A Quick Getaway to Evergreen Colorado

This probably has been one of my favorite getaways in a long time. We had a credit with Southwest Airlines that was going to expire really soon. I told Ike for him to find a fun place we could go for a quick weekend trip. He googled it on the web and found Evergreen Colorado. I had never even heard of the little town. It was about 35 miles outside of Denver. Ike found the cutest little cabins called, "The Cabins at Country Road".

We flew out on a friday morning. Rented a car and drove to Evergreen. The cabins were absolutely adorable. The one we stayed in was called The Bootlegger Cabin. It was decorated so cute with old whisky barrels. The area around the cabin was like a little piece of heaven. There was a beautiful creek that ran right through it. The grass was green and the trees were huge and gorgeous. There were lounge chairs for us to use by the creek.  Even a hammock that Ike enjoyed.  There was a private hot tub that we also took advantage of each night. The property had a cute little cafe too that we ate at a few times. We stayed there for two nights.

On the first evening we explored the little town and ate at a fun steak house then went to a bar type setting and lightened to an area band play. The next day we again explored the area and did a little shopping. That night we attended a musical at a local playhouse in evergreen. The show was so good.  We loved it. The next day we checked out of our cabin and went an took the most beautiful scenic drive I ever had been on up to Mt. Evans. It was the highest paved road in north america. We ate lunch at the lake up there. We then headed down and back to the airport where we flew home. The weekend was quick but was so fun to explore a new city. It really was a great little getaway! Thanks honey for finding such a fun place for us to go!

Off to College Spencer Goes!

Ike and I had the wonderful opportunity to bring Spencer up to BYU-Idaho and get him all set up in his apartment and get him ready for his first year of college. We arrived on Friday and drove straight to Rexburg to his apartment. Spencer is living in a 6-man apartment in The Nauvoo House. He has 4 friends that our roommates from home. His personal roommate is Troy Hicks. Then there is Blake Randall, Mitchell Overson & Steven Delgado in the other rooms. They all get along great and seem like they are going to have an awesome year together. 

We got him all moved into his apartment as he ran off with his roommates to campus for some orientation stuff. Ike and I had fun unpacking and organizing Spencer’s side of the room. We got his computer & printer all working, set up his bed and organized all his personal stuff. 

We then headed to campus to the bookstore to buy a few things he needed. It was so fun being on campus with all the new freshmen. You could feel the excitement and anticipation in the air. Spencer had fun going to the orientation things, getting his ID card and picking up his textbooks. Ike and I continued to go shopping getting all the things Spencer would need for his apartment. That evening we went to dinner with all the boys and their parents.  It was a lot of fun.

On Saturday Ike and I headed to Idaho Falls to go to Sam’s Club to get Spencer groceries.  We kind of or should I say we really went overboard on food. We figured we would buy as much as possible because from then on out he was on his own.

We loaded up and headed back to Rexburg. We then made another run to Kmart for a few more items that Wal-Mart was out of. Just when we thought we were complete we found out that all the boys had nice pillowtops for their mattresses. Well of course we had to go get one for Spencer. Only problem was Rexburg was all out of them. So back to Idaho Falls to Sam’s Club we went. We got him a plush memory foam topper. He said it was heaven to sleep on. I am so glad we got it for him.

On Sunday we laid low from Spencer and let him go do his own ward for church. Ike and I went and found a family ward to attend. You would not believe how many wards there are in the little town of Rexburg. Crazy! We then went and picked up Spencer and ate lunch and brought him back to our hotel so Ike could give him a Father’s Blessing. We then brought him back to his apartment. We went and took naps and relaxed the rest of the afternoon.  Then the dreaded time came to go say goodbye to him and his roommates. I know Spencer is exactly where he needs to be but I won’t lie it was hard to leave that boy. I love him so much and am so grateful to have had the opportunity to raise him for these last 18 years. I just pray that we have taught him the necessities of life so he will find success in his future. 

Ike and I are on the plane as I type this and it is so hard to think we actually left Spencer behind or should I say we left him to begin a new chapter in his life. I know he will have a wonderful time and the experience he will have in college will be life changing for him. I guess this is good practice for when we will send him off on his mission in about 9 months.  May this year at college help set the foundation for him to find the incredible success that awaits him!  We love you Spencer Aaron Tippetts! 

A Family First Staycation

With Spencer leaving for college we wanted to do one last getaway with the family.  We were supposed to go to Zion’s to do the Narrows but with Cameron’s ankle injury we had to change plans.  We didn’t want to drive 8 hours to California so I decided I would find a resort close by and we would go there for our Labor Day Weekend Get-a-way. 

We went to the Arizona Grand Resort and spent 3 days there.  They had a huge water park that I thought the kids would enjoy.  We started the weekend off by eating up at Rustler’s Roost Steakhouse and then enjoyed a movie out by the pool.  On Saturday we just relaxed, ate, the boys worked out in the gym and Taylor and I hung out at the water park.  On Sunday we slept in, ate and headed home.  The best part was the 20-minute drive home to our house. 

Even though we did not do much that weekend we were together as a family so our mission was accomplished.  So for our first Staycation I feel it was a great success.

Spencer's Crazy Month

Spencer has had quite the last 3 weeks. He had been planning for months to go to Lake Powell with his friend Brett Judy to bask on a houseboat and wake board to his hearts content. Well about 8 hours before he was to leave he was practicing a back flip on the trampoline and landed his shins right on the bars of the trampoline. Spencer split one shin about 4 inches and the other shin he got a terrible bruise. We had our good friend Hunt Udall who is an orthopedic surgeon come over and he put 3 staples to close up the 4 inch gash.  Hunt did it right on the counter in our kitchen.

We reluctantly let Spencer go anyway to Lake Powell.  He was there one day and ended up in the ER in Page.  His leg with the bruise blew up like a balloon.  They were fearing Compartment Syndrome.  Ike and I drove up to Page and picked Spencer up and brought him home.  He was so sad to leave.

So for the next few days Spencer was being carefully watched as Ike and I left for California for a seminar we had scheduled. By Saturday his leg with the bruise had gotten severe.  Hunt had Spencer go to Cardon's Children's Hospital so he could open up his leg and drain the blood that has pooled so terribly.  All this happen while Ike and I were in California.  I was dying not being able to be there with him. Here are a few pictures from the procedure.  Be prepared some are pretty graphic.

        

           

Spencer had been recuperating on the couch for two weeks when he then had to go in for sinus surgery which had been scheduled all summer. He did pretty good with it.

Then to top off an already crazy, miserable month Spencer had to get his wisdom teeth taken out. This was again scheduled all summer. At least this was in efforts to get ready to do Spencer's mission papers  at Christmas when he comes home from college. 

     

Spencer insisted on texting right after he woke up. It was hilarious he kept trying to touch the screen above the letters and was getting frustrated that it would not type. Not too mention he didn't know how to spell anything so none of it made sense. We were all laughing.

So it has been a crazy month for Spencer. He is still on the mend and wanting so much to get back to work. So please Spencer no more drama. Lets get you healthy and back on your feet. Spencer leaves for college in one month. Hang in there Spencer!

Trip to Cabin for Snowflake Days 2012

We decided to take a trip up to the cabin for Snowflake Days. Spencer was still recuperating from his leg ordeal so we were hoping for a quiet relaxing time. Cameron brought his friend Bryce. My friend Maci and her daughters and a friend came up to join us too. We got up there on Friday. Maci, the kids and me headed up to Snowflake for the rodeo. We had a great time. Taylor and Maci’s daughters stayed for the dance while Maci and I headed back to the cabin.

On Saturday we all went to Snowflake for the festivities. We left Ike and Spencer to relax at the cabin. We first went to the parade and then the craft fair. A huge storm came in and we got rained out at the fair so we decided to head back to the cabin to take a nap until the rodeo. We returned to Snowflake for the rodeo that evening and had a nice time. 

On Sunday we woke up and made breakfast and relaxed. The kids wanted to take the new Razor out for a spin before we were to head home. Spencer took Cameron, Bryce and friend out for a drive through some back roads by the cabin. We stayed back at the cabin to clean and pack up to return home. When all of a sudden I hear panic and see Spencer running through the front door carrying Cameron. They had flipped the razor on its side and the impact crushed Cameron’s ankle. It was horrible to look at. Ike and I immediately got Cameron in the truck and headed to the emergency room in Show Low. 

They x-rayed it and to our surprise it was not broken.  It just looked really bad. We were so thankful because it could have been so much worse. So that was our relaxing adventure at the cabin. Never a dull moment in the life of the Tippetts.

Cameron's First Year at EFY (BYU-Provo)

Cameron had a terrific first time experience at EFY this year.  He went up with his buddy Nick Lott to EFY at BYU in Provo. They had great counselors, a great company which equalled a wonderful week.  It was so awesome to see Cameron's eyes opened to his sprouting testimony. His comment was "If I ever wondered or had any doubts about the gospel I sure don't have them now. I know its all true!"  Cameron thoroughly enjoyed his week at EFY.  Here are a few fun pictures:

 

Spencer Becomes an Elder

Today was a special day for Spencer.  He was ordained to the office of the Melchizedek priesthood. Ike gave him the most beautiful blessing I think I have ever heard. Spencer has been preparing himself for this major responsibility for a very long time. He is always so good to read his scriptures, say his prayers and attend every possible meeting he is suppose too. He even has been attending Missionary Prep Class for the last 6 months. As parents we could not be more proud of the young man that Spencer is becoming. We know he will take this newly received blessing very serious and do great things with it. He will be off to college in a few months. This summer he is working really hard and saving his money so he will be ready to go on his mission when he returns from college. What an incredible missionary Spencer will be!

Cameron Recieves The Golden Scholar Award

Cameron got to lead the Pledge of Allegiance as the 8^th grade President before receiving the Golden Scholar Award.  Cameron has worked very hard to keep his straight A’s.  There have been many late nights with lots of projects and reports.  Cameron takes his grades very seriously and works hard to maintain them.  This is the 2^nd year that Cameron has received the Golden Scholar Award from Highland Jr. High School.  We are so proud of you Cameron and this great accomplishment.  We are looking forward to even more great things as he enters high school this fall.  Way to go!

Spencer's 18th Birthday

I can hardly believe that Spencer really turned 18 years old today. I can remember the day he was born and I held this baby boy in my arms.  From this day on he changed my life forever. He was the best Mother's Day gift ever. Spencer has grown into every mother's dream of a son. I feel so lucky to be his mother. I love this young man very much!

Spencer started his day out by going to breakfast with his best friend Abraham. He were bound and determined to hit all the food establishments in the area that gave free stuff for birthdays. He started with breakfast at Joe's Farm Grill. Later another friend took him to BJ's, then Krispy Kreme Donuts and then Firehouse Subs. He was one stuffed boy by mid afternoon.

Tonight we celebrated with about 30 of his closest friends at Buffalo Wild Wings. His best friend Abraham also had a birthday yesterday so the party tonight was for the both of them. What a great time they had with all their friends. We went through a couple hundred chicken wings and lots of soda. I just could not ask for better friends for Spencer. They are all great kids and wonderful examples. Here are a few pictures from the evening: