"That's enough"

Winter must be taking its toll.... we've begun to dress up poor Jim as a sleepy time lumberjack!

 

Big boys still play with trucks

We were in a hurry the other morning to get to town for Emerson's baptism.  Patrick took my car and tested to be sure we could get to the main road since it had snowed all night.  Our four wheel drive was needed but we could make it.  So all six of us were ready to go and off we went.  We were following Patrick's truck since he needed to go to work after the baptism and needed his vehicle to get home again.

All was well... until... the first turn.  He took a quick glance back to be sure that I had made it out of the driveway and that's all it took for him to slide slightly into the ditch filled with snow.  He spun, he rocked, but to no avail.  His truck was stuck.  I however was not.  So I continued.  Jim brought Caleb's truck to try to pull him out but it was decided that time was more important, so Patrick just drove Caleb's truck to town and we would deal with the stuck truck when we returned home later. 

Fast forward a few hours. 

We followed the snow plow home so our return drive was uneventful.

We changed our clothes and Caleb and Duncan headed out with the snow blower and shovels to extricate Patrick's truck.

The neighbour had noticed our 'stuck truck' and was preparing his truck with the snowplow on the front to clear the road so that once we had the truck out it would be clear to return it home.  The boys and I watched from our warm perch inside the house.  The neighbours truck got stuck leaving his driveway.  Caleb and Duncan continued to snow blow and shovel.  The neighbour then started up his other truck (he has a work vehicle) and put a chain on the plow truck and unstuck his truck.  

Now the neighbour was plowing his driveway and the part of the road that was clear of stuck vehicles.  Caleb and Duncan had cleared all around Patrick's truck and were attempting to rock, push and drive it out of the ditch.... the back wheels were just spinning.  So the neighbour backed the plow truck up to attach the chain to Patrick's truck and give it a tug.  SUCCESS!  

After an hour the excitement was over, Patrick's truck was back in the driveway, Caleb and Duncan were thawing near the fire and the neighbour was finishing clearing the road.    

After about 15 minutes.... 

knock knock.

The neighbour was standing at the door.  "Could I get a tug, please?"  He had slid off the road at the other end.  So they bundled back up and headed outside.  The little boys and I returned to our viewing window.  

The next three hours...

The plow truck was pulled out of the ditch next to our driveway but Caleb's truck slid in the ditch on the other side.  While trying to pull Caleb's truck out the plow truck became further stuck.  Now with two stuck truck's, his wife's jeep joined the excitement and was used to pull the plow truck back onto the road.  Then they pulled Caleb's truck out.  All trucks were then returned to their driveways. 

Whittaker had hot cocoa waiting for Caleb and Duncan.

 The neighbour found someone with a backhoe to clear the rest of the road... The snow was just too heavy for his plow.  

And it continued to snow for another 16 hours.  

As I type, Caleb is snow blowing again... Our big snow blower isn't working, so all is being done with the small snow blower.  (we're hopeful it's just a new battery needed)  But we are soooo grateful that we have more than a shovel. 

 

Caleb's Domination

Caleb likes to pop in from time to time... 

He really likes to pop in unannounced.

As he did for his birthday weekend.

Not knowing he was coming we hadn't much planned... well.. in some ways we had a great deal planned... work on phase 2, go on a Sunday picnic, have mac and cheese on the 27th. (in Caleb's honour.)  

Caleb's unknown and unannounced arrival didn't change much.

He assisted with construction on phase 2.

We still went on our planned picnic, which became more fun than even anticipated and included a dip in the lake.

We still had mac n' cheese but now also had lava cakes!

We also spent our spare minutes and late night hours playing his favourite board game... which he carries around with him when he comes.  (It's only a lot of boxes... not the least bit cumbersome)  Good fun though.  Be even more fun if we could beat him.

Left foot, Right foot, Feet, Feet, Feet.. Oh how many feet you meet.

Once upon a time... 

Twelve years ago.  In a relaxing moment in July, I captured the normally busy feet of the children in my care.  It was a hectic time with chaos at every turn but it was an enjoyable time. 

Derek, Kenzie, Miles, Sarah, Caleb, Audrey, Duncan, Cooper

We're in another state, there aren't as many feet running around here all the time.. There are no more pitter pattering feet, in fact the feet these days are enormous.  Their play is certainly different and our day to day lives are still chaotic and busy, but no less enjoyable.  

Caleb, Duncan, Patrick.

 

Boring Birthday Sunday

Since we are still out to prove to Whittaker that Sundays are NOT boring.  We planned another picnic.  It also served as a lovely restful outing while Caleb was visiting.  The day before his birthday we called it a birthday outing.  It has been nice to get out and relax since our weeks have been extremely packed with WORK.  The construction is moving along but it's taking every spare minute.  We have also not really explored this place we live much and we know that millions visit here yearly so there must be great appeal.  And there are plenty of visitors even now in the summer of Covid.

It was noon and the weather was beautiful.  We had made our BLT's, and had grapes and watermelon.  We didn't intend to do anymore than find a quiet secluded spot near the lake to enjoy our picnic.  I grabbed a big blanket  in case we found a less than amenable seating area.

Duncan drove us to the lake area and we began looking for a suitable location to park and have our picnic.  We drove... and drove.. We saw lots of delightful locations near the lake, some with picnic tables even.. but they were all in use.  Some were even crowded.  We kept driving.  We came across the camping loops by the lake.  Each campsite had picnic tables so we thought we'd look for one with a view of the lake that was empty.  Easier planned than executed.  We had to explore three different campsite loops before we found our spot.  We had a lake glimpse from a higher vantage than we intended but it worked.  

We picnicked and then cleaned up.  The boys began a bit of exploring and soon we heard delighted cries of 'there's a trail'.  

We began to follow their voices and noticed that there was a private little beach way down below.  We wondered aloud how a person could enjoy such a delightful secluded beach. 

Then we saw...

Just keep following the path that zigzagged all the way down the steep slope and then.. 

SPLASH!

At first I wondered if someone had fallen in.

Not knowing the depth of the water, if there had been a steeper section of slope and they'd slid or who was in the water, I began to hurry along the trail.  I hadn't fully decided if I was going to hike with them or not but after the splashing noises I needed to know that all was well.  Passing the large bush I discovered that it wasn't just one splash.  The water wasn't deep near the shore and the large rock just beckoned to be jumped off of.  

Next I began to think of four wet boys having to hike back up and travel the 45 minutes home again.  Swimming hadn't been part of our intentions.  Then I discovered their cleverness.  Jim was still wearing his p.j. pants under his jeans, so he swam in p.j.'s and the boys proclaimed boxer briefs as acceptable swimming attire.  

Once down we didn't relish the idea of climbing back up so I sat in the shade and enjoyed watching the silliness and impromptu beach time unfold.  

The log poking out of the water that looked like an alligator.

The rocks stacked up like the beginnings of a stone 'snowman'.

Pat and Caleb having fun rock skipping.. and some plain rock splashing tosses.

A frog joined us and the little boys played with him quite a while even after I reminded Emerson that he'd just managed to be rid of his wart.  They all reminded me that he didn't get a wart from holding a frog.  Some canoers paddled by and we watched them.  Some swimming and then time to dress in the willow bush changing rooms.  Emerson didn't get the memo about wearing your pants and carrying the wet underwear, but he just smiled and shrugged his shoulders and started looking for the frog again. 

There were a few 'lovely' rocks found also.

I adamantly insisted that the frogs stayed!  Also, any rocks had to be carried so I strongly discouraged it.  Fortunately Daddy kindly carried the large wishing rock, complete with 5 white rings around it!, up the steep trail back to the car.  

Whittaker asked what are we doing next week??  Can we bring the kayak's back here??  Oh dear.  This week's picnic turned into much more.  

We stopped four times on the way home.  

• First, to take a photo of the enormous dandelion puffs.  (Grandma once asked for photos of everyone blowing them... not sure the significance.  
• Second, (no photo) to investigate a new picnic spot for another time... This one only 5 minutes from our house, secluded, grassy and delightful!
• Third, to photograph the large 'barrel thistle' that Jim has been raving about for the last few weeks.  When Patrick told him they were edible they sampled it.  He's encouraging a rhubarb, strawberry thistle pie....
• Fourth, to enjoy the lovely baby antelope on the road.  

A little red wagon

There is something so nostalgic and sweet about a boy and his little red wagon.  

So sweet that when Caleb was visiting and he offered to go collect the lunches from the cooler at the end of the driveway so the boys could finish their schoolwork and I saw him grab the handle of the wagon as I stepped off the porch, I ran to get my camera.  

A boy never outgrows the need for a little red wagon... 

even when he has his own little red truck.

Plus as it turns out, it was almost the only photographic proof that I had that he came for a three day visit.

I did have this photo though.  They tore down the remains of the old trailer/shed.  Then, they played his new board game that he brought with him, Dominion, and they rode the four-wheeler.  I took 20 hours of online classes and I ended up with a migraine and spent 24 hours in my bed. 

Jam sessions

Some of our laid back days of autumn.

While Jill was visiting we had many a musical jam session.  

She also taught us to make pepper jelly.  mmmm...we're all hooked.  We sent Miles to get crackers but he couldn't find any in the store... as in he couldn't find them.. not that they didn't have any.  We did eventually procure some crackers however these days we discovered that they're really yummy on cucumber slices!  We also mixed a softened cream cheese and a jar of jelly together and it was a great veggie dip. 

Hard Headed

WARNING:  graphic images to follow..


After losing his job and being unemployed and homeless for a time, Caleb found employment and has temporary housing. 

After two weeks on the job....   he did this...

It required these....

As if the world isn't sending enough for us to deal with!

After a week of wearing a hardhat over 7 staples in the head it was time to have them removed.  The night before, he received this text....

Ummm.... how are the staples going to be removed during an over the phone visit?  Are they going to talk him through the procedure and expect him to remove them himself.  They're on his head.  He can't even see them.  After an amusing phone call they realized he would need to come in after all.  

So now the head is healing... He showed it to Miles on a video call.  Now they're head scar buddies!

As hard as his head is..  he'll wear his hard hat even in low risk situations now.  

Long before I blogged... there was a time....  things happened. 

I even have photographic proof of it. 

It's time to drag them out of archives and make them real... because if there is a photo and it gets blogged with a few words here and there... it really happened. 

One of such things was:

• Caleb used to be little. 
• Patrick used to have dark hair
• We made a trip to Canada... with only one child. 
• Photos used to be a little grainier
• Patrick used to wear sweats in public... until I put a stop to it!
• I used to bowl with style.. (okay it wasn't graceful style... it may be my own style)

What better than a bowling throw to bring back Throwback Thursdays!!

whew, another preserved.

From Point A to Point B

I haven't traveled with Caleb in some time, so I'm not sure why driving with your tongue out is photo worthy... but I am pleased that he takes photos of the journey.

Historic landmarks are nice but familiar ones are even better.

This cloud maker is the half way point of our trip from SLC to home.  I suppose it's another false story I have perpetuated to my children over the years.. but ...  I don't actually know nor do I really want to know what it is... because I like calling out... we've reached the cloud maker!  

And truly Wyoming has these incredibly HUGE blue skies... some lovely wispy white clouds add some lovely interest.

Other familiar landmarks are the 'big, big, big, big waters' (always sung)

The striped rocks... and one that I haven't mentioned to the kids because it likely wouldn't have any meaning to them... but there is a grove of somewhat dead trees surrounded by ... nothing... and it resembles a scene in the movie, 'Return to Snowy river'.  

I'll snap a pic on my next trip.

Of all the familiar landmarks, the ones along the last 3 miles are the loveliest.  They signify how close... a potty is!  How close rest is.   How close a hot meal is.  How close the end is.  How close 'home' is.

I loved hearing that the girls called out, "Hi Henry!" as they passed the stone house.

Vehicular troubles.

After a quick, and incredibly productive and wonderful (and frigid) weekend, it was time for Caleb and Sarah to make their return trip.  With just one week until Miles departure it was so wonderful to have everyone even for a quick weekend.


Partings are such sweet sorrow... Bitter sweet.. to have had them all home again for the purpose of bidding Miles farewell.



All smiles and fun.

After Caleb and Sarah departed, we had a very quiet evening... The little boys played in the newly built nook and we planned an early night after our long weekend.

But..

then ....

Caleb called.  They had been on the road about an hour.  They had a flat tire.

Since the truck had to be up on a jack, Sarah and Boomer needed to be out of the truck..... in the temperatures that were plummeting.  Sarah put on extra layers and even with Caleb's coat, still she shivered.

With assistance over the phone Caleb removed the spare tire and attempted to remove the flat tire... but it wouldn't budge. With time ticking by and Caleb needing to return for work in just hours we couldn't get there in time to help and still get him to work on time.  No one was stopping... Sarah was shivering.. Boomer was barking.  I made a few calls.  Mardy and her husband lived only a few minutes from where the travelers were stranded.  They were available and happy to help.

On the road again, there were no further incidents and Caleb made it to work... no sleep to see him through his night shift but he was there.

Grateful for kind service and all being well we went to bed.  Miles worked at 2am.  Patrick at 4 am.  I work at all hours... but typically sleep through their departures.  I knew Miles was tired and may not wake so I woke to make sure he left on time.  Then when Patrick left he came in to speak to me.  I was barely coherent.   "My truck has a flat tire.  I don't have time to look at it before work.  I'll take your car, will that strand you.  Miles will be home by 7 and you'll have that car."

In my sleepy, groggy state I must have mumbled something about.. fine.. no prob.. just go and let me sleep.  And muttered incoherently... oh how I hate vehicular troubles.

The jarring ring of the telephone woke me next.  It was nearly 6am.  Nothing good comes from phone calls at the break of day. 

"Mum?"  Can you come pick me up.  It's snowed and the roads are really icy and I slid off the road."

Miles.

AWAKE!

"Where are you?  Are you okay?  And the van??"

He was okay, the van was okay just stuck and he couldn't see since there are no street lights and the sky was cloudy.

Oh.. Wait... I cannot help.  I only have daddy's truck with a flat tire.
It was 17 degrees and pitch black.  Miles was stranded a mile from home.  Oh and he didn't have a coat with him.

We had one functional vehicle left.  The 4-wheeler.  But I am not familiar with how to drive it nor can I get it out of the barn alone.  I had to wake up Duncan.  He bundled up and took off to the rescue.

They both returned and assured me the car was not in danger of being hit off the side of the road while we waited for daylight and a plan for rescuing it.

Imagine my surprise when mid morning we filled the flat tire on the truck and headed out to assess the rescue mission to find the van... truly off the road..

Off the road by over 40'.  The 's' curve as this stretch is known was indeed icy but Miles had slid straight into the sage brush field instead of making any curve at all.  He said... it's not true... turning the wheel left to go right or left even... he turned and slowed and still went straight.  The van was indeed stuck.  WEDGED among the sagebrush.  We were successful in whacking at some of the brush and pushing the van from it's tightly wedged position.

Patrick returned home and patched the truck tire.

So in less than 24 hours, we repaired two flats and pulled a car out of the brush... we already have a dying Prius that we have been unable to diagnose and have Sarah's car with a window locked in the down position.   We have teased Miles that he needs to invent teleportation... We tease no longer... GET ON IT!... or perhaps we should return to horses for transportation.  Regardless we had what we needed to survive and carry on and will be grateful that things were not worse.

Crash, Bang, Boom.. Ta Da

Kenzie may have crashed the party... and the window but it has led to the next bit of noise here.

Once the area was cleared out...

A more careful demolition took place.

Then the new sounds of crashing and banging began.  And the countdown to having the 7' x 6' gaping hole in the side of the house to be filled... as snow flurries began to fall outside and we stoked the fire and kept it roaring in attempts to keep what little warmth inside the house that we could.  

The progress was well anticipated and each step applauded  

Finally enclosed again, the temperatures began to rise again and moral was boosted.... or at least blankets and coats were no longer needed as we huddled near the fire.  

It was late at night when it began to finally take the appearance of a finished project.  Everyone was eager to try out the new nook... 

Exactly how the new alcove will be used is still unknown entirely... but it's been put to good use... even if it is still lacking a coat of paint and a few final finishing details.

I'm not certain if we have become so accustomed to tighter quarters or are simply giddy to all squeeze into our window seat and enjoy the views outside. 

But somehow the sight of the two littles enjoying a quiet evening moment was the most delightful to see.  

Flash Back

 E - Why I have get off park?  That make me sad.

Me - I just want to get a photo of you before I forget.  I'm sorry it made you sad... I wanted you to smile for the photo.

E- Smile? (Okay, if that's all I can smile.)

Me - You can play for a few more minutes now.

E - You  take a picture?  

Me - Yes I took the picture.  Thank you.

E - Bye.  

Then he turned and gave me the thumbs up.  Our work was done.  

But I had a greater purpose.  

The shirt he was wearing had once belonged to Caleb.  However Caleb was 4 1/1 years old and not a just barely 3 year old.  It had been winter in Victoria and he'd been with cousins and he had in fact fed the seals.  Unlike Emerson who has enjoying summer in Utah and had just fed... himself.  

Those who knew Caleb... a few 17+ years ago, see Emerson and do a double take.  Their resemblance is uncanny. I thought I'd try to catch Emerson in an old outfit of Caleb's and put a comparison shot together... hence the photo shoot that caused him such sadness.... and happiness.  

However he was too happy... Caleb wasn't so happy in the old photo I had of him so we had to do retakes.  

Finally we captured something close to what we wanted.

So.... as their mother... I just see Emerson and Caleb... 15 years apart.

Raindrops on ... everything

Throwback Thursday:  

Back when it was just Caleb and I during the day.  

When the joy of the day could be spent splashing in the puddle created by the downspout off the townhouse.

Not to mention taking advantage of a glorious spring rain so it could justify the yellow rain jacket and galoshes in a dry climate where most people don't carry umbrellas.  

Spring Suits

Who says dressing boys isn't as fun as dressing little girls!?

Such Dapper Dans.

Missionary Prep

 "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear."  

Preparing for his mission has taken a great deal of time.  And as for 'shall not fear'...  We began to wonder. He's had some technical difficulties with his citizenship papers.  He has had documents turned in by medical and dental both who forgot to sign the forms so we had to return.  He has had medical conditions (an ingrown toe nail), that had to be dealt with and he's been working every hour he can to earn his financial obligation.  He has also attended a year of the missionary prep class offered each week.  He has enjoyed the class, but his teacher recently told him, he's never had a prospective elder as long as Caleb... usually they are only there a few months ahead of time... not a year.  Finally once all the paperwork was turned in the only thing left was his ecclesiastical interview.  It went well, but as he returned to the van, he opened the door and managed to hit himself in the head with the corner of the door he opened himself.  It looked worse than it was and I had nothing to offer to place on the wound to mop up the blood, so he walked back into the church and grabbed some tissues.  (yes I told him to protect the new white shirt before I asked how bad the head was)  

Since we had recently been to the E.R. for his broken thumb and for Whittaker's stitches in his head we felt we were experts.  We knew that although head wounds bleed profusely, often unless they are deep, they are superficial.  We had heard from a friend that she simply superglues many of her children's cuts back together.  Once we had his face cleaned up of the blood, we have the gluing technique a try.   I'm a believer!  Forget bandaids!

Fortunately, this portion of the missionary prep has ended and with it we hope his string of bad luck!  Now to accumulate the items on his shopping list and safely send him on his way!

I received a letter from the mission office in Ohio.  'To the Parents of Elder Noble'.  It urged that we prepare him for the rigors of life away from home by being sure he knew how to prepare a few simple meals, wash a load of laundry correctly and maintain a clean environment especially a kitchen and bathroom.  It also mentioned that his mission would require him to ride a bicycle and he may wish to prepare himself physically. I read through the list and chuckled.  Just that day I had called home while out running errands and told him to start the rice and chop the veggies for the stir fry.  He surprised us by also making an apple cobbler.  I think he has the first mastered.  As for the cleaning.... I don't doubt that he knows how to clean a bathroom or a kitchen but I'm happy to allow him the opportunity to practice in the upcoming months, just to be certain.

BUT ... in all his years as my son, if he hasn't learned a thing of two about laundry.... well... I might have to disown him!

He should be capable of doing laundry in a washtub and hanging it out on a clothesline.
He should know the proper way to iron any article of clothing.
He should know how to sort by colours and by fabric type.
He should know how to pretreat a stain.
He should know how to test for colourfastness.
He should know how to mend a popped seam, reattach a button and fix a fallen hem.
He should know how to correctly hang clothing on a hangar so they don't pucker or crease.
He should know how to fold clothing so they stack neatly.
He should even know how to prewash a cloth diaper load and sunbleach them and properly fold and stuff different styles of diapers.(not likely a missionary skill needed but...)
He should even know how to make an eco friendly detergent.

As I looked back over the list of things the mission office mentioned, it dawned on me that I could simply send his cooking merit badge, his cycling merit badge and his home repairs and family life merit badge to them as my response that, yes... he is prepared for these 'rigors of life'.  

(I really ought to suggest to the BSA that they instigate a laundry merit badge.  I could be a counselor for that.)