I wish it were Thailand

 I have wanted a fish pedicure since I knew they were a "thing". We tried to do them in Idaho last year but found out that most in the US couldn't offer something so cool. When they opened the new aquarium in Layton and that they had fish pedicures I knew I had to do it- it was made even better by a BOGO coupon and Bree obliging to come with me.

We got to hold geckos while we waited and then made our way to the back to put our feet in the tank with the "Doctor Fish". It felt SO weird! Like tiny bubbles all over your legs and toes. Almost like your feet falling asleep. Surprisingly, when we were done, my feet were SUPER smooth. I didn't anticipate that.  We had a cute little older lady helping us and making friends with her guaranteed us a few extra minutes with the fish and a free tour of the aquarium afterward. Always fun to check off a random bucket list item...although, I would still like to say I had a fish pedicure in Thailand too.

When our feet hit the water.

Party Time, Excellent

We love Halloween at the Williamson house! We love finding "Halloween Houses" for FHE (houses with amazing yard decor) and found some winners this year. We went to the Scare Rodeo in Riverton and the kids & their cousins had a blast. $5 for 25 tickets meant lots of games, lots of candy, a "spooky" haunt with a real Headless Horseman, hot chocolate, scavenger hunt and lots of running. *We will be doing that again next year for sure.

Halloween night wasn't so great this year. Enzo has been super sick (throwing up, cough) and after his prek program came home and crashed from 4-8 PM. Right before leaving to Mary Ann's, Kingston decided to flood the toilet and fill my entry way with sick toilet water and soak his entire costume. Mark ended up taking the older kids and I stayed home to hand out candy for the first time ever. Every year since we moved back, we have been trick or treating at Mimi's. This year, along with HUNDREDS of other kids, the kids went with friends and loved every minute.

With Halloween over, it means that the rush and craziness to wrap up 2017 is at our doorstep. I am not sure where 2017 went so quickly. It feels like I was just here, finishing up another blog book for the year. 

Cousins in Costumes at the Scare Rodeo. Kingston (albeit petrified) walked through the Haunted House.

Bumblebee and the Flash

K & E got invited to their first Halloween party with the Mero boys (Emmitt & Carter). They had so much fun. Enzo was most excited about the Sprite.

Vampire Bride & the Flash

We've moved away from Halloween being "cute" and now want to be something scary every year.

Parade Flash

Bumblebee/Hulk at his Prek Program

Wayne's World. A few months ago, Mark and I decided to watch the movie. It was still just as funny and so our costumes were born. "Foxy".

Breaking Fall 2017

We knew last year after we left Meridian that we would be coming again for Fall Break this year. The kids LOVED spending time with Kabrynna and Dallin and we LOVE the Stephenses.

This year did not disappoint! We left early Thursday morning and the kids (who travel SO well) made it the whole drive without a break. We got to Idaho, had lunch, made some spider crafts and then headed to the Farmstead fall festival for the evening. The weather was awesome (high 70's) so it was the perfect night to go.

Punkins.

 

This Lizard has haunted us since last year. ALL the kids were too scared to walk through but ALL three went through twice this year.

K wasn't so sure.

Friday morning we went to the Warhawk  airplane museum. SO cool! It was full of airplanes that had been used and flown for our country. Lots of memorabilia and with Ted as our guide, we got to see some pretty neat stuff. We had a delicious lunch at the Tower Grill (came highly recommended).

Dallin was SO great with the kids. Constantly offering piggy back rides, corralling Enzo and Kingston. He's a gem.

Mc packed this baby bunny around as often as she could. She may have asked 100 times to bring it home.

The temple open house was Saturday morning- it was chilly but the church, like always ran the event smoothly and seamlessly. I did have to get up at 8 AM and head to the Walmart to buy Mc a dress because I forgot to pack her one. My choices were the gray dress she already has, Christmas dresses or the pink one. Pink one it is. Doug and Amanda get to be ushers during the upcoming weeks. The temple was beautiful and perfect. I love taking my kids through to see the ordinance rooms and feel the spirit in the House of the Lord.

One of my favorite pictures from the open house.

This picture of our family looked perfect when they took it. When I opened the email, Mike Wasowski couldn't be missed.

It only makes sense that after we went to the temple, that we go and tour the old Idaho State Penitentiary. I wish we would have had more time to read all the placards and to really focus on the building. Super creepy and FULL of history. The youngest kid there, a boy of 10, was in prison for shooting his mother because she asked him to do the laundry.

Solitary confinement. Not sure why it was solitary because they would sometimes have 5-6 men in there at a time.

Cell mates.

Since we arrived in Meridian, the kids asked to get in the hot tub. On our last night there, while the adults went to eat at Fork (delicious), Kabrynna and Dallin watched the kids and graciously hot tubbed with them. Even Enzo got in and loved it.

We love having friends in our lives that feel like family. Friends that, no matter how much time has passed, still feel comfortable and familiar. We laughed and joked.We are watching our kids grow up and become viable members of society. I love having these connections. I love making memories with my little family and being around people that we love so much. Here is to next year in Idaho!

Soccer

When a sweet girl in my ward called (RIGHT after we moved in) and asked if Kingston wanted to play soccer I was super hesitant because when he played two years ago, he cried the ENTIRE time that his feet hurt and just wanted snacks. I asked about skill level, she said there was a variety, asked Kingston, he said sure, and $80 later, he was signed up.

We totally took the high road and bribed him with Lego sets and slurpees but it worked! He scored two goals in one game and one in another. He was super agressive, smiled the whole time and genuinely loved playing. The games were fun to watch. We loved that he had practice right at the park across the street from our house. His coaches were awesome and patient. He loved playing with friends from school. Here is to another great session in Spring.

Coach Gwilliam & Coach Richman

Mason, Griffen (Bottom), (top left to right) Harper, Emmy, Kingston, Sam, Samantha, Porter.

Niner

Miss Mckinley Reese- how did we get to nine already? Where did eight go? It seems like we were just planning your baptism, just sending you to kindergarten and just holding you in my arms when you were so tiny.

You are a perfect specimen of a daughter! You are smart, sassy, friendly, committed, stubborn, fun, adventurous, careful, artistic, and caring. You LOVE Pusheen, graphic/comic novels, drawing and recreating anything that you deem "cute" (narwhals, chubby unicorns, cats) and have mastered the art of the anime eye. You love chocolate and lasagna. Riding bikes, playing with friends, singing in the choir, swimming, reading and watching Cartoon Network are some of our favorites.

In true fashion we celebrated almost all month long. Started with the Williamson party with the Oreo Ice Cream cake that you specifically chose because of the massive Oreo on top. You got a stuffed Pusheen from Grandma, clothes, art supplies and money (your favorite part).

We then celebrated with the Lawrences where you always get to share with Mimi and Uncle Brayden because you all are so close in birthdays. Another Pusheen from Mimi ("best day ever") and more surprises and spoiling.

Tradition also served a Saturday of Breakfast with a Witch with Mimi and your BFF Avery and her mom Charity. You love the endless hot chocolate, the rat choir and that they sing to you on your birthday. You were also lucky enough to get to spend a few hours with Avery and her mom at the Farmer's Market and playing at their house.

We waited and prayed for you for what seemed like forever but how thankful we are to have you! You love what you love and you love it fiercely. You bless our family. You lighten our lives and we are so proud to call you ours.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MICKEY DO!

Mc and Jill Jill

Happy "Bird Day"

The singing, flowering candle was pretty epic.

WITCHES!

The Birthday sign from the Primary

When 3 LOL doll surprises are all it takes to make your birthday awesome! We got one duplicate but the bath bomb was a hit.