SUPER EPIC MOMS TRIP!

By Mid january I was SOOO tired of the winter blahs I decided to plan a moms trip! Not super hopeful it would happen, I started throwing the idea around with friends. Everyone always SAYS they want to do it but actually going through with it is a different story. Then there's the guilt of leaving our families and leaving all our responsibilities for our spouses. So it was a HARD thing to do, but it was also time for a much needed break. But Alex text me and said THIS IS HAPPENING! WHEN ARE WE GOING?! And from then on it was a done deal. 

I hopped online and found a cute little Air B&B in Honeyville UT! Kinda out in the middle of nowhere but it was charming and had a huge kitchen and 6 beds. SOLD!

Me, Emily, Alex, Steff, Nannette and Michelle

 We got to the house, unloaded WAY more gear than we should need for 2 nights and popped some pizza in the oven to enjoy. Later that night we took a 5 min drive to Crystal Hot Springs. It was packed with college kids who loved to make out - gross. But we pushed our 6 mom bods into the center of it all and relished in the warm water!

 In February it was FREEEEZING outside but Alex was brave enough to hop out to snap a pic...of course the photographer of the group would risk freezing to death for a fun pic!

Alex and Nan even went down the water slide!! BRRRRR!

Back at the house we chatted, relaxed and smiled lots because we actually were able to get AWAY! 

 After some treats it was time for bed because we had a BIG shopping day planned ahead! Sadly I didn't sleep well and didn't get up as early as I had hopped but I was ready in no time to get out the door. Amazing how quick we can all do that without kids in tow! We did help Emily take all of her rollers out and with a few of us working it went really fast! And it was fun playing with her amazing hair.

A day of thrift shopping and hobby lobby in Logan was planned and boy did we all find deals!

And we couldn't help but take some pictures in the wildest pumps we could find! Shopping with these girls is SO fun. They try on so many fun things and get creative and give TONS of compliments in the process. This is such a perfect group of friends for me. 

We hit Panera for a yummy uninterrupted kid free lunch (which NEVER happens!) and hit the town for more shopping. When all our money was gone (and one poor sick Michelle later) we headed back to our house. 

On the way to Logan through honeyville we saw this incredible art of bikes strung up to a power pole! Of course E.T. was on the top bike, but we HAD to stop and snap a pic on the way back. 

 Again, my amazing photographer friend sacrificed herself.

After a little down time, we fancied ourselves up for a yummy homemade pasta dinner at the house. We don't get to dress up often as just girls so I thought it would be fun. And it was!

 But as soon as it was over we were all back in our comfy clothes. Enjoying the last of the sparkling cider! A little too much!

 I made treat bags for all the ladies with a cute girls night cup. And me and Nan got this fun pic of our lip suckers.

After lots of girl talk, manicures, facials and giggles we climbed into bed for one last night before we had to head home on Sunday morning. 

We had a yummy breakfast in the AM and took some more pictures, cleaned the house, and lingered as loooong as we could until the last minute we could check out. Everyone agreed we could use one more day of fun. But back to the real mom world we went!

We all became really close and lots of bonding happened. I'm SO grateful to this group of girls who made one of my dreams come true to have a relaxing mom vacation and do something for myself. I'm grateful for all the laughs and memories we made. When it was time to go, we said our good byes, tied a bra to Alex's car and off we went. 

Their faces will tell you how we all felt about leaving! :(

Alex's car stopped at the temple for one last photo opp. But my car had to get back to town for the Super Bowl Party that was happening at my house! 

As good as it is to have a break, its always just as good to come home to my sweet kiddos and husband. They had all cleaned the house and prepped for the party and made me cute welcome home signs and were bouncing up and down when I pulled into the garage. I missed all of them alot .  I'm convinced I can be a better mom when I get a little break from the crazy. I'm grateful for Chad who didn't bat an eye when I told him I needed a break and encouraged me to get away. 

THANKS FRIENDS for this memory I'll never forget. I hope one year we can do it again!!! LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!

1,000,000 meals!

I found an opportunity on facebook to get out and so some awesome service! A tech conference at the Salt Palace was asking for volunteers to help make 1 million meals for the less fortunate. I thought we could do that!

We strapped on our hair nets and went to work!

 It was assembly line style and we were making chicken noodle soup. So one person would scoop noodles, another veggies, another seasoning then pass it down the line to be weighed, sealed and boxed! It was quick fun work.

 Even the little kids were allowed to help label and help box the bags we were making.

 We only stayed 1 hour but we did alot of good in the time we were there. We got to ring a bell every time we filled a box. There was even a race to see who could go the fastest for a 5 minute period. It was a good time!

Discovery Gateway Preschool Field Trip

We love Miss Lori's Preschool field trip because we get to bring friends to the Discovery Gateway Childrens Museum! It is such a fun place for the kids to run and play and its even better when I have adult friends to talk to!

Although we've been here before the girls didn't remember it and it was fun to watch them discover every new thing. There were some fun changes to the water table too that were new. 

 Cute friends Annabelle and Milo

Rylee loved the horse and the little play house the most! Bri loved EVERYTHING! Good times!!

Carter's Life long waited for achievement

Since Carter was about 4 he has wanted to race in a pinewood derby! He was thrilled to death when he learned his troop would be holding one. Him and Chad went to work designing the best car they could. Hymas cars have a history of winning, so it had to be good. They even got some tips from a professional pinewood derby car builder in our ward. He painted it Boise State colors and off he went to the races!

 The track was all ready to go! And after the rules were set it was finally time!

 Each boy got to sit at the end of the track when it was there turn to race and watch as the numbers popped up to see who won!

 It all was kept track of on a big board.

 After winning his first few races he was getting his hopes pretty high! He got to race about 8 times and the winner advanced to the next round.

 And it was a close one as the final 4 came racing down the track! One car even fell apart but came close to winning! BUT Carter's car pulled it off and he won the pinewood derby!

 He was so proud and so were we! He was awarded this cute trophy and he has it displayed proudly!

I love seeing my kids succeed at wonderful things! Sadly scouts is coming to an end for him so who knows when he will get to participate in another. But for now, Carter is #1!! Way to go!!

Flu season is the pits

This flu season was soooo brutal on our family! I started the fun over Christmas when I had the full blown flu. Then one day Ry said she didn't feel good and wanted to puke. She often says that so I didnt think too much of it. She went upstairs and got herself a bowl and puked in it!! At three years old! My 10 year old still has a tough time with that!!

She continued to puke about 12 times that day! It was so sad. Lot of snuggles were had and lots of extra sleep for this little babe. 

 A few weeks later it hit Brielle in the middle of the night. I was trying so hard to clean it up but it was so foul smelling I thought I might puke too. Ugh! I hate seeing my kiddos so sick. I think it hit everyone all at different times throughout jan & feb. So not fun.