IV REAL??

Anyone catch my title...SYTYCD fans! I think Jared had a good birthday. He got Lego SWII for PS2 and A Darth Vader/Death Star transformer. What could beat that?! His big party is this Saturday--exciting details to come. Minus having to escort our rowdy kids out of IHOP, the day was enjoyable.
This picture is of Evan on Sunday. Seems like he came down with something fierce. The doctor thinks it's strep but the first test was negative and we haven't heard anything on the second--so I'm thinking (and hoping) its just a nasty virus...because seems like Anna got it, too. I do my best to keep them away from each other, but didn't seem to work--I think it's a feat nearly impossible!
Here they are at the doctors looking a little too cute and silly to be sick!
And check out who is NOT taking it all in stride! I hate being quarantined! And what's with ALL the laundry--hey, Denise, when will you be back?? P.S. This picture was taken after Anna dragged a bowl of spaghetti-oes all over the light colored carpet!! P.P.S. Rob cleaned the carpets and furniture today and they look GREAT!
Today I got a bit of a break from the Sick House and was able to be a "walker" at Cub Scout camp with Tyler and his cub buddies. BUT...much to my avail, Tyler got sick almost immediately after arriving. I went on a mad search for some medicine to keep him "okay" for the day and it seemed to hold him off until we were ready to leave. I just gave him some more and the boys are off to see the Nationals play the Phillies in their new stadium. Hope they have fun and that Tyler is fine. Anna and I are heading to dinner. Ciao!

JarJar

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, a young boy was born...JarJar, Jarhead, J-Dawg...to those reading...Jared. Here is your birth story...

I was set to be induced early on July 29th, 2002, a week before my due date. Because my first baby was a monster in size, the Drs thought it would be best that I not go full term. Minus a constant migraine during the entire first trimester, my pregnancy had been uneventful. My hopes for an uneventful delivery were slim, though. The horrors of Tyler's birth flooded me. I was a bit nervous, but so ready to get this baby out of me. Being pregnant in the middle of a hot, hot summer...no fun!

My Mom came down to help out and so did my sister-in-law, Tara. I was all set to go at 6 am, but they had me hold off until 8. When we arrived, I was quickly hooked up and pitocen was pumped in me. I was feeling good. Then they broke my water--gets me every time. Almost immediately I felt contractions, so the epidural was ordered. I received it about 10:30. However, it didn't seem to take too well and I felt lots and lots of pressure. This was NOT how it felt last time! At 12:00, the nurse "checked" me and said I was ready to push. Already?? I had no clue, it go this fast. Tara had planned on being there, but she'd taken Tyler home for a nap--I honestly thought I'd be sitting around at least until dinner time! No time to fix the epidural...My words to the nurse, "I'm not ready yet!"

Only a few pushes and Jared Daniel Kunz was born at 12:26 pm. He weighed in at a feather weight of 8 lbs 8 oz and stretched to 20". One of the sweetest moments in my life was when the Dr handed him to me and he just stared at me for the longest time. I really felt like our spirits connected during that moment. (This is my favorite part of his birth story that I like to share with him--it's our little bond.) I noticed his dark hair and crazy cowlicks. He also had a small birthmark on his left cheek. He looked nothing like Tyler when he was born. We joked that there was no way he could have been switched at the hospital--he had too many identifying features! So crazy, but so Jared--right from the beginning!
Here are a few scanned pictures (pre-digital, ugh.):

Such a sweet and peaceful baby.

Our first family picture

I love this picture of my Great Grandma holding Jared.

Jared was the BEST baby!! We were able to bring him home to a fun nursery that Rob had put together!! Submarines...how appropriate! You never cried. We thought something may have been wrong with you. At your two week well child, you had an ear infection--I never would have known! Until you started teething, we barely heard a peep! You had such a calming effect on me, which I needed because your brother was giving me a run for my money!

Love those big blue eyes! Jared at 9 months

Jared, you may be my crazy child, the one who I'll always be worried about, the one who will constantly keep me on my toes, but you are also the one who I know truly cares about the people around him. You are so sensitive and kind. You look out for the people you love. I know I can turn to you for a hug and a smile. You amaze me daily with your wit and charm. You have the cutest devilish look--my sweet and spicy all wrapped into one!

Always looking out for his baby sister.Always with a look of "I'm up to something!"

Our family would not be the same without you. I hope all of your Galactic dreams come true! I love you, Jared!

A Series of Unfortunate Events

Playing in the water is so much fun!

I just may have to give this slide a try!
Whee!!

I'm having second thoughts!!

I'm not sure if I like this anymore!

Maybe that wasn't so bad! Let's try it again!

AAAAAAHHHHHH...I so want Evan to attend preschool in the Fall. Not that I mind having the little bugger around, I just think it would be best for his speech--being around his peers, teachers and routines of the classroom.

Don't know if it's going to happen, though. My guess "being fully potty trained" entails pulling up your own underwear and shorts, and remembering to go on your own. I really thought we were getting close. The whole pulling off and putting on thing, that can be learned with some serious determination (which I have). Evan will occasionally tell us when he needs to go, but other times he won't...

For example: When we were outside this afternoon, Evan pretty much lifted his leg up like a dog and peed all over the front porch, huge puddle.

Oh, I was so mad!

And he knew it, "Mom, you happy?"

I think he knew my answer when I gave him "the look"--He burst into tears.

He did, however, pull off his wet clothes and put on new ones, all by himself. I guess that counts for something, right?

I'm still not happy, though!

Old Faithful

If we were to do it over again, Old Faithful would not have been the last stop on our list. We could have spent an entire day here, planning a way to see all of the major geysers go off. The boys were devastated when it was time to leave--many, many tears. I even shed a few as we left the park--this truly was an exceptional trip (so great, that I'm still recovering and being very lazy this week--I feel like I need a week to recuperate from our 10 days of straight fun)!
Old Faithful himself was of course pretty cool to see. We hiked up a mountain to get a cool view of the area from above.

Rob took Evan "Mountain Strollering" on the way down!!

We thought the best view of Old Faithful (we saw him go off 3 times) was from the back side--less crowds and less steam, we could actually see the water.

The highlight--or Grand Finale--was seeing Grand Geyser display it's magic! Grand is the largest predictable geyser, going off every 7-9 hours. The predicted time was 11:30 am with a 2 hour leeway before and after. We only ended up having to wait 10-15 minutes past the predicted time to see this beauty!! Jared and I missed the start because we took a stroll to see Castle Geyser, but we weren't disappointed in the 10 minute finale that we did see.

Enjoy a small sampling!!

Adventures in nature

Our third day was our animal spying day. We'd seen plenty of bison, but on this day we spotted several elk, a grizzly and black bear and a coyote. Tyler was disappointed that he didn't see a wolf--we tried to find one, but I guess they are best seen early in the morning...next time, Tyler, we'll find you a "sexy" wolf!

We arose early to visit the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone (again). And I thought this place was beautiful the evening before--wow, you need to experience it in the morning!

I'll never get over this beautiful sight.

Love this picture of the boys looking out over Artist Point.

Our stage coach ride was a good time. The kids were fascinated with the horses. Did you know they pee while standing and poo while walking? The things your kids teach you...My sunglasses fell off my head on the ride and before I could alert the driver, the wagon wheel crushed them. The "junior rangers" made sure that I knew I had broken a major rule by leaving them behind, so we mentioned it to our driver so he could pick them up on his next round. And in case you haven't noticed that I'm wearing my glasses in just about every picture, I feared that my head would explode without them. So I picked up a new pair later in the day--and thankfully, I didn't have to pay an arm and leg for them. We were surprised that the gift shops really weren't ripping us off!

Could you imagine travelling for real in one of these? It'd take FOREVER!

Early in the morning we saw a grizzly bear. On the way to Mammoth Springs we saw this black bear. We took off before he got too close. The next morning a man was mauled by a bear in his tent. The "junior rangers" say that he must have broken the rule of "no food in your tent".
Lunch was spent near the Boiling River on the Montana/Wyoming border. Tyler and Tanner pose in both states at the same time.

The Boiling River meets the Gardner River. Jared has one foot in hot water and the other in cold water. If a woman hadn't been washed away by the currents only an hour earlier, we probably would have taken a dip.

The Mammoth Hot Spring area was a bit more congested then we'd have liked. Visit early in the morning if you want to avoid crowds. The elk didn't seem to mind all the people, though. Evan spent most of the trip perched on his Dad's shoulders. He had the best view of the group!

Again, pictures can't do this place justice (at least my pictures). I was expecting HUGE formations, but they weren't really that large, just really cool to see!

Canary Springs was Tyler's favorite (until our last day...they still hadn't seen a real geyser, yet).On the way back to camp, we saw a few water falls and Bumpus Butte. Of course, we had to be immature about it--how could we pass up calling it Bumpus Butt! It has such a nice ring to it and the boys couldn't stop giggling about our new name!!

By the end of the day we were worn out. While making dinner and breaking down some of our camp, the boys played like crazy in the dirt. I'll let you judge who you think is the dirtiest...

Tyler, Jared, Tanner and Isaac, and Evan

Dear Diary,

I should have written everything down at the end of each day. I'm still amazed at how much we did during Day 2--and the best stuff was all finished before lunch!

We rose early to make it to a 7am ranger guided tour called Beasts and Birds at Breakfast. On the way, we ran into a traffic jam caused by a massive herd of Bison. By the end of the day, this animal was old school--we wanted to see bears, wolves and coyotes!!

Andrea and Audrey--these girls just can't get along!

These are the times when a handicap spot doesn't work to your advantage!

The ranger tour was okay, but we saw more beasts and birds on our own. The boys learned all about buffalo hair and buffalo chips--they weren't shy about touching either!

After we ditched the tour, our noses had a work out at the Sulfur Cauldron. The kids didn't seem to be too bothered by the smells of sulfur, but then again, by this time, they may have smelled worse! It was in this area that the boys began the ritual of "re-naming" every geyser, pool, hot spring, etc...

This little geyser will always be know as "Evan Geyser". It is a fairly new geyser at the park--formed in the middle of the parking lot! Yellowstone is always changing!!

Jared, Tyler, Isaac, Tanner and Evan soaking in the fumes.

Our next stop was the area of Mud Volcano or "hell on earth". With names like Dragon Mouth, Black Calderon, Churning Calderon, and Mud Volcano--this area must have been pretty scary back in the day. Of course, the kids ate up all the names, smells and the whole aura of the area!

Entering into the pit of Churning Calderon--I'll miss you, boys! Notice Evan is running away...smart kid!

My sister and I at the Mud Volcano

Our next adventure was a beautiful two mile hike around the edge of Yellowstone Lake. What a great way to enjoy the scenery! Unfortunately, we saw no bears on our hike...supposedly they frequent this area, but in the spring.

The Kunz Family hiking Storm Point

A quick lunch and then on to our "cruise" of the lake. We'd gotten a pretty good view of it on our hike, so this is a part of the trip I could have done without, but of course, the kids enjoyed it.

Evan cruising on Yellowstone Lake--he's started sticking out his tongue whenever a camera is in sight. Little Stinker!

We then headed to West Thumb Basin--this area was okay. Lots of beautiful pools that taunt you to just jump in, but unless you want to scauld your body, not a good idea! The boys were fascinated by the cones and geysers forming on the shore of the lake. They still had not seen a geyser "go off" and were hoping this would be their lucky day--like I said, we saved the best for last! We headed back to camp and made some dinner while the kids ran around playing "Yellowstone" and "Kennecott" in the ditch between our camp sites. Because we were in the Canyon area, we visited it again that evening--seeing the Upper and Lower Falls and Artist Point. This area was my favorite and I can't wait to explore it again some day. There were a few hikes we would have liked to have done in the area, but just plain ran out of time--next time!

See the gap under the fence--I didn't trust Evan one bit in this area! Would you??!!View of the Lower Falls--which is twice as high as Niagara Falls! I loved this area!

Oh, how I wish I had an awesome camera! We have vowed to never go on a trip like this again with a point and shoot camera! These pictures do not do justice to the area. You must go see it!

Jared and Tyler taking in the beautiful view.

**Rob and Anna will be home in a few hours (midnight)!! We had the best LAZY day today. Jared even slept in until 11:30 (the rest of us woke up at 9:30--not too bad!!). It's been awhile since I've been affected by time change. I'm sure we'll adjust in a few days!**