More Catching Up: Independence Day

I know, I know, I'm waaayyy behind. It seems like we are always doing stuff, there are always photos to transfer and edit, and not enough time to blog. So I've got to do a lot of posting this week so I can catch up.

For the 4th of July, Dave's parents invited us over for a BBQ and they rented a bounce house for all the kids to play in. The boys had a lot of fun and I am so glad they rented it since it was about 100 degrees out. Such a good idea!

In the evening, we did fireworks in the cul-de-sac. Despite the fact that we kind of hit the jackpot because the neighbors had bought a ton of aerial fireworks, I was still pretty irked at the fact that people were being super careless about where and how they were setting them off, and the sheer number of them. Who needs clean air anyway? Right? I'm not a huge fan of fireworks. But the boys had fun doing our own little fireworks, watching the neighbors' fireworks, and then getting on the roof (sans Miles and I) and watching the Thanksgiving Point show.

Poor Lucy was pretty scared since the neighbor's fireworks were right above our house and seemed to last forever. I tried to help her out, but she never kept the headphones on. 

Today You Are Ten

Dear Cruise,

Ten years ago today I became the luckiest person in the world: I became your mom. At 2:27 PM, you came into this world with a head full of black hair and a football shaped head. You were so small and I didn't want to put you down or give you to any of the nurses. I just wanted to snuggle the little person I had spent 9 months waiting for. As a baby and toddler, you were curious and noticed everything from tiny little bugs to the big sky full of stars. You were adventurous and found humor in any situation. I look at you today and you've grown so tall and become more and more handsome every day. You are funny and kind, you're sweet and smart. You are so talented and still as curious as ever. And as much as I hate to realize that you are getting older and bigger and more independent, I am proud of the person you are and who you're becoming.

You, like so many, struggle with things you have no control over. I know it makes you sad and frustrated, and sometimes even angry. I know it can be hard and that sometimes it feels like you're alone, but I hope you will always remember that you are loved more than you can imagine. Know that not only do your parents love you and will always be here for you, but that your Heavenly Father is always there as well, is mindful of you, and loves you more than any of us can imagine. You have overcome so many challenges in the 10 years you've lived on this earth; you are strong and a hard worker, and I am in awe of all you've accomplished.

Cruise, I wish we all could be like you. I wish we could all see the world like you do: with hope and wonderment. With a faith that is so pure and unadulterated. I wish we could all have the resolve to continually try to do better. I wish we all could serve so quickly and easily, and without a second thought. If the world were full of people like you, how perfect it would be. But there is only one you, and how blessed I am that you are mine. You are a light to all those around you, especially to me.

I love you, Cruise. I am proud of you and I want you to know just how grateful I am that I get to be your mom. I pray that this world never breaks your spirit, and that you continue this life with your unique view. And kiddo, don't be too quick to grow up. It's totally overrated.

Love,

Mom

Lots to Catch Up On: Boating

This summer has been pretty busy, so I haven't had a lot of time to sit down and write about our adventures. So, let's start with boating: 

Dave fixed up the boat so well, it's been our constant source of entertainment. The boys have had a lot of fun learning how to knee board and wakeboard. Jett really loves wakeboarding and I was kind of blown away at the fact that he learned so quickly! Cruise feels more comfortable on the knee board and sticks with that, but he too picked it up pretty quick! Dave has loved wakeboarding again and despite being incredibly sore the day after, continues to push himself every time we're out on the boat. Dave got me back wakeboarding, something I really enjoyed when we were dating and first married.  I couldn't believe it had been almost 10 years since I had done it, but it somehow was easier than I remembered. Of course, I wasn't that good to begin with, but I started to feel a little more comfortable and to start carving more. I just need to learn how to jump the wake now! We try to take out some friends every time we go; the boys love bringing some buddies along. 

I'm just gonna dump a bunch of pictures and videos from the past month here:

This last one is on Deer Creek. Unfortunately Utah Lake is too dangerous to swim in presently, thanks to the algae. 

It's been pretty fun having a good boat. If Dave had his way we'd go out every day (I'm pretty sure Jett and Miles wouldn't mind as well), but Cruise and I can only do so much in a week. Lol! Still, it's probably one of the things that has made this summer bearable. 

Jett's Cooking Camp: Baking 101

Jett attended Baking Camp at Harmon's in June and LOVED it! The camp actually is for ages 10 and up, but Freika, the chef, gave Jett special permission to attend. She absolutely loves Jett and has a lot of confidence in him.

They learned three different recipes every day, which meant I ate three different treats each day. He came home with all his bakes every day and it was amazing. He learned cookies, pies, brownies, cinnamon rolls, bread sticks, etc. My favorite was the strawberry shortcake. It was soooo incredible! The shortcake was a shortbread scone topped with fresh whipped cream and fresh strawberries on top. Seriously one of the best desserts I've ever had.

When I went to pick him up on day 2, Freika pulled me aside, and instantly I thought she was going to tell me something bad. She said in her thick, Peruvian accent, "Your son is so so so well behaved. He is so focused, and shares so well with his classmates, always taking turns. He is so nice and follows directions. I just want you to know you have such a good boy." Seriously?! Man, I love that kid!

At the end of the week, they got to keep their nice, quality aprons, got a binder of all the recipes, received a measuring spoon and cup set, and a set of knives. They also got a surprise visit from the owner of Harmons and he got to taste their bakes and talk to them a little bit. It was such a great experience for Jett and taught him so much more about baking and working as a team.

Father's Day

Father's Day went pretty well. Dave is not a fan of breakfast, so we didn't do anything for him in the morning. After church, the boys wanted to give him his presents and cards. The boys and I made a candy bar card for Dave. It said, "Dear Dad, We "SKOR"ed big time having you as our Dad and Mom's "BIG HUNK". We wanted to give you "MOUNDS" of "100 GRAND" or a trip to New "YORK", or an adventure to the "MILKY WAY", but we don't get a PAY DAY". Sorry we can be "AIRHEADS" and sometimes "NERDS", but thank you for helping us be "SMARTIES" and for teaching us to do "FLIPZ", for making us "SNICKER" and always building "WHATCHAMACALLIT"s. Love, your "3 MUSKETEERS"

 We got Dave some new Nike tennis shoes, but unfortunately they didn't show up on time, so I printed out the order for him so he could at least hold something. The boys each filled out a letter for Dave, and Cruise had made a little frame with his picture in it at school and saved it for Father's Day.

 For lunch/dinner, we had Casey over since Abby and Liev were out of town. I made lobster tails, steaks, mashed potatoes, gravy, salad, and had a shrimp platter set out.

 The lobster turned out pretty good, but I learned something new about the flavor and ease of prep for different species. I had bought two of them from Maceys (the two on the right) and the rest from Costco. Both tasted different. The shell on the Costco ones were really really hard to cut and it was tougher to pull out the meat as well. So, now I know!

Moving Mountains Soccer Camp

Cruise had the opportunity to attend the Moving Mountains Soccer Camp again in June. He had really enjoyed himself last year, so I thought I would sign him up again, especially since the cutoff age is 10. Well, he was not happy about me signing him up and actually refused to go the first day. I had texted my friend Laurie, who oversees the program, and told her what was going on and she responded with some ideas of how to convince him to come. I eventually gave up because he was very very sure he did not want to attend. That evening, I received a photo and message on my phone from his volunteer saying she had bought him some special, green, soccer socks and that she hoped he'd show up for the second and final day so she could give them to him. 

So, he decided to go the next day, but "only because I don't want her to feel bad." 

The next day, I rounded up the troops and we headed to UVU for the soccer camp. The organizers were so excited to see Cruise and his volunteer was really happy as well. Cruise continued to have a bad attitude about the whole thing, but eventually started having fun...until a girl licked his arm, then he wasn't having a good time anymore. 

There ended up being more volunteers than attendees, so Miles went off with about 5 or 6 teenage boys and played soccer. He loved all the attention. Jett watched a show on my phone and then started following Miles around and watched him play. 

The program is really amazing and I wish Cruise would've enjoyed it more this year, but luckily there are so many kids on the spectrum who have an opportunity to participate every summer.