I bought a gas can and filled it up.  As I was filling up the can I told Hero that my sister-in-law and her baby was in the car.  He said, "Oh @$%&*!  We need to get you out of here!"  I told him I could walk back but he said, "There is no way I'm letting a little thing like you walk back on that busy road.  It will be dark soon."  Okay.  We drove away from the station and Hero said, "I just need to warn you.  I'm going to go through Bear River City to get to the freeway from another direction.  I'm not taking you somewhere else."  I'm glad he mentioned it because I might have gotten a little nervous going through all these back roads with no freeway in site for five minutes.  Hero said that because of cell phones you don't see people walking on the side of the road that much anymore.  What stood out to him was I wasn't talking on a cell phone.  I told him everyone I could call was really far away, so there was no point in making other people worried.  Once Hero and I got back to the van he filled up my tank.  I stood by the corner of the van with his flashlight waiving it back and forth so other cars would see us more easily.  Most of the cars noticed us and got in the other lane.  I thanked Hero and told him that my birthday is tomorrow and he just gave me the best present I could have.  The car started up and Cassie and I headed to the gas station.  I kept telling myself, "Don't forget to stop at the gas station, you do not have a full tank of gas!"  Hero followed us there.  He hopped out of his truck and brought me his Kneaders bread.  I told him he helped us enough.  He said he was a bachelor and it would go to waste.  Wow. Talk about a nice guy. Cassie and I got back on the road one hour later. Yikes.

I was worried that we would have awful roads now that we were even more behind schedule.  We didn't.  The roads were great all the way to the cabin.  They were much better than when we left.  The only thing that was bad was the fog.  As soon as we crossed the Utah/Idaho border fog was everywhere!  It didn't last too long though.  When I was around Swan Valley I drove into a patch of fog that was so thick I couldn't see beyond the hood of my van.  That was scary!  Luckily that didn't last too long.  We arrived back at the cabin at 8:00.  Yay!  Left at eight, back at eight.  Long day, but I'm really happy we were able to get Collin's handprints done.  My dad was here when we got back.  Glad he didn't fall asleep when he was driving up here.  I get nervous when he drives by himself.  I played two Dominion games before bed.  I won them both, I'm pretty sure.  I was completely exhausted when I crawled into bed.  So happy to be back safe and sound!

Merry Christmas!

I was the first one awake this morning.  The small Christmas tree in the corner looked beautiful.  I was the only one who was able to enjoy it because as soon as I woke up I turned on all the lights.

Unfortunately I felt awful today.  I was so sick.  Cassie was sick too.  I threw up, Cassie never did.  We both were miserable while people were opening presents.  Matt and Sam brought all their presents except the kitchen Santa brought Anne.  We brought up some presents that were easy to transport.  I had also brought a present for each of John and Cassie's kids.  They had Christmas and packed up everything.  We also had their name for Christmas so it worked out well.  I gave John and Cassie Christmas stockings that I made awhile ago.  I gave John awesome Blue Jays socks that I should have gotten a picture of.  Cassie got a roll-on on-guard oil.  Not the best present there.  We gave Mallory a game called Five Crowns.  She seems to like it.  Trevor got a glow-in-the-dark track that he loves.  He was so excited when he opened it.  He had wanted it, but Cassie had already finished buying him Christmas presents.  It's perfect because he can play with it here.  He played with it all day.  Brandon got a little road rug with cars.  I remember John and Matt playing with our road for hours when they were little.  Collin got a new blanket.  I tried to make a Grandma Parry blanket for him.  I love how it turned out except for the yarn I used.  The yarn was horrible!  I read not to use a certain yarn, I made sure I didn't get that kind.  I got a different kind, but it must be extremely similar.  The yarn has already frayed and the knots come undone easily.  Whoops.  I tried. Mike said, "Well, you are just getting the blankets perfected before our own grandkids come along."  Anyways, I love the baseballs.  So adorable!

Collin

 Brandon & Collin

 Cassie & Collin

 Collin

Maysen got a Stop Thief game she was really happy about.  Mike found it on eBay.  It is a game Mike used to play this game when he was little. A long time ago he found it at DI.  It was missing several pieces, but still was fun to play.  Maysen played it all the time when she was little. Anyways, this game Mike found had all the pieces.  Maysen loved it. Preston also made Maysen 3D pieces for Settlers of Catan.  Maysen loved that.  Preston was pretty happy with her reaction.  Stockton got a Mario Maker 3ds game.  Maysen gave him a new ping pong paddle and a basket head game.  Jorja got more nail stuff she was quite happy about.  Stockton gave her a cookie shot glass kit.  He had originally gotten her a weird sled.  When we saw the cookie shot glass kit he changed his mind.  Instead we gave the weird sled to the family.  I wonder how it will work.  Preston got 'Slamwich' and a bunch of parts that Mike gave him.  Well, the parts were for Stockton and Preston. Mike wants to make a mini arcade with them.  Jorja gave Preston a rubber ball making kit.  Anyways, the kids seemed happy with their presents.  Yay!

We had church at the cabin.  Sam called the bishop of the ward here to get permission.  It was snowing all day and the roads looked horrible. There was no way I was going to church.  I felt awful.  Most of us stayed in our pajamas.  Matt dressed up in a suit.  He conducted the meeting. John and Stockton dressed up to bless and pass the sacrament.  We had a short meeting, but it ended up being perfect.

Cassie asked Mike to hold Collin while she ran and got a diaper.  I didn't want to hold him because I was super sick.  Mike held him like this the entire time.

Collin & Mike

I snapped this picture during church.  I thought Trevor and Brandon looked adorable sitting next to each other.

Backs of Maysen, Anne, Amelia and Mallory

Backs of Jorja, Trevor and Brandon

 Maysen & Collin

Mike laughed when he saw a fork with noodles on it on the table.  This is the book I brought up to read.  I haven't started it though, so I have no idea if it is good or not.

Stockton got a game called Joe Name It.  The kids had fun playing it.  I tried to get good pictures, but wasn't too successful.

Ella, Lincoln, Jorja, Maysen, Mike, Stockton, Preston

I felt a little better toward the end of the day and was able to get a few games of Dominion.  I didn't stay up too late because I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow.  I hope I feel better.

Christmas Eve

I was surprised that I slept until 7:00.  I usually never sleep that late.  It was great.  I was still the first one up, but I wasn't by myself for long. We had a great day of sledding and games.  Poor Anne needs to take asthma medicine everyday.

Anne

Anne saw that Jorja had her toenails painted.  It about blew her mind. Soon she had her toenails painted too.

Jorja & Anne

 Anne's face ~ haha!

Mike, Maysen, Matt, Anne, John, Trevor and I all went to the springs. We were able to get four runs in.  Trevor loved riding on John's back on the way up.  I talked Trevor into sledding down with me when John was taking his turn driving.  Trevor wanted to sled with me and race John the next time.  We did pretty good but had a giant fall.  We flew in the air a little bit, at least the landing didn't hurt.  It was still fun. Maysen drove the 4-wheeler down on the last run.  She is an adult now. Weird.  It was funny when she was riding behind the 4-wheeler being pulled up.  She was laying down and you could just see her penguin hat. Haha!  She looked like a penguin!

Maysen

Earlier in the day Cassie lost her keys in the snow.  They packed their spare keys in their moving van.  It snowed a lot today and the chances of finding the keys are slim.  Cassie called Triple A and they came and unlocked her car.  She was hoping she had just lost her keys in them. Nope.  They weren't there.  We have no idea how she is going to get to Virginia.  Hopefully they will be able to figure something out.

Bubs and Ange went to family bowling.  They brought Mallory too. They seemed to have a great time.  I had no desire to go this year. First, John wasn't planning on going.  It might have had something to do with the car being unable to run.  Second, my foot hurt so bad!  All day long it hurt.  I think I hurt it doing dishes last night.  I stood by the sink without shoes for a couple of hours.  I have no idea how long I was there, but it was quite awhile.  Anyway, I couldn't put any pressure on my foot the entire day.  Ange convinced me to take ibuprofen.  That took the edge off, but it still hurt a ton.

Sam made cookies for the kids to decorate.  Anne was so excited to leave them out for Santa.  Anne and Sam also spread reindeer food outside.

Anne, Jorja, Preston

 Maysen

 Anne, Jorja, Preston

 We had a great laugh about Anne's face

John let Trevor decorate a cookie but not Brandon.  He told Brandon he could decorate one if he ate his dinner.  He was trying to get him to eat a couple of bites with no luck.  Later John was laying down with Trevor.  I think Trevor had hurt himself.  Cassie was in her room feeding Collin.  Brandon was really quiet.  All of a sudden Maysen noticed his face.  Haha!

Brandon

Mike and Matt changed the oil in the 4-wheelers and switched the wheels on one of the 4-wheelers.  I was glad I didn't have to be out there in the cold.  Mike was really glad to have it done.  It was nice of Matt to help.

Bubs and Ange got home around 10:00.  They seemed to have a great time.  I'm glad they were able to get back safely.

Meeting Collin

Cabin day!  I love, love, love the cabin.  John and Cassie got here around 10:30.  I can't believe they drove all night long.  They pulled over twice for a quick hour rest.  I'm glad they are here safe and sound. Plus, now we have met Collin!

Collin & Stockton

 Collin & Stephanie

Sledding was fantastic today.  We decided to sleds from Harmon's were the best.  The one from Scheels were a close second.  Mostly the hill was nice and slick.  The sledding was so fast! We were out there for a long time.  Mike, Matt, John and I took turns driving the 4-wheeler. Everyone went in right as Bubs and Ange came, which also happened to be around dark.  The little kids had fun playing Sleeping Queens. Matt, John and I played two games of Dominion.  We finished a little after midnight.  John must be completely exhausted; still he managed to win both games.  Lame.