First Annual JRI Insurance Trip

 Randy and James decided a few short weeks ago to take their JRI employees and their families on a much needed and deserved vacation.  Most people would spend months planning such an excursion but not these two.  They pulled it together in a matter of a few days and it turned out perfectly.  Everyone had a blast and although Moab in July isn't ideal for a lady who is 8 months pregnant, I have to admit it was just what our little family needed.  We stayed in beautiful condos with air conditioning and all the amenities we needed. 

 The boys were beyond excited to go river rafting.  You can see how beautiful our condo was behind them.

 Max, Jimmy, Hank, Ascher, Dehlia, and Erica patiently waited for the adults to get the raft ready.  

 James gave them brief safety instructions and they all listened closely.

 Max even listened.  I don't think I've ever seen him pay attention that closely.

 My doctor advised me to sit the rafting portion of the trip out, so I was the official photographer/driver for the group.  It turns out it was a good thing I decided to stay away from the river.  Apparently it was a bit more exciting of a ride than they planned on.

 I have to say I was a little nervous watching them row down the river.  I didn't see any other rafts with children on them.

 I was relieved to see the crew paddle into our designated lunch spot 2 1/2 hours later.  Everyone was in great spirits and full of stories.  Apparently Christina flew over board through rocky rapids.  She handled it like a pro and couldn't wait to get back out and ride the river again.

 Max fell asleep briefly and was rudely awaken by a huge wall of water.  He is showing me what his face did when the water woke him up.

 Hank loved recapping the entire trip for me.  James said he didn't stop screaming the entire time.  He was so excited!

 He even let James give him his shot of insulin at lunch.  He couldn't wait to get back on the raft.

Jimmy and Hank

I couldn't believe how eager all the kids, except for Max, were to go back on the river.  They took a slightly different route the second time out while Max and I followed behind in the air conditioned truck.

 And off they go.....

 I spotted them a few miles down the river.

I am so grateful everyone made it off the river safe and sound.  I wish I could have joined them.  Next year I will be on that raft for sure!

 Everyone cleaned up and headed out for dinner.  You can imagine the craziness of dinner with 7 children under the age of 6 years old.  The restaurant was very accommodating with our loudness.  I tried so hard to get a good family picture but Bowser Jr. (aka Max) wasn't having it.

 He was happy to give me a cheesy smile in the car on the way home.  We were beyond tired and crashed the minute our heads hit the pillow that night.  There was no rest for Randy and James, however.  They were up before 6 a.m. and on their way to Blanding to pick up Griff's three 4-wheelers and his truck.  It is no small feat getting 4-wheelers for a group of 14 people.  Thank you again to my dad, Scott, and Griff, who so generously lent us their 4-wheelers and trailers.

The boys love riding!

 Max found these stylish glasses in the glove box of my dad's Ranger.

 Erica and Darcelle

 Me and Mino cruised in style, and yes...I was as hot as I look.

 Hank insisted on riding with Solomon.

 Randy, Max and I preferred the shade of the Ranger.

 Christina and Dehlia

 The entire JRI insurance family at Gemini Bridges

Solomon, Christina, Dehlia, Liz, Ascher, Jimmy, James, Randy, Max, Annie, Hank, Darcelle and Erica

 Max nearly gave me a heart attack near these steep drop offs.  I hate heights when there are children around!

 Hank took care of his mama and helped me find the least strenuous routes to the bridges while he tightly held my hand.

 My adorable little family.

 Once we made it back to the truck, Jimmy and Hank were itchin' to ride their little 4-wheeler around.

 Ascher and Hank were little buddies.  Ascher loved following him around and Hank was happy to let him.

This picture is the definition of a dirty ratty boy!  He was chomping on an apple and I couldn't stop laughing at his fluffy hair.  After we all adequately hydrated, we headed up to Arches National Park to see the Delicate Arch.  Everyone hiked to a lookout point but Crusher and I were overheating so we opted to stay in the car.
We ordered Pizza Hut and root beer floats for the group and ate at our condo that night.  It felt good to relax and visit while the kids ran wild...not in a restaurant!
I am so proud of Randy and James and the business they run.  They truly value and care about their employees and enjoyed every minute of spoiling them for a weekend.  Solomon and Liz are hard working, loyal, and genuinely want our insurance agency to succeed.  We had so much fun spending time with them and their families.
Randy and I weren't quite ready to come home on Sunday so we decided to stay an extra day.

I insisted we ate at the Jailhouse Cafe for breakfast.

Max enjoyed making faces for the camera so I decided to join in.
After breakfast we drove to Blanding to return Griff's 4-wheelers and truck.  Of course the only time we make it to Blanding in the last 2 years, Griff and Karen were out of town!  The kids had to jump on the tramp and ride 4-wheelers for a bit before we left.

I'm not used to Max jumping on a tramp without a safety net.  Let's just say I won't be taking it off our tramp anytime soon.
  Once we made it back to the condo the kids wanted to swim.

 Hank perfected his cannon ball.

 Max refused to get his hair wet.  I even got in and wrestled with the kids for a bit.  We had a great time.  Sometimes it feels good to just be a silly little kid once and awhile.

 Buddies

Max loves taking our picture.

The kids woke up the next day ready to hot tub and swim a bit more.  I woke feeling like it was time to head home.  Perhaps I'm nesting a bit but I felt an overwhelming urge to get back to Lehi, not a normal feeling for me!

 The boys looked like this for the majority of the ride home.  I suppose I did too!  It seems like summer is flying by so quickly.  Hank and I are making lists of everything we want to do before school starts.  His includes things like swimming and the zoo, mine includes getting Crusher's room ready...oh and thinking of a name other than Crusher.

4th of July Celebration

Our Independence Day celebration started on Friday and continued through late Monday night.  I had to throw in some sweet baseball action shots with my 4th of July post.

For never playing baseball before this season, Hank certainly has some natural talent.

 Like everything in this kids life, he does it 110%.  He loved showing off for his fans.

 Sarah and Brett left Jack in our care while they celebrated their anniversary.  We took all 3 boys to the Lindon Pool.  We got invited by one of Randy's clients to a private pool party.

 Randy and I managed the three of them quite well, I must say.  We totally have this 3 boy thing down.  It didn't hurt that Jack was a perfect little angel.  I made the trek around the lazy river about 25 times but didn't mind one bit since Jack was in a cuddling mood.

My boys love having Jack around.  Jack sat right by Hank and held his hand while he got his shot.  

He settled right into his playpen upstairs, equip with all his blankets and favorite things from home and slept until 8:30 a.m.   He can sleep over anytime if he sleeps that good!

After he woke up he nestled in right next to Hank and watched some Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. 

 We love having little Jack-man around.

 The next day, we took Hank, Max, Dyson, and Colby to Cowabunga Bay for a day of fun.  Hank can't get enough quality time with his cousins.  These boys most definitely have Hank's back when it comes to his diabetes.  They really look out for him.

RATS

 They took turns going back and forth between the lazy river and the slides.

 Max enjoyed the slides with Randy but he preferred the lazy river from hell.  If you have ever been to Cowabunga you know there are about 100 more tubes in the river than there is room for.  So many people, so many nasty people in the same water...really grossed me out.

 Max could have cared less!  Randy and I took turns pushing him around the river all afternoon,

 until he couldn't bare to keep his eyes open any longer...

 He crashed on Randy's arm and then we made an excellent transfer to his tube for a more comfortable nap.

 He was out and didn't even know we spent the next hour looking for Colby!  You may be wondering where the pictures of my hot pregnant body in a swimming suit are.  I guess you will just have to come swimming with me to see my belly in all it's glory.  Let's just say, my days at Cowabunga Bay are done until after Crusher comes.

 The boys went golfing on the 4th and when they returned we had a feast at my parents house.  My dad takes his grilling seriously, unless he has had a few fuzzy navels!

 Max loves to tease me by holding a rock like he's going to throw it at someone or something.  It's really a fun game.

 Good thing he is so damn cute!

  Is he his daddy's boy or what?

 Hank again with his cousins!  I told you he couldn't get enough.  

 I think maybe two or three days have gone by this summer where his cousins have not been around.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

 Hank thinks Isabel is hilarious...which she clearly is.

 After nearly an hour of filling up water balloons Randy agreed to take part in the water fight.

 No one could escape Hank and the hose.

 Except these two little nuts!  I have no idea what they are talking about.

Hank...omg!  He was cracking up over a knock knock joke Randy was telling.  He found it funnier than everyone else.

 Isabel was devastated after "hottie" her water balloon popped.  Hank and Grandpa tried to cheer her up.

 So, this picture was meant to capture just how patriotic we all were in our stripes...however I'm starting to think it may not be the most flattering pattern for my condition.  Holy crap, look at that belly!  Crusher isn't messing around.  I am large and in charge...watch out!  Kate had to leave the party early to take care of Dan who just had his knee replaced.  I think she should consider herself lucky.  I look like I might eat my mom and Sarah for dinner.

 Speaking of dinner, Jeri and Scott grilled up some delicious hamburgers later that night.  The kids were more than anxious to break open the sparklers.

 Max got freaked every time the sparkler got near his hand.

 Hank was less than impressed until...

 his crazy dad showed them how to really have fun with sparklers.  

 Hank and Grandma enjoyed throwing pop-its and watching them come crashing down.

 I'm not sure what it is about the male species and fire.  They were all in on the action.

 Max looks like his arm got blown off...no worries he is just fine.  He had more fun picking out the fireworks than actually watching them.

 Scott maintained control of all these firework crazed boys.

 Hank kept saying he wanted to rewind the day, it was that fun!  I love holidays spent with the people I love the most.  We have taken the entire day trying to recover from our non-stop weekend.  These boys certainly make holidays more exciting!