Talk Like a Pirate Day

September 19th was Talk Like a Pirate Day.  Krispie Kreme gives out free donuts for dressing like a pirate.  We went last year and the kids loved it.  When we heard about it again this year, we knew we had to go. 

But when we got there, the line was so long, it wrapped around the outside of the building.  So, we went next door to eat dinner at Red Robin, hoping the line would die down.  When we came out after eating dinner, the line was still just as long.  We decided to brave standing in line, and it turned out to be one of the funnest things of the night.  The boys posed for pictures with Jack Sparrow.  And there was a guy playing the fiddle, and the kids enjoyed dancing to his music.

In the end, we came away with 4 dozen free donuts, and a great memory!

Sickness

Josh got sick on a Friday (at the father/son campout).  He was fine by the next morning.  And I hoped that would be the end of it.  I should know by now that we never get off that easily with sickness.

Scott birthday was that Sunday, two days after Josh had been sick.  The day went great, we did presents, I made Scott dinner, and then we got ready for cake and ice cream.  As I was dishing up everyone's cake, I said to Scott, "I don't feel so well".  I skipped eating cake and ice cream with everyone, and within an hour, I was throwing up.  That was around 6 Sunday evening.

At 10 Sunday night, Kate started throwing up.  I had gone to bed (I was really sick and kept throwing up), so Scott had to clean up Kate.  I decided to get up and take a bowl to each kid in their bed.  With me and Kate throwing up, I was worried that we'd have more by morning.  It's a really good thing I thought to do that.

At 11 Sara started throwing up.  Savannah started at midnight.  Monday morning came, and we decided to keep everyone home from school, just in case.  At 8 Monday morning, Scott got sick.   And at 8:30 Nate came down sick.  He's the only one that didn't make it in his bowl, and instead got it in his bed. 

By then my stomach was empty, and while I still didn't feel well, I wasn't throwing up anymore, so I got to take care of everyone while Scott and Savannah spent the day in bed.

 

Thankfully, Nate's was short lived, and he was up running around with Owen in no time.

 

Aaron seemed like he was going to escape getting sick, and enjoyed his day off of school.  But, at 3 when I was getting him ready to go to therapy, he asked for a bowl and threw up.  So, he didn't make it to therapy.  And it brought our total up to 7 people throwing up within a 24 hour period.  Owen is our only one who never got sick.  That kid is pretty tough. 

I wrote this on Facebook after everything calmed down:  "Things are starting to look up around here. So thankful for tender mercies. Thankful that this bug only lasted about 8 hours for each of us. Thankful I thought to send each kid to bed with a bowl (we got away with only one bed being thrown up in, and no throw up on the carpet). Thankful for a sweet friend who dropped off dinner on our front porch. And I'm even thankful we all got it at once. It's much better to get it over with, than dragging it out for a week! (In case you were keeping track of how many sickies we had here--Josh started it Friday night at his Father/Son campout and had to come home at midnight, I got it yesterday at 6 pm, Kate was next at 10 pm, then Sara at 11 pm, Savannah at midnight, Scott at 8 this morning, Nate at 8:30 this morning, and Aaron got it at 3:30 this afternoon. I don't think I've ever seen so much puke in a 24 hour period! Owen is our only holdout. He's pretty much a ticking time bomb, because I don't think there is any chance he won't get this.)"

Seriously, the enormity of it all, with everyone so sick at once, was surreal, but we survived it and now it's all just a distant memory.  But it's not something I hope to repeat any time soon.  

Father/Son Campout

Our ward usually holds their father/son campout in May.  But, the weekend of the planned campout, it snowed, so they called it off.  Our boys were so disappointed.  But in September, they planned a redo (it was the weekend of Scott's birthday).  They kept it close (just up in Emmett), so boys could get home early on Saturday morning for football games.  I packed up my boys and sent them on their way (all except Owen - Scott has a strict "no diapers" rule on these camping trips). 

But, as far as campouts go, this will not go down in the books as the greatest.  Nate got stung by a wasp. 

Scott took no pictures really, so I don't have much to show.  He took a picture of the sack their dinner came in, and a picture of a massive spider that the boys were fascinated with......

And at 11, he texted me this picture of Josh's pile of puke on the ground.  Josh wanted to stick it out, but when he kept throwing up nonstop, Scott decided Josh needed to come home.  I hopped in the suburban and met him half way between here and Emmett, and brought Josh home for the night.  

My favorite thing was something that Scott texted me.  Here it is in his own words:

"I'm in the outhouse with Nate pooping thinking how horrible this is, and he says 'I love father and sons!' ".

Even with everything that went wrong, my boys loved that their dad took the time to take them camping.

Meanwhile, while the boys were camping, the girls went out with the Moore girls for dinner and then ice cream. I'm pretty sure Owen had more fun with us girls, than he would have had with the boys.  Next year he'll get to go with the boys!

Baldapalooza

One of our friends here planned a big musical benefit for kids with cancer, called "Baldapalooza".  He had arranged to have some singers that had competed on "The Voice" to come perform.  Savannah loves that show, so we wanted to take her to see it.  I debated whether I should just send Scott with the older kids, and have me stay home with the little ones.  But, in the end, we decided to take everyone. 

It started out great, but then the rain clouds started moving in.  They told everyone to take shelter because there were lightning strikes close by.  We all huddled under the covered pavillion and waited for the storm to pass over.  The musicians entertained us while it rained, and Owen enjoyed a little nap on Scott's shoulder.  (Nate's face painting got a little smudged).

I love the ray of sunshine the was shining right on Owen's face.  I thought it made for such a great picture. 

Finally, the rain clouds passed, and we were able to come out and enjoy the event.  We enjoyed yummy food and the kids played some games.  Then the glowsticks came out and the music continued.  

Kate and Owen were tired and fussy toward the end, so I took them home.  Aaron came home with us.  He doesn't do well with loud sounds, and once the sun went down and there was just music, it was a bit too much for him.  But Scott and the older kids stayed till the end and loved it.  Scott bought the girls t-shirts and let them get them signed by the musicians.  It was so exciting for them. 

Scott Turns 37

September 15th was Scott's 37th birthday.  We spent the morning at church, then came home to celebrate with presents, dinner, and cake and ice cream.

This little girl is just too cute, I can't help but take lots of pictures of her.  

Scott needed absolutely nothing, so I got him some favorite treats to keep at his office to snack on.  

As soon as he dumped out the candy, the boys dove in to try and steal it.  

And more Dr. Pepper - it's his favorite (if you couldn't already tell by the shirt)!

More Kate pictures.  

Don't count the flames.  I counted wrong, and there are only 35 candles on the cake.  Does that mean Scott gets to pretend to be 35 this whole year?

 

Oh how I love this man.  He is an amazing husband and a terrific father.  He works hard to provide for his family, and he is a hands on dad here at home.  I really lucked out getting him.  We have spent 15 amazing years together, and most days I feel like we are still those 20 something year olds who just fell in love.  But then I realize that we are getting older, and I love seeing everything we have accomplished together (mostly our big beautiful family that we've created).  Happy Birthday Scott!