Anyways, after a crazy week and weekend we packed up our group of 8 and headed out bright and early on Father's Day. The plan was to make the trek in one day. I think we went through 8 movies (some were skipping pretty bad so we had to change half way through), 2 food stops, and 3 or 4 gas stops and we made it in one piece to my uncle Greg and aunt Karina's place.
It was so fun to see everyone again! I love this family and wish we lived closer!
Monday morning bright and early was camp check in, orientation, and then right into drills, etc. There was no point in waking all the kids up for this, so I hung out at Saunders' with the kids while Jimmy drove down to BYU to check in the boys. He said "you should've seen the look of Austin and Gage's faces! They nearly peed their pants seeing the size of some of those boys!" haha.
The first day nearly killed the boys. 3 practices a day in 38C was torture, the size and ability of a lot of the boys was overwhelming and they were scared. After the first day at camp I was getting texts like "I've tried having a positive attitude and outlook like you guys tell me. But I can't seem to have any fun. I'm trying so hard, like you have no idea. I'm giving everything my all. And I honestly can't handle it. It's just too much. I feel like vomiting and passing out and crying 24/7. And it's only day 1 mom." AND "basketball I'm actually ok at. Here I'm just getting whooped and pushed around because I'm the skinny white Canadian guy. I know this level of competition is good for me and will make me better. But it sucks sucking!" Way to tug at my heart strings!!! That was DAY 1!!
I told him he had to find 5 positive things or things that he learned the next day and text them to me. Here was the text...
"1. Thankful that there's only around 40 hours left til I'm in the van.
2. Thankful that our third practice today was cut short.
3. Thankful that today went by faster than yesterday an that there was rain and not scorching heat.
4. I learned how to utilized moves to beat a defender one on one.
5. Thankful that I was able to nap after breakfast and rest after dinner for a sec."
Ok so not much better, but better. Then they found out that Seven Peaks for the next night was cancelled which made them miserable again haha.
The next day I told him to look for 10 things! Apparently 5 wasn't enough haha
"1. Thankful that I accidentally left my sandals outside and when I stepped in them my feet molded to them.
2. Learned how to more effectively get in and out of cuts for routes.
3. Learned how to get off of a press.
4. Thankful for the clouds that rolled in this afternoon.
5. Thankful for dad for driving us to the dinner they didn't prepare for us...
6. Thankful that me and Gage grabbed 3 whole pizzas to eat tonight.
7. Learned how to watch a wide receivers hips to know where he's going.
8. Thankful that I brought enough shirts for practice.
9. Thankful that I can shower.
10. Thankful that tonight I can get a good sleep
I made a diving catch and he (Coach Cahoon) came over and talked to me and was like That was an amazing route and incredible catch. Keep it up."
I think having praise from the coach gave him a little confidence boost! And I'm glad he found 10 things hahha! Jimmy and I kept texting him things like "this is good for you", "you can do hard things", etc. And it really was good for them. When the boys got back to their school camp they couldn't stop saying how easy it was!! Overall I think it was a great experience and SO good for them to know that they can do hard things!!
It was 38C almost every day so to try and beat the heat we took the kids to see a movie. Nice way to stay cool. Some days we would go down and watch an hour or so of the drills or 7 on 7 games.
My cousin, Alex, works at Costa Vida and James was in HEAVEN getting to go to his favorite place and see one of his new favorite people. James gets attached quite quickly to some people and Nick and Alex were the "lucky" two this time. He wanted to do EVERYTHING with these boys.
Jimmy and I got to go check out Alex's new highschool. It was AMAZING!! Seriously unreal!! Made me want to move haha
One of the days we took the kids to this huge sporting goods place called Scheels. Two floors of sports equipment, clothes and more. Plus there's a huge Ferris wheel in the middle of the store. The kids and Jimmy all went on. I stayed behind to take pictures.
I think the food is one of my favorite parts of going to the states. Everything is SO GOOD. We went to this great little burger place called Hires Big H Drive-In. They have unlimited frosted mug root beers and the most giant and delicious burgers!! We also hit Chick Fil A a lot! Jimmy found a Korean place called CupBop and he LOVED it. Honestly I would be ginormous if I lived in Utah 'cause the food is just that good! And so many options!
We stopped in a the Student Athletic Building on the day we went to pick up the boys from their last day of camp. It was a pretty cool place!
The same day we picked the boys up I stopped to get Wallaby's for lunch. It was DELICIOUS!! It's an Australian BBQ type place and the pulled pork was unreal. Cheesy mashed potatoes and a homemade bun with cinnamon butter topped it off. mmmmm
Later that day (we packed A LOT into the day we picked the boys up from camp haha) Aunt Karina took us on a short hike to see a waterfall. Not gonna lie, I thought I was going to die. Looks like I need to start walking to and from school again haha. Jimmy was great and stayed behind with me, encouraging me the whole way. The waterfall was beautiful and definitely worth my heart pounding in my ears down to my feet hahaha. That night we all stayed up way too late playing games. We started with boys vs girls pictionary and then after getting the younger kids to bed, we played the best game ever! I have NO idea what it's called, but the first round is describing, the second is acting, and the third is one word. Best way to end the day. I don't think I've laughed so hard in a long time!
We went to Temple Square on Friday after a little shopping along the way. Our friend, Libby, and a few of her kids, were singing with Millennial Choirs & Orchestra at the tabernacle on Temple Square and was able to score us tickets. It was unreal!! Honestly the first song gave us all goosebumps. I'm so glad we were able to take the kids. Sadly we couldn't stay for the whole thing - James fell asleep, kids were starving and we were all dying of heat. But still, so glad we were able to go! Thanks Libby!!
We headed back home on Saturday and I still hadn't had Krispy Kreme donuts!! WHAT??!! So I found one the farthest from where we were but still on the way home and we got a box. Man, I wish I'd bought a few more. I could eat those for breakfast, lunch and dinner ;)
The boys kept themselves entertained by making these disgusting monkey knots in their leg hair. EWWWWW hahaha
The trip was wonderful and went WAY too fast! I'm so glad we were able to take the whole family down. Huge thank you to the Saunders family for being amazing hosts. We love you!
