Trey in Bend, Oregon

Bend is by far one of Trey's favorite places to go! Not only does Trey get to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa Bend, but there is always something to do in Bned.

We have had this tree ever since moving to Bend and no one has ever tried to climb it until now!






One of Trey's favorite things to do is jump on the trampoline in Bend!

Robert comes to Town

7.21.09
Robert's heart belongs in Oregon! He moved from Oregon to live with a friend in South Dakota and to enroll in a local college in the Dakota's, but after a month of being away from home and family, he couldn't take it any longer. So, on Monday, Robert called me asking if he could stay over on Thursday night as he traveled back home to Oregon. I said, "Sure."

He called me on Tuesday saying he was going to be driving through Yellow Stone and would be arriving in our neck of the woods on Wednesday. A few hours later he called once again saying, "Well, I must have taken a wrong turn because I am just entering Idaho Falls right now. Can I come a day early?!" "Of course" was my reply, and 5 hours later, he arrived. He arrived WITH all of his belongs in tow. I had multiple neighbors ask if we were moving, if we had family staying with us, even our former bishop asked if Justin was packing for a hunting trip. I told Justin the former Bishop's question and Justin's response was, "Does he think I need two mattresses to go hunting?!"

It was wonderful having Robert here! We introduced him to Nick Jr., to canning green beans, and swimming lessons! Thanks for coming and staying with us Robert!

He eventually traveled with us to Bend on July 25th. He was also here for a visit from our cousin Crystal and her roommate Shauntel. They were on their way to Yakima from Rexburg! We had decided it had been 9 years since they had seen each other!





Trey in front of Robert's "stuff." Do you like Trey's outfit? They were his pj's for the evening and insisted on wearing them for our drive to Bend. Can I say, "G-H-E-T-T-O?"

Tian in Bend, Oregon

7.24.09
This was the first time Tian has crawled around Grandma and Grandpa Bend's home! He loved crawling through the grass and playing with Robert's dog Cleatus. Whenever Cleatus would come in his direction, Tian would start squealing and pointing saying, Da, DDDDAAAA!"







Tian enjoyed the grass and all of the leaves! I was watching him like a hawk; he is always putting everything into his mouth!







Cleatus wasn't the only "animal" Tian loved crawling all over. Grandpa Bend was the perfect jungle gym for Tian. Grandpa Bend didn't drool or have scratchy nails like Cleatus, all the more better to crawl all over!







Some say Tian looks just like Grandpa Bend.






I love this picture of Tian and my Mom!

Swimming with Amanda

7.13 - 7.23.09
This year Trey took swimming lessons from his babysitter extraordinaire. Is there anything this girl can't do?! She was so much fun; Trey didn't even think he was taking swimming lessons! She had him swimming for Lego pieces, gathering them all up, and then building structures out of them. One day she dumped out plastic food and had Trey gather it all up and made a "stew" with it! At the end of each lesson, Trey would get three starbursts. After the first week, I divulged to Amanda that Trey loved to go under water. I told her to drop the starbursts on the steps of her pool's ladder and make him dive for his treats. He loved it! Brave boy! Now, if we could just get him to jump off the side of the pool!

6.17.09
Trey had tubes placed in his ears two years ago by one of the greatest Ears, Nose and Throat doctors in America, Dr. Beck. She is recognized throughout the world for her Choclear Implant surgeries, and is also a pro when it comes to tubes! We were fortunate enough to get into her when we did and are now an established patient for life!

So, today was Trey's two year follow up for his tubes. We sat, and sat, and SAT in the waiting room for Trey's appointment. There were patients of all ages waiting to meet with Dr. Beck. Thankfully I brought our stroller, enough formula for two bottles and baby food for Tian because we used it all. Trey and Tian were both angels. Seriously. They were fabulous and I couldn't have asked for anything better.

Thankfully we got into a room, and waited for 15 minutes before we saw Dr. Beck and her nurse.








After an examination in the right ear, Dr. Beck could see that Trey's tube wasn't in the ear canal and could be removed. Trey didn't even flinch! What a trooper. When it came time to look in the left ear, Dr. Beck could see we will probably need to come back in one year to have it rechecked. It is still in the canal, but will slowly make it's way out over the next year. We have only had 2 ear infections since the tubes were placed, so I am hoping this one tube will get us through another winter and cold season!! With tubes, ear infection appointments are put to a complete halt. When Trey has had his ear infections WITH the tubes, there is usually a clear drainage that pools in his ear, which is visible to me. I then am able to drop some antibiotics into his ear in an ear drop form, and the ear infection is gone. Dr. Becks office is so wonderful, they will refill your ear drop antibiotics without a doctors visit. Before the tubes were placed, Trey was getting one ear infection a month. This meant we were going into the doctor AT LEAST every month, if not more frequently! We haven't seen a doctor for Trey since his 3 year old well child check. SERIOUSLY!!!!

Dr. Beck also checked Trey's throat which looked great!

When Trey's appointment was completed, we waited at the checkout desk for about 3 minutes until a registration employee saw we needed help. She said, "You have probably been here long enough, I can help you." As she said that, I looked at the clock, and I noticed we had been there for 2.5 hours. It felt like an eternity and I just wanted to start bawling. I told her we had been there for 2.5 hours, and her response was, "Oh, is THAT all?" I said, "Seriously, is THAT not long for some of your patients to wait?" She said, "An hour is an average time a patient waits. Any longer is a bit long." A BIT? OHHHHHH, I really, REALLY wanted to cry at this point. I guess that is what we get for going to the best-of-the-best. Thankfully, we wont have to go back to that office for another year. And next time, I will be a little more prepared then I already thought I was. Oh, thank heavens for PBS, waiting room toys that are probably crawling with germs, a stroller, baby food and formula.

Swimming with the Blackhurst's: week 2

6.15.09
The first day back to the Blackhurst's was a bit chilly but the kids didn't seem to mind at all. In fact, they basically jumped into the pool because it was much warmer in the pool then it was outside.(they keep the pool temp at 85 degrees!)

(check out their beautiful potted flowers. Their backyard was beautiful, it inspired me!)

On this first day back, the kids worked on their Superman Floats and began jumping into the pool, with some serious help from Christi. As one child jumped into the pool, Brian played with the rest of the kids. On our walk home from swimming lessons, Trey asked, "Mom, can Ryan come over and play?" I asked him who "Ryan" was. He said, "You know, my swimming teacher!" He thought his name was Ryan. So sweet, he really liked Christi and Brian!

6.16.09


More floating with bubble blowing. The Superman Float and the back float were two floats Trey worked on.

6.17.09
I overheard Christi tell Brian today they were going to work on "passing." I didn't have a clue what it was. This is a video of them "passing" Trey between the two of them.






Trey jumping into the pool. How does Christi get him to do that?! We still need a little work. He sure doesn't mind going under water though.



We were told the kids would be jumping off the diving board. Trey was so excited, he had talked about it all morning. He told Christi and Brian he wanted to go first! He jumped out of the pool, RAN to the diving board, holding June, Christi and Brian's mom's hand, and once he got up on the diving board, the anxiety set in. He kept saying, "I'm scared." Sorry about my voice over. I need to keep it down!

At the end of each class, the kids get starbusts. Trey asked Brian to put the candy on the lowest stair for him to dive for. I guess he had to try to make up for his scaredy cat ways on the diving board by really working hard at getting that starburst.

I caught Tian waving on camera while Trey was at swimming lessons. And yes, he is wearing a bib. Did I mention he eats at every opportune moment?!

6.18.09

Trey's last day for swimming lessons at the Blackhurst's. As we were walking up to their home, I was seriously getting a little emotional. I was so sad that this was Trey's last swimming experience with them this summer. Trey was progressing so rapidly, I didn't want it to ever end.

Briana Moses-Ord. I will miss our afternoons chatting as our boys eat their lunch and run around the water table.

Christi and Brian. Two of the neatest, most professional swim teachers we have ever had. We gave them a plate of sugar cookies for a thank you.

Trey's last time for jumping!

Trey working on his kicking. Don't you love this blue and red mat? It was perfect for the kids who tend to jump out of the pool and run!

I know, a little pathetic. BUT, I just had to take a picture of their potted plants. Just for my journaling of course. Some day, I just might have a potted plant like this one!!!

Trey learned from the day before, quickly jump in and waste no time!


Passing Trey back and forth.

As we were given Trey's "progress report card," we were told he could move up to the next level. I got a wild hair and asked if there were any available swimming lessons towards the end of the summer. June checked her schedule, and sure enough, there were TWO slots available August 3-13th! Of course I jumped on that session as fast as I could.

This was Trey's 4th swimming lesson session and by far the very best. He was at a perfect age, and he progressed the farthest. The Blackhurst's were the most effecient, professional, energetic and positive teachers Trey has had to date.

Along with gaining swimming skills, we also gained some new friends: Keaton, Jessyka and Kaylee Parson! Keaton and Trey were in the same swimming lesson and we found we have so much in common. The Parson's have season passes to Roaring Springs, so, we planned on spending many mornings at the water park. We signed Keaton and Trey up for the same session, so we look forward to spending our afternoons August 3-13th with the Parson's!

Thank you Blackhurst's! We loved our mornings spent in your backyard and look forward to seeing you in August!