Thursday, July 31, 2008

Exposure Therapy

Emma has had an extreme fear of animals and really anything that even resembles an animal since the time she was able to show it. A couple examples include crying at the colored duster used at the photographer's when she was 4 months old, showing fear of even stuffed animals when she was 1 and even 2 years old, and being mortified of the very nice, calm, pet therapy dog that was brought to the library for story hour (the library was not quiet that day). If I was ever holding her when she saw an animal I could feel her whole body tense up, and she would cry and scream. The first thing everyone I've talked to asks when the topic comes up is if she has had "a bad experience" with an animal. I want to say, "yeah, every time she sees an animal it's a bad experience", but to answer the question, no. No, she's never been bit or jumped-on or anything. Sometimes I wondered if she would ever improve. Well, good news! She has. She's seen Grandma Christy's cat Oreo (aka Kitten Chow) grow from a kitten and just adores the thing. She was nervous at first, but from the pictures you can see that is no longer the case. Way to go Emma!

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

First Annual Ackerson Family Reunion

We started a new tradition of Ackerson Family Reunions. The first was on Monday, July 28th at Lava Hot Springs. There was a pretty good turn out with representation from seven of the nine kids. We all had fun swimming, eating, and visiting. Everyone was asked to come up with 3 trivia questions and one skit about growing up in the Ackerson household or the Ackerson family in general. It was pretty hilarious. Its always fun to get together to see everyone, and the cousins had a good time playing together. Thanks Vanessa and Trent for putting it together. It was a great day. For more pics of the day check out the slide show on ackerson.org (as soon at Tom gets it up:)

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Camping... in our own back yard



Friday night we decided to go camping; however, the best part was that we didn't have to travel far. We got the whole tent, campfire and smores, sleeping outside experience right out back. I've decided that this is my kind of camping.
Top ten reasons why camping in the back yard is the way to go:
10. We didn't have to drive anywhere, which is something new for us.
9. I didn't have to plan and pack for days before the actual event.
8. We didn't have to worry about forgetting anything.
7. It sure is nice to have a bathroom close for children who have to go 3 or 4 times throughout the night. (OK, so it was twice, but it seemed like more.)
6. We had an awesome fire pit next to our camp site.
5. We got the best camp site in the area.
4. We had our own personal play area with swings and a slide next to our tent.
3. Packing up and going home was a cinch.
2. After Ali got chocolate, marshmallow and dirt all over her hands, face, hair and body, she was able to have a bath inside before going to sleep outside in our tent.
1. The kids couldn't possibly have been more excited.

Friday, July 25, 2008

On the bright side

So, I haven't been feeling well this week... and that is an understatement. Tom got this 'mean old sickness' last week (yes, while we were on vacation), and then I came down with it this week. While sitting on the bed feeling pretty sorry for myself and entertaining the kids with movies:(, I suddenly realized what a cute view I have from where I'm at. "One little, two little, three little blessings from above." Does anyone else remember that song?

Ok, so I just googled it, and found the lyrics on some random blog, they go...

"When I grow up I want to be a mother
And have a family
One little, two little, three little babies of my own
Of all the jobs, for me I'll choose no other
We'll have a family
Four little, five little, six little babies in my home
And I will love them all day long
And give them cookies and milk and yellow balloons
And cuddle them when things go wrong
And read them stories and sing them pretty tunes
When I grow up if I can be a mother
How happy I will be
One little, two little, three little babies I can love
And you will see each sister and each brother
Who look a lot like me
Four little, five little, six little blessings from above."

Life is good, and I am seriously so blessed. (Check it out, such a funny blog.)

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Happy 24th of July

Our 24th of July was one of those days that did not go how I'd pictured; however, it turned out well and was a lot of fun. Sharon, Seth, and their boys came by the cabin briefly in the morning, but then had to get going to another family reunion. Nora and her kids came up for the day. Nora and I went for a run around the 'little loop'. We had a BBQ, and then Christy, Nora and I hiked the 'big loop' in the heat of the afternoon. Crazy? yes, fun? absolutely. The key was that we had a camel packs and were each carrying a spray bottle to keep us cool. That night I was determined to see some fireworks, so we drove into Kamas and got to see the after the rodeo display. Emma was exhausted and fell asleep before we even left, so she stayed home, asleep in her bed, with Grandma Christy and Grandpa Chuck, and Ali was falling asleep in my arms during the display, but I think Bentley was truly impressed.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Sleeping Beauty

Some things are too cute for words...

Should family history really be this much fun?

Because one trip south just wasn't enough, we went back down to Cedar City to stay with Granny for the week. We left on July 11th and didn't get back home until July 20th. Before heading to Cedar we stayed in Price for a couple of nights, and then my mom traveled down with us.
(Here are the kids playing Rummikub with Grandma.)















We have been planning to work on a history of Granddaddy (my mom's dad), and this was our week. We did work during the week scanning pictures and hearing stories about Granny and Granddaddy, but we played as well.

These pictures are in Granny's back yard. The teeter-totter was one of my favorites when I was little. The girls had fun in the wagon and discovering Granny's garden, and Bentley loved the basketball court.
The kids did bring their swimming suits to swim in, but on this occasion they asked if they could put them on, and I told them no it was almost dinner time. Well, they obeyed the not putting on their suits part, but decided to swim anyway. What do you do?

On Tuesday Tom and I were even able to break away for a date night to St. George to go to dinner and see Les Miserables at Tuacahn which was incredible.










On Friday, Tom cooked us a Korean meal with seaweed, Kim Chi, and all. The Kim Chi exploded when Tom opened it. I was glad he knew to open it outside but not so glad that I was standing next to him.










On Saturday we had a BBQ at Granny's. It was an unofficial family reunion. The family decided to only do the official/destination type reunions every other year, and this is the off year, but there were still quite a few people there. It was fun to see and visit with everyone.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Cousins at the Cabin



Nora and family came to hang out at the cabin on Wednesday. We met them in Park City for a little Outlet Shopping.
Then, on Thursday we met Heather and her kids to go swimming at the fitness center. After waiting for a while for clearance to get in (poop in the pool:( We managed to supervise 11 kids between the 3 of us. With that many kids there is never a dull moment, and they all seemed to have a good time too.

Monday, July 7, 2008

Jacob Lake and the Grand Canyon



We spent the Fourth of July on the Kaibab Plateau! My cute sister, Kenzer, has been waitressing at Jacob Lake this summer, so we went down to visit her and decided to take a peek at the Grand Canyon while we were in the neighborhood. It was a quick trip it terms of time but very fun and memorable.



We started out by driving down to Cedar City where we stayed our first night. It was fun to see my cousin, Cecilee, and her husband and girls and to visit with Granny. The kids had fun playing and swimming. Granny is the best cook, so the food is always a highlight.



















Then on the Fourth we left for Jacob Lake. We met my family there. We went to lunch, hiked and played.





















We went down to the North Rim that evening. After all, why waste any time. Sunset on the Grand Canyon on the Fourth of July... What a beautiful land we live in!!!









The next day, Britta and I went for an run around the area. It sprinkled a little and was absolutely perfect running weather. Oh, and the smell of the mountains after a rain! Later we took the rest of the family on the hike to the lake that is more like a swamp/pond. Its a good thing they have a sign, or we may have missed in completely.














That night we went searching for condors, but to no avail. We got some pretty sketchy directions... something about a left turn at a rock house and a bridge. Well, here are some rock houses, and we found several bridges, but we were informed that the condors migrate around and were currently somewhere in Zion. Oh well, it was fun to see the land and some cool rocks. We descended and then had travel back up 4000 feet in elevation on our little excursion. I was amazed at the difference in the temperature and so glad to be up where we were.




















After getting back to Jacob Lake we played on the play ground and on the basketball court. Bentley said later that playing basketball was one of his favorite parts of the trip. A boy after my own heart.




















The next day before starting on the long trip home, we went to church and just talked and relaxed. It was such a fun trip and so good to see Kenzer! Love you to pieces!