Pioneer Day in Panguitch

Pioneer Day in Panguitch is a big deal. Those small Southern Utah towns where farmers still make up the majority of the population feel a real kinship to their predicesors. This year most of the cousins went to see Grandpa be honored as the Grand Marshall. Imagine our surprise when a few minutes after seeing Grandpa in all his 2010 Grand Marshall glory we saw him again in all his 1965 Coach Dodds glory. The floats were fun and the atmosphere was even better.

We went the night before and stayed in a cabin by Panguitch Lake with my parents and sister. Ryan was a successful fisherman, hooking 4 good sized fish. My dad got one as well. Caden did his best to scare off the fish by throwing rocks in the water, and took over the resort playground. Eric spent most of his time hanging out in the cabin. It was a quick trip, but a nice one.

Fishing with a Toddler

Daddy casts. Kiddo reels.

This is the Place

Friday was Family Fun Free Day at This is The Place Heritage Park. I loaded up the kids and recruited my mom for a little extra help and off we went. There were all kinds of games, crafts, entertainment, and activities. We didn't do any of them. At Caden's request we just rode the trains. The whole time. They had a big train that went on the streets around the whole park and a little train that went on tracks around a small pond. It was actually pretty fun and relaxing. The only pictures we took all day were of us on the little train. Caden was in heaven. Maybe next year we'll do more than the trains. Or maybe not. The trains were pretty fun.

Accessorizing

We've decide to put Caden on a feeding tube. We have tried all the other treatments for his EE/EC and this is our last option. I realize he doesn't look 'that sick,' but the persistant symptoms and pain he has justify it and he is 'that sick.'

He got an NG tube yesterday and so far seems to be doing really well with it. He carries his pump and formula around in the little backpack, so he is able to be pretty mobile. Right now he is hooked up to the feeds for 18 hours a day. We hope to be able do decrease that as he shows he can tolerate the formula.

He is scheduled for surgery on July 30 to get his G tube (the button in his tummy).

We have no idea how long he'll be on the tube. At a minimum 3-6 months, but it could be years. He'll initially be on just the special formula, then we'll reintroduce foods one at a time. The amount of time he's on the tube and formula totally depends on how he responds as we reintroduce foods.

This is a fun picture I took after a trip to the allergist a few weeks ago. While there they did some skin prick testing, which makes his back itchy. To distract him, the doctor offered stickers. Caden determined they were bandaids and attempted to use them to soothe his "little pokes."

Blackfoot Reservoir

A few pictures from the annual Scherbel trip to Blackfoot Reservoir over Independence weekend. Caden loved playing in the water with anyone who would go with him. Ryan's mom obliged him quite a few times. Ryan took kiddo out on the kyak and I took him tubing. I'm not sure he loved either experience, but at least he didn't cry. Eric just enjoyed being held and hanging out by the water.

Everyone pitched in and brought a few fireworks, and we enjoyed the aerial show put on by the people at the end of the bay. The kids loved watching the snakes grow and playing with the sparklers.

Independence Day 2010

Caught

A few weeks ago while I was nursing Eric to put him down for a nap, Caden decided to have a little fun. He took off his pants, climbed up the counter and into the sink, turned on the water, and figured out how to fill a cup using the sprayer. When I walked in he said, "Look! Water! I took my pants off so they wouldn't be wet. That makes you so happy! Wanna see my water?" He threw in the phrase about making me happy because he could tell by the look on my face he was in trouble. The little stinker. At least it was only water.