A mother's worst nightmare

So in my previous post I talked about an experience we had at the beach that I never want to relive. I have had several people ask about it so here it goes.... I am hoping I don't get all emotional writing this.

We had been at the beach all day and we decided it was getting cold and it was time to change for the BBQ. Luke started packing up all our beach things and I took all 3 kids to the car to get changed. Nicholas was in such a hurry because he was so excited to play with his older cousins. He was the first one done and he begged me to let him go and be with everyone else. The parking lot was very close to the pits where all the family was. All you had to do was cross the sidewalk everyone biked on and it was to the left. So I walked him to the sidewalk and watched him cross, I saw he was going left towards the pit so I went back to the car to get the other kids dressed. That took about 5 more minutes. I go back to the pit and start talking to relatives. About 10 minutes later my mom asked where Nicholas was. I told her he was playing with Sam and Nate(my cousins). She tells me that he isn't with them. I haven't panicked yet because I am thinking he is with one of the other kids. I look around and don't see him ANYWHERE! This is when I get nervous. A ton of family broke off and went to look for him. We had people at the water, pits, lifeguard stations, everywhere! At this time I realize I was the last person to see him, 15 minutes ago!!!! I then start to hyperventilate and cry because I realize a lot can happen in 15 minutes. Everyone is calling his name and a few strangers start to look too. It is starting to get dark and in 10 minutes it would be really hard to look because there wouldn't be much light. Strangers start asking what he looks like. I could barely get the words out because I never thought I would be telling people to look for my son and describing what he looked like. It felt like eternity went by but I think it was maybe 10 minutes when my aunt yells that she found him at the bathroom further down waiting there. I think he was gone a total of 25 minutes, but honestly the whole thing was in slow motion that I couldn't tell you the exact time frame. He wasn't crying when we found him but the minute he saw Luke(who was crying pretty bad) he started to cry, and then he saw his hysterical mom which made him cry even more.

I can't even tell you how I was feeling. The FEAR I had when we couldn't find him and the JOY I had when we found him. I think my heart hurt for the rest of the night. I never want to experience that again. Him and Luke don't really like to talk about it. I actually think Luke took it harder than I did. I am so glad Nicholas is okay.

Lesson learned: I realized Nicholas is only 5. Since he is the oldest and most of the time acts like a pretty mature 5 yr old, I think he can do more than he really can. I have to remember he is ONLY 5 and things can still confuse him.

The Beach

Sammy loved sitting underneath the umbrella. She thought she was pretty cool.

Parker and Jack. These boys are little troublemakers

Thinking he can boogie board

I rarely get a good picture of me and Sammy. I love this one.

Striking a pose

Nicholas being buried. Oh and take notice of his white face. This is what happens when you ask your husband to put sunscreen on. He put too much on so it wouldn't rub in at all.

My 3 white boys.

Aunt Amber and Sammy showing off their lipstick.

Parker loving it one minute....

and hating it the next. You never know what you will get with this boy.

This last weekend we did our annual beach BBQ on my mom's side. We had a lot of fun, except for one experience I never want to re-live again. I will save that for another post. The kids had so much fun. We spent all day at the beach. We laid out, ate lots of food, went boogie boarding, swam at my parents awesome hotel pool, built sandcastles, found sand crabs, and made smores. Even Luke had fun, and he is not a beach fan(hence the very white skin). We can't until the next time we can go to the beach and just relax.

This guy.....

(look at that cute face. His lips are my favorite, I could kiss them all day long)

-is a maniac
-whines all the time
-thinks he is tough by hitting boys way older than him(like 8 yr old boys)
-is non stop from the minute he wakes up to the minute he goes down
-still loves his pacifier( please don't judge)
- takes off his diaper and pees right by the toilet but on the floor
-smiles at me when he goes to time out or when is getting spanked
-can eat more than any of his siblings

BUT he still wants to cuddle with me and gives me the best kisses and hugs ever. This guy keeps my life busy non stop everyday all day long. He can be such a stinker and I even took him into the Dr. today hoping they would tell me he has an ear infection or something that could explain his excessive whining. Nope! He is perfectly healthy, just doing what a 2yr old does best. I guess I can handle it as long as he still gives me kisses and hugs.

Double Trouble

Happy Birthday to the best parents I have ever known. Today is my Mom and Dad's birthday. Yes the same day. They are 5 years apart. I always thought it was so cool that they shared the same birthday. I just wanted to tell them a few things:

Dad- You were the best dad growing up and I know how hard you worked for our family. You are still working hard but this time it's for the grand kids. I know how much you love them. You are like a little kid with them and they love it. Thanks for being the best. We love you!

Mom- You are my mommy. I still talk to you everyday. Which Luke still makes fun of me for. I love living by you so we can go to lunch or just go to Target and check out the sales. You are the best and I am so lucky to have you in my life. I love how you are always buying fun things for the grand kids to do. They love hanging out with you and doing crafts. I couldn't have asked for a better mother and grandmother to my kids. Love you too!!

5 years today!

5 years ago I gave birth to this skinny long adorable little boy. He was so skinny and long that his Papa Lund called him "spider baby". He changed our lives forever. Nicholas has such a big heart and is always worried about peoples feelings(he of course got that trait from me). He is always willing to help me around the house and never hesitates to tell me he loves me. He is our social bug. He could be at a friends house for 12 hours straight and not even get homesick. Everyday he asks me who's house he is going to. I can't believe he starts Kindergarten in a couple weeks. I know he will do great and I am so excited (and a little sad) for him to start this new adventure. Here are a few things about Nicholas:



- He loves any kind of superhero

-He remembers everything, seriously nothing gets passed this kid

-He loves playing XBox with Luke

-Loves being with his buddies

-Loves teasing and chasing Uncle Aaron around

-He is very good to Sammy and Parker

- He loves to learn

-He is really into coloring right now, I mean REALLY into it. He is good at it too



There are so many thing about Nicholas that we love. He is leaving me tomorrow for 3 days and 3 nights. My parents are taking him to Disneyland and I'm not sure I am ready for this. I wonder if they'll take Parker instead? We love you Nicholas!!!


The awesome tank cake that I made. One of the easiest cakes to make ever.

When all the boys arrived we wrapped army bandanas on their heads and put some war paint on their faces. The boys thought they were really cool.

See what I mean? They are so cool!

Luke had a great idea of making an obstacle course for "boot camp". The kids had so much fun. He timed all of them and they took it really serious. Here is Nicholas starting off......

Making his way through the maze

Going through the 'tires", i just blew up inner tubes. Way cheaper!

Our tunnel

The party turned out really cute and it would have been 100% perfect if it wasn't 113 degrees that day. Not fun for a fat pregnant lady.

Sundays are tiring!

Here's the proof:

This is Parker's favorite spot in his bedroom. He was TIRED!

Daddy was nice enough to give foot rubs to the girls. This was Sammy's first foot rub and she thought it was hilarious.

The 4th

We couldn't leave Beaver without getting a picture on the famous rocking chair.

We went up to Utah to visit the Lund family. I always get excited to go up there because my kids have so many cousins to play with. I don't talk to Nicholas ALL DAY LONG. I have to drag him away to even eat. This year Sammy warmed up and played quite a bit. Parker just went and made his rounds. I swear everytime I saw him he was on the lap of a different person. He definitely won the hearts of many. I'm sure they were wondering where the crazy Parker was that I am always talking about. He is there people...I promise! We had a ton of fun and the kids are already talking about the next time we go. Nick and Cath always throw a good party and we are so thankful for them and for putting up with 30 people who were there for a long time.
Parker and Papa Lund
Ashley and Sammy- this is Sammy's closest girl cousin. They are about 13 months apart.
Parker almost always had a ball and he loved sitting there watching his dad and uncle play a game of Bball. He was patiently waiting his turn.
A game of all the Lund men playing their Bball game. Yes that is my hottie husband dunking the ball. Who said White men couldn't jump??
Parker and max, they are 9 days apart.
Grandma Cathy and Parker
all 4 of these boys had so much fun. They are so close in age, and I am so glad Nicholas has them in his life.
The cutest picture ever!!
All 16 grandchildren with 2 more on the way. We love being with the Lunds.