Happy 13th Anniversary to Us

I have to start by saying how much I love this guy of mine. He is such a great balance for me. We didn't do anything fancy but I was just happy to spend time with him. We spent the day doing "ordinary" things and just getting things done. That night the girls were playing outside with neighbors and asked if they could roast smores. We decided to say yes even though it put the girls way past bedtime. It was totally worth it.

While doing smores we also used the rest of our sparklers from July. The girls had been asking for weeks and they were thrilled when we said yes.

While out shopping for school stuff with the girls we found they had recently put out sweatshirts. Hallie found one that was identical to one that I have and she was insistent on having it. I had a hard time saying no and of coarse bought it for her. I know someday she wont want to match with me anymore.

It was a fun night with the girls. Liam was so good and cooperated and slept the entire time. It was a late night but a fun night.

Even though it isn't what most people would see as romantic or a great way to spend their anniversary but it was perfect for us. Nothing fancy just being together.

End of Summer Parties

The bishop and his wife have such a fun bubble machine and around this time of year they throw some of the best parties to end the summer. First Hallie had one with the activity day girls and then again with a primary party. It was fun to see the girls playing on the trampoline, pool, and water slide in the bubbles. Liam didn't love the bubbles but liked watching all the kids playing

The girls have been doing a lot of reading over the summer and participating in the library summer reading program. With summer coming to a close we were able to stop by the library for their last prize. They were so excited! They got several prizes and a book to wrap up the program. So grateful for programs like this that reward kids and their love for reading

Extreme Makeover Home Edition

The estimating team at Sure Steel was able to be involved with Extreme Makeover that Wadman put together. They did two homes in a couple weeks. The day Sure Steel was able to volunteer they did flooring and some finish work. Matt came home pretty exhausted but loved every minute.

Geode Hunting & Puppy Barn

For Christmas the girls each got a trip gift that included items for the destination and a description of what we would be doing. We finally got to get Hallie's scheduled to go geode hunting. We left after work on Friday and got to the hotel in Orem at a good time so we had some time for dinner and some swimming.  

The next morning the girls could hardly wait to get to the geodes. It took longer than we expected and we were sure we were lost a couple times before we finally got in the right place. Lucky for us we stop a passing by car to ask for directions and they helped us figure it out. I was uncomfortable with being an hour out of cell service and us being alone but all went well and when we finally found the geode beds I was more than relieved.

Matt was a natural and luckily for us he actually found some. Because it had taken us longer to get there it was really hot so we were all feeling a little in a hurry to find our geodes and get back in the a/c car.

Hallie was so excited and the trip didn't disappoint although next time Matt and I agreed that buying geodes would certainly be easier but not nearly as much of an adventure. On the way out we found a map that more closer specified where the geode could be found and they were much deeper in the grounds so we were lucky we actually found some.

After we found our geodes and other cool rocks we headed for Puppy Barn in West Jordan. Before we got there we realized we were starving and grabbed dinner at Red Robin. It was yummy. The girls were anxious to get to the puppies. It was set up different than I expected and it was so busy. That didn't stop the girls from loving on all of the puppies.

I think at some point in the near future we will add a puppy to our lives. It was a fun but exhausting weekend. I love and cherish the family time we get and love how we are with just us.

Pineview with the Browers & Van's Blessing

When Tiff invited us to Lagoon she asked if we would be willing to take them boating on Friday. Although it was originally supposed to just be Tiff with the rest of the family in town we ended up with everyone there. It was fun and way less overwhelming than I had anticipated. Two years ago I couldn't have even considered doing this so Im really proud of myself. Tiff, Aaron, Mia, Ris, Cooper, and Mayci along with our family were there first. We got a good beach spot and unloaded the boat. Then we headed out. Hallie is more brave when she is showing off for sure. She went out of the wake and was all over. It was fun to see her gain confidence in something I grew up enjoying so much. Matt and I have had a lot of discussion about buying a new boat but they are so expensive and we can only use they a handful of months of the year so we'll have to see what happens. Im worried if we sell the house we wont have a place to store it or be able to use it as we will be building again. 

 But about 5 we called it a day as we were all hungry and everyone was tired. On the way to the marina Grace fell asleep...poor girl was exhausted.

We enjoyed yummy dinner and played games. It was super fun

Saturday we met up for dinner at Brit's for Van's baby blessing. With Krissy's anxiety its hard for her to have both families around so they opted to do them separate. Brower's on Saturday night and her family on Sunday. At dinner we were able to discuss our Christmas plans of doing an experience over doing gifts. I LOVE this idea and have been trying to get them to do this forever. We are still looking into options but it will be fun. Tiff took this picture of our planning. 

I don't want to put a negative light on the whole weekend but I want to note that sometimes we don't always get along but I have realized there is usually one culprit in the family. It's Brit at times makes it so difficult to enjoy her or her kids. She threw a fit when she had to pay to get into the beach and made Kerry and Joy drive with her so she didn't have to pay for it. It seems so petty when Matt and I spent over $100 on gas and food for everyone for the day. Then instead of enjoying the day she plays on Facebook and takes work calls all day. On Saturday while we had dinner at her house she was gone to something else she had plans. She always ditches her kids with anyone that will take them. It makes me sad for them and for her. She's impossible and very hard to understand sometimes. I wonder if she ever realizes how much she self sabotages herself. On Sunday she didn't say a word to any of us and acted super cranky so it was kinda nice we didn't get together after. I hope someday she gets her priorities straight before its to late.

It was a fun weekend with most of the family we had great conversation and I wish they lived closer so we could do it more often.

Lagoon with the Browers

We were excited when Tiff invited us to join them at Lagoon to celebrate Mia's birthday with the rest of the Brower clan. Matt and I decided to let Liam take his first nap before heading to drop him at Nic's so he could enjoy the a/c while we were at Lagoon so we got there about noon.

 The parking was crazy so we paid the extra to park next to the entrance gate and it was super worth it. Then we headed to the terrace to have cake and ice cream. After we did Rattlesnake rapids with everyone before splitting up since we had some smaller kids and wanted to ride different ride. Tiff decided to hang with us and we loved having them with us. All the girls were great with Mia but Hallie in particular really made sure she was taken care of. 

While the kids rode rides it gave us the chance to visit in the shade. It ended up being not super hot which was so nice. The kids rides lines were also pretty short compared to the big kid rides.

We ate snacks and continued to make our rounds thru the rides. At about 6 Tiff and Mia headed back to their cooler and called it a day with the rest of the family but Matt and I weren't ready to be done yet. Then we headed for more of the bigger kid rides after buying Emy a slushee to eat while they rode. It worked out great. I even got to take Emy on a couple smaller rides while they rode the big rides. Em was so excited to ride the gray kitty...it was hilarious. Gracie was sad that there were a few rides she just wasn't quite tall enough for either but we made the best of it. The girls rode some pretty crazy ride that would have made me so sick. 

By 9pm we decided to call it a night and go get Liam. It was so nice to be able to leave him with Nic so I didn't have to worry about him being hot or tired. I was more able to focus on Matt and the girls and just have fun with them. Im so grateful to Nic for that. It was a fun day spent together making memories.