Argh-Strawberry Pinnacles

Did you get it? Like a pirate? haha This year for the Olsen family reunion they did a Pirate theme. They started the themes last year with the "Cruise." I think it is really fun. Gives ideas for activities and the original Olsen children go all out. This year the kids had an awesome treasure hunt, painted faces and we each made out families pirate flags! Brent made an awesome treasure map, swords and some sweet "old" bottles. The kids loved it.

We also of course did all the fun Strawberry activities. Ie: Riding the 4 -wheelers and Razor (although not me this year, I didn't think it would be super comfy in my condition, my kids however EAT IT UP!), lots of chatting under the trees (until the rain came, and boy did it come!!!), tubing the river, Mtn biking, floating in the pond and just plain relaxing. It is really beautiful up there. We did get quite a bit of rain each day, which I heard made the razor fun, and I think a summer rain is kinda nice. :) B and I were able to go for a run, it was SUPER hot and SUPER hilly. Phil was able to run a few times too once in a straight up down pour!!! And yes Koen was there, I only have like one picture of him cause he ran a muck having a great time, so did Koda. :)

2 years as an Angel ♥

We started off with the annual Olsen Pie Pizzeria eating. When Pierce passed away it was expected to take place within about 5-10 minutes. Phil and I were not prepared, but so pleased, when he stayed with us for 11 hours. Around 10 PM (3 hours later) Phil and I were starving. We did not expect to be at the hospital still and decided to order pizza from the Pie. Since then we have named July 11th Olsen Pie Pizzeria day. Last year Phil and I ordered it late after he got home from work and this year we actually went there as a family. It is nice to have a tradition to do in memory of him where it spurs up conversation of him. Not that we don't talk about him on a regular basis but it allows the kids to ask questions and us to remember "that night."

 After eating we headed up to Phil's family reunion. Each year since Pierce passed away the Olsen reunion has landed over his Angel day, and each year I am less than pleased. ;) We have obviously managed to make it work but this year was especially hard considering we were up there the WHOLE day. We couldn't really do anything as a family like I would prefer. In my mind I want to spend the whole day as a family (our little family) doing things that remind us or help us remember Pierce. I felt like it was hard to remember being caught up in different activities. It was good because I probably shed a lot less tears, but at the same time I don't like that. I wanna cry all day if that's what I feel like, not be preoccupied. Ok, off my soap box. :)

We did manage to release balloons in his honor and I seriously do love Phil's extended family and cousins. They are extra supportive, talk about him and love and miss him too. This year we released 24 white balloons for 24 months in Heaven.

 Phil told all the kids a little about Pierce and then we let our balloons fly high. For sure a pretty site in the canyon of Strawberry Pinnacles. One balloon got stuck in a light pole. We all agreed it wanted to linger a little longer, just like our sweet baby. ♥

2 years

2 year. How can 2 years have passed? 2 years since our roller coast between hope and excitement and sadness and pain ended. I can not believe it. 2 years since we welcomed and said goodbye to our 3rd sweet boy.  I still can't even believe we did this. It is like when I stop and actually let it sink in, it still hurts just as bad. I miss him so much. Everyday I wish he was here. Everyday there are reminders that he is not, and will not be and it really just hurts. Most days the memories come and go with feelings of peace and happiness, but some times the reality and finality of it hit and it stings, bad.

The desire to change the way things go doesn't ever change for me. Sometimes I think back and wonder if everything would have just gone hunky dory like planned and we would have brought him home and things were just as planned what would life be like? So much different for sure. We are all different people because of this experience. Life is different because of Pierce and who he was and what he did. For that I am obviously glad, however it still just hurts that he isn't here.

The second year was leaps and bounds better than the first. The darkness and fog that is grief was so much lesser and the memories more sweet than bitter. He is always a part of our family. We miss him. We talk about him. We think of him. EVERY SINGLE DAY. But ya know, sometimes it is hard not to just wish things were different and we didn't know this pain and could enjoy him actually being here. :(

I love you little man. I wish you were here more than anything. I can't wait to see you again. Love you to the moon and back.

Lagoon Day 2013

For sure one of our favorite summer traditions is  Harmons' Lagoon Day. This year was no exception. It is nice that our kids are a little bigger and maybe that I am unable to do all the big rides, because this year it worked out perfect that Phil and Ko could just go go go with our friends on the big rides and B man and I hung out with Brook and Cora on whatever they wanted to ride.

Koen's favorite ride: Jet Star 2 (he hit 50 inches this year and could ride it and rocket and samarii)
Brigs favorite ride: Jumping Dragon with Bomb Bora as a close second. The look on his face with his laugh combined was like pure happiness and so contagious. love that kid.

I didn't know if I'd be able to ride any of Brigs fav's comfortably but luckily was minus the urge to lose my lunch. ;)

 Who looks that cute making those faces?!?!

 Good Good times!!

Where's America?

I had to title my post that because that is what Brigs kept asking all day. Hello, it's America's birthday so where the heck is he?!? haha he is too funny! Phil and I started off the day with the lovely Riverton Country Mile 10k. My doctor didn't seem overly thrilled for me to be running this solely because of the heat. When I woke up to overcast and rain I felt great about it! :) Laura and I keep a nice slower pace and I will say this was much more enjoyable that what I ran it in last year! haha 1:04:01 6.2 miles 10:13/mi Renee and Phil, well they smoked us. :)

When we got home we took the boys and went to breakfast at Kneaders. On the way home we decided we were super tired so we rented Escape from Planet Earth and had a mid day movie watch, all 4 of us snuggled on the couch. :) Once it was over we were rejuvenated and ready to hit the pool. Brigs and Koen loved hanging on dad in the the pool for a couple hours. By the time we left Phil had B jumping off the side and swimming the width of the pool. He is awesome. Can't wait for his swim lessons.

Home, showered and ready to head to the Oakley rodeo. We first met up with friends for dinner at Loco Lizard in Park City.

 The rodeo was pretty fun. The kids had a great time and isn't that why we do that kind of stuff. I had found memories of Rodeos past and therefor thought I would enjoy it again. To my surprise I wasn't a huge fan. Maybe I have changed into a softy in my later years but I didn't love most of the events and felt bad for the animals. :( Really though we still had a great time, just not sure it would be on the top of my "go back" list.