St George-Tuachan x 2

 Our Tuachan tickets have been a great and fun Christmas gift that we have been able to use throughout the years to spend time together and get to spend extra time with my parents. We went to Frozen in early summer and then push our last 2 shows into one weekend so the kids wouldn't miss more school or soccer. It was a fun long weekend seeing Anastasia and Jersey Boys. Thursday night we got there just in time to unload and have dinner with my parents before heading to our first show. It was a warm night with a night breeze.  

Friday morning we had breakfast and helped my mom by organizing the toy closet and pantry before heading over to see Andy and Ari and hang out with them at the pool. Andy ended up having to work so I felt bad for Matt he was stuck with us but he didn't seem sad about it. He played with the kids while Ari and I visited.

Friday night we had made plans to got to dinner with Andy and Ari and my parents said they would keep the kids. I have missed feeling comfortable leaving the kids with someone that I know would be able to handle a situation if it needed to be. Liam said he was happy to stay with his Papa. I love the relationship my kids have with my parents and that they really feel safe and loved when they are with them.

Matt and I headed to date night....its been a long while. The view was incredible. We went to Cliffside and it overlooked the entire city. The food was amazing and I'm still craving the calamari that we had. The conversation is easy with Andy and Ari so its always fun to get together.

Saturday the girls went out and did some shopping looking for pool stuff for Florida but didn't find much other than Hallie was thrilled to find her some sweater. Then on the way back we decided we would go to my parents favorite Mexican restaurant and then out to ice cream. So nice to have some one on one time with my parents.

Then back to the pool for some more swim fun but I didn't take nay pictures. This trip was different because all of our kids are now confident swimmers and that made it easier to enjoy.

Then a quick dinner and off to Jersey Boys. Another beautiful night

Jersey boys was the first show at Tuachan that we have been to that we had no idea of the story line. It was better than I expected and I think it was actually my favorite show of the year. It was funny when we sat down there was not another kids in sight. Mostly older people here to watch a story of something they lived thru but the kids really enjoyed it as well. It was about 30 minutes shorter than Anastasia and that was really nice that it wasn't so late

Sunday morning we got up and headed home. I love creating new ways to make memories with our kids. I love this man that is my partner in crime and the one I can't wait to have come home every day. 

Hallie's Drivers Permit

 I'm not sure how we got to this point but it feels like it came faster than I expected. But ready or not our Hallie is old enough to get her drivers permit. I remember being super excited to get my permit so when I asked her about getting it scheduled I was surprised when she was less than excited to do that and hesitant to even want to do it. After some conversations she was convinced that she would need as much practice as possible before she really received her actual license. Currently in order to get your license you have to hold a permit for at least 6 months and pass a written test for your permit and then take drivers education. But in order for Matt and I to feel comfortable we want her to have as much experience as possible. The permit test is 50 questions and you have to get an 80% to pass. You can take the test twice in 1 day. When I scheduled Hallie's appt they had apps you could take practice tests on but it turns out they didn't have any of the correct info. So when she went to take the test she got a 78% both times...she of coarse was super bummed but they gave her a study guide that had the correct info.

2 weeks later she tried again. The first test she second guessed several questions and changed her answers only to once again get a 78%! After a pep talk she took it one more time and passed with an 85%....and now we have our 1st driver. I'm not sure if I'm excited or terrified but as always I'm proud of our girl

Frightmares

 It's Halloween time at Lagoon. We love having season passes because when we go it gives us the ability to go and stay as long as we want without pressure to stay an entire day. The weather has been great to go in the evening. I hope we get a few more trips in before the season ends.

This picture makes me laugh so hard. A couple of the times we have been to Lagoon this year this man, behind Gracie, is riding the kid rides. I'm guessing he has special needs but he has always been alone. He climbed in behind Gracie and she couldn't stop laughing(the awkward kind). She was a good sport

It usually goes like this. I take Liam to ride the rides he likes and Matt takes the rest of the kids. It works well because I don't do great riding lots of rides but at times its fun when we all go ride rides together.

Family time is the best way to spend time

Pumpkin Patch Fun

 Hallie has been working out at McFarland's pumpkin patch since September. First it was the farmer's market and then the pumpkin patch. It's been a great job for her and it's nice that she has something that works with her school and extras schedule. It's been fun for us to go out and visit. They have it decorated so cute and have a couple places set up for picture opportunities. Sometimes for more produce, pumpkins, and other times just to hang out and let the kids run around. It's peaceful out there and nice to take a deep breath and enjoy the beautiful valley we live in.

Hallie seems to have a "following" of sorts with boys that tend to be over 6 foot and twice her size. but they are good kids and have so much fun together.

Surprise! Kim's 1st Half Marathon

 Kim has been training for her 1/2 since September. I knew when she was doing it in St George that I would love to go and support her. I called Nic and she was excited to do it as well so the plan started there. Kinner's birthday was the day before so Nic didn't want to leave her so we decided to take her and I took Hallie and Gracie. My big hang up is that I had never left Liam. In the past I couldn't even consider that but with this new emotional healing therapy/coaching I am doing it seemed achievable. Matt was more than willing to help and stay home with Liam and Emy and take them to do something special. Friday was also Brit's birthday so the family girls all got together for dinner. I didn't want to miss it so I caught dinner on our way out of town. Hallie and Gracie went to dinner down the street and had a great time. It was the first time I had given them my credit card but they did great. That gave the adults the chance to visit without little ears.

After dinner we got on the road. I knew that this would be a great opportunity for growth. I was great until I got to Utah county and it started to get dark. Then I fell apart...cried until we got to Nephi. Matt had taken the kids skating so I couldn't get a hold him and that made it worse. Once I got to Nephi I was able to talk about it with Nic and realized that everything was going to be fine. From then on I really enjoyed catching up with Nic and telling the girls in the back seat to be quiet frequently. We got to the hotel about 11pm and made posters until midnight then we headed to bed ready for the next morning. After an ok night of sleep we got up and ready to head to breakfast. Dad did a good job keeping us up to date as to where she was. After we ate we headed out to the finish line. We met my mom and Kim's kids at the playground and when Kimber got close we headed over to the finish. We each stood with our individual signs in hand and our eyes tear filled and waited for her to cross the line. She was shocked and exhausted as she crossed the finish line. It was so fun to be there and I'm so glad we went.

My dad treated us to brunch after we visited at the park for a bit. It was a small town place with delicious made to order food. Even the tortillas and English muffins were home made. It was so fun to let the kids sit at their own table so we could visit. After the kids were done the owner let the kids play in the neighboring grassing lot. They picked pecans up from the ground and shelled them. They had quite the factory going.

Then we packed up and headed for home. We grabbed gas and headed to Gunnison where we dropped Nic and Kinner's off. We stayed for about 30 minutes to say hi to Kyle and the boys then jumped back on the road to get home to the rest of our family.  Such a great experience despite the sadness on the way down. Everyone was great while we were gone. I hope next time it will be a little easier. Thanks Kimber for being awesome so we could come support you! Thanks Nic for supporting me and thanks to Matt for holding down the fort and calming me down always!

Feb Random

I love when Hallie wants to be involved in the kitchen and I wish it happened more frequently. One night Matt and the kids were down watching a movie and I had started donuts so Hallie helped me. I really enjoyed it. It also helped because the next week she missed her lab for Foods class and needed this picture to get credit for missing.

During project time I had bought trim and Liam turned it into a marble track. He and the girls had a ball

Ashtyn invited the kids over for a Valentine's party and asked for me to come help. They rotated in age groups and played games and decorated cookies.

Hallie's friend Maya is a life rider at Nordic and told Hallie she should come work with her. It was pretty sudden and the boss text and asked if she could come that afternoon. She rides the lift with kids under the age of eight in the after school program. They operate on Tues, Thurs, and Friday from 4-7 and she makes $11 an hour so she loves that. I think it may be a great winter job for her in years to come as well.

Emy got to go to Maxwell's birthday party. She was the only girl but had a great time. They did sledding, played hide and seek, as well as had cupcakes.

With Hallie working at Nordic I told the kids that we would stay and ski on the Fridays while she works. It has been a fun reason to ski more often. It has been spring skiing with lots of sunshine and icy/slushie snow.

Milo loves any opportunity to be cuddled and loved.

Emy has the 3rd grade drive inn movie coming up. She couldn't wait to get her car going. She was so nice to include Liam and let him paint with her. She decided to theme it like one of the cars on Wreck It Ralph

Matt and I snuck away for a Jazz game with Clients. I don't like sharing him but we had a fun night.