Pocatello, Idaho

We spent last weekend in Idaho for cousin Kate's baptism and baby Jack's blessing! 

We've had bad luck trying to go to Lava Hot Springs several times in a row (bad weather, big crowds, Covid closures, etc). But finally we got to go on Saturday morning right when it opened.

We went back and forth in between the indoor and outdoor pool, and felt grateful for the cloudy skies and warm water.

The big boys did all the slides and high dives.

The little boys got lots braver. James even surprised us all by jumping off a diving board and going down a big slide and trying the rope swing.

Millie also got braver and went down a little slide and tried to dunk me every time.

Then we went over to the hot springs. These were so relaxing. They range from 102 to 112 degrees.

Then it started to really rain and we got out just in time and drove to the Prestons' new home.

Andrew loves babies and was happy to hold his cousin.

Sarah was back at work for the first day as a nurse. And Joe was running kids to and from birthday parties, so we offered to cuddle Jack.  JB is the baby whisperer -- he can get breastfed babies to take a bottle like a champ (he did it for all five of our babies while I was at work)

Millie also held the baby, then started acting like our baby.

But her favorite was playing with Rachel. They are two years and one day apart. I don't know why she stood this close.

On Sunday morning we went to Church with them. It was such a welcoming and nice ward. And we walked around the beautiful new Pocatello Temple, which is right across the street from Joe and Sarah's beautiful new house.

Ben and JB taking in the view from the front yard

Baby worshipping with Papa

James getting a turn.

I didn't get any photos of the cousins running around outside together for hours. Kate, Harvey, Rachel and Andrew, James and Millie and then Carver as well were up and down on a pile of dirt in the construction area, and doing science experiments, and having a great time.

Max and Ben thought we ate so well during the weekend. Pizza, lasagna, pulled pork, chips, Pauline's sweet rolls, any type of cereal they wanted....they loved it all.

 

JB's birthday

 I'm putting in a few days of pictures in a row around the celebration of JB's birthday.

We went to the temple together for the first time in 18 months. JB grabbed the first open appointment he could get.

JB and Max went golfing one morning.

Saturday evening we had a wedding reception in Plain City. What a beautiful backyard.

It was the son of one of JB"s mission companions who got married.

Sunday, Max and JB wore their new handsome suits to Church and looked so good! (Max is so tall now!)

Sunday afternoon we were able to be with the Richards family for dinner. I tried making this pineapple dole whip cake (from Cake by Courtney). 

He took the kids to Lagoon on the actual day of his birthday while I napped after work and had another meeting on the phone in the afternoon.

He's such a fun and good dad. We are so grateful for him and all he does for us. Cooking, cleaning, chauffeuring, comforting, joking and loving. We are really grateful for this summer of Lagoon passes, too.

Wisdom Teeth

Our dentist mentioned a year ago we should probably look at getting Max's wisdom teeth out. Then the x-rays showed Ben needed them out, too, especially because of another molar in back that was snagged in coming down. 

So we finally found a time when both boys had a long enough break from all their sports and activities and booked them back-to-back.

Here they are in the waiting room. 

Max went back first, and when I saw him in recovery he  was very groggy and medicated but asked first about Ben and asked second about when he could eat.

Then they opened the door for Ben to come out, and we heard him holler down the hallway in his groggy medicated voice, "Maaaaahahhhxxxx! Where's mah BROTHER?!" Max hollers back, "BENNNNNNN!"

I went around to get the car and they were holding hands in their wheelchairs and the nurses were really having a great time with their obvious concern for each other.

They got into the car and hugged again.

 

I took so much video. SO much.

I facetimed JB so he wouldn't miss the incredible things they were saying. They wanted to go get shakes RIGHT THEN. They also wanted to see Millie and wondered why she wasn't in the car.

Then when I pulled up to our house, one of them said, "Whose house is this?"

"It's ours," I said. 

Ben: "What a beautiful American flag!"

Then both boys started belting out, "And I'm proud to be an AMERICAN, where at least I know I'm FREEEEE."

They spilled out of the car and JB took this photo, which looks like zombies at Frightmares.

We spoonfed them some shakes and yogurt got them started on their Ibuprofen/Tylenol regimen (I did not fill the opioid prescription. I've done too many stories on the problems).

When the surgery meds began to wear off, they started to feel really sad and uncomfortable. It is hard as a parent to see your child this way. But I knew it would get better, and I kept reminding them that.

James and Andrew offered to be their butlers for a few days.

They recovered Saturday but went to Church on Sunday because they knew they needed to help with the sacrament (we don't have many active young men, especially over the summer). I tried to encourage them to rest a lot and keep on top of their pain meds and mouth rinses and ice packs. 

They were mostly upset they couldn't eat much real food.

Ben especially felt like he would never feel better, especially by the fourth or fifth day when the swelling was the highest. He had the extra problem of that other molar. We started to use heat on the spot. 

Bit by bit things got better. And somewhere in this past week, they didn't notice how, they felt good again. Today, two weeks later, they feel great.

Max is 16

Gosh, this boy is tall -- and sweet and smart and brave and talented and nice and responsible and all the things.

We went to Tony Burgers for dinner. Here's our kissing picture.

And everyone in the booth.

Here's the cake I made for our super star.

JB took the boys golfing. They have each had some community golf lessons this summer and are making it a new passion. So much so, that Max tried out for and made the high school golf team!

This week I took him for his 16 year checkup. He is ALMOST 6 feet flat. We'll probably call it that.

He's close to getting all the hours needed for his driver license. And here's hoping this school year is a good one for him!