The Tucker's: July 2009

Summer is almost over and it feels like our family has been in "fast-forward" mode all summer, or at least I feel that way!

We started the summer with sending David off to Denver, Colorado. He graded thousands of World History AP exams for the College Board, spent the week in a dorm room, had "minty fresh" socks (airlines are rough on luggage) and rode a bike through a hail storm. At the end of the week, the kids and I flew to Denver to meet him and start our vacation.

Let me tell you, my vacation definitely didn't start until my feet landed in Denver AND we found David in the airport. Flying with two children, especially a one-year old, was not my idea of fun. Try carrying your carry-on luggage, diaper bag, car seat and other various items through the airport while your 6-year old daughter pushes your son in the stroller. It was nerve-wracking! And, my worst fears came true when the woman in front of us asked for a new seat instead of something to drink when the flight attendant came around. Isaac had a little trouble keeping his feet down, when it was much more fun to twist his toes around the clasp that held the lap tray in place. Quite frankly, my thought process was that I either continued to let him entertain himself with the clasp and keep quiet, or I stopped him which would cause screaming fit on the closed-in airplane with no exit? Yep, I chose one woman's discomfort over the rest of the passenger's ear drums!

First, let me say that Denver is beautiful, and the drive to Utah is breathtaking. By the time we reached our destination, Bountiful, UT, we were all exhausted from the long trip. However, it was so nice to see David's Aunt Shuga, cousin Bee and her children Jacob, Rachel and Rebecca. We had such a good time with them and did lots of wonderful things such as the Hogle Zoo, the Salt Lake Planetarium, the movies, Red Lobster, board games and of course, the wonderful food. (I think I gained 5 lbs that week, and I haven't stopped trying to perfect – and eat! – the cheesecake recipe Bee shared with me!) Layla enjoyed having "girl" time and Isaac absolutely adored Jacob. On Sunday, David took us for a drive through the Wasatch-Cache National Forest, which was beautiful! I took dozens of pictures, and we even stopped a little spring where Layla collected a few rocks and got to put her hand in the cold, running water. (David, of course, had to try too!)

Luckily, the flight home was much less eventful than the flight there. Well, I say that, but we were stopped at security and had to answer questions! They were running Layla's backpack through the scanner and saw "something". I immediately remembered that I had left Isaac's empty sippy cups in her bag, enclosed in a small cooler. So, I say to the security guard, "Sir, I'm sure that is my son's sippy cups, I emptied them out though, but they are in a small cooler-type bag." He looks at me, clears his voice and says LOUDLY, "Ma'am, I'm SURE that is NOT what I saw!" So, I guess the new tactic for terrorism is public embarrassment and humiliation! Needless to say, it was the small ice pack in the sippy cup bag that alarmed the guard, which he doesn't find until he gears up with gloves and safety equipment to search the bag. He removes it and declares that it will need further testing before he can allow it through, which is when David and I both exclaim, "Throw it away!" Finally, we talked him into throwing the $0.99 ice pack away so that he didn't have to do swabs and test the contents…. I mean, seriously, I had gone to the trouble of dumping out all the milk and juice so that we didn't have to wait to have them tested, so much for planning ahead. (Don't travel with ice packs!)

After our big vacation, David had the honor of being the "Desperate House Husband" (as he termed himself) since he is a teacher and has the summers off! Layla will tell you, it's the profession to go into because you get the whole summer off! It worked out because Jessica, Isaac's babysitter and aunt (she's married to my baby brother), was pregnant and about to pop. So, the kids have had a great time spending the days with Daddy, even if he's lost a little hair. This year, he might be excited to go back and teach the hoodlums at the high school, just to get away from our hoodlums and the house! By the way, Baby Kadyn was born on July 7, weighing in at a whopping 8 lbs 15 oz.

We spent the 4^th of July in Williston, which seems to be our regular spot for that holiday. There's just something about those Williston fireworks that feels like home, and it isn't 4^th of July without being there. The kids enjoyed the time with family and the festivities. And, to top it all off, I had secretly planned a surprise luau birthday party for Layla since her birthday weekend was "scheduled" to be spoiled by the arrival of her new cousin. Baby Kadyn had other plans, but how was I to know?!?! Layla was a little surprised, especially since her birthday was 9 days away…. But she settled in well with being the "birthday girl", and didn't stop until after her real birthday!

Isaac has taken off in the language department, and can repeat most anything now. He has super manners with saying "Yes, Ma'am", which makes me so proud, and sometimes I even get a "No, Ma'am". He is still into baseball, and makes his Daddy "catch" a few hours most every night. (Not that Daddy mind!) Last night, he really impressed me when he said "Mama, Isaac a kitty. Meeeoooowww!" Layla is still into science and history, and amazes me with the things she knows and comes up with. I'm afraid she is approaching teenage years faster than I desire! If only I could get her to clean her room…

Other than that, I've just been swamped with homework! I'm almost done with my AS, and will graduate at the end of this summer semester. Quite excited to be one step closer to my Bachelor's since I feel the need to be an example for my children.

Since it has been so long since I've posted on here, I've decided to make a new goal. I'm going to try for one post a week…. It might work, until classes start again or David starts coaching or Layla starts soccer or you know, life!

The Tucker's

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Layla's Haircut!

Friday, July 17, 2009

Where has the time gone?

Sibling love!

I can play too!

Happy 7th Birthday!