Crazy Summer

Why hello, long lost blogging buddies!

It has been a crazy summer with the Ewells. Here is a quick recap.

May-
Both boys finished school. They were super excited!
June-
Both boys bored from nothing to do! LOL
July-
Boys are counting down the days to school!

There's my crazy update.... Hope you all enjoyed it, LOL

Super Proud Mommy

Today is such a bitter sweet day!

Eastyn had his last day in Intermediate School and Cadyn had his last day in Elementary School. There are no words to describe of how proud I am of them but I am also sad..

I am sad that they are growing up so fast. It seems like yesterday they were 3 & 4. Where has all the time gone????

Busy, Busy, Busy

Our Family

The most amazing picture EVER!!!!

Well, we have been so busy lately in this Ewell Household. As most of you know, we went to Mexico again in April. We took the kids, and it was AMAZING!!!! We also have been doing baseball practices, games and still dealing with school, homework & all the other duties that we all have to do! Needless to say, it is EXHAUSTING, but a blessing at the same time.

The boys are doing good. They are getting excited that school is almost out for the summer. It is hard to believe that Eastyn is going to be in 8th grade and Cadyn 6th.... Where has the time gone?

Gareth is still hard at work at SunRoc. He just received another promotion!!!! I know, 3 promotions in a year, I think they might just like him ;)

I am still at the theatres, they keep me busy as always. We are now into our busy time, so I have long days, but at least I have an understanding family (well, for the most part).

I promise that I will try to update more often....

Loves

Dysfunctional

Tonight we had dinner at my Aunt's house. The Aunt that we always stayed at in SLC when we were there. The only difference is she is here now! She moved to the Sunny St.George!!!!

I am so very happy to have a part of my dad that lives here.... The dysfunction, Ahhh... Good Times!!!!

Merry Christmas

Why is it that men don't like to get their pictures taken? Why is it that when you are in the middle of getting said pictures taken do your children go into laughing attacks? These were my questions last week when we did our family pictures!

Most of you know that we don't get family pictures taken too often (Gareth HATES getting pictures done), so why is it that when you do go get them, everyone is off their rockers? Shouldn't we just be able to sit still for 5 minutes and smile normal?

Well, not us Ewells. The boys were on the verge of peeing their pants from laughing so hard. Gareth had his "Are we done yet" smile on his face, and I was just trying to stay still and not slide down the hill from all the leaves!

So, needless to say half our pictures are "black mail if you make mom mad" pictures, but we did seem to actually get some good ones!

A big "Thank You" to my friend/photographer Kari for having enough patience to deal with my crazy family.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!!!

My children will do it better!

Have you ever wondered or thought back to when you were in school, what you would change? I was fighting with my son who insists that school is NOT FUN and doesn't seem to think homework is important, when I came to the realization that I didn't have any ground to stand on. I loved school (the social part) but for the most part, I didn't do my homework, hell I was lucky if I even went to class.

So, I decided that my children will do it better!!!! They will get their butts up and ready, even on the days that it is cold outside, and go to school. I will make sure that they get their homework done, even when they are saying "Mom, you are mean!"....

Now, don't get me wrong, this isn't a dig in the back to my mother, but thinking back now, I knew how to walk over her. I knew the buttons that I needed to push to get my way! And now can say that I finally understand.

So, I will gladly take the title MEAN MOM..... Because being the supportive mom, just isn't enough in their eyes!!!!!

Slacking

So, as I sit here and read all my favorite peoples blog.. I have come to the understanding that not only am I a slacker, they are slacking! This in truth makes me laugh. We all want to let everyone know what is going on with our lives, but non of us have the time!

So, with that said, I will "try" to update more frequently, and let all of you know how my family and I are doing.

Quick update:

Cadyn is learning "Give me Liberty". This has been quite interesting, and he is now on the memorization of the Gettysburg Address. He almost has it done, which in it self is a project.

Eastyn is loving 7th grade. He is in band, he plays the bass clarinet. He is getting real good :)

Gareth is still working in Mesquite. Its a love hate relationship.

Me, well I am working hard at the theatre. We have been slow, but I have been busy. We are currently getting ready for "New Moon", which I have to say- I am excited, but I am not :)

Well, I hope that you are all well.... Love you, Miss you, and GET writing on your blogs

Wow... I suck

I just realized that I haven't posted in over a month!!! Sorry...

Well a lot has been going on in the Ewell household. Cadyn is still playing baseball 2 nights a week, Gareth also. Eastyn is happy that it is finally summer, and I have been extremely busy with work.

I have also started the biggest loser with a bunch of friends, so wish me luck.

Short and sweet... WOW, that's not like me :)

Updates on everyone!

I know, I have been slacking on my blog duties. It's not that I or the family have been super busy in the last month, but we have had a lot going on.

Gareth is still as busy as ever, with work and Softball (yes, it is that time again). He plays softball 2 nights a week, and is starting up with the Tournaments on the weekends. He also has been doing projects around the house. He has tilled up the side of our yard, so that eventually he can lay sod down.

The boys are always running around. Eastyn has been playing Church basketball every Thursdays, and is awesome at it. Cadyn has started his practices for little league, and games will start next week. His team is the YANKEE'S... I know, I know..... If you would like to join us at either Eastyn's basketball games, or Cadyns baseball games- let me know, and I will get you the schedules.

Me, I have been keeping myself busy, with working and watching my kids and my beautiful niece Haylee... I haven't had much time to really do anything, if that makes sense!?!?!?

Oh... The boys have also now takin' a liking to Raquetball... Gareth took them over spring break, and they both loved it! What other extracuricular actives can they come up with???

Eastyn Tyrell

As I sit here (yes Kari... I said the dreaded words, lol) and wallow in my tears, I am remembering when I first had Eastyn.... As most of you know he will be 12, yes 12 on the 7th and I don't know where the time has gone!! He has gone from baby to toddler, to little boy to pre-teen wonderful son!!! So, I thought I would dedicate this blog to him, for being a fantastic big brother, and an amazing son.... I LOVE YOU EASTY....

Eastyn was born on Friday, February 7th, 1997 (2/7/97 lucky huh?) almost 2 months premature. He was a stubborn little man even in the womb. I remember laying in the hospital bed, all the monitors on and the nurses saying that I was going to be in the hospital for at least 3 more weeks.... And that I needed to keep him from coming. He wasn't ready!!!! Well, that is when it all started.... (Sit back and relax, come on a journey of Eastyns life with me....*soft elevator music in the back ground*)

When the doctors decided to admit me to the hospital on Thursday night (around 11PM), Gareth and my mom decided that they needed to go get a coffee.... When they walked out of the room, that is when the fun began...MY WATER BROKE... Well, as most of you know, when your water breaks, that means you are having a baby!!!

Gareth and my mom decided to come and check on me, when they got to the room, they saw about 4 nurses franticially working on me. Gareth had that "Deer in the headlights" look on his face, and asked what was going on.... Me not to happy, (because everyone told me that if I had the baby now, he would most likely be 2 pounds if that, and have only a 25% chance of living) said that we were having a baby!!! Well, the next few hours we waited for the doctors to get ready for the c-section, and just tried to stay calm....

Well, at 7:02AM Eastyn Tyrell Ewell, made his grand appearence into this world.... He weighted in at 6pds, 4oz and was 17inches long! (I know, could you imagine how BIG he would be if I would have carried him full term? LOL )

When he was born, they put him on oxegyn and put a feeding tube in him, since he didn't really have the sucking motion down yet, but all and all... He was pretty dang healthy (thanks to his weight). He did go a little down hill the next day where he stopped breathing and they had to do a spinal tap on him to see why.... Well as you can see, he didn't feel a thing. He actually fell ASLEEP.....

Since then he has grown in so many ways! He is amazing at science and loves animals! He has been the best big brother that Cadyn could have asked for, and hardly ever complains. I truley am blessed that he is in my life. He amazes me everyday, by the things he learns, his personality and his humor... The boy is pure GENUIS!!!!!

So, here are some more pictures of the life of Eastyn!!! Sit back and enjoy!!!!!

Eastyn's first hunting trip with Aunt Emmy!

Eastyn 10 months old!

Eastyn's Kindergarten Picture

Eastyn lookin' all handsome!

Christmas in Mexico 2008 on the Captain Hook Cruise

DEXA RESULTS!!!

Just thought I would let all of you that read my blog know that we have gotten Cadyn's Dexa Scan results back.... The results were wonderful, he actually has scores that are for "normal" kids!!! You heard me right, Cadyn is NORMAL....

Now, this doesn't mean that he no longer has OI, because he does! It just means that the PAM treatments are helping him and his bones are getting stronger.

So, now comes the hard part. We have to decide whether we are going to keep him on the PAM for another year, or take a year off. Now, I can hear all of you asking this question "Why would you take a year off if it's helping him?" - Well, we don't really know the long term effects yet, and we don't want his body to get used to the drug and stop responding to it. On the other hand, if he happens to go through a growth spurt while he is off the PAM, then his fracture rate could go up...

Any suggestions?

All I can say is that I am so very happy that his bones aren't as fragile as they were 3 years ago!!!

Miracles do happen!!!!!!!!!!!!

Slacker

Yes, I know... I am such a slacker! I have been so busy, that I haven't been able to blog. So, "sitting here" at 8:30P, I will update you all on our family!

As most of you know, I am no longer working for Planet. This in itself was a very sad time for me. I miss all of the agents so much, but thankfully I can keep in touch with all of them.

My new job, is working as a Manager at the movie theatre. I am learning so much. I never realized what it took to actually get the movie up on the screen. Very Interesting!!!

Cadyn & I just got back from Salt Lake City for his OI clinic. He also had his PAM treatment & Dexa Scan while we were there. He was so tough. They had to poke him 3 times to get the IV in, but still had a wonderful attitude. His Dexa results will be back in about a week, and then we will know if they want to keep him on the Pam. His doctors also said that his bones look good, so far, he has no bowing in his long bones, and his back is still straight... For this we are very happy!

In other news, Gareth has been working very hard, the boys are doing AWESOME in school and life just couldn't be better!!! (unless we were back on the beach, and a millionaire, lol )

Love you all =)

I wanna go back where it's WARM!!!!

So, I know that you are all having Ewell Blog withdrawls, lol - So, I thought I would give you all an update on our Christmas Vacation in Can Cun!!!

It started out on the drive to Vegas, Kari- being the wonderful friend that she is, was nice enough to drive us down, so we didn't have to leave our car in Vegas. (Thank you Kari) As we were driving, Gareth's dad called and wanted to meet up to have dinner so he could give the boys their Christmas presents. Well, he decided that we would all meet at In & Out Burger. Kari, not really a fan of In & Out told Gareth that there was a Hooters close by and that we should eat there. Well, Cadyn asked "What is Hooters?"- I thought Kari was going to have a heart attack! Then out of the blue, Eastyn- My sweet little Eastyn whispered to Cadyn "Boobies", LOL.... I thought we were all going to pee our pants!!!

Well, the following morning, around 3:45am, we got on the shuttle to the airport. Here is a picture of the boys, yeah they were excited (can't you tell?)...
We got on the plane- Gareth & Cadyn in one row, and Eastyn and I in another. Eastyn didn't look to good. He was very nervous and I was just praying that he didn't throw up! To my delight, he made it through the first flight without any problems. Good job Easty! When we landed in Denver we met up with my sister and Leesa, to board the next plane to get to Mexico.

We finally landed in Mexico around 4:00Pm... Here is a picture of the boys outside the Can Cun airport.
When we got to the resort, we decided to just walk around and find out where everything was, and just get the lay of the land. Over the next week, we played Sand Volleyball, Football, Swam, hung out with our new friends, went on a pirate cruise and just enjoyed spending time with eachother.

Here are some more pictures for your enjoyment











Well, the day that we left, was a very interesting day! We were rear-ended on the way to the airport, our flight from Denver to Vegas was canceled due to McCarran Airport being closed for SNOW, yes you heard me right.... Snow!!!!! We had to get a hotel and the following day we spent 13 hours at the Denver airport waiting for our flight.... Super Fun!!!! (A big thanks to Jeff & Brandi for picking us up at 3 in the morning!)

We did it.!!!!!

We did it.... We finally broke down and told our boys that we were not going to Six Flags for Christmas.

Here is how the conversation went.

Mom: Boys, we need to talk to you.
Boys: Ok, what?
Mom: We need to cancel our Six Flags Trip.
Boys: WHAT? THAT'S NOT FAIR...... WE HAVE WAITED ALL YEAR!!!!!
Mom: I am not finished yet.
Dad: The reason we are canceling our Six Flags trip is because we were never going to Six Flags....
Mom: We are going to Cancun for Christmas!!!!
Boys: What? What? Where are we going?
Mom & Dad: CANCUN BOYS!!!!
Boys: YES..... That is so awesome. We can order something at the swim up bar, (laughing)....


Yes, The boys finally know that we have been horrible parents and have lied to them. But, in the long run, I personally think it was well worth it. To see their faces so disappointed, and in a second be so overwhelmed. It was worth it.

So, to all of you that have tried so hard not to spoil the fun, they now know!!! You are all off the hook!!!!!

We will be taking lots of pictures, so expect a fantastic blog around the 18th!!!! We love you all.....

Thanksgiving

A couple of weeks ago, I got a phone call from one of my cousins from up in Salt Lake, asking what we were doing for Thanksgiving. I quickly responded "Staying home" (which looking back really wasn't the case, I was actually going to La Verkin, but hey- it's not really going out of town either), tis his response was classic.... "Well, mom isn't going to be home, so can we come to your house and you can cook us Thanksgiving dinner?".

It was the funniest thing, and since I don't get to see my cousins all that much, I gladly agreed to cook for them. So, here I am- on a mission to make sure that they get a fabulous dinner, with all the trimmings that they are used to.

Well, Brandon called me last Monday and told me that he wasn't going to be making it into town until Thursday night, and asked if it would be alright if we ate a little later then normal, once again, not a big deal.... Then he mentioned that he was bringing Boston, who helps him on the road. Ok, what's one more person right?

So, on Wednesday night, I am expecting Jontae and Cody to get into town around 9:30ish, 10:00 at the latest. Gareth goes over to McGee's house to play poker, I am at home with the boys making my potatoe salad, and pumpkin pies. I get a phone call around 10:00 from Cody, saying that they are going to be late, because they stopped to eat, ok- midnight, still not bad right? WRONG...... They rolled into my driveway at 2:30AM (yeah, they ate dinner in SLC, and hadn't left town yet) LOL.

Well, when all was said and done, we had a fabulous dinner, the turkey was moist, the potatoes were smooth, the gravy to die for (thanks Jonny) and the pumpkin pies were eaten!!!!

So, to my house guests, Brandon, Boston, Cody & Jontae (let's not forget about the 2 pitbulls that were at my house also... Smash & Sox)....

Thank you for sharing the holiday with our family, and we hope to see you soon!!!!!

We Love You

Grandpa Rick!!!!

Grandpa, Caitlyn, Eastyn, Jordyn, Cadyn, Logan & Damion

As most of you know, we don't get to see my dad very often. First of all, he lives in Salt Lake, second, he is a truck driver. So, when he gets into town, we all try to make sure we get to see him.

Well, on Friday he was here!!!! I called Jeff and Marla and they brought over the kids, Damion came over and we all had a good time visiting, and watching Dad with all the kids.

It is a very happy but somber time when he comes into town. We love to see him, but hate to see him leave. I am happy to report though that Jordyn and Logan let Grandpa hold them, so that made his night!!!!!

Here are some fun pictures of our night.

Marla, Dad & Jeff

Me, Dad & Gareth (isn't that sunset beautiful?)

Father & Son

Congratulations Justin & Annie

Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction~ Antoine De Saint-Exupery

So, this weekend my very good friend Justin got married... We all went to Defa's Dude Ranch in Ashley National Park (near Kamas). We spent the weekend relaxing and just having a great time.

Here are some of our very fun, and very interesting pictures.... Congrats Justin & Annie... We love you guys...

Bill, Carley & Brandon

Cody and I

Gareth & Jontae

Leesa

Daron

Justin watching Annie walk down the aisle

Annie

Jamie, Gareth & Janet

Jason & Annalisa

Carley, Me, Jamie, Tiffany & Daron

Jamie and I

Me and Brandon

Justin with the Mayor of Kamas

The heart on the Mountain

Gareth & I

Justin and Dave the night before the wedding

Daron & Justin

Daron, Gareth and Justin

Me, Daron and Jamie

Aunt Vickie

Annie and her Padre

Cheers to the happy couple (Annie's mom, Stepdad are on the right)

Stormy, Jim & Jamie...Dancing the night away

Annalisa and Breanna

Jesse

Gareth & Brandon playing horse shoes

Miss Kenna & Grandma

Mother of the groom, doesn't she look so happy?

Jamie

Carley

Justin and Dave (Annie's padre)

Leesa playing horse shoes with the boys

The hard core biker with the skaters shoes (Daron)

This was on the wall in the Saloon.....