As many of you know, last weekend was our big Pioneer Day Celebration. We had a fun time eating lots of good food and coming away with way too many game booth prizes - you know, the kind that break the first time your kid tries to put it together. I wish they'd all just give candy since a little sugar high is way easier to deal with than all the tears resulting from broken toys. Anyway, we all had a great time, but of course it couldn't be complete without a little excitement. So here's the good part.

We were all sitting around having a good time, waiting for the fireworks show, when I thought I'd take Maggie and Ty to the bathroom before all the park lights turned out for the show. The only option was a portapotty since the bathrooms were undergoing renovation. As I was helping Maggie inside the pitch black stink box, I told Ty to stay right where he was (standing right next to us). It was so cramped in there I had to leave the door ajar with my rear sticking out, so I wasn't too worried about leaving Ty standing there. And besides, he's never had a history of running off.

BEWARE. THERE'S A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING!

Apparently, he got tired of waiting and decided to go find Dad. Huge park, thousands of people, and Ty was going to find his Dad alone...um, no. So I finished up helping Maggie, we turned around, and noticed he wasn't there. He wasn't anywhere. The frantic search began. First I asked the people who were in line for the bathrooms, then went to security and no one seemed to have seen him. I'm lucky that this is the first time I've had to experience the temporary loss one of my kids because it was horrible. I wasn't really ever worried for his safety because after all, we were at Pioneer Days - not too likely to be kidnappers lingering about. Mostly I was sick over the thought of how scared he must be not kowing where anyone was. The man at security told me to stand there and wait while he ran up to the stage to make the announcement. I hated that part because I wanted to be looking. Anyway it felt like forever, but it couldn't have been more than a couple of minutes. As I was standing there, 3 ladies way off in the distance caught my attention because they were running full speed with outstretched arms and you don't see that very often, except on Scooby-Doo maybe. I kept watching, slightly amused when I noticed they were chasing Ty! So Maggie and I took off chasing them, and wow, I never knew how fast Ty could run until that moment. The women had seen him wandering alone and tried to help him. To him, they were STRANGERS, so he bolted. Maybe I need to reevaluate my Don't Talk to Strangers presentation.

So when I finally caught up to him and he turned and saw me, he was sobbing hysterically, mostly because of the scary ladies chasing him rather than the fact that he was lost. It was a little unfortunate it had to end with the wicked women chase because I don't think he learned his lesson about wandering off. Instead, he's probably just learned that he needs to outrun anyone who might try to talk to him. Either way we were very glad to see eachother, and I got some very good 4 year-old boy cuddles for the rest of the night. And next time we pay the portapotty a visit, it's going to be a little more cozy in there.

Fortunately the day to day challenges of motherhood generally spread themselves out into tolerable doses, but occassionally already tired mommies are blasted with an overdose of obstacles that all come crashing in at once. Now is my turn for THE BLAST. So, just so you can choose for yourself whether or not to read on, I'll warn you that this is a therapeutic rambling so I don't lose my mind, and there may be content that you'd rather not read.

Basically, here's my life of late. Diapers, pull-ups, baby wipes, diaper rash cream, stinky bathrooms, and laundry. But no fear, I have my roll of paper towels and spray bottle of bathroom cleaner attatched to my hip at this point. I'm dangerously quick to respond to that cry of "Mommmmmm!" because I know if I delay, the consequences will be severe. Now, you might be saying to yourself, "come on, it can't be THAT bad. those kids are 2, 4, and 6. how bad could it really be?" So, let me tell you just how bad it is.

First off, Claire has decided to potty train. And really, it is all her. Never would I have chose to do it now simply because of other more immediate concerns which I'll soon explain. So any mother knows life comes to a stand still during these first few days so mom is free to run back and forth between the toilet and messes around the house. I seriously hate potty training. Second, Ty has suddenly become too old and mature to sit when he goes to the bathroom. Real men stand, apparently. Well that's fine if you're talented enough to aim correctly and tall enough to be over the rim of the toilet. Ty is neither. I've told him to PLEASE sit so I can at least be relieved of cleaning HIS messes. He says he'll sit, but really sneeks an occassional standing position in when I'm not looking. He's no good at hiding the evidence. Lastly, and unfortunately the biggest problem, Maggie is fighting a run of repeated bladder infections as well as constipation. And those two conditions together, cause a whole bunch of problems that no 6 year-old should have to deal with. And since she IS only 6, it's as much my problem as hers. Her doctor doesn't really have a good solution since antibiotics haven't worked and laxatives seem to be causing more problems. She's seeing a specialist next week, who hopefully will have some answers. In the meantime, we leave the house as little as possible, are prepared for the worst when we DO leave, but I am so SO grateful that she's not in school right now. It would all be so much harder on her. And me.

So now, at the end of the day, I'm thinking three things. One, I'm REALLY tired. Two, my house probably smells something awful, and three, tomorrow has GOT to be a better day.

READY!

AIM!

ATTACK!

It's always good to come home after a good long road trip. There's nothing like that first blast of musty stale air that nearly knocks you over as you come through a front door that hasn't been open for 10 days. This time the scent closly resembled that of a Motel 6 - not so good. And there's nothing like throwing the first load of camping laundry into the bleach filled washer and watching the suds turn muddy. Needless to say, that load among many others got a double washing. And then there's the sudden realization when you open the fridge that there's NOTHING to eat in the house because you were so careful to eat up all the leftovers and produce, as well as drink every last drop of milk before leaving so nothing would spoil while you were away. Lucky for all of us, Reas would have nothing to do with instant oatmeal for dinner and we actually had a decent Sunday meal. Thanks, babe!

Our trip was great - filled with lots of fun, great people, and tasty food. Of course, it couldn't be called a family vacation without a few wrenches thrown in. Like, potty accidents in the car, a dead battery, more vomit than we would've liked, clothing washed downstream never to be seen again, and 26 mosquito bites found on Maggie from the neck up alone! All for the sake of making memories.

And of course, I was often caught without the camera exactly when I wished I had it. But I do have some pictures to share.

Our family reunion was in Mammoth, CA. It is gorgeous there! 80 degree days and COLD nights definitely beat the Las Vegas heat. Here's our little tent village where 35 of us lived for 3 days. There were a couple more tents that wouldn't fit in the picture.

Reas and Claire at the base of Devil's Postpile.

All the kids were able to have repelling lessons thanks to Uncle Andy bringing his gear. Ty didn't enjoy himself nearly as much as he appears.

Maggie was moving like a pro until her first slip. She never quite recovered after that.

Papa with Claire and cousin, Abby.

A hike to Rainbow Falls.

Here's all 21 grandkids ranging in age from 11 months to 13 years. And yes, they're even sporting matching reunion shirts. The front side has a cute little pink pig with a fork jabbing him in the rear and says, "Stick a fork in me 'cause I'm..." And the back says, "DUNN." With all of our names around it. Very cheezy, yes. My parents wouldn't have it any other way.

Claire hated the feel of dirt in her shoes. By the last day she discovered that it was easier to hang out in the van rather than have to keep emptying her shoes.

Before the reunion, we were also able to stop in to see Reas' sister and her family, who live in the cutest little town north of Santa Rosa, CA. There are 6000 people in their town and everything has that small town feel that is so opposite of Vegas. Even the Chevrons look inviting. Sorry, no pictures. That's where we ran into our first flu episode so the camera was the last thing on my mind.

Then we stopped in to see my sister and family in Campbell, and continued to fight the flu bug. But, we were able to get some fun shopping in and swim in her huge pool. They have the best party backyard with all the necessary toys. It was great. Thankfully, everyone was well by the time we got to Mammoth.

For now, we're enjoying being home for a couple of weeks before heading up to UT for a family wedding and more good times!