Tyler's Birthday and Military Appreciation Day

Yesterday June 25Th was my nephew's 11Th birthday and military appreciation day at Hollywood connection so what a great idea, lets combined them. We went to dinner at the Training Table and then next door to play. So on to the good stuff the pictures and videos

Sam and the birthday boy Tyler

Sam and Tyler playing with a toy bug and when you put the bugs head off it has candy goo inside. Such a boy thing and they both LOVED it. And Sam's laugh is just too cute not to post. Sam's first pixie Stick... as you can tell he LOVED it Finally, we got to Hollywood Connections, Emily, Courtney (blond) and Caroline (redhead) went on the Dragon Roller Coaster over and over... They loved it.

Every time Emily got off she couldn't get in line fast enough again.

Next adventure was the Merry-go-round...Sam Loved this one but Emily wasn't a big fan of getting her picture taken, so she looks a bit grouchy. ( she really wasn't)

And finally the last ride, the Hot air balloons, sounds so nice, easy going... NOPE... this one made me sick and I LOVE rides like these...

I didn't get any video of after the ride lifts in the air and the whole machine spins... But again Emily loved it, extreme sports here she come.

Stuart...

This post is by far long over due... I have spent the last 13 years with Stuart... he is my best friend. Since our first date I knew I had found the "one". But as the years pass, all too often, we get complacent and forget to be grateful for what we have and get desensitized to our blessings that are right in front of us. So I thought I needed to express just how much I love him and am so grateful for him. He is such a strength to me, such a rock. He is a wonderful husband, friend, father and man. Thank you so much for being there for me and loving me. You are the best!

Gateway June 18, 2008

Wednesday evening, the kids and I met Paula and her family at the gateway to play in the fountains. The kids had SO much fun, Emily and Sam both were not too sure about things at first, until they got wet. Then as the little fish they are, ( they take after their dad on this on) They didn't want to stop...

The last few weeks...

The last few weeks have been a blur... Home, work and life in general have been so crazy... The day you are in it, lasts forever. And the weeks going forward seem to stretch for a month... I am glad looking back it has been over a month since Stuart left, that means I only have 5 months to go... Sam has been well for a few weeks and the Girls left to go home.

The biggest stand out moment for me was my dear sweet husband, could tell how much I have been missing him and struggling in his absents and sent me the most beautiful bouquet of long stem roses I have ever seen... I can't even express in words how wonderful and loved that made me feel, it made those 7000 miles shrink to 7 miles instantly. It was perfect timing and I appreciate it SO much... Thank you honey... You are the best!

Just one of the buds from my flowers!

GORGEOUS!

Sam got sick May 30, 2008

On the 29Th of May, I took Sam to the Doctor, he was having very high fevers 103 degrees. He didn't want to eat, or sleep or play. And since he has a history of dehydration I was worried. I also had a viewing I needed to attend for Steve. So my mom took him and held him the whole time I was gone, the next day was the funeral. My mom was so nice to take the day off work so I was able to attend but this time, she couldn't get Sam to sleep. His doctor told me that she would call me Friday, ( that day) to check on Sam. My mom even after having the kids all day, had Emily spend the night one last time with Mikalle and Kendalle before they left.

At 9:30pm after Sam still hadn't slept, the Doctor called. I told her what was going on and she suggested I go to the ER... I said let me give him another hour and then I will go. We hung up and less then 5 minutes later, she called back. I REALLY want you to take him to the ER she said. So I did. After spending the day at a funeral, now I am heading to the ER... I was not dealing well with this day. I wish more than anything, i wasn't alone but I knew I needed to be strong and Stuart was where he should be doing a great an noble job.

2 1/2 days later he was released. He had IV and Glucose and another medicine given to him to get his normal levels all back to their right places. and after a lot of different items and a bunch of coaxing, he finally ate and drank on his own.

Stuart has this rule that when he goes away, I just HAVE to keep the kids out of the hospital. Well I failed. With in 2 weeks of him being gone, I had BOTH of them in the ER, and within Days of each other... I was NOT off to a great start...

Sam the night we got to PCMC

The Second Day, Sam finally sleeping soundly

The morning of his last day. At last he wanted to play.

We are so glad he is feeling better, I really hope he grows out of the not being able to keep himself hydrated... it sure is a scary thing...

Steve Pulham

As many of you may know, we have a tenant that rents our basement apartment. Stuart and I have been friends with Scott's family for many many years and Scott and Stuart have been great friends for about 10 years. This last weekend, over memorial day, Scott's older brother was killed in a tragic accident. He was such a great guy. I am so emotional about this, it has been so hard, not only for the loss of Steve, but the realization that I could be in the same boat... We sure will miss you Steve...

Steven C. Pulham 1973 ~ 2008 Steve passed away tragically May 25, 2008 as the result of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. Steve was born on May 15, 1973 in Salt Lake City and adopted by loving parents, LeRoy and Christine Pulham. He married Kari L. Smith June 5th, 1998 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Steve was a loving father to his 17 month old daughter, Jade, and she will miss her dada greatly. He loved life and lived it to the fullest. Steve started his own business and worked so incredibly hard so his daughter could have a good life. Steve loved almost anything to do with the outdoors including motorcycle riding, snowboarding, snow-mobiling, camping and fishing, and golfing. Steve was always the life of the party and made a huge impression on every single person he met. It was important to him that everyone around him was happy, and he was constantly making people laugh. Survived by loving and devoted wife Kari; amazing and beautiful daughter Jade, parents; sisters, Sue (Mike) Marshall, Nicole (Cameron) Collins, Katy (Jason) Pulham; brother, Scott; Kari's family; many nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins; and his large family of heart broken friends. Preceded in death by his grandparents, Loren and Nelma Killpack, Clive and Ruby Pulham; and sister, Stacy Lynn Pulham. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, May 30, 2008 at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway (10550 So.) Visitation will be Thursday, May 29 from 6-8 p.m. and also one hour before the services. Interment South Jordan City Cemetery. Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.jenkins-soffe.com Steve you will always be missed more than you can imagine by so many people. We aren't sure what to do without you and you will never be forgotten. Published in the Salt Lake Tribune from 5/28/2008 - 5/29/2008.

Stitches...

On our way out from the Aquarium, I had bough a rubber frog for Emily. she was SO excited and paying attention to it and not where she was walking. Well as she tried to step down from the curb, she slipped and fell, landing on both knees... One was scraped but very mildly and the other had a bunch of rocks on it, it didn't look too bad, until... the blood started flowing and Emily LOST it... poor kid, so my brother and i decided that it was bad enough with enough rocks and dirt that we needed to head to the closest Hospital.

I am not sure if any of you have ever had to endure getting stitches your self but that is truly NOTHING compared to watching your terrified daughter get them. My only suggestion is if at all possible, please go to Primary children's hospital, at least there they can give them a type of sedation to make them relax. However, we were much to far from there, so we went to Alta view, and they were very nice and did a great job and were actually very quick but still, the screams... they were the worst. Emily hates to be confined and they had to strap her to a board to keep her still... Long story, still kind of long, she got 3 stitches and purple tape to match her clothes... Oh and a teddy bear...

Not the best picture but that is what I have...

Aquarium, May 26, 2008

After our sleep over, we ( Wayne, Danielle, Mikalle, Kendalle, Emily, Sam and Myself) went to the Aquarium, in Sandy. It is actually a pretty interesting place. It isn't HUGE by any means but the kids loved it. They have fish and frog that are local to our region as well as fish and sea creatures from all over... Emily was most concerned about making sure we saw a Nemo fish, and once she did, she was happy as a clam... HA HA