Girls Weekend in Vegas

Had a fun trip in Vegas this past weekend with my sister Becca, my sister-in-law Mandy and my friend Alison. We needed a get away with no kids and no husbands. No...just playing. But we did really WANT a get-away and it felt so good. We stayed at the Luxor, which was actually an awesome hotel. We loved the vaulted ceilings and the slanted walls...even though it made us all a little queasy and sick when we rode the elevator up and looked down over the balconies. Crazy how they engineered and built that. But we loved the pool and the pool time. We could actually relax and get some lay out time without having to chase kids around the pool. It was almost too hot to even lay out. It was about 100 degrees, but it is such a dry heat... you can barely breathe. We ended up laying out in the pool or by the pool the whole 2 days we spent by the pool. You had to be kinda wet at all times or it was miserable.

We also got to go to two different malls/outlets and shop for a few hours. That was alot of fun... looking for fun stuff for us, but all of us finding stuff for our kids instead. No..we did get a few things for ourselves too. During the shopping trips we did enjoy a little frozen yogurt, the best fudge ever and we had to keep finding cheap places to buy 44 oz. drinks. I just kept thinking how hard it would be to live in Vegas in the heat.

We also got to eat at some fun places. We did not totally find any REALLY good places because we did not want to pay $35 for the buffets. We got to eat at the Rainforest Cafe which was pretty cool. But I think with the heat and everything....all of us felt kinda sick to our stomachs at least once during the whole trip. It takes some getting use to...the HEAT!

We also walked alot...we walked the strip....we walked through alot of casinos....we walked to the M& M factory, the Coke factory, the fountains at the Belagio...etc. And the best part of all...we got to go to the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop...the Pawn Shop that is on the TV SHOW "PAWN STARS." We were so bummed because we went on Saturday and the stars of the show (the owners of the store) only work Monday-Friday. So bummed!

Overall we had a fun trip...lots of driving...lots of fun stories...lots of girl talk...But we were all excited to get home to our husbands...boyfriend for Becca.... and our kids.

2nd day of Summer- Backyard Fun

This past week and this week have actually been hot weeks. We have had some fun backyard days with neighbors and cousins. We have done sprinkler days, slip-n-slide days, and swimming days in our hot tub (we keep it cooler in the summer).

So the other day.... I was watching Mandys kids for a few hours...so when she returned we decided to let the kids try out this new slide that Matt ordered a few days ago. So Corey, Cade and Skye all tried out the new slide and loved it. I think Mandy got some really good action shots with her camera. I might post those later. Jaice, Reygan and Ryley, the kids other cousins joined us later to try it out too. They all loved it. And it felt good to bask in the sun, while trying to keep Casen out of the pool. He thinks he can swim which is kind of scary! But I can't complain... I love the heat and I love summertime!

Family Fun in Star Valley (Cont.)

A few more fun pics of the weekend in Star Valley, Wyoming...at the family cabin!

Family Cabin in Star Valley

This last weekend we went up to the cabin in Star Valley, Wyoming with some of Matt's family. We got there late Friday night because Corey had a baseball game until 8:00 PM. So we did not get up there until midnight and I don't think the kids got to bed till 1 AM in the morning. Casen was a pain in the butt at nighttime because he is used to being in a closed room with no noise....but up at the cabin it is all open and not everyone goes to sleep at 9 PM. So he stayed up late everynight and had a hard time getting to sleep...which wore me out too. I had fun, but was definitley glad to get home to my own bed and have Casen in his own bed...

Saturday was fun. We got up and just let the kids play and explore for a few hours. They took a bunch of golf cart rides and motorcycle rides. And they played on the hammock. They fed the squirrels and the birds.

Then we all got ready and went into town to a nice lunch place for pizza and subs. We also visited the cheese factory there for some free fudge samples. Then we got a few groceries for dinner... and went back to the cabin. We all went down to the pool for a few hours to get a tan and let the kids swim. It was about 75 degrees with a slight breeze. We were all wishing it was a tad bit warmer. Then that night...while Matt and Toph went golfing.. the girls watched a chick flick while Regan made us all a dutch oven dinner of Ribs and Potatoes/Bacon. We did help a little, but I will definitley give him all the credit. It was a FINE MEAL! And Matt actually did the dishes that night after dinner. It was amazing. We ended up watching another movie that night and then crashing around midnight again....while struggling to get the babies to bed.

Then Sunday for Fathers Day we had all agreed to go to breakfast for the boys morning meal. But Mandy and Regan and Brit and Toph had to get back home. So we ended up cleaning the cabin up and leaving around noon. It was a fun and relaxing weekend, but I always wish we could stay a day or two longer. It is so far away and always such a quick weekend. The kids did end up bringing up Matt's gifts they had made him for Fathers Day and gave those to him. He told us not to buy him a real gift this year because he ordered a tool box for his new truck he bought about a month ago.

It was a fun weekend and I think the guys enjoyed spending their Fathers Day weekend up there in the country!

Some Summer Fun

So today was the last day of swim lessons...hooray for me. It was just getting hard trying to chase Casen around and it was not great weather for pool time after their lessons. So I was glad it was over. Corey is really quite a strong swimmer and Cade is getting better. I was impressed!

But we have tried to do a few fun things with the kids... we had a fun slip-n-slide day with some neighbor kids the other day. I also took my kids to go and see that movie MARMADUKE with the huge GREAT DANE DOG. It was pretty entertaining.

And a few fun things that I got some pics of.... I took the kids to this new ice cream place called Sub Zero. They make the ice cream with Dry Ice. It is pretty awesome. The kids really liked it. Casen chose his bottle over the ice cream, although he did have a few bites towards the end and realized what he was missing out on.

Casen really is so adorable and at a really fun age right now. He is into everything though and on top of everything. He loves to climb on all our bar stools and counters. And he likes to carry around boxes of chips, crackers, cookies, cereal... you name it... which makes for a very big mess. But he is so funny and makes the funniest facial expressions. He makes us all laugh!

Another fun activity we did was grow our own butterflies. We sent away for the larvae and watched them make their own cocoons. Then we watched them develop into butterflies...kept them for a few days and then let them go. It was very easy and the kids were so entertained by the whole thing.They actually all survived and flew away so strong. It was really cool for the kids and for me. I guess these butterflies were the closest thing to a pet, for the kids, because we are not getting a pet for awhile.

We are enjoying summer, but we just wish it would warm up and quit raining. We do still have about 2.5 weeks of baseball left. It is really fun too, but I guess I am ready for some down time and a vacation. California in July... Can't wait!

Swim Lessons, but Still NO SUMMER!

The kids started swim lessons this week. This will probably be Corey's last year. She is getting to be such a strong swimmer. I love it. It makes me feel safe having her in a pool so confident about swimming! It gives a mom alot of relief when all their kids can swim. Corey is swimming strokes all the way across the pool. So proud of her.

Cade has a few more summers to go before he is at Corey's level, but he is doing awesome too. Because of all the swimming in our hot tub this year... I have noticed he has gotten alot better at swimming and alot more comfortable in the water. Almost too comfortable sometimes.

Casen has had fun watching them swim too. But I have been kinda sad because usually swim lessons kick off the summer. We go to the lesson and then we stay after and swim for a few hours and get our base tan for the summer, but this year it has been raining everyday. SO ANNOYING! So yes I am still white because I sit by the pool while my kids are in the hot tub warming up and the sun is covered by clouds! Why are our summers being cut so short? My favorite time of year is being cut short. Maybe we should move to St. George!

YEAH SHE GOT A HIT !!!!

So Corey had another baseball game the other night and I was so nervous for her. Her previous game... we played the other nieghborhood team and she struck out 3 times. She was so sad. The very last strike out... she came out crying...she could not hold back the tears.

So this last game...everytime she got up to bat... I got a stomach ache... just hoping she would hit it. She is so competitive, yet so emotional at the same time. I was just so worried. And we even had the talk..that she needs to toughen up and you can't cry about sports or get so stressed out about a game. And I told her...even if she did not get on base and at least just hit it..that would be awesome.

So the first time up to bat... she hit it, but they did get her out at 1st base. She came off the base trying to hold back the tears. So I walked over to her and she get kinda pushing me away...wanting me to go away so she would not cry even more. And she said, "Mom I am crying because I am Happy. I hit the ball." I think she had so much pent up emotion...she was crying over happiness. All that pressure of hitting the ball was now gone! She puts so much pressure on herself. It stresses me out. So I was so happy for her. And I think she loosened up a bit after awhile and we had a better pitcher. She hit the other 2 times up to bat and got on base and got to run all the bases. OH good... we got past the first stressor of baseball. Now hopefully next game.. this same guy can pitch so Corey can hit it and we can all be happy!

But the reason I wrote this blog... is because as a mom or as parents.. you want so bad for your children to succeed. And when they are hurting so are we. So last game and this game when she cried, I felt so sad for her. And especially this game... everytime she hit it... I teared up and my voice was cracking when I talked. I was so emotional over a 7 year olds coach pitch game. But I was just so relieved that she hit it. WOW! I must be getting older!

Celebrating 11 years

So even though Matt was gone on our official 11 year anniversary (If u did not read one of the previous blogs... I told him it was OK to go), we did get to go to dinner the next weekend. We had Matt's brother and his family watch our kids... so we could get some alone time to go to dinner.

Funny story... I was actually mad at him that Friday night and Saturday and was trying to get another couple to go with us to dinner because I didn't know if I really wanted to go alone with him. Can't even remember now what we were aruging about.... Oh he thought I broke the A/C and was getting after me about it. I had had the most productive day weeding, cleaning the house, etc. and the last thing I needed to hear was that I broke the A/C and how could you do something so stupid CRAP! So I was bugged at him. But we ended up going alone and it ended up being nice. It is always nice to go to dinner without the kids and be able to taste your dinner and actually remember what you ordered.

I just ordered chips and salsa and guacamole and I got a brownie/ice cream dessert. It was the best dessert ever. I have been craving it ever since.

Anyway, can you believe it has been 11 years. CRAZY! It has been a wonderful 11 years and it has gone by way to fast. I am loving life right now, even if we do have our OFF days with the kids or with each other. I love my family and I love my husband. But he better not plan any bike trips on our 15th!!!! Love you babe!

Enjoying my 30's

The other night before I went to bed, I was saying my prayers and thanking the Lord for everything I have been blessed with. And I got thinking about how much I am enjoying my life right now. I started thinking of other people in my life and the trials they are going through that I have already been through at their age, and I was actually glad to be in my 30's. I always thought getting older would be terrible, but so far it is not. (Well when my body does not perform as athletically as it use to, it is frustrating, but for the most part... I am doing OK).

I love my life right now. Everything is just going really smoothly and we have alot of fun things going on right now that just bring joy to my life.

Matt and I are getting along really well right now and seeing eye to eye on alot of things. I really do get excited when he gets to be home spending time with me and the kids. I love seeing him involved with the kids and wanting to be at all their sporting activities and helping them improve their playing. Or if we have a holiday weekend and we get to see him more. He is such a hard worker and he is always telling me new ideas he has to improve our lives our our yard, etc. He is just always trying to make our family happy and stable. I love him so much!

I love my house and my neighborhood. I love our lot and our backyard. Who would ever know how happy a backyard and grass could make a person? I have also made some really good and fun friends in this neighborhood. We have alot of fun get-togethers. We also have met a family in this neighborhood that we just love to get together with. We have so much in common with them and it is just fun!

My kids are of course a huge joy in my life too. I love watching them grow up, but I am also sad at the same time because as I look back it is going by so fast. But I love watching them progress in school and sports. Don't get me wrong.. we do have our bad days where there is way too much fighting, but for the most part... it is just expected in Motherhood. I love going to all my kids sporting events , school events, and dance events and being a part of that. We get to be outside and hang out and talk with our neighbors. (They are all on teams with the neighbors). I just love springtime and summertime and being outside. And I love to see my kids enjoy acitivites and get passionate about them. I have a feeling that my little girl is going to be more sporty than a dancer. But we will see.

And Casen right now is just so fun! He is so adorable. There are even nights where I just love to sit and hold him. He is in that stage where he is not much of a snuggler because he is a busy body all day long, but occassionally he will snuggle when it is bedtime. And he is learning new things. He loves animals right now...horses, cows, dogs. I am so excited to take him to the San Diego Zoo this summer when we go and visit my family.

The only thing I am sad about is I miss my siblings and my parents all the time. I wish we lived closer so we could see each other more. But thank heavens for free minutes and cell phones. My 30's is really a great time in life for me right now. I think I would have to say MY MOST FAVORITE AGE.

Corey & Cade's First Baseball Games

So this week both my kids had their first baseball games. Cade is playing t-ball and Corey is playing coach pitch. They were both a little nervous for their first practice because they had never played before, but once they got there and started playing they loved it. And the same for their games. They were both very nervous for the first game and then once they got playing and got the hang of it, they loved it.

Corey is with her cousins and a neighbor boy on the Orange Orioles team. They play coach pitch...so it is a little harder to hit the ball. But she is so excited for her next game already! Cade is on the Red Phillys with a bunch of neighborhood boys. He is playing t-ball... so he hits it everytime. Corey got to play shortstop, 3rd base and 2nd base. And Cade got to play shortstop, 2nd base, and the pitcher position. They both did so good.

I love watching my kids get nervous and then come home so excited because it was so fun! I saw them both develop a passion for soccer and now baseball. I love it. And these leagues are so low-key that it makes it fun! And both of their coaches are really great to work with.

Our month of June is going to be all baseball. We have a game Tues, Wed, Thurs., and Friday of every week of June, but I am enjoying it. If only I could get Casen to sit still. I have to chase him all over. But he loves going to the park at the ball field.

And More of Memorial Weekend

We did get to go back over to grandpas on Sunday, after church and lunch and the weather was nicer. It was still a little chilly, but not raining. We also went back over to the cemetary to see the flowers again... I always love to drive over to the cemetary, the Tuesday after Memorial to see all the flowers people put down. There are so many. It looks so pretty.
And grandpa always wants to take the kids for a ride too on the 4-wheeler. Casen loved it. We are trying to toughen him up a little. He gets scared when he hears loud noises like motorcycles, trucks, lawn mowers, etc. Grandpa even let the kids drive a little. SCARY!
Then Monday.... we left around 12:30 and went on our favorite walk over to the Logan Golf Course River Walk. That was relaxing. I love that walk. Then we went out for lunch afterwards to a sandwhich place. And we were going to go Minature Golfing, but we ran out of time. (Single people.... Becca and JR.... sleep in too late and we run out of time to do all the things we have planned.) No, just kidding, but we did have to get back, because we got invited to a neighborhood BBQ we wanted to go to. So we said our goodbyes to JR and Becca and then we went and had a good time at the BBQ. We got to sit and chat with the adults while the kids played... the backyard was heaven for the kids. But Casen is at that age, where you can't just let him roam... I have to always be checking on him. So it was not as relaxing as I would have liked, but it was still fun. He started to get grumpy too. I do not think he was feeling well. (That night he did end up getting a fever and a sore throat... so annoying. Not a good ending to a fun weekend.)

But the weekend was fun and I loved having Becca here and JR. And I was glad Matt could get home safely and share some of the weekend with us. I love summertime and all the get togethers. Now I am just craving warm weather and the pool!

More of Memorial Weekend

These are some of the pics we took on Saturday when we went to visit the Wellsville Cemetary. It was raining and cold so we all had our umbrellas. There was kind of a joke this day too.... the kids, Corey and Cade, wanted to be in all the pictures and they kept messing up my pics by putting their faces in the new wreath I bought for grandmas grave. I could not get a decent pic because they would not listen to me and just kept messing around. Grandpa kept giving me a hard time that it didn't matter if they were in all my pictures. And I was trying to get a picture of just JR and Becca and they kept sticking their big heads and umbrellas in my pics. So we were trying to run away from the kids and trick them into NOT being in the picture.

We had fun taking pics and talking about our ancestors, but when you have rowdy kids... it is hard to listen to all of grandpas stories. Gotta love older people and all the detailed stories they have about their heritage. I cannot believe they can remember all those dates from so long ago.

I love grandpa and I love spending time with him. I think he really likes the wreath and wreath stand we got for grandmas grave. We all really miss Grandma Allan and Grandma and Grandpa Maughan. (Corey remembers both grandmas, but Cade doesn't. He was too young.)

This weather is really starting to drag.... I hope actual Memorial Day on Monday is nicer.

Memorial Weekend

The start of our Memorial Weekend was fun.... I had a date in SLC with 4 of my roommates and friends from Ricks College on Friday. We were suppose to meet at Sugarhouse Park around 1:00 PM with lunch and all that. I even brought balloons and some cupcakes for my roommate Sarah because her birthday is coming up. (Oh by the way, I forgot to take pics of this event. I am so sad). Well it ended up raining, of course. Our whole spring has been rain and bad weather. I am so over it.

So we met at the local McDonalds because it had a playground. Oh ,did I forget to mention that we all brought our kids too. There was 10 kids between the 5 of us. So we had a good time talking and catching up and celebrating birthdays, but you can only stay at McDonalds for so long... so after about 3 hours... we said our goodbyes.

Well... as a matter of fact.... today... Friday was Matt and I's anniversary... our 11th. But I gave him permission to go on a short bike trip to St. George and miss our anniversary. We would make it up the next weekend. So I was with my kids... on the way home...around dinner time... and I suggested we go to Chuckee Cheese for dinner. SO YES... I was at Chuckee Cheese with my kids on my 11th anniversary. Sad, huh?
Anyway, because of the weekend being Memorial Weekend... it was not crowded. So we stayed for about 2 hours and Becca and her boyfriend JR met us there too .They were following us home to stay for the weekend. So we had a good day, but I was ready to get my kids home, showered of all the McDonalds and Chuckee Cheese germs and into bed.

Saturday was fun too. We all went out to Grandpa's house to see him for awhile and to visit the graves. We did take a few pics and put our flowers out, but because of the rain, we did not stay long and promised grandpa we would come back Sunday... when the weather was better. So on the way home from grandpas, we stopped at the mall and messed around a little. Corey got her ears pierced a year early. I told her she had to wait till she was 8. But she was so brave and she did not even cry. She loves them and has been so responsible to clean them 3 times a day. We fooled around too taking pics and trying out the Tornado Simulator. So not worth the $2. Can you tell we were bored because of the rain? All of our plans got screwed up, so we were hanging out at the Cache Valley Mall.. not for long though. Then afterwards we went out to eat at Firehouse and we all shared a Bazookie Cookie dessert after dinner. It was a fun day, but again I was ready to get home and get the kids in bed and relax.

Daddy was getting home tonight, LATE. The kids tried to wait up for him, but they both fell asleep. They kids were trying to wait up for daddy because they missed him and they wanted to see his new truck he bought in St. George. (I will post pics later. Forgot!)