Colorado conference turned family road trip

During residency I made the command decision that when jason became an attending I would NEVER not go to a conference with him.  So here we are months out of residency- and there is a conference- that I could not find anyone to watch my kids for! Grrrrrrrr. So, we turned it into a family vacay- because, I'm a woman of my word. It ended up being a super fun idea since t was Labor Day weekend anyways. We drove to Denver in our new van- and the road trip was glorious.

Today I'm Thankful.

It's been a rough time blogwise for me-- Callahan almost drowned on a family trip to Utah and I just haven't been able to blog about it- I've started to- several times- but just couldn't do it.  I've decided to- and for that I'm thankful- thankful for my boy- and that I am finally doing this so that I can  get back to documenting our lives- because it's a great time and I love it.  Two years ago almost exactly-we were visiting Saint George- we had had a day.  Like one of those nightmare traveling stories you always hear about and hope never happens to you- after hours and hours of traveling alone with the kids-with everything going wrong that possibly could- we got to grammy's house. As always, it was a party of fun family chaos. The girls were already in their suits and swimming before I had hugged everyone hello. Callan got changed and headed to the kitchen as I went to grab a swim diaper for Cavanaugh  and put my bags in the casita. I came right back and asked where Callahan was- no one knew- I did a quick scan of the rooms around me- glanced outside at the family filled deck and after a quick headcount didn't see him- I turned to search the house- but after doing a full 360-  felt like I needed to check the pool area again.  I walked out on the deck searching for Callan- nothing. I started checking the pool that was filled with cousins and aunts and uncles-- everything went into slow motion when I saw him- he was under water- but kind of floating with his hands limply above him- I was obviously screaming for someone to save him while running to get to him as fast as I could- as I was jumping into the water I heard an adult say "no! That's Abie" (this explains why no one saved him- they thought it was Abie swimming- she loves being a mermaid) when I pulled him out he was limp.  As I got to the side Brandi helped me get him up on the deck and he was conscious-eyes open- with labored breathing- and unresponsive-- almost like he was in shock.  I carried  him into the casita asking him to look at me and answer me and set him on the counter- he could sit up and made eye contact- but still wasn't talking. Brandi came in with her stephescope and listened to his lungs while I got jason on the phone. Callahan's breathing became calmer and he said "I'm ok mommy- but I drowned." in a quiet little voice while I was talking to Jason.  After a sleepless night of me watching him and crying my eyes out in thankful prayers- he woke up fine the next morning and wasn't at all scared to jump back in the pool- though he later told me about calling for me and watching the bubbles float up to the surface and feeling worried that he couldn't breathe.  I'm so thankful for a close call and not a tradegy.

They made it!!!! After a lot of craziness, flight changes and delays.

Covey's birth just some pictures and story to come

Covington Jack's first pics! Exactly one day old!!!

This last summer we were visiting Saint George- we had had a day.  Like one of those nightmare traveling stories you always hear about and hope never happens to you- after hours and hours of traveling alone with the kids- we got to granny's house. As always it was a party of fun family chaos. The girls were already in their suits and swimming before I had hugged everyone hello. Callan got changed and headed to the kitchen as I went to grab a swim diaper and put my bags in the casita. I came right back and asked where Callahan was- no one knew- I did a quick scan of the rooms around me- glanced outside at the family filled deck and after a quick headcount didn't see him- I turned to search the house- but felt like I needed to

Kaleidoscope!

We went to kaleidoscope-- Grammy and Ellie were partners

Papa Rich and Callan were partners 

Ems and I were art partners

As were Cavan and I 😜

Artwork

Best friends 

And just like that the trip was over- it was so fun- and so hot--but-- so so fast! We can't wait for next time- and thank you so so much for this amazing break

More Branson fun

We stopped at the most amazing Bass Pro shop- Callahan slept through a lot of it. 

It is so cool! 

There was a chocolate fountain and cavan could not have been more delighted

Just so many yummy places!! 

More Branson fun!

I love seeing Jason with our kids-- whenever we get away it feels so good to just be us without outside worries. 

Our view from the balcony of the condo-- it was gorgeous! 

walking Main Street

It was hot blisteringly hot-

These manly men are the best! 

We are awesome at trolley selfies-

Awesome

Callan and Elles were delighted that we were on a trolley like Daniel tiger.

We love these two so much

This is a store in Branson- it was breathtaking-- literally. 

I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.

These two-- when one is looking-- the other isn't- ha!

The girls made a play house out of stuff at the table-- it was so cute. The salt is the mommy cooking and the pepper is the dad at the bed. 

The amazing pet show was fun-- but far from amazing...😳