The August Rush

What happens when this cute little boy

grows up and marries this lovely girl?

 This is where the party was at. Ya should have joined us!

My brother is an amazing musician.  He taught himself how to play the guitar in high school on a whim and his talents were definitely the highlight of our family reunion. The kids had a blast jamming to his music, as did the adults.  REO Speedwagon!!!!

Dirt, dirt and more dirt!  The kids LOVED playing in the dirt. This was just outside the cabin where the chillins spent a good portion of their time.

And then when we took them to the beach, they continued excavating. It was awesome.

Beautiful Bailey. Love them eyes. And that swimsuit!!!  My Aunt Jill gave that to Savannah...I love seeing Bailey in it. Brings back such sweet memories. 

....And on to the mud!

Why am I not pictured in the photo below you are asking? (Okay, you likely did not even notice, but I'll point it out anyway!). The reunion took place exactly a week from my due date when I was expecting little Ruby. I hummed and haahed over whether or not I should go. I wanted to go. I just didn't want to be foolish. So a week before the reunion I spoke with my OB about it. He said he didn't recommend me traveling more than an hour from the delivering hospital.  Fast forward a week and I went to the doctor again. I told myself if I was dialated to a 3 I would not go to the reunion. (the week before I was 2cm dialated). the kids and Kyle were packed.... I was not. This doctor, a different one mind you, told me I was at 3cm. I sighed, very disappointed. I asked what he thought about the situation. "Do you want to go?" he asked. "Yes!" I responded. "Well, then go. You're a tight 3. Besides. There are several hospitals between here and Bear Lake. Just head home if you start feeling contractions."  I was thrilled! But still a little on the fence. After mulling over it a few hours I finally started packing. I made a list of all the hospitals between the reunion cabin and decided that would do. And then we were off!

On the 2nd night... or was it 3rd?  I couldn't sleep. I was contracting. I was feeling sick to my stomach. Kyle was asleep and dead to the world. I kept telling myself "the next time I feel a contraction I'll wake Kyle up."  Two hours later, they kept coming. Keep in mind I have NEVER gone into labor on my own and I have no idea what to expect.  I kept waiting for them to stop, but they didn't. And then I got the very distinct impression that we should leave. So, I woke Kyle up, knocked on my Dad's door to tell him I was leaving, and then puked in the bathroom.  We decided to leave the kids at Bear Lake to play and arranged rides for them and then we were off at 4 am.

The entire ride home I was panicking. "I'm not ready! I'm not even packed for the hospital! There's still laundry to be done and toilets to scrub!" The contractions kept coming. I told Kyle to step on the gas.  I really didn't want to deliver at a hospital in Wyoming if we could help it. This is what I like to refer to as our "August Rush."

We arrived home and I began running around getting things "in order." About an hour later, the contractions stopped. So, I did what any near-to-deliver woman would do.... I scrubbed toilets, did laundry, and waited....and  nothing happened.  I still wanted to be sure everything was okay, so I decided to go visit my OB.   They were closed.  At 3pm. On a Friday. ????  I was advised to check myself into the hospital. I didn't like that idea...but I still didn't feel right. So we drove around the corner and showed up at the nurses station.  No bags packed, no nothing. I wasn't ready and crossed my fingers I still had another few days before I delivered.

 The nurses doted on me and acted like I was having a baby....and I kept telling them-- I don't think I am...I just don't feel right....Finally the moment of truth came. I was checked by the nurse and was.....dialated to a 3.  Still. I breathed a sigh of relief, but then asked why I was feeling so crummy.  To make a long story even longer.... turned out I was dehydrated, had a UTI, and got put on meds and sent home. Just like that.  I was so sad I left Bear Lake, but glad I was able to get on antibiotics and feel better before I delivered our little Ruby a few days later.  The saddest part?  Kyle loaded his motorcycle in the truck, scouted out trails, and then never even got to ride them.

The following photos courtesy of K-Style Selectt

The kids in their caving gear. We had to get awfully creative with their clothing. I didn't pack for 40 degree weather. Oops! Good thing Austin and Lesley were well equipped with warm clothes to pass on to the rest of the troop.

One of the best things about the cabin was the comfortable and spacious front room where we could all sit and visit. This particular evening Finn did not want to participate in the children's wrestling tournament taking place downstairs, and instead, wanted to show us his amazing "To Infibidee and Beyond" jumps off the couch, banister, stairs....and any other platform off the ground. Adorable.

Sunset view from the porch... {Also courtesy of Rock Jackson Photography INC}

Looking forward to the next reunion.  

 Austin:"Can we like make sure we don't have any newborns or pregnant women at the next one?"  

Haaaaa!  Now where's the fun in that?!

:)