To The County Fair With All The Cousins

The fair is one of my favorite time of year. I have so many memories growing up and going to the fair and the awesome parade. I was beyond thrilled when Kimber told me her and the kids were going to come and stay with us the week of the fair so they could come go with us. The kids loved all the floats but mostly the treats but who can blame them....its what I remember most.

Joy was nice enough to save some seats so we would all have a good place to see the parade and catch candy...chairs and all

I love Kimber she is blunt and says it like it is like me but has a bit more of a filter and usually finds a less offensive way to get her point across or get what she wants. I hate that she lives so far away, that she works all the time, and that her house is to little for me to go stay with her...lol the end. When we were younger we would fight and not get along and now she is one of my best friends and someone I always look forward to talking to and spending time with. I feel very blessed to have her in my life. She loves me for who I am and one of the few people I can really be myself with.

A few minutes after the parade started Nic & Ky got there to join us. The cousins were so excited to be back together. I love the bond and love they have for each other.

Luke was pretty excited about the huge minion

I wasn't sure what Em would think of the parade if she would think it was to loud or be scared but she loved it. When the band came by she walked off the curb and sat herself on the street to get a front row seat for the show.

Popsicles were a definite like from the parade and luckily we had a whole pack of wipes to clean them up afterwards

This was Lydi's first experience with a popsicle and she loved it.

The men in our lives prefer to stay in the background and soak up the shade

After the parade we headed to the fair for some dinner and to see the animals mostly. Only Gracie wanted to put her face in the circle but once she did it then everyone wanted a turn.

Before heading to the animals we got balloons from one of the stands and when we stopped to visit they had a ball chasing each other and screaming/squealing at the top of their lungs. Luckily it wasn't to crowded because I hated to brake up the fun. 

We had so much fun visiting and seeing the animals that before we knew it it was 10pm and we were needing to head home....but first a stop at kents to get corn. Tremonton corn really is the best! Matt was a good sport and stayed in the car with the kids while Kim and I ran in. I guess Em was sad after we left so they took some pictures to pass the time.

The fair just like every other year didn't disappoint. Its fun to see old friends, get good food, and feel like a kid again. This is a tradition that Matt and I will continue to do with our kids for as long as we can. It was a fun day with all of us together

Back To School Mom Brunch

A couple days after school started Ashley invited everyone over for a back to school luncheon. During the summer it can be crazy to get everyone together with all the kids so it was fun to see each other and visit. Ashley always makes yummy food look so simple she has taught me a lot and given me quite a few ideas. I'm not one that like girls nights or getaways...I just don't feel like I need them but I love to get together when Matt's at work and see how everyone's lives are going. We had breakfast and everyone brought something to contribute. After we ate Ashley brought out these giant mystery bags. When we opened them we were all pretty excited! They were full of pampering stuff for each of us moms! Soaps, lotions, body scrubs, oils, ect. I'm not very good at spending money on pampering myself so I was super excited. I have tried several of the items and they're pretty cool. I'm grateful for this group of ladies and the way they have accepted me into their group like I have always been a part.

 

Bree was in love with the way her bag smelled. All of the products are organic and most contain some amount of coconut oil so our bags smelt like a tropical island and who doesn't love that?!?

Hallie's 1st Day of 2nd Grade

Hallie started 2nd grade on August 23rd. She was really excited and I was sad that it was yet another reminder that summer is coming to a close. She is at Valley Elementary is Mrs. Truett's class. She was very excited to have some of the same kids in her class as last year. She is a little mother to most everyone around her making sure everyone is taking care of. She is an excellent reader and super friendly. She is thoughtful and kind and tries to make the extra effort both at home and at school. She picks up on things so easily and the things she doesn't she gets slightly frustrated shortly before figuring it out. She can sound out just about any word. She recently decided to learn how to tie her shoes after us trying to talk her into once she found cute shoes that tie. She had it down in about 5 minutes...stubborn girl. Matt and I are so proud of the amazing little girl she is although it does make me sad to see her grow up so quickly the times I get frustrated I remind myself that someday I will miss all the extra work and attention my kids needed when they were younger so I'm doing my best to enjoy every minute.

A Family Trip to the Lake

We love the lake but sometimes we just want to go ourselves and since the girls are so little we just got to play. On this particular night we just played on the beach, swam, fed the seagulls, had a major dance party, and just floated....it was awesome and so relaxing. I know our days are limited this summer but Im excited for more trips like this next summer.

Hot Air Balloon Festival

I was really looking forward to the Hot Air Balloon Festival. The first morning I promised the kids I would wake them up if I saw the balloons. I got up and sure enough there was a half a dozen balloons floating in the sky. I went to get the girls up and they were so excited . We sat on the front porch and watch them float up and down. I love the valley and all the beauty that surrounds us up here.

Happy 10 Year Anniversary

This year Matt and I celebrate 10 years of marriage! I know for a lot of people that's a huge thing but for me it is only a blink of an eye in the scheme of eternity. I love  this man and the life we have built together. We are a great team and handle whatever comes our way together. Since our anniversary was on a Thursday we met for lunch at Panda Express and just spent time together. I think some might think it was silly that we did panda express but it is a true representation of what we are....where ever we are we are just happy being together....especially with our little family

When Matt came home form work that night he brought flowers and chocolate. For a long time I didn't really care for flowers but as I have gotten older I love the brightness and beauty they bring. As for the chocolate I have always loved that. Matt can be really thoughtful. There have been times in our marriage that he has been so busy that I have felt a little forgotten but we talk thru it and then at just the right moments he comes thru with surprises.

That weekend we had planned a getaway for just the two of us. Nic was great to watch the kids and they were thrilled to stay with her and play with their cousins. We booked Hotel Park City in downtown Park City...it turned out to be so nice.

Our deck was right off the pool they also had live music going on and a bbq...we sat out on our deck and just enjoyed the music and each other

We enjoyed going to dinner, doing some shopping, we looked at new suburbans, and just relaxing. I was really anxious about leaving the girls but I knew they were in good hands with Nic...although they weren't really great for her she made it thru. I was grateful we went and had a good time and I'm looking forward to an eternity of anniversaries. 

Fun with the Parrish's

After some crazy weeks I had the feeling we needed to head to Logan and visit Erin. It worked out so well that we had nothing going on the next day so I text Erin and we made plans. Matt was out of town as well so it was a great time to get out and do some fun stuff. The girls and I got up and ready and left about 10. We headed to Erin's house so she could show us her new place. From there we went to pick up KFC and then to the a cool park I had heard about called Ryan's Playground. I of coarse forgot to take pictures but we enjoyed eating our lunch but mostly playing and catching up. Erin is such an example to me of a faithful person. She has had some many tough trials in her and her families lives and she just keeps on smiling. I know after getting to know her that this doesn't come easily but she chooses to try to make the best of every situation. One of her bad days is uncomprehendable to me and I in no way shape or form hope to go thru anything she has experienced. We are two of the most unlikely friends that you could possibly meet and yet we have such a love for one another. Even though we don't live close I still feel the desire to be in her life and help her to succeed in any way I can. After the park we went to show the kids where they make cheese...Gossners. I have such great memories of going to Gossners as a kid. We would get cheese curds and occasionally ice cream. So of coarse that is what we got the kids. I think they were all pretty pleased with their decisions. 

I swear Gracie can make her face a mess eating just about anything

After our cheese pit stop we went back to Erin's to change our close and head to Hyrum Dam to swim and play in the water. When we got there it was a little chilly and because the water was so low the beach was pretty much no existent but we made the best of it and had a good time.

The kids swam and played with the beach toys. Then they went on a hunt to find seashells and chased some birds.

We only stayed for an hour before it started to get cold and the babies were exhausted. We had such a fun filled day I was sad to see it come to an end. As we were both driving away I remembered we hadn't taken a single picture of both of us the entire day. Luckily she was willing to turn around and then we got one. Im so grateful for this girl and her happiness in her simple life is such an example to me. When things get tough she just holds on tight for the ride. I was so glad I made the decision to go up and visit. It was a great day with a great friend