The Circus

Friday was a fun family day! Jake finally had a day off. In the morning we just relaxed at home and got a few things done. Friday night we went to dinner at KFC / A&W Rootbeer. It was so yummy .. I love the cheese curds. Then we headed over to the circus. We got there an hour early so we could go down on stage and meet the clowns and see up close. It was fun. The kids both got fake tattoo's on there arm/hand. They also got some clown noses. It was a blast. We went with Ary and her kids as well as Kim, Ryan and Cadence.

We had brought some extra money so that the kids could get a few treats. They chose a massive bag of Cotton candy with a hat, some popcorn and a drink. The candy kept Kambria entertained for some of the time. Next year Kam will be at a better age, she wore us out this year. Marshall absolutely loved it!!!

Herriman Fire

On Sunday as we were driving to church just before 1pm we noticed some smoke on the other side of the mountain. We figured there was a small fire at Camp Williams. As we came out of church you could smell it and the smoke was getting really thick. AT 5pm we had a circle BBQ and the flames were just getting to the top of the mountain. It was a bit freaky. We continued to eat, then our neighbor whom works for Cottonwood Heights PD was called out to help evacuate people up on the hill. That is when we realized how fast this fire was actually moving. Within one hour the smoke was so bad that we could see ashes at our home. Stuff was getting into our eyes. The guys climbed up to the roof to get some good pics, and then we went inside because the smoke was too much. We were just a few blocks North of the evacuation line. We knew the fire would not get to our home, but we were concerned with the smoke. Our home had the smell of fire for several days after. It was pretty amazing to see these flames so close and to watch two home go up in flames. It was also very heart breaking. It made me so sick to think of everything that those families had just lost. I know the most important thing is your family, but you also have so many memories in your home. This has really put Emergency Preparedness to the front of my mind. I know I have a lot to do to be prepared. It was a pretty crazy sight to see, and made me very thankful for my family and all the things I have. We were up and inside and out till after midnight with our neighbors all concerned for one another.

I am so THANKFUL to all the firemen, police and Law Enforcement that put there lives on the line EVERY SINGLE DAY, every time they go to work. They are hardly ever recognized, but they truly would risk it all for our community. I know Jake would, and he has risked his life to save others and we are so thankful that he has come home to us each and every day!!! These emergency personnel saved lives and 100's of home, they are true hero's. It really is amazing how fast your life can change!!!

Vegas

Over Labor Day we decided to head to Vegas for a break. We went down with The Watson's and had a great time. We stayed at Excalibur, it was nice and kid friendly (other then the smoke). We went to the pool everyday, it was a nice pool with a water slide. The kids loved it. Marshall had his floaties on and would go down the slide, it would put him under just a bit he would get up swim to the stairs and go again. he did this over and over the entire time at the pool. Kambria liked the water and liked to be held the entire time. The bottom level of our hotel has an arcade/game area. we let the kids play a few games and they won some stuffed animals. We also went and walked around the outside Mall in vegas. They have a huge play area for the kids, it was fun for the kids but so super hot. One of the nights we walked the strip to see the shows. My favorite always is Bellagio. The kids really liked it as well. We had such a fun time. We drove down on Friday afternoon and came home on Tuesday.

We are super thankful for our safety. When we got to Vegas and got out of the car we noticed that our tires were pretty baled and knew they would need to be replaced before winter. On our drive home we stopped in Beaver to fill up on gas. We went to a different gas station then normal. This particular station had a tire shop hooked to it, and one of the workers just happened to be emptying the garbage by us. He looked at our car and then came to my window. I rolled it down and he asked where we were headed. I answered SLC, he said your tires are not safe at all. Did you know there is metal showing. WHAT, I had no idea they were that bad. He said he would change over our spare tire for free because he didn't want us to get in an accident. We pulled into the shop and two of our tires were super super bad, the other two not great but would make it home. Well we got 4 new tires and I can't tell you how much better the van runs. It is a huge difference. But I really am thankful that for whatever reason we went to the different station and the guy happened to notice our tires. It makes me sick to think what could have happened to us had we been driving 75 mph and had a tire blow.



In front of the Bellagio, I love this picture of marshall.

Eating some well deserved ice cream. Kambria was just eating and Jake said say cheese, she stopped and stuck her tongue out. That little terd.

At the park at the mall. Notice the red cheeks, it was soooo hot.

Sponge Bob was at our hotel.

At the forrum shops.

Run For Funds

Marshall had his run for funds today at school. They had 20 minutes to run as many laps (1/4 mile) as they could. The week before he called around to family and had them pledge money for each lap he ran. Let me tell you how proud of Marshall I am. He ran around the laps like it was nothing. I was helping mark the tags on the kids as they passed the lap, and it was like I would mark Marshall and before I knew it there he was again. He was so tired at the end, but he never once gave up. He ran 21 laps!!!!

**Can I say I love having Marshall in school, it is so much fun to participate in all the little activites and to see Marshall grow up and become so independent and so excited to go to school. And everyday he comes home he has made a new friend. It is such fun to watch :)

Kindergarten

Marshall started Kindergarten a few weeks ago and he LOVES it!! He was so ready and so excited to go. He loves his teacher, he loves the kids in his class and the other friends he gets to see at recess. He loves to learn and he takes it all in, and comes home and tells me everything.



With watching kids at home, I haven't been able to go to all the playdates in the neighborhood .. I really felt like my kids were missing out. At school Marshall has made so many friends with kids in our ward, it is so wonderful to live in an area that is so quiet with wonderful families all around us. We really are blessed to live where we do! And I am excited for Kambria to start making friends, there are a lot of kids her age that live by us.



When I dropped Marshall off the first day I thought he would be a bit hesitant ... nope it was bye Mom and he ran to the line. Then there was me, standing off to the side watching him wait so excitedly and I almost cried. It was so sad to me. I can't believe my little Marshall is old enough for school.



I must also say how much I love my life. I love Jake so much, I am so thankful that he is willing to work an extra shift each week so that I don't have to watch kids! I love being home with just my two kids. I love being able to run errands during the day, keep my house clean (like a stay at home mom should be able to), keep the laundry caught up, walk Marshall to and from school each day. I could go on and on, I LOVE IT!!



My days are wonderful. In the morning I straighten up the house, play with the kids. We eat lunch and then walk the 1 mile to school. Me and Kam walk the 1 mile back home. Kambria goes down for a nap and Mommy gets 2 hours of quiet time, me time, then we walk back the 1 mile to get Marshall. I really hope all the walking helps me get back in shape. You would think 4 miles a day would do the trick, we shall see.



It is nice to have a clean realaxed house when Jake gets home, instead of him coming home to utter chaos. I couldn't ask for a better life right now, and it is all thanks to my hard working husband that never gets to be home between work and school. Jake being home more is the only thing that could make this situation be even better :) But we know it won't be forever, so that is what keeps us going.
**picture to be posted, jake has the memory card at work*

Marshall's Fort

Several months ago I made a cover for under Marshall's loft bed so it could be a fort. Well 2+ months later I finally bought the velcro so we could put it up. Marshall and Kambria LOVE it. I think I have lost my kids until the newness of it wears off. I am in no way a good sewer, so it isn't perfect at all ... but it works! The pictures are taken with my camera phone!

Caring for Kaleb

Back in June one of the Police Officers that Jake works with had a tragedy hit his family. This story has really hit me hard, and I have felt so much concern for the Wayne family. Thankfully little Kaleb will live, however he is going to have a very hard life. I have created a blog for him .. http://fundraiserforkaleb.blogspot.com

it is currently getting a face lift donated by http://thecutestblogontheblock.com/ if you haven't seen her site you should visit it, it's Jake's cousin, and she is very talented!!

Check out the blog

http://fundraiserforkaleb.blogspot.com

it will be updated with more information on Kaleb soon, As you can imagine after being up at PCMC for over 2 months and he will be there at least 2 more months, they have mounting medical bills. Please donate if you can! Just a word of warning for all you who have kids, it will break your heart to see his "after" picture. I have cried after looking at his pictures and videos. It is heartbreaking that this poor little 2 year old will have to live with this for the rest of his life!

I feel like I need to mention how lucky Midvale is to have Jake as there FOP President. Jake really cares about all of his co-workers. Not all of them care for Jake, or even support him, but they don't realize how much Jake does on his own time to make the FOP what it is. When he heard about all the medical bills he knew that the family needed help, so he has put together a Law Enforcement BBQ to raise money for the family. He has taken so much of his time to go out to the community and has raised so many donations already. Some monetary, some gifts that will be raffled off to earn even more money! I truly am amazed how much businesses care and how much they are willing to donate to someone they don't even know. I hope the BBQ can be a success and that the Wayne family can be taken care of!!