Donald's High Sierra Trip & Injury

Donald went on his 3rd High Sierra trip with the Scouts. They left the Thursday before Father's Day (yes he was gone on Father's Day, but that is the last time I will mention that!)
He always comes back with the best pictures that usually end up as the background picture for our computer.
This year I requested more pictures of Donald & people in it.


By Sunday they had hiked 17 miles to their last camping place. Sunday's plan was to hike another 5 miles up to Lake Precipus (Sp?)/Eagle Scout Point and have lunch. It had snowed the week before so there was a lot of snow & ice.

Gorgeous scenery all around!!

So on their way back about 3/4 mile from the top Donald was right where the last boy was in the picture. He stepped into the snow & lost his footing & twisted his ankle...
So they taped it up & had to walk 4 miles back to camp in rocky terrain. At camp he soaked it in the ice cold lake & elevated it all night. The next morning the Trail Boss of the Trail Maintenance Crew came by & helped to tape it up. He said that if Donald couldn't walk on it that he could call for a Helicopter or he could walk 5 miles to the Ranger Station & Helo out from there. So of course Donald walked to the Ranger Station & left early to get a head start.
Along the way Donald 'Iced' his foot whenever they were near a river.
So he got to the Ranger Station & by then it was "feelin' good enough" to keep going. So he ended up walking 21 miles total on his twisted ankle.... that turned out to be

BROKEN!

Yes that's right it's broken!

Here is what it looked like about 20 minutes after ripping off the tape.

And here it was the next morning.

So life has been busy here...
For some...

Pizza Pizza

We LOVE pizza in our house, actually Donald & I love pizza. Payton doesn't! She is such a good helper that I thought that if she helped to make it that she would eat it. I thought it was a great idea, but Payton is too smart for us!

It was so yummy & I was glad for the help. Maybe someday she'll be like every other kid & like pizza! Oh well, I guess we will keep her... for now! :)

See a Difference?

See a Difference? I do! For a few months after surgery Payton was on a lot of medication to help her not to retain ANY water. Yes this made Potty Training easier in some ways but it also kept us out of the hospital. She was also on a low-to-no fat diet. I guess it's one of those things that you don't really notice as much as it is happening but wow look at the difference. The picture below was taken in February (Surgery was 12/8).

This picture was taken on Cinco De Mayo just 3 months later. Her little dimple is back & I love it!

We have been turned loose by her Cardiologist until September, a whole 4 months between appointments! She is doing so well & I couldn't be happier. (Payton was just looking at the photo & said 'look mama, i so really really tute (cute)'. I can't believe the things that she's been saying lately!)

Backpack part 1

So Payton is 'big enough' to comfortably wear a backpack & she does! When ever it's time to go I have her pack the toys that she wants to take with us in her backpack.

She always has one of her babies with her. It used to be one baby that would go everywhere, now it's a different one every time.

She has a few more backpacks that we have acquired so there will be more posts to come.

What do you do on Memorial Day?

We love to watch the fly overs. Unfortunately is was cloudy that day so they didn't fly right over my parents house. I've decided that I'm one of those Americans that would love a fly-over every now & then. My favorite part about New Years is the fly over at the beginning of the parade (now that is a fly-over! They are really low & it's thrilling!) & the fly over at the beginning of the Rose Bowl game..... sorry, tangent...
Everyone runs outside to catch a glimpse.
This year was all about projects. We took advantage of the weather & the guys removed a few more stumps. I transplanted some stuff in the garden... I'll post about the garden later.
Even the kids were put to work. Casey brought the corn to Grandma.
And even help shuck the corn. He is such a good helper.
The kids did get some play time in.
Ryan & Payton tried to swat flies... (okay before you get grossed out, the swatters were brand new).
And we were lucky that they didn't see any flies on each other. This kept them busy for at least 30 to 40 minutes, it was awesome!
And even though it was cold & the water was on the cool side, we swam (actually I didn't but some did) & had fun. Payton is Miss Independent in the pool now that she has figured out floaties.
There was happy play.
And serious play.
Some cold strolls on the deck.
We had good friends & yummy ribs that Tyler made... I'm kicking myself that I didn't take more pictures! But from the picture below you should be able to determine that even the youngest eater thoroughly enjoyed what was served.

At the end of the day they sat around discussing the progress that was made that day... and determined it was a success. Yeah another fun & successful Memorial Day! (And posted before the 4th of July... woowhoo! Another success)

Princess Party...

Ever since the beginning of the year we've been thinking about letting the girls have a tea party. Of course with Chloe & Payton it turned out to be a princess party.
Both were so excited about it.
Sarah has this perfect little table that it just their size!
But by far their favorite part was...
pouring their own drinks. I think we filled up the tea pot 4 or 5 times.
Sarah was good enough to make cupcakes, pink of course! The girls got to spread the frosting on their cupcakes & the ones for mommy too.

Okay maybe I helped a little... the frosting was yummy & I wanted to be sure to have enough on my cupcake
And Payton made sure that we had enough sprinkles!
Here is the littlest princess. Abby is getting so big! & is such a good baby!
Of course after the party when they had said all there was to say to each other they began 'texting' their friends...
Such cute girls!
What would we do without them.... Have Princess Party's without the excuse of little ones to pass the 'credit' off to of course!