Breaking Free

I'm feeling the need to write. Okay, let's start with Kenai.

Should I stop there? I've got a ton to say about him, but I know you don't care to read any of this. I'm writing more for my sanity and trying to figure this day out than anything. HE's been breaking free for the past week. He broke the chain at the collar. Showed up on the neighbor's doorstep at, what time was it...six or seven in the morning. Barking. I've lost track of how many times he's ended up on their doorstep now--even with his chain dangling from his collor. (And yes, we've gone through multiple varieties of chains).

They have a girl dog. Hmmm...puppies? Neutering was in the works, but now he's going away tomorrow. Virignia Beach. That should be far enough that he won't make it back home, end up on the neighbor's doorstep. I'll miss him.

Barking. Then again, maybe I won't miss him too much.

He's a cutie.

Cai. Cai, oh boy oh boy. He figured out how to break free from his crib.

Three times today.

Pounding on the door, "Jelene! Jelene!"

Yes, he's resorted to calling me by my first name when he's frustrated.

Pounding.

I climbed into his crib after the third time of returning him to his rightful, cozy napping spot and find myself peeking out of one eye...wondering..."How does he escape?"

He does a pull-up, kicks on foot up on the bar and then catapults himself into his crib.

I've got an Olympic gymnist for a son.

Tapping on my head, "Jelene! Jelene! Eyes! Eyes!" His little fingers are poking into my tightly closed eyelids.

Driving home from a Church meeting. The kid unbuckles his car seat. I'm driving on the highway, reviewing my craziness with Kenai breaking loose...

I see out of the corner of my eye, a flash of red.

I think, "Cai's wearing red shorts." I give a quick turn to see what it was. I do a double take right as Cai's about to pull the handle on the car door. My heart is in my throat. I'm not sure if I looked out the rear-view or how I got off that busy highway, moving along at 60mph, but everything happened so quickly and gratefully, so safely.

Maybe your car has one of those start your engine and doors automatically lock features.

That's nice.

I learned my lesson.

What's up with this?

Cai had half his buckle off as I pulled in tonight.

Kenai's back on his good chain. For the night. Que le vaya bien Kenai.

Another Fabulous Family Reunion

July 18th, Hiked Lone Peak with Jarad.
It was a gorgeous, kinda hot day, but we had a great time.
Thanks to Chelsy, Mica and Keebs for watching little Cai.
Our second time leaving him with friends, which says a lot.

John, Jarad and Phil We found a tree with our initials carved, “JJ”-Sweet
July 20th, Monday The Classic Cheese shot. Lucky his mouth wasn’t full of food like other times when I’ve been sprayed. Guess who else was at the Wilk that day? But one of my great missionary comps, Hermana Norman!
Try this for funny—so we bought a book for Jana, really for Mark since he collects books written by apostles and prophets. It was inscribed to “Jan” (1968), so we added an “a.” and made Elana and Jana a cake (which really did taste good, but was super ugly). Elana’s first question, “Ooo, Jana, did you make the cake?”

July 21st, Hiked Mt. Nebo. It was so beautiful, with tons of wildflowers. We went as a family, with Elana, Pam and Travis. It was so fun. As you can see, Elana and Pam were great entertainment for all of us—they kept us laughin. Jarad carried Cai all the way up, other than twice when we let Cai hike up and then down. Elana and Pam Jarad near the top, it was steep, but slowly and steadily, we made it.

July 24th, The Pioneer Parade (really they call it Fiesta Days, I don’t know why, but it’s our first time going there and it was fun to introduce Cai to a Clown. Later, we went up the Canyon to a family picnic. It was so much fun! Everyone participated in a Talent Show and we had a BBQ.
Saturday, July 25th Flag Raising Ceremony, honoring our Nation’s Freedom and Family Service Project, tidied up around the Church yard. Of course, we did the Slippn’ Side at Rock Canyon Park along with fun water games, but Cai played on the playground the whole time. It was a great Parkinson&Carter Family Reunion.

Family Reunion July 2009

THE FAMILY IS OF GOD

Gurr Family Reunion, July 3-4. Met up at Oquirrh Mountain Temple in Utah.

Family Service Project, Friday July 3rd~ Spanish Fork Canyon





We built Initiative Games like the Mine Field and sanded down the wood, built a firepit and laid the volleyball poles in cement.

Saturday, July 4th consisted of fun with fireworks after a Pizza picnic, with the Freedom Parade in the morning and playing Rook late into the night.

After all was said and done, there was still more fun to come...we went to the waterpark after hiking Ensign Peak on Monday, July 7th

On Tuesday, July 8th, we visited the sights in downtown Salt Lake--

That evening, we drove with the Milletts on to Nebraska. We saw Interstate 80 for a long time...ask Marshelle about Wendy's.

On Friday, July 10th, we visited the Doorly Zoo before flying home. It was so fun to be with everyone.

We made a little video of all the fun times with family. Love you all!