Wide Open Spaces

I had casually mentioned that if the Dixie Chicks ever toured again, no matter the cost or Utah location, I would be going with my friend Jenifer Rae. You see, we have seen the Chicks EVERY time they have come to Utah since we were in high school. It's our thing. It had to be done. So when they announced their tour (nine months before our tour date), I jumped at the chance to buy tickets. We got excellent seats and waited patiently for September 2016.

The ladies did not disappoint. The weather was perfect, the show was awesome and it seriously felt like being in high school again. I knew ALL the songs and sang as loud as I could. My favorite part was the Prince tribute. He has always been on my list and since he passed away, it was like I missed my chance. Then they started playing, "Nothing compares to you"- mine & Mark's song and through a little lump in my throat, I belted that out too.

It really was an awesome evening! Jen and I have been friends for so long and our lives have taken all sorts of turns and detours but in the end, she is still one of the people I trust the most with my life secrets, my kid drama and to not tell anyone how truly, truly crazy I was in high school.

Back to School 2016

Back to school this year- it almost felt like it would N E V E R come. I thought that I had planned so much to get us through the summer but by the last week of August, the kids (and me) were ready to go back to a structured schedule filled with long days of school and early bed times. Our theme this year is, "Be True, Be True" and we are really focusing on telling the truth and trying to make honest choices on a daily basis. We had our usual Red Robin back to school dinner and daddy gave the kids awesome blessings about remembering who they are and that they can learn and grow. 

Mckinley still wants to be a chef and will be spending her 2nd grade year with Mrs. Forsyth. We have already noticed that this is her first teacher that is a little more stern and isn't as Pinterest-ey as the last two teachers so Mc has had to adjust. She is still an expert at making friends, loves school lunch, still wants me to hold her hand and walk her to school, is an amazing reader (Level K) and we are so proud of her.

Kingston still has his sights set on being a construction worker and Ms. Merrill is his first "real school" (as he calls it) teacher. She is reminiscent of Giselle from "Enchanted" and Kingston loves that she calls her students, "friends". We are still working on school lunch and adjusting to an all day Kindergarten schedule but I can tell that he is going to thrive for sure. 

We were so glad to have our master braider and picture taker here! Alex came to send the kids off, gave them sweet handwritten notes and treats. Sure miss her!

I love my kids. I really do but, it was SO awesome to send them back to school. 

Daddy & Squinty K

The Gorge that's Flaming 2016

The tradition of Flaming Gorge lives on! Mark, the kids and I headed down Friday night and stayed with Mom and Dad in the trailer. We aren't super "outdoorsy" so having a real bed (instead of a tent) was nice. The weather was awesome and the trip was just long enough. We scored the magnum pontoon this year with a canopy, lots of places to sit and shade which meant that we stayed out on the Gorge most of the day. Not too many fish this year so good thing we were in charge of a planned dinner that night. The kids had a blast playing in the dirt, exploring, using their walking sticks, eating lots of junk food and pretending.

Mc and the rainbow

Mimi and the kiddies. 

The sweet pontoon!

Mc was the first one to jump into the lake. She ran and cannon balled. 

Enzo taking a little nap on the boat. 

Kingston and Cash. 

Uncle Brayden taking the girls for a ride in his side by side. 

Mc got to go up on Wednesday with Auntie Bree, Uncle Ty and Brynlee. I am so glad they are just good friends. 

a glimpse.

"The temple is the knot that ties heaven and Earth together."-Bruce C. Hafen

Grandma Cookie and Grandpa Donut have worked in the baptistry at the Draper Temple for 6 years and Grandpa told me no one from their family had come to see them, I decided to get a group together so we could. On a lovely Thursday afternoon, Sunni, Mom, Dad, Debbie, Jacob, Jimmy, Elizabeth, Cody, Ali, Bree and I all headed to the Mount of the Lord. We had such an awesome experience. Mom, Dad and Elizabeth were all performing proxy ordinances for the first time. Jacob  had just been ordained an Elder and was able to help with confirmations. Dad got to baptize me & Bree, Grandpa baptized mom. I sat back in the chapel and couldn't help but think that is what heaven must be like. Working and laughing (appropriately ha!) with those that you love. The temple always feels like the right place to be. Grandma couldn't have been more proud to walk around and tell everyone that would listen (probably more than once) who we were and what we were doing. Grandpa called the next day and left a heartfelt voice mail thanking me for putting it together. It was really special and not something I will soon forget.

2 in boots.

My tiny Lorenzo Niels! How can you already be 2?? This year in particular, so many have asked, "Is he turning 2 or 3?"-just seems like you have always been here. You are a big kid but still such a teeny little boy. At two you are by far our sassiest, most out spoken kid. You are a good eater- all food, all "dink", all the time. You LOVE LOVE LOVE brother's fireman boots and wear them any chance you get. They are rather smelly and you were given a new pair for your birthday but, you still want the old ones.  You love Mickey, "canny" (candy), saying "Kingston" over and over, playing, riding your bike, "bafs" (bath), "cycles", "tains" (trains),  and Daddy is your most favorite. You say lots of words and are super excited to point out anything you see from the car window (everything is a "haws" (horse) or a cycle). You are a master of getting out of your car seat. And are very stingy with your hugs and smooches but we sure work hard for them. We  love our "baby" boy. 

Boots, no "ponts"

Boot Man

This is you singing "Happy Bird-day" to yourself at Grandma Mary Ann's. Everyone had stopped singing and before you could focus on the candles, you had to sing one more verse to yourself. The room was quiet and everyone chuckled to hear you sing. 

Master Builder

Kingston was super excited to have an entire week of the summer from 9-12:00 set aside for lego building (I was pretty happy too- Lego messes NOT at my house).  It was kind of expensive and I was worried that after one day he wouldn't want to go back but every day he was just as thrilled to be going. There were different themed days (Minecraft, electronics, animals, dragons) and his instructor was really good to help them stay on task and engaged. Kingston loves to imaginatively build so this was right up his alley.

Above, you see Kingston and his instructor, Bobby. He was just the type of dude that I imagined would teach Lego classes at a Rec center to Kindergartners. In the end, Kingston loved it and we undoubtedly will be signed up again next summer.

The George 2016

Splash pads, Children's Museum, pot pies, Phase10, swimming at the Resort, movies, walks, scooters, 90 degree temps, time with Grandma & Grandpa, relaxing, touring the Brigham Young winter home, learning that potato peels cure Scurvy, celebrating Enzo's birthday, laughing, connecting with the kiddies and having an amazing time! We love going to St George! 

Mark was particularly glad about the splash pad- we went twice. Once in swimming suits and once (unplanned) so wet kids in their clothes about sent him over the edge (ha!). Enzo didn't seem to mind. 

The motorized car/motorcycle- dance parties in the garage every day!

The children's museum (for being "donations only") was pretty awesome! The kids had a blast! We did grocery shopping, fixed cars, moved "boulders", performed on a stage, milked "cows", and enjoyed the a/c.

One of my favorites.