A Trip for the Record Books

It's been five years since my mom passed away and that means it has also been five years since all my siblings had been together.  We believed that was sick and wrong and chose to meet each other in San Diego in February.  Sadly, my oldest sister did not make it on the trip but the rest of us made it with our spouses as well as my Dad.  This trip marked the first time Tim and I had vacationed without our kids and it was really so nice!  I missed them dearly but they were happy to get some grandma time with Tim's mom.

Siblings really are a remarkable thing and I've decided the relationship becomes even more remarkable as you age.  Sometimes it's remarkable to think that you came from the same pool of DNA, remarkable how well you know each other, remarkable how the memories you make while growing up really stick with you, remarkable how you belong to each other.  It was wonderful catching up for a few days in sunny California!

Can I just say that San Diego is the happiest place on earth?  The weather is divine.  The people are laid back and friendly.  The food is not only gluten free but delicious.  The trip was straight up luxurious for us!

We spent our first day partly in the ER with my brother Todd and partly at the San Diego Zoo.  Because what would a Burt Family Reunion be without a trip to the ER?  As far as the Zoo goes it was a neat Zoo but I've decided going to the zoo without kids in tow makes you a creeper.

 

I have no idea what this bush is but it totally fascinated me.  Huge thorns with the most delicate red flower.  Beautiful!

Doth mine eyes deceive me?  No, you're seeing it right.  That is a golden retriever hanging out with a cheetah.  It was fun seeing these two together.  

An aircraft carrier, the Midway, which saw action during the Gulf war is now a museum.  Tim's eyes lit up when he heard about it.  When Tim was a youth he had a dream of becoming a fighter pilot. That obviously did not happen but it has not lessened his interest.  Watching him tour this ship was like watching a kid on Christmas Day.  It revealed to me that I would not like to live in on aircraft carrier.  I've never thought of myself as someone with claustrophobia but I felt trapped on this beast and wanted off!   

About to head in....he can't wait!

This was the strategy room that required top security clearance to enter back in the day.  It had the blue light and everything.  Tim looks ready for whatever may come our way....

This old war horse found our group to lend an eager ear and he regaled us with his exploits during the Gulf War.  It was awesome to hear him share his experiences.  Made me thankful for the Men and Women who serve our country.

I can't describe how big the ship deck was.  Probably 50 planes lined up with tons of space to spare.  

Sadly this is the closest Tim will get to becoming a fighter pilot.  

Outside the carrier sat this charming statue.  I have always loved the TIME cover with this picture.  

I've got to work on my dip.

Cabrillo National Forest is beautiful!

Looking to the south from this lighthouse you can see Mexico.  

After church on Sunday we headed to Old Town which is my favorite part of Sand Diego and I took zero pictures there!  Except this one inside the Mormon Battalion Visitor's Center.  Tim was chosen from the audience to try on the gear the battalion members wore.  I really was touched by the story of the Mormon Battalion's work in San Diego.  I love the Mormon work ethic.   

The San Diego temple is breath-taking.

We spent our last day in Balboa Park.  Tim and I rented this bike and as it turns out it is super fun to ride down hill but coming uphill was a killer!  No gears on this baby.  Our buns were on fire but the shade was wonderful!  All bikes should have a shade!

This solarium was so pretty.  So many exotic plants.  My favorite were the carnivorous plants and the orchids.  

These people were the best part of the trip.  I'm sad this is our only picture with everyone.  I need to learn how to utilize the selfie stick a little bit better.  

Love these ladies.

And of course him.

This view from our balcony was my favorite!  Until we meet again San Diego! 

Permanent Teeth

Two weekends ago the kids begged for Tim to put up the tramp.  Tim showed Gage how to use the tool that pulls the springs and let him do it.  About 24 hours later as I was cleaning up dinner I was wondering why I ever thought a tramp was a good idea?  I had just gotten Claire cleaned up from a bloody nose, caused by a well placed kick to the face by a certain impassioned older brother, when Gage ran into the house hyperventilating.  I was alarmed and tried to make sense of the jibberish coming out of his mouth that was covered with two hands.  I made out the words "knocked out" and "permanent teeth" and then I tried not to hyperventilate.  Once we pried his hands away I could see that he had two teeth badly chipped and two teeth, not knocked out, but displaced.  This damage was caused by the same brother that kicked Claire only he was not impassioned at the time.  His head just happened to meet Gage's jaw while Gage was landing.  Gage was full blown freaking out and I had to yell, "Pull yourself together man!"  I almost slapped him but decided that probably was not a good idea. I felt bad because he thought I didn't care but I just didn't want him to pass out.  Gage was convinced that he'd have to wear his braces at least TWO MORE YEARS.  I tried to comfort him by googling some crazy nasty teeth restorations while I waited for the dentist to call me back.

The dentist asked me to text him a picture of his mouth and once he saw it he asked us to come right in.  In the meantime the Orthodontist asked to see us after we left the dentist. Gage was further upset that it was breaking the Sabbath to go to the doctor.  I seriously don't know how my kids got to be so fanatical!?  I mean, it's good that he wants to honor the Sabbath but what 11 year old thinks of it when their teeth are nearly knocked out?  Gage, that who.  Gage asked his Dad for a priesthood blessing before we left and he calmed down considerably on the way to the office.

Long story short: two hours and $300 dollars later Gage's teeth were fixed and each doctor remarked how much worse it would have been if he had not had braces.  They thankfully prevented his teeth from being totally knocked out.  Once the dentist got started he was remarking how much better Gage's teeth looked in person than in the photo.  He knew Tim is a 3D artist and teased me that Tim messed with the picture to get him to come in.  I told him it was must have been the power of prayer. He agreed.  Thankful mom here.  

It was really late by the time we got home and Gage was in a lot of pain.  It was the Sunday we switched the clocks ahead and I told him he could sleep in the next morning if he wanted to.  He asked for some Ibuprofen and set his alarm for 6:40 a.m.  By the time I staggered out of bed around 7:00 he was dressed and making his lunch for school.  When this kid pulls himself together he really pulls it together.  I was proud of him!        

A Khaki Nightmare

For some absurd reason someone in management thought it would a good idea to call me, yes me, to be a Cub Scout Den Leader.  Besides the fact that khaki really isn't my color I don't know the first thing about knots or tools or knifes.  Despite my gross under-qualification I have enjoyed the whole scout-y-ness of it all.  I like being with the boys because they really don't need fluff.  Throw a snack at them, laugh at their jokes, let them get their energy out and they leave happy!  The best part of all is that Luke is in my den and he thinks I'm doing a great job which is naive but does my heart good.  

I know it will be hard, but try not to be jealous of the costume.  This was taken before I learned how to do the scout salute.

At our last outing the boys found this goose egg which is in shadow but so huge.  The boys loved it!

Even though they terrorized the ducks there is just something about little boys....