I love Track

Track season has arrived! I will never stop getting teary eyed when I see this scene. Awesome athletes humbling them selves and calling on God for help. 

Lets go Carter!!

Mollie is also on the team this year and of course doing an incredible job. She is trying out the 100 and 300 hurdles and sprinting races. I told her she is doing the tough girl races. She is incredible. 

 Its been so fun to be excited for multiple events at a meet! I love watching and cheering on my kids! They both are killing it! 

19 years!

We celebrated 19 years of marriage on Mar 1st! We are in a really good spot right now and I always with I could have grown up sooner and enjoyed him longer. The early years and child bearing years were rough on me. But now with hormones evened out, and more time to spend together, life and marriage is really sweet. Weve put the work in and it hasnt disappointed! 

We celebrated our anniversary the following weekend. We got an air bnb and went to our favorite pizza joint called Via 313. I ate a pickle and pepperoni pizza and it really was yummy, but 1 peice was more than plenty. It was very flavorful of dill and garlic and was too strong by the end. But I dont regret it. 

Chad went for his fav pep and pineapple that is so good. 

We stayed the night in a bnb that had a cute hottub covered in a gazebo and lights. We were so excited to use it! Sadly, when we got there, it was broken and we didnt get to use it at all. The owners were great and credited us $100 but we were sad we didnt get to soak. These old bodies need it! We made it better by eating our cheesecake that we picked up after dinner and watching a movie. 

The next morning we went to the Titanic Exhibit. It was.....okay. I really wanted to see real artifacts and I guess I didnt understand that not much was left of it by the time they found it and surviving a crash. It was cool still to step into that time and relive the creation of it and the devastation of the crash. 

Walking down the halls I felt just like Jack and Rose in the Titanic!

Even more so when we go to this staircase! 

And the theatrics were pretty cool. This room made it feel like you were on the edge of the ship looking out into a dark starry night. It was pretty cool! 

 I was underwhelmed though. Not worth the money I guess. 

We shopped a little and then headed home. 

Happy to spend the day with you my love! Im grateful for the happy life weve built.

Panama!

Bri had to do a country report and since she had just returned from Panama, that is what she chose! She had to make a paper doll with authentic clothes and I think this big dress that the ladies wear to dance in turned out perfect. She even did the beaded tembleques that they wear in their hair. 

She had to create a stamp too. 

And her poster with all the fun facts about it. We used leftover leave decorations from my parents homecoming and it worked out well. 

Bri talked G&G into bringing her class a bag of candy so they could try Panamanian candy. They of course obliged and everyone was loving the candy. 

 I love that my kids have gotten to experience different cultures and visit different places in the world. I really hope to continue giving them experiences like this where they can learn about the world! Great Job Bri!

Mustang

Oh this boy has dreamed his whole life of this day, I think! He has been bugging us and bugging us about buying a mustang. Him and Chad have looked at several and what he could afford their werent great options. They test drove this one but realized it had a leak. After testing out a few more and learning more about them, they decided this leak was something they could fix pretty easily and so they called a second time to come look and without asking, the seller offered it to them for $1900. Chad said, we better do it. 

So they drove over to get it and Chad drove it home just to check it all out. At some point they stopped and switched and let him drive it the rest of the way home. This is hime pulling into the drive way with the biggest smile on his face. 

It even came with a pair of winter tires and really is in pretty good condition. He was so very pleased and excited. 

 He had to buy some car parts and get it licensed and insured. And it upped his price a bit, but hes dedicated to paying it off (from us) even though he had the money to buy it up front, we didnt want him to drain all of his accounts. So for now, we tease him that it is our car. 

Happy for you bud. Remember, with great power (even a V6) comes great responsibility. Love ya. 

Simplots and a whoops

Carter has been begging to run the Simplots 3 days race in Pocatello and I figured me and him would take a quick road trip up and back for it. I planned to drive home afterwards, but bad tire luck changed my plans. 

We hit the road with snacks and drinks and good music. The Reed Clan all came to watch him run. I remember watching so many games and wrestling tournaments here. I even worked Simplots doing chair massage once. So its fun to be back here with my kids watching them compete. 

It wasnt his best race ever, he said the wooden track is really weird. But he had a good time and was glad he went. 

We went for pizza right after that and when I was pulling into the lot, I ran over a curb that stuck a little too far out that I couldnt see. There were no lights and as soon as I hit it I knew I wouldnt be going home that night. I was so glad Carter was with me and had that tire changed in no time. 

So I spent another night with Jordan and went to Brits baby shower the next day that I was going to drive back up for. But it all worked out, I just had to arrange a million rides (ok, just 6) but still it took my entire village to get my kids to all the places. I was thankful for all the moms that helped me out. 

And I got my hair styled by cute Wren!

We helped blow up balloons and had a hoot of a time helping Brit make a balloon arch for her shower. 

 Happy Baby Shower Brit! Glad I could be there. It was a lovely weekend. 

Chad called Les Swabb and got me an apt for my tire and had me back on the road early the next day. So thankful for his help. Lesson learned - watch out for curbs AND dips while driving in Pocatello! 

Vday week in St George

Valentines day this year was spent in good ol St George again. I  didnt even mind because it meant we got to travel somewhere! We decided to celebrate a bit early so the kids could have their treats and treasures for the ride. The kids wanted pancakes so that is what Chad made for our makeshift Vday.

Carter actually wanted to stay behind and we decided to let him. He had some things going on and hes old enough and so we let him stay home, but not before he asked his prom date to prom! He told me the day of that we could ask her that day, so while I was packing up for St. George, I paused, and made some strawberries. 

It would be Berry sweet if you would go to prom with me. too cute. 

Then we were off to St. Geezey. Mollie even drove us some of the way there. The narrow back strip down is not the best place for her to learn. Chad was constantly saying, get on your side! 

 The place we had had a pool and hot tub and that is the first place we were off to! 

It was fairly warm but not warm enough for ME to swim. But the girls all hopped in and had a blast. Until they had to get out and it was cold again. 

Real V day breakfast was a breakfast snack plate with all sorts of things on it to eat. 

I even made everyone a sugar cookie. 

Vday dinner was Texas Rhoadhouse. Everyone got steak and potatoes and it was soooo yummmy. And the best way to have dinner, together and quick and at home. 

We went out exploring after church on Sunday and found the most beautiful places. 

Are we in a dream! The colors of course never translate through the lense.  We hiked up to this little cave and there were people up there playing the drums. The accoustics were unreal, echoing off the rocks and through the valleys. It was in incredible sound to hear in the distance. By the time we got up to them, they were packing up to leave. but it was still cool to see. 

Then we found this little water hole. Some people were jumping in. Such a pretty surprise in the red rock desert.

And all the soccer games in St. George were won...I believe. 

These girls always rise to the challenge and dominate! This tournament was no exception and we left with a 1st place medal. Way to go ladies! 

 

Welcome Home Elder and Sister Reed

Feb 5th was fast approaching and it felt like Christmas! We had lots of fun planning mom and dads homecoming making signs, planning food and decorations for their luncheon. With all the stress of the robbery I told my mom we would take care of everything and settle later if we needed to. Chad graciously offered to smoke some meat. Lets be honest, its his favorite thing to do. 

 

As family started arriving, the little girls saw my signs and thought they needed to make some too. 

Here we are, decked out in USA attire to welcome them back to the states. Mollie kept the kids entertained by giving chair rides to the littles. 

It was midnight when we finally saw them coming towards us! We greeted many weary travelers and got many smiles and cheers as we were waiting. The kids were so excited. 

And finally we saw them, before they saw us. Mom was expecting us to be at different spot and was disappointed when no one was there. 

We hugged and laughed and cried all at the same time. 

Its so good to have them home on American soil, safe and sound and headed home. 

G&G got to meet baby Koen for the first time. 

Chad and Carter were good sign holders and videographers. 

Everyone spent the night and stayed up chatting and having....ice cream...of course, thats what the Reeds do best. The next morning the grandgirls prepared a picnic for them. 

We went to Chubbys for lunch and enjoyed being together a little longer before we all went our different ways. 

I asked mom and dad if I could come home with them and be a helper until their homecoming, which was in 1 day! They agreed and I helped grocery shop and carry luggage and get things ready for the weekend. This is them pulling up to the Rupert sign, anxious to be home. 

Mom walked in and went straight to her rocking chair! She was thrilled to death to sit in her favorite chair and just rock. She sat there for several minutes while dad inspected things. 

The evening ended with a beautiful sunset, Ive always said it, but there are no sunsets like Rupets sunsets. Absoultely gorgeous and a perfect welcome home gift. 

The stake president came to their home on Sat night and I felt lucky to be a fly on the wall while they got released. Again, it was an emotional moment and I just felt so proud of my parents and what they did in Panama and the hard things they endured and the growth they both experienced. Seeing them take their nametags off even made me sad. Dad jokingly ripped his off and did a dance, like, IM FREE! But I know it was hard for both of them to do. Theyve carried this incredible responsibility on their shoulders for the last year and a half and one day it all stops. I know they are excited to get back to normal life, but I know theyll miss it too. 

Sunday approached and family gathered to hear them speak in church on Sunday. They both gave very heartfelt talks, my dad crying the most, hes a big teddy bear under that tough exterior! Rylee said after hearing them talk, she decided she wanted to serve a mission. I was feeling the same! I took a chance and ordered mom a few dresses, knowing she wouldnt have time to do any shopping and knowing she wished she had something new to wear. She said on the way home she wished she had a new dress. I broke the news to her and she gleefully tried on the new dresses. She picked the one I liked most to wear to her homecoming and even ended up keeping another one. 

After their homecoming it was go time for the luncheon! We had decorated a place that Dave reserved for their dinner and gathering and had it looking very tropical for the lunch. Many friends and family came and I got a few pics of everyone there. 

And it was so great to see these 2 sisters reunite. They truly love eachother and missed eachother so much. Im happy they got to spend some time together. 

It was a very special weekend, full of love is the best way I can describe it. Im happy they are home and Im looking forward to spending time with them when things calm down. Welcome home mom and dad! You were so missed.