A few days in my favorite place...

I had been counting down the days until our long weekend in St. George.  Joey made it home by 4:30pm and we were on the road a little after 5pm.  We stopped at In and Out for dinner and we were on our way.  We had a great drive down and we arrived a little after 9pm.  We unpacked and went to bed.  We all slept in a bit and then went to grab McDonalds for breakfast.  I had to work a bit and the kids all relaxed.  Around 1pm we took the kids to John and Darolyne's and they took the kids swimming at the Sand Hollow Center while Joey and I went to the Parade of Homes.  Tag was upset after swimming because he brought over Gray's pants so we went home to calm him down.  Once we could calm him down we all went to the park.  The weather was beautiful and we stayed for quite a while.  We left there and went and grabbed dinner- the kids wanted Wendy's and Joey and I got Mexican.  We went home to enjoy a relaxing night.  We woke up Saturday morning and went to a garage sale.  Then we grabbed some breakfast.  After eating we went to play pickle ball.  This might be my new favorite game!  We had so much fun playing together!  We went home and got the kids settled then Joey and I took off for a little date.  We went to a few more homes, one of them was my favorite, and then went to Cafe Sabor for lunch.  It was so good.  We went home and spent a ton of time out front.  It was so nice outside and I loved watching the kids play.  We then went and picked up Cafe Rio for dinner and then watched CoCo together as a family.  We heard that there is supposed to be a big storm coming so we decided to get up early and drive home.  So so sad to leave but so grateful that we are home safely as the storm is beginning.  I LOVE our St. George blessing and I treasure the time we get to spend together as a family.  We are so lucky!

Valentine's Day

What a great day to focus on LOVE!  The kids woke up to candy and new bathing suits.  Joey woke up to a cd, candy, and a card.  I woke up to two cds and an amazing card.  Such an amazing way to start the day!  We enjoyed pink heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast and heart shaped pizza for dinner.  Nash and Gray both had etiquette day at school.  They had to dress up in their best clothes and practice their manners all day.  They helped open chairs for the girls in their classes and escorted the girls to luch and recess by linking arms with them.  I love this day that I can reflect on all of the love I am gifted with.  I am so beyond blessed to be married to my best friend.  Joey is truly the best man I know and I am so lucky that we have been able to celebrate 16 Valentine's Days so far.  I know we will have many more!  I am so lucky to love five of the choicest spirits!  They bring so much happiness into our lives and I could not be luckier.

Klondike Camp out

This weekend Luke had the opportunity to go on a Klondike campout.  Sounds a little miserable to me to camp out in the snow but Luke was super excited.  They drove up near Logan to camp.  They got a late start and arrived a little after 9pm.  They had to set camp up in the dark!  They got set up and went to bed.  Thankfully Luke was able to get some sleep but woke up at 4am to use the bathroom and could not go back to sleep.  They cleaned up and made it to Cherry Peak ski resort around 9:30am.  Brother Hansen was able to get all of the boys ski passes and rentals for free.  He helped the boys learn how to ski and Luke had the best time.  He loved this so much more than snowboarding.  He said he went down the bunny hill over 40 times.  I am so glad that he had fun!  I sure missed him though and I am so glad that he is home safe and can sleep in his warm bed.

Sluffin school and playing together

This morning Gray had a dentist appointment and they performed his tongue tie surgery again.  The dentist said that they had to go pretty deep in the cut.  I felt so bad so I decided he could take the day off from school.   Tag was so excited to have someone home with him for the afternoon.  Gray and Tag had so much fun together.  They spent hours in the basement dressing up and playing superheros.  The sound of their laughter was music to my ears.  I love that they decided to put the electronics away and play creatively.  They are such great friends and they are blessed to have each other! 

Parent Teacher Conference

Tonight was parent teacher conference for Traverse Mountain Elementary.  Gray was scheduled first and his teacher Mrs. Schwanke had wonderful things to say about him.  She said that Gray is very bright and should actually test for the ALL program which is a program for the gifted students.  She said that Gray is testing off the charts in all of his reading/writing testing.  She said that he is a self started and once his work is done he just finds something else to work on.  He is always willing to help others and is a joy to have in class.  Next up was Harlee and Mrs. Schuarhamer loves her.  She said that Harlee is doing amazing in all of her school work.  She is very kind and helpful.  She may talk just a little too much but is a joy to have in class.  Nash was up next with his teacher Mrs. Andes.  She said that Nash should be tested for the ALL program.  She said that he is testing way above grade level in all subjects.  She said he talks a little too much in class but is kind and a joy to have in class.  I am so proud of all these cute kids!  Such good students and examples to those around them. 

Super Bowl

After Wyatt's blessing we came home to watch our one football game a year, the Super Bowl.  We bought papa murphy's on Saturday and lots of treats!  We changed into our comfy clothes and sat down to enjoy the Eagles vs. the Patriots.  It is so fun to spend time together as a family and I actually really enjoyed the game.  The Patriots were supposed to win but the Eagles actually did!  So fun to route for the underdog. 

Reunited and it feels so good

We finally made it happen again!  Ava's mom and I planned a McDonalds date to get Ava and Tag around again.  Tag was so excited to see her again.  She made him a valentine and they enjoyed playing together.  They have such a sweet friendship and I so hope that we can continue to get them together.

Wyatt's Blessing

Today we had the opportunity to go to Wyatt's blessing.  He is seriously the cutest!  The blessing was beautiful and actually spoke of brothers and sisters for Wyatt!  Looks like we will have many blessings to attend in the future!  It was so great to attend as a family and to hold Joey's hand during a sacrament meeting.  I miss that!  So grateful for the opportunity to support Hailee and Ty and their growing family.

Harlee is an hour more mature

Today was Harlee's 5th grade Maturation program.  She was super nervous that it would be uncomfortable but it was actually really good.  Along with technicalities of growing up the sweet nurse reminded us as mothers to love ourselves so we can teach that to our daughters.  It was a great and needed reminder.  After the maturation program I checked Harlee out of school and we went to Summit Inn Pizza for some pizza doodles and a pizooki!  I LOVE spending time with Harlee she is truly the best daughter there is.  She is an example to me and one of my greatest blessings.

Heart Attack Mini Meet

Tonight we had the Heart Attack Mini Meet in Provo.  Since Luke is over 12 he did not attend the meet.  Nash and Gray did so well!  They have been practicing so much and it is paying off.  Here are their stats:

Gray: 100 IM- 2:07:44- 2nd place
          50 Fly- 1:11:59 - 3rd place
          50 Breast- 1:10:66 - 1st place

Nash: 50 Fly- 1:02:71- 1st place
          50 Back- 47 - 1st place
          100 Free- 1:29:91- 4th place

I am so proud of them!  We celebrated their success with our In & Out tradition.   Totally a win-win for all!

Touchdown Dance

When I was getting ready for the day this morning, Nash came in my bathroom.  He told me that in his class that day they were going to have a Touchdown Dance competition.  I asked him what he was going to do and he said "I am going to do the worm and then some of this (he pointed his finger from one corner to the other, the Staying Alive move), and then probably the running man."  I love it!  I love the confidence that he has to get up in front of his class and share his dance moves.  Wish I could bottle some of that!  *These are his touchdown poses!