Nose Bleeds at the Jazz Game

Stacey from JDRF, called me an offered our family tickets to the Jazz vs. Golden State game.  One of the players had donated a section of seats for JDRF and I felt honored our family was selected to go.  When I picked up the tickets, I noticed the portal was GG but didn't bother to look at the row number.  As we hiked to our seats I realized we were 3 rows from the very top of Energy Solutions.

Max and Sam had never been to a Jazz game so they were just happy to be there.  Hank has had the privilege of sitting on the 4th row before so he was less than impressed.  It was a great game and the Jazz played good so it didn't take them long to have a good time.

As long as we kept the treats coming for Sam, he was happy.

Sam loves the Bear so it was pretty exciting to see him make the trek all the way up to see us.

Max devoured a gigantic cotton candy so he was buzzing the rest of the game.

Just to prove I was there!

The Jazz ended up defeating #1 Golden State!  The boys were pumped to be part of it.  I tried to snap this pic before my fear of heights set in.  I'm glad to report no one, even Max. tumbled down the stairs on our way out.  Thank you JDRF for a great night out for our family.

A Ski Date to Forget

Sitting on the chair lift with all my boys was surreal.  I couldn't get all of us in a selfie so I had to break it up.  Hank and Sam on one side, Max on the other.  Randy was hiking up to the rope tow to wait for Sam.  Just the fact we all got off the lift with no problem was an accomplishment.  We quickly skied down to meet Randy and he took Sam while I skied with Max and Hank.  Skiing with my boys is one of the best parts of being a mom.  We were having so much fun when I got a text from Randy saying he was going to take Sam home.  After lunch, the 3 of us decided to go up to the top of Arrowhead.  The boys were skiing so well, I knew they could handle it.  I've given up trying to take the edgy wedgies off Hank.  He feels comfortable with them on and likes to ski.  I'm not going to mess that up.  As we neared the top of the lift, Hank didn't raise his ski tips and they went right into the side of the mountain snapping his edgy wedgies in half.  To say he was traumatized by the event would be a huge understatement.  Once we got his ski's back on and his tears dried up I realized we were at the top of the mountain with no Randy and no edgy wedgies.  I couldn't panic, I had to hold it together for the boys.  Hank was freaking out enough for the both of us.

Max immediately started cruising down the mountain.  I screamed at him to stop.  He had no idea where to go.  Luckily he stopped before he headed down a black diamond run.  I reassured Hank that he could do it.  It was a painful trip as Hank fell every single time he turned left.  He was so frightened of not being able to stop,  His fear prevented him from skiing like I know he can.  Max patiently waited at the bottom for what seemed an hour.  By the time we caught up with Max, he was so frustrated he just took off.  There was no way I could leave Hank so I just hoped Max didn't get lost.  Hank was crying, yelling at me, and vowing to never ski again the entire way down.  I was exhausted and defeated when a stupid snowboarder clipped the back of my ski's as he went by me, causing me to fall.  As much as I wanted to quit right then and there, we had to get to the bottom.  After an hour and a half we finally made it down and was relieved to see Max.  He was uncontrollably crying, sure that we had left him.  As we walked to our car, all 3 of us were in tears.  I'm so afraid Hank will never ski again.  This was the last thing I wanted to have happen.  We were supposed to have a beautiful day, bonding and having fun.  Hopefully this experience will make all of us stronger and it won't become the last time Hank ever goes skiing.  It's going to be awhile before I get the courage to take the kids up there again.  

I kept thinking about Grandpa as I drove home.  How did he teach all of us to ski?  He was a good 30 years older than me too.  I miss him so much it hurts, especially on days like this.  He would know what to say to make me feel better.  I know he had days like this with us and we all ended up loving to ski.  I could have used his help today, that is for sure.

January Randoms

It's that time in the month where I have some random pictures that need a home.  In no particular order...

I was asked to speak at a awards luncheon for the top fundraising teams for JDRF in Utah last year.  It was an intimidating group of people to speak to.  I feel like a rookie in comparison to them and their fundraising accomplishments.  I am so proud Team Hank was the 7th highest fundraising team in Utah! I'm inspired and excited to raise even more next year.

The Warriors are playing so tough this season.  They took on the only undefeated Bantam team the other day and beat them!  It was such an exciting game.  They battled until the very end.

I'm so proud of the way Hank plays.  He hustles, he steals and he makes some of the best passes I've seen all season.  No one would ever know he's doing all that while trying to manage his diabetes.  It's a lot to handle and I'm amazed everyday with how he does it.

I'm not sure if it's the winter or Hank growing but his numbers have been so high lately.  Sitting here trying to make sense of it all is overwhelming.  I have so much love and support but in this moment, I felt alone.  It is up to me to make sure Hank is healthy and able to do all the things he loves to do.  Sometimes it seems like it doesn't matter what I do, it's not enough.  I have days like this every so often.  The burden of the disease catches up to me and I break down.  Thankfully I always wake up the next day feeling better.

This picture definitely makes me feel better.  My mom and Sam have such a special relationship.  I love how involved she is in my kids lives.  They adore her.  Plus when she's around, particularly at a restaurant, I can relax and enjoy myself!

My one on one time with Sam is something I will cherish forever.  I know how quickly this time will pass.  He is my best little buddy.  We go everywhere together.  There is one thing in my life I know for certain...Sam loves me.  It feels pretty amazing.

How can I not spoil him rotten?  Look at that face!

Randy and I got invited to go night skiing with Larry, Becky, Phil, and Tiff the other day so I stopped into the Columbia outlet to see if there were any deals to be had.  Indeed there was!  This coat and pants cost me 70 bucks!  Since Randy and I failed to get any good pictures of our night skiing date, this will have to do.  We had so much fun.  I can't believe it was my first night skiing experience.  It won't be my last.

How can I do a January random picture post without including my sweet Maxi!  This particular random pic was taken by Max with his new ipod.  He made it his screen saver. 

I went through his pictures and also found this candid picture he took of me.  He's so cute, maybe a little stalker-ish but cute.

He passed off his words and phrases book before anyone in his class!  I'm so impressed with how well he is reading.  He's becoming a good little writer as well.  He's made so much progress this year and I couldn't be more proud of him.

He certainly keeps all of us laughing.

We have had some incredible sunrises lately.  This makes getting up at the crack of dawn to run worth it.

We celebrated this amazing ladies birthday this month.  Lennon and Sam love their Grandma!

They also love blowing out the candles on a birthday cake.  Jeri is one of the toughest women I know.  She has had to battle some really serious health issues recently.  Hopefully this year will bring better luck to her.  She deserves a break.

Todd was competing in a Strong Man Competition this month so we went up to support him.  I was thoroughly entertained.  I was introduced to a world I didn't know existed.

Ayden, Morgan, and Tristan kept Sam entertained.

Todd did such a great job.  It was fun to watch the insanity that is Strong Man.  We feel so lucky to call the Robert's family our friends.  They are a hard core, awesome family! 

Sammy to the Rescue!

Hank has been home from school for most of the week with a bad cold and Jeri landed herself in the hospital with a horrible infection.  I can't think of anything that could make them feel better more than a little visit from Sam.  He was so excited to pick out the perfect flowers for his Grandma.  After we delivered the flowers he actually spent more quality time with Scott while I visited with Jeri.  Scott needed some cheering up too! 

Hank spent most of his time in bed so Dr. Sam would check on him several times a day, doctor kit in tow.

The tweezers to the neck was a procedure I hadn't seen before.

He finished the check up with a hair cut.   He's a full service doctor.

I don't think I've ever felt so safe with these 3 spidermen around me.  Thanks to my mom, they can all come to the rescue in matching uniforms.;

There is a chance Sam might spend a little too much time with his mother.  He begged me to paint his toes after he saw me painting mine.  Spiderman apparently is in touch with his feminine side.

There isn't a day that goes by where Sam doesn't lift my spirits in some way.  His facial expressions kill me.  He is always in character, usually fighting bad guys and keeping the streets of Lehi safe.  What a character.  I love him.

First Day on the Slopes

After spending the previous day getting ski's, boots, helmets, and snow gear for the kids we had no choice but to head up to Sundance on Sunday.  Sam was never in the equation to come along but we made the mistake of showing him some little skis of Max's and he insisted on joining us.  Randy and I took separate cars knowing Sam would last one run.  After getting everyone dressed and to the lift, Randy and I realized we had maybe been too ambitious.  So. Much. Work.

I got to ride up with Max who was feeling very confident after his progress last year.

So... he forgot how to stop and turn.  Needless to say, our first run was not pretty.  Max took off straight down the hill and I had to helplessly watch from above.  Luckily he wasn't hurt physically but mentally he was defeated and pissed off.  He refused to put his skis back on.  Meanwhile, Sam needed to be carried down the hill which is not a task for the weak.   

It's times like these when I'm so grateful to have a partner like Randy.  When my frustration with Max is at an all time high, he takes over.  Hank had already made it down the mountain so I picked up Sam and skied to the bottom.  Randy had his hands full with Max.  By the time we made it down, I was exhausted and feeling like all our efforts were for nothing.  Randy somehow convinced Max to give it another try.  While the boys took another run, Sam and I decided a cookie and the lodge were in order.

There's nothing like a big fat cookie to lift your spirits.  I was ready to take Sam home but he was ready to head back up the mountain.  We needed to find Randy and the boys anyway so I agreed.

The lift ride was Sam's favorite part.  We met up with the boys to find everyone in great spirits.  Max and Hank were bombing it down the hill and having fun.  Randy and I took turns carrying Sam, skis and all, down the mountain.  I was starting to think all our hard work was worth it.  My dream of skiing with my entire family was coming true.  

Max never ceases to surprise me.  He goes from hating everything about skiing to never wanting to stop skiing in about 10 seconds.

After eating, they were ready to get back to it.

Finally, I got a turn to ride up with my first born.

I loved looking behind us to see these three.  Sam has never looked so tiny.

Sam decided he wanted to try to ski all by himself.

We let him free on the flat spots and he did amazing.

Being so close to the ground has it's advantages.  It's no biggie to fall.

Sam quickly became the star of the day.  He loved skiing to us.

I was amazed by his balance.  He didn't have edgie wedgies on and never crossed his tips.

Is there anything cuter than a baby on skis?  Our first day turned out to be a major success.  The kids had a blast and can't wait to go up again.  Mission accomplished.