Cornbellys

We decided to get passes again for Cornbellys when they had their half price sale.  It has only been open a week and we have already gone twice.  Joey took the kids while I celebrated with Hailee last Saturday and then I promised the kids they could skip swim on Friday so we could go again.  Luke opted to hang out with friends and I took the four younger ones to have a little fun!  We started on the sack slide and Tag was so excited that he could ride all by himself.  Then we did the rat roller before making our way to the mechanical bull.  Everyone, yes even me, took our turn on the bull.  It was so fun!  Then we went to do zip lines, corn beach, train rides, and then to the apple shooting.  We ended the fun with snow cones.  I love that we can spend this time together having fun and making amazing memories. 

Nash's Field Trip

Today Nash went on his first field trip of the year to Cabela's.  They walked from the school and got to see each of the exhibits.  He had a great time!  After being home a few minutes Nash said to me "Are you going to ask how my field trip went?"  So cute!  I love that he reminds me to inquire about his day.  So grateful for these experiences he gets to enjoy. 

First Swim meet of the Short Course Season 2017

On Thursday we had the first swim meet of the season.  It was an intersquad meet with our team and Haste.  It was crazy to get everyone where they needed to be but once we were there it was a great experience.  Each of the kids swam 3 events and did very well.  I had to time so I was unable to write their times down but regardless of what their times were, I was so proud.  Their coaches now choose the events that they compete in and they are often events that push each of them past what they believe is their limit.  But the each try so hard and succeed.  They can do hard things!  So proud of each of them for the hard work that they put into their swimming.  Since I was timing I was only able to get one picture of two of my favorite swimmers.  Next time Luke!

Bouquet of Love

I love when the kids work together on projects.  Often times Harlee is the leader of these activities and tonight was no different.  Harlee led her younger brothers in printing pictures of flowers to color.  They asked our favorite colors and they colored the flowers to match our answers.  Then they printed pictures of each of us to place in the middle of the flower.  They then got a vase and made a beautiful bouquet.  I love the creativity and I love the memories that they are creating as they create together.

Nash's Bobcat Award

Tonight we were reminded about 30 minutes before the event that it was pack meeting.  After a crazy day it was super difficult to find a way to get to the meeting but we made it.  I am so glad that we did!  Nash was honored with several awards including his Bobcat.  I was so grateful to get to watch him receive this award and to get pinned!  Nash sure loves scouts and I am so thankful he has good leaders that help him to be successful.  Way to go Nashie!

Women's Conference Tradition

Last night I got to enjoy another amazing Women's Conference in my sweats with my favorite girl.  Harlee and I enjoy our tradition of take out in bed while listening to the inspired words.  This year did not disappoint.  I serioulsy loved all of the talks and felt like each of them addressed something that I was struggling with.  I loved the talk that discussed an issue the sister was having with a family member.  They were quarrelling over politics.  She went home and was saying her prayers.  She asked Heavenly Father to help her feel the love that He has for this family member she was struggling with.  I loved that advice.  I will for sure be putting that into practice.  President Uchtdorf spoke on finding happiness in whatever situation you are faced with.  It is your attitude that effects what you gain from the experiences and trials that we face.  It was such an uplifting conference.  It makes me so excited for next weekend when we get to hear from our prophet and his apostles.  So grateful for the inspired words from our leaders and there is seriously nothing better than watching it with my beautiful Har!

Hailee's Baby Shower

About two weeks ago I called Mindi to suggest that we throw Hailee a baby shower.  She is due in Novemeber with a baby boy.  I guess Hailee was struggling with who to invite and was a bit overwhelmed with the whole thing.  She texted early this week and we decided to go to lunch to celebrate.  So instead of a stressful shower, Mindi, Darolyne, Hailee and I got to enjoy lunch at Wild Zuchini.  It was perfect!  We all brought her gifts and we got to talk and hear all about the baby.  It seriously was a wonderful shower.  I am so grateful to be a part of the Childs family.  These women are such examples to me and such blessings in my life!

Gray's Ancestor Fair

Yesterday Gray had his Ancestor Fair at school.  He has learned about his great great great grandmother Agnes Payle.  She moved from Nova Scotia Scotland to Canada.  Her husband rode on the first railway to the gold rush.  He never returned home and Agnes had to take care of her two children by sewing and boarding people in her home.  After seven years they declared her first husband dead and she married William Payle.  She was a great seamstress and loved to make scones.  Gray got to present her story in his classroom and I was lucky to get to watch.  So interesting to learn about our ancestors.  Such a neat experience.

College Reunion in the SG

A few months ago, my friend Kelly came to Utah to visit from Colorado.  Kelly was my favorite roommate from college.  We lived together in King Henry and then we were neighbors in Spyglass the semester before I married Joey.  It is the type of friendship where you do not have to talk often but when you do you pick up right where you left off!  When she was here in March we talked about spending a weekend in St. George.  I cannot believe we pulled it off!  Joey was so great to take some time off from work and hold down the fort so I could go enjoy a weekend away.  So Thursday I flew to St. George and got in around 3pm.  I rented a car for us and went to our house to work a little and wait for Kelly.  She flew in at 9pm.  We stayed up until after 1am catching up!  I can't remember the last time I stayed up that late!  We spent the next two days walking the trail, eating yummy food, walking around the temple (we were going to initiatories but the temple was closed for cleaning), getting pedicures, getting massages, shopping, going to the movies, and talking non-stop.  Kelly is not only an amazing friend but an amazing example to me.  I seriously felt like I left a little better than when I came.  Such an perfect weekend!  We vowed to make this trip happen every other year.  Cannot wait until 2019!

We Did It!!

After a year hiatus Joey and I are back to our "One Half Marathon a Year" goal.   After our late night at the concert, 4am came too quickly!  We got up and made our way to Big Cottonwood for our fourth attempt at this race.  I was so nervous but Joey reminded me that we did not have to do it in a certain amount of time.  This took the pressure off and I felt a little better.  When the bus dropped us off at the top it surprisingly wasn't cold like it had been in past years.  We sat for about 20 minutes before the last bathroom stop before the race began.  We made it to the starting line and besides my headphones only working out of one side, we were excited to get started.  The run was beautiful!  I am so grateful that even though Joey could take off and finish a lot faster, he always stays right by my side.  With every few miles that would pass I would say a quick prayer of gratitude that I was still running and still feeling good.  Joey and I kept a great pace and finished alot faster than anticipated.  My running app said that we finished in 2 hours and 3 min but we crossed the finish line, hand in hand, at 2 hours and 8 minutes.  Either way we completed the half a ton faster than I had anticipated after a year off.  We both have had a difficult time recovering but I will take that rather than struggling during the race.  I have already talked to Joey about doing it again next year!  So grateful that we can do hard things together. 

Much needed Date Night

To say that this week has been crazy would be an understatement.  Swim practice has kicked in and I spend every afternoon in the car while worrying about dinner and work that has to be done.  It is so stressful.  As my reward for surviving, I got to go spend a beautiful night with my best friend.  Joey and I went to Red Butte for the Jason Isbel concert.  We stopped at Cupbop for dinner and then made our way to Salt Lake.  We met Justyna and Landon there to enjoy the night with us.  The weather was perfect and we had the best time.  Jason Isbel was amazing!  He sang my favorite song of his "Cover me Up", a song he wrote for his wife.   In his encore, he sang a song called "If we were vampires".  It was dark and I was snuggling with Joey.  In the song there is a line that says "And give you every second I can find and hope it isn't me who's left behind".  When he sang that Joey squeezed my hand.  So romantic.  I love him so much!  So grateful for these date nights that we get to enjoy that strengthen our relationship.  So grateful for the frienship that we have with Justyna and Landon.  We have so much fun with them.  So so grateful for our kids that take care of each other so we can enjoy these date nights.  Harlee and Nash even organized the pantry by color coding the food!  So creative!  What a perfect night!

Breaking in the new toys!

Monday was Labor Day and the weather was perfect!  We decided that we would wake up early and go break in the new kayaks.  It was seriously so fun!  We went to a resevoir by Lone Peak High School.  We feared that it would be super crazy since it was a holiday but it was not.  We all took turns going out in the kayaks and even Tag could paddle it by himself.   I feel so blessed that we can afford kayaks and make memories in nature as a family.