Ice Skating with Chris & Krissy

We had plans to double with Chris and Krissy but when our babysitter canceled we made different plans. With them coming from Tremonton after helping with Kerry & Joy's house it just made sense to meet at our house and go from there. It took longer in Tremonton than they had planned so I made dinner and we ate once they got here before heading over to the Huntsville skating rink. There are so many things I love about this little town and the nostalgic moments it creates for me. One of the ward members had a bunch of skates so we stopped and found some to fit everyone and then headed to get our skate on. They even had a few folding chairs to help us with our minimal skating skills. We had so much fun...more than I think any of us were anticipating. 

 We didn't put skates on Emy so she just walked around and visited with everyone. At one end they were playing hockey and then we skated on the other end.

All the girl loved riding and pushing the chair...including me. Emy would squeal and giggle it was the best. We could have never gotten away with all of this at an ice rink and were glad we had just decided to stay in Huntsville.

 We fell...like a lot but we just laughed at ourselves

We had a great time with Chris and Krissy...for the second weekend in a row!

 I love this little ice skating family of mine. The girls all loved it and Hallie cried when we had to leave. We promised her we would definitely go back very soon

 After a while Matt and Chris decided to start "curling" they drew a circle and a line not to cross. The girls and even the wives took turns sitting on the chair being pushed. It was so much fun

I know I have said this a million times but we had so much fun with this little group of people. Chris and Krissy are so great with the girl and the girls adore them.

 Once everyone's toes were froze we headed home for some hot chocolate and warm cookies. We had our cookie dough all ready to go and baked them as soon as we got home. Everything was a big hit. 

 After we got warmed up we visited on the couch while the girls cuddled before Chris and Krissy headed for home since she had to work the next morning.

What a fun weekend we have had and look forward to more of them. Tubing, sledding, snow shoeing, ice castles, and much much more moving forward.

Date Night

Matt and I have tried to be better about regular date nights. Thursday night the elders quorum came to visit and check in and it just so happens that the presidency is our friends. They came up with the plan to do a date night the following night and I just went a long with it. I was able to find a babysitter and then we were set to go. On Matt's way home from work he got a call from a business contact that had tickets for the Jazz that that night on the 3rd row. Matt of coarse was super excited and called to see if I wanted to go. Since we were using a new babysitter I didn't feel comfortable leaving the kids for that long but I wanted Matt to go and have a good time. So we went to dinner at R & R BBQ and then over to city creek and did a little shopping before the girls came home and the boys headed to the game.

 Matt really likes Perry and they have a great time together. They have caught a few late night movies and seem to get along. Im glad he has a guy friend to do things like this with

It was a fun night. We have never just hung out with Perry and Amy. It was fun to get to know them a little more. Amy was so nice and took our babysitter home when we came home to find all 3 kids still up and the house in a little bit of disarray. 

Weekend Happenings

After Gracie's birthday party Chris and Krissy came home with us to spend the night. We played games and did just dance until we could hardly stand up we we're so tired. After we put the kids to bed we watched a movie all cuddled up on the couch and then finally off to bed. The next morning we had plans to go sledding but it was so cold we stayed in, slept in, made breakfast, cuddled, watched cartoons, and played another round of phase 10 before Chris and Krissy left to take lunch to their friends. We loved being able to spend one on one time with them and look forward to doing it more often.

 We got more snow both during the night and the day

 That meant keeping the driveway clear and with the mixture of rain and snow that made it almost impossible. It was to wet to really throw it so it would just kinda ooze out of the top. Em was a good sport we have finally gotten her outfit down so she stays warm and comfy. 

 We have also been doing more experimenting with the instapot and made some chocolate cheesecake. It was yummy but to dense and rich I think we have decided we like the plain better.

 Emy has become our busiest child yet. She has recently become obsessed with the treat drawer and I have to keep a close eye on her so she doesn't eat herself sick. I went to change my clothes and came back to this...silly girl. Its a good thing she is so stinkin cute

Gracie Birthday Party

We decided to go bowling at Wild Cat Lanes at Weber state to celebrate Gracie's birthday. We ended up with 20 people...7 adults and 13 kids plus Em. We had 4 lanes and it took us about 90 minutes to complete one game. The kids were just shy of finishing when we had to leave to get to our dinner reservation

These two cute sisters love each other. When I asked Gracie how she wanted her hair done she asked for it to be just like Hallie's. They both looked really cute

The bowling ally had bumpers for the kids and these slides so the kids didn't have to throw the ball. Hallie was so helpful and kept everyone going making sure they had a ball and they knew it was their turn

Although Em didn't officially bowl she was content to wander among the 4 lanes we had and visit with everyone

This sister of mine is amazing! Always so supportive and like a 2nd mom to my kids. I sure love and appreciate all she does for me and my family

We got to Pizza Pie Cafe just in time for our reservation. It was a little crazy because they were busy but we got everyone in and sat down. It was a little tight but everyone had a seat

Kerry, Joy, Chris, & Krissy couldn't make it bowling but they were able to join us for dinner. I was happy everyone could make it to help us celebrate Gracie and feel special

After we all got our first round of food Gracie couldn't wait any longer to open her gifts so she found a spot in the middle of the floor and started open. We asked the kids to stay in their seats so everyone could see and it worked out great

Nick & Brit bought her some Legos! She is loving Legos right now so she was really excited

We bought her a snowman kit that she was so genuinely excited about. Matt thought I was silly for buying her a kit he thought she should forage for all the snowman pieces in nature..lol

Hallie picked Gracie out a couple read a long books one Frozen and one Moana and she was so thrilled I hate that the candid pictures are all blurry

Em picked out these cute bracelets and a Frozen microphone...of coarse all of them make noise

Grandma and Grandpa gave her money that she has decided to put in the bank since she said she got everything that she wanted..lol

The restaurant then brought her a "monster" cookie. Which included a giant cookie with 3 scoops of ice cream and then a gallon of whipped cream, caramel, and chocolate. 

                               After we sang we gave all of the kids a fork and they all dug in

Kinley was quick to pick up the bows off the gifts and "decorate" Nic. Kinley said this was a headband and a flower

I love all our family and I'm so gratfeul for their love and support. I was so grateful they were willing to make time in their busy lives and drive to come spend the evening with us. Happy birthday to our happy and emotional 5 year old. She is such a sweet and tender little girl. Happy birthday Gracie

Just an added note: I don't think it was necessary at all to take friends with us. It was just extra work and Gracie didn't even seem to care if she was there. Next time Ill save myself the headache and extra money and just let her enjoy the time with family