1st Day Boating of the Summer

Im sad that we are just barely getting our boating summer started. Although we boated with my parents over the 4th its just not the same as getting out on our own and having a good time. We invited some of our friends as well as Brit and her kids.  

It took 2 stops but we did find a good beach and unloaded the boat but that was it and off we went to boat

All the kids were great to take turns but we kept the boat running all day

I think Brit and I have come a long way in our relationship and although we still don't see eye to eye on everything I think we have been better at understanding where the other one is coming from. We had a great day on the lake 

After boating from 12-7 we were all exhausted...some more than others. But isn't this just how summer days are supposed to be.

Here's to more days on the lake before summer is over

Forever Friends

Finally on Sunday we were able to make schedules work so we could get together with Mindi, Corey, and Tyler. Tyler is now officially divorced so I was hoping he would feel welcome and not like the 5th wheel. Mindi announced she was pregnant and due in March(she thinks its twins). The kids get along so well and we all just pick up where we left off. Matt smoked ribs and we had a bunch of yummy sides. After we went outside and the boys reverted to their true selves where they just have fun with each other. We all danced and the boys favored us with a song they made up in high school and the kids thought it was so funny.

Swim Party

The girls swim teacher, Brooke, had a family from Thailand coming so she did a swim party and had group lessons so she could get everyone in. The girls had a great time. During lessons the kids cant do the slide or diving board so when they got to try them out at the party they were pretty thrilled about that.

They have learned a lot and made some progress. Mostly they have loved having swim lessons every week

Pioneer Rodeo

What a fun night! We decided a couple weeks ago that we wanted to go and take the girls. We had a fantastic time. We stopped at Pizza Pie Cafe(everyone's favorite) for dinner then headed over. Initially the sun was annoying but not as hot as I anticipated but about an hour in the sun went down enough and it cooled right off.

The girls were insistent that they wear their hats and they were super cute

 We all enjoyed the rodeo and the girls were super excited when they brought out the four wheeler and the dirt bikes. The tricks they do were so cool

 The entire rodeo Em wanted to pet everything and when I took her back to the corrals none of them would stand still for her to pet them. After on the way to the car we found some horses of all sizes and the girls loved getting to pet all of them. 

I love all the things, big and small, we do together as a family

 

Parade of Homes

The parade of homes is something we look forward to every year. Matt's mom came the one Saturday while we went and the next weekend I got called into work so Matt took the girls with him(Hallie stayed at a friends house) I got so lucky they went to see a few homes and then stopped for ice cream. I hate having to be gone from them but I love that I know he is with them when I'm not 

Bear Lake "Girls" Trip

Oh man where to start with this trip. Matt and I had talked months ago about how we wanted to go on this trip but I didn't want to take the girls alone or go on vacation without him. So we decided to get our own condo so we could all go. Originally I thought we were super close in location to each other but as the trip drew closer we found out their cabin was actually in St. Charles 15 minutes away. I was a little bummed but we had already made reservations. But when the day of the trip came I still hadn't received info about how and what to do for our condo so I got up early and sent an email and just as I went to send it I realized that I had booked the condo for the wrong YEAR. I initially panicked and text Matt and started to look for other options. I looked everywhere I could think and made dozen of calls. All the places not booked were super expensive and all the trailers needed 3 days notice before we could rent them. Luckily Matt came home at lunch planning to leave but because of my opps we were stuck looking for a place to sleep. After a couple hours of looking I mentioned to Matt that I had the feeling(multiple times) to call some of our friends and ask to borrow their trailer. We don't like feeling like we are taking advantage and so we were both hesitant. But we felt it was important to go so we bit the bullet and called and asked. They said yes without any hesitation. We waited for a couple hours until they got home so they could show us everything then Matt ran to get the trailer and we quickly loaded it and headed for Bear Lake. The trailer made my Yukon XL look like a mid-size vehicle.

We got there about 8 but unfortunately we missed dinner and everyone had headed to get milk shakes. While everyone was gone we set up the trailer and got the girls ready for bed. The mosquitoes were terrible so we had to get in and out of the trailer quickly. The trailer looked big  but we were creative in getting the girls each a spot to sleep and once you make everything into beds the trailer was for sure squishy. Luckily for us it cooled off outside and cooled the trailer right off. But it was a space to sleep and we were there to enjoy the week with everyone else. The girls slept great but Matt and I struggled a little. The second night we made some adjustment and did better but it definitely made me think twice about living in a trailer when we build again. 

The next morning we got up and made some yummy breakfast and then packed up and headed for the lake. Although we got there pretty early it was difficult to find a spot on the beach. But we did find one. I am always amazed with how blue the water is.It didn't take long after getting settled for Em to find the table with all the snacks and she was in heaven.

Brit hurt her back the morning we left so she and I spent most of the day lounging under the sun shade. I was so glad Matt came with me. He was just what I needed to make the trip worth it. He was super helpful and as always attentive.

The cabin had this cute swing in the loft that the kids had a great time on. We just need to convince Matt's family that they do make cabins with air conditioning

We bought this cool swan the day before we left and the kids played on it all day

That night we went out to Cafe Sabor with the whole group and after we came back and watched Jumanji but we all slowly but surely died off to go to bed.

Here's the cabin we stayed in and our trailer next to it. I think it ended up working out better that we were closer to everyone else in the end. When we went on a walk to talk this picture a skunk crossed the path between us and the cabin. It was a little nerve racking to get back to the cabin.

The next morning we got up and packed to go home. I think we could have used one more day but had a good time while we were there. 

Matt and I had a discussion on the way home and he asked if I thought all the stress with getting the trailer and taking care of everything had been worth it. My real thought was no but I think it was a big deal to Matt's family that we made the effort to be there and enjoy the time with them. So in the end that made it better. It was a lot of work but in the end worth it.

Sold by an Angel Swim Party

Angel invited us to join her and her team at a summer swim party. We decided to leave home early go do some parade houses, grab dinner, and head to the pool. Although Matt and I were tired and thought about not going I was really glad we went. When we got there we met a mermaid and they had cupcakes then we were off to swim. I have never been to a wave pool and I thought it was fun although I wished they would have had the waves go off more often. Just as the sun was going down we got another surprise...they had pizza delivered! It was so yummy(yes I gave in and ate a piece). It was a great way to end the night.