Last Week and Weekend Review

Last week Ryan and I went on a few errands while the older girls were in school.

We came out of Costco only to discover that our battery was dead.  Easy fix...just get someone to jump it!  Well, that would be true if our hood could open!

 

A while back the cable to the hood release broke. We basically got a temporary fix and meant to really fix it...but we forgot.  So when our battery died and we couldn't open the hood we were like, "Oh yeah...we were supposed to fix that.  Whoops."  AAA to the rescue!  And I'm happy to report it has now been fixed and our hood is fully operational.  All ready for a road trip next week!

 We also got our first snow fall (well, that actually stuck to the ground anyway) in the valley last week!

This is good...really, really good for the resorts!

 Saturday the girls had friends over and I really wasn't in the mood to cook.  So we took everyone to Pizza Pie (a pizza/pasta buffet)...this is a kid heaven...seriously.  And to be honest, it's practically a parent heaven too.  1.  Kids can eat as soon as we are seated.  2.  It's super family friendly, so I don't have to worry about kids disrupting other patrons or food falling on the floor.  Pretty much every table has about a minimum of 4 children...so we fit right in.

And thank goodness for Pizza Pie coupons...they look out for us families!

So, for the past couple of months I've been pretty wound up about our Primary Program at church.  For my particular calling or job, I'm in charge of it...like all of it...and it's kinda stressful.  This is last years post about it...nothing much has changed with my stress level...this is my second year doing it and I'm still just as worked up.

Anyway, last Sunday was the big day this year for the Program.  And it is the first and only year that ALL four of my children are in the program together...which is kinda special.  And speaking of special...my mom flew out just for the program!!

So anyway, Rory was being a little peculiar Sunday...she said her speaking part (thank goodness it was right in the beginning) but then refused to come up for any of the songs with the other children.

In fact, she fell asleep on her teacher's lap.

Very weird, especially since it was only like 9:45 in the morning when she zonked out.

So, after the program the children go to the primary room.  Our little 3 year olds (the class Rory is in) sit right in the front row.  I happened to be conducting primary that morning and as soon as we were done with the opening exercises Rory decides that would be the perfect time to barf...all over herself...and the floor...and a little bit on the girl sitting next to her (which actually happened to be the little girl's first day!)  Yeah, welcome to Primary...BLAH!!  Poor thing, I think she was traumatized after that...hopefully she'll come back next week.  

I felt so bad for my little Rory...no wonder she was sleeping during the program.  I was so worked up that morning about everything that needed to be done I didn't even know she wasn't feeling well.

We got Rory (and the other little girl) and the floor cleaned up and I sent Rory home with Ryan.

She laid around the rest of the day and by morning she was back to normal...short lived, thank goodness!

And speaking of morning...Monday morning we woke up to snow!

Rory and Morgan watching the snow fall.

So, the program is done and I can breath again!

Now, it's all about getting ready for Thanksgiving and our trip to Sedona!

If everyone can stay healthy I would greatly appreciate that!

Happy Hump Day!

Monday

I want to share with you all what I did today.  Without guilt...because that's the way it should be.  

Got up around 7:15.  Got the girls breakfast (Haley always makes her own breakfast...and sometimes she has already eaten and made her lunch before I even get down the stairs...I know...what a girl!).  Then I pack their lunches and Ryan rides with them to school at 8:20.  Then I have breakfast...and this morning I enjoyed a cup a coffee (guilt free) along side it.  When Ryan got back we chatted for a few minutes (while we sipped our coffee) while the little ones watched some Netflix before he headed off to work.

I then got ready for the day, changed out of my pj's and into...wait for it...sweats (but they were cute sweats, at least in my eyes, ha!) and slapped on some mascara and lipstick and put my hair up...good to go.  

By this point the little ones ran outside to play with their neighbor friend and I cleaned the kitchen and straightened up while talking to my mom (gotta love talking using ear buds and having hands free!)...we probably talked for about an hour...but that's very normal when I talk to my mom...we just can't help it.

11:30 I get the little ones' lunch on the table and get Piper ready for school (PM kindergarten).  At 12:10 we're out the door...today I rode my bike and the little ones scootered there.

When we got back from dropping Piper off I made my lunch (fruit smoothie) and then cuddled up on the couch with Rory and watched...not one...but TWO episodes of American's Worst Cooks on Netflix.  At some point Rory fell asleep...I love that she still falls asleep on me!

Around 2:45 Rory and I headed back out on our bike and scooter to pick up the girls from school.  We left pretty early so Rory could play on the playground.  That girl loves her some swings!  I pushed her (and had a little photo shoot...I could not get enough of her smile...pure joy) until the bell rang for the kids to get out.

Haley rode on home after saying hi...Morgan, Piper, Rory and I stayed at the playground until about 4:15.  It was a perfect fall afternoon!

Came home, helped the girls with snacks and made some pizza dough.  Ryan came home around 5:30 and Haley was making some pumpkin cake (while I kinda supervised).  They did some homework while I finished the pizza for dinner and then we all watched an episode of Once Upon a Time while we ate.  And then of course Haley's dessert before they went to bed.

Sometimes I think I can be hard on myself if I'm not busy everyday, whether it's chores or errands or keeping my little ones occupied.  But the truth is, slow days are okay.  I'm learning that I don't need to justify it and I'm learning that I shouldn't feel guilty about it either.  Don't get me wrong...there is a balance.  Some days are really crazy, we ALL have those days...so why not take a slow day when you can get it!

 It's easy to compare our lives with others and the feel need to keep up with or impress that mom (you know the one)...but really...who gives a damn.  Just be you.

Today was a really good day.

Lately...

...Cyclocross has come to an end...sort of.  

I should say the P-Town Cross series has come to an end, but Ryan just may squeeze in another cross race in yet!

 We were super lucky as far as the spectating goes.  The weather was lovely for every race...I think...I"m pretty sure anyway.  I remember some years watching Ryan race freezing to death!  But this year, not so much...in fact our Fall as been really mild.  Kinda scares me really, cause I want an awesome winter this year...we got gypped last year!

FYI:  You should google the word "gypped".  I thought it was spelled "jipped" but no, it actually comes for the word "gypsies" and is said to be an offensive word because it is referring to gypsies as being cheats or con-artists. 

 So, I apologize to all the gypsies reading this.

Also lately...I started jogging...like a lot...okay, a lot for me anyway.  I have pretty bad knees, so jogging is kind of a big deal for me.  I started working up to it and mainly walked slowly building up until I jogged my whole routes...which varied between 3.5 to 4.5 miles...like a said, that is a lot of jogging for me and my weak little knees!!

I was pretty consistent there for a while.

 Ryan and I even got out a few times together...left the kids to their own devices and everything.  

We're such rebels!

But then Ryan went out of town for a while, then the weather got pretty chilly in the mornings which is the time of day I typically jogged (my knees are extra bad in the cold...and lets face it I'm kinda wimpy too) so my jogging days have gone to the way side these past several weeks.  BUT, the good news...I lost 5 whole pounds since the end of summer...so that's pretty good.  Go me.

 Rory and I enjoying our walks to school to pick up the girls.

Such a beautiful fall!!

 But...today we took a turn!

Today we had our first official snow fall!

You can't see it, but it's totally snowing in this picture!

Nothing stuck on the ground, but it snowed!!  This gives me hope that we'll have a good snow season...we need it sooooo bad!!

So with that, here's to hoping for a spectacular ski season!

Happy Thursday!

Halloween 2015!

 I hope everyone had a very spooky and happy Halloween!

This year I decided to go more on the spooky side for my costume.  I recently had been given my grandmother's wedding dress...unfortunately it hadn't been preserved very well...the color is more of a yellow now with many stains and the only thing left of the veil is the headpiece (but the dress has got to be over 65 years old!! So what can you expect?!).  I wish I had a photo of my grandmother in it...the dress was beautiful in it's prime!  

But for now...it makes for a fabulous Zombie Bride!

Zombies seem to be all the rage right now...I decided to go with it.

 I was pretty proud of my makeup, having NEVER done a zombie look before, I think it came out pretty darn good!  I have to admit, I viewed several zombie tutorials on YouTube first to get my confidence up...thank you YouTube!!  Seriously though, what would we do without YouTube?!!

 Ryan was my Zombie Groom...isn't he handsome?

Can I just say...putting makeup on a man is hilarious...they can't keep there eyes still or not squeezed tight to save their life!!  But we got the job done.

 The night before Halloween our church hosted a Trunk or Treat party, so this was basically the girls' dress rehearsal for the actual day.

Haley and Morgan were Daphne and Velma from Scooby Doo.  I made Haley's dress (with some help from my mom) so I'm pretty proud of that! I bought Morgan's online (it came with the wig and glasses!)...all I needed to find were the socks and shoes.  Piper and Rory went as Rapunzal and Elsa which worked out great because we already had everything for that, yay!  Piper is holding up a frying pan if you're wondering what she's doing in the photo.  And Rory is blowing a kiss.

 A friend took this photo of Ryan and I...Ryan's blank stare cracks me up!

Luckily, the weather was quite nice for trick or treating!

Although now I'm in the mood for some winter storms!

Another Halloween in the books...now onto Thanksgiving!

Fall Break 2015: Part II

After our adventure to Park City, the next day we decided to take the train to Salt Lake City.

The Frontrunner is fairly new, like only a few years old...it runs between Provo and Ogden.  This would have been a dream back in the days when Ryan had to commute everyday to the city, in traffic and snow...blah!  Glad those days are behind us.  

So yeah, the Frontrunner...it's pretty nice.  We picked it up in Orem and got off at Salt Lake Central. 

 The kids really enjoyed the ride.

 And so did we!

It's pretty nice to just sit back and relax.

But the downfall...we were dropped off in not the best area of Salt Lake.  In hindsight, we should have jumped on the Trax and went straight to the city center.  But we were starving and knew there were some places to eat at this nearby outdoor mall (I'm blanking on the name of it).  But to get there, we had to walk though a heavily populated homeless area.  There are two shelters side by side, so the homeless congregate all around them.  I'm pretty sure we walked right by a drug deal in process.  I'll admit it...I wasn't feeling the most comfortable.

After we had lunch we had to relax on some benches for a bit.  Let me explain.  Haley loves spicy food...seriously, she puts Cholula on EVERYTHING!  And she doesn't go light on it either!  So, we went to a Mexican place to eat and she mistakenly assumed Tabasco would be the same as Cholula and pretty much drenched her Enchilada in it.  She was sweating bullets the entire time but she cleaned her plate.  However, right after she finished she got a terrible stomach ache...most likely her guts were on fire!  I'm thinking severe heartburn maybe.  So yeah, she had to sit for a bit until it passed...poor thing.  She didn't touch any hot sauce for a week after this incident.  

We walked over to the city center and Temple Square.  Unfortunately, it started raining so we headed straight over to the Church History Museum.
They have completely redone the entire museum since we've been there last so it was great to see it...although, it was crazy crowded!
And then we headed over to the Temple grounds and walked through the visitor center.
By this point it was already close to five and we decided to head back to the train stain to go home.  

Unfortunately, we missed the the train we were shooting for by just a few minutes...darn!  So we had to wait about 45 minutes for the next one.  I was a little worried we were going to be stuck with whiny kids..but the kids entertained themselves with a never ending game of tag.

Since it was a little quieter on the ride home we were able to sit on the second level of the train, and let me tell ya, the view is way better!

It was late by the time we got home...just enough time to feed the kids a bowl of cereal and send them to bed.  It was a full day!

Other things we did during the fall break...outing to the creamery and duck pond, Sundance (our last lift ride for the season), and to the dollar theater to see Inside Out.

I'd say it was pretty successful!

Happy Monday ya'll!

Fall Break 2015: Part I

Last week was fall break around these parts...a little perk of Utah's deer hunt.  The kids get three days off of school!  In the past we might have tried to skip town, maybe do some camping.  But this year we decided to stay home and just try to squeeze in some fun outings.

So, first up...Park City.

Ryan goes to Park City quite often for work, but for me and the kids it had been a couple of years.  I think the last time was for the Tour of Utah.

Anyway, we got up there a little before lunch time and decided to go straight to Main St. and look for a place to eat.

 Of course, we had to ride in the free trolley first!

 We found a perfect place where we could eat outside...and luckily the weather was quite nice!

It was The Bridge Cafe and Grill...and I ate probably the best BBQ bacon cheeseburger ever!

Just so you know.

Then it was off to Swaner Eco Center.

It's a preserve area for wildlife, educational programs, and a little museum and kid center.

 There is a look out tower and a little board walk on the grounds.

Unfortunately, we didn't see any animals.  Sad face.

But the girls really loved it here.

After the EcoCenter we stopped in the McPolin Farm...or also known as The White Barn in Park City.

This was a farm and working dairy back in the late 1800's.  Park City took it over in the 1990's and it now hosts different events and is also a very popular spot for photo shoots...which I'm not surprised, the area is beautiful!

 While we were there they were holding a type of Scarecrow festival.  Families from Park City decorated different types of Scarecrows and they are placed along the path to view.  The kids got a kick out of that as some were pretty well done!

And that was that...the sun set behind the mountains and we decided to head on home.

Goodbyes in our home.

I know kids can be quirky...heaven knows mine are.  

For instance, saying goodbye to our two little ones.  Now, normally, when parents say goodbye when they're off to work or the store or whatever...a kiss and a hug and an "I love you, see ya later." does the job.  Not my kids.

First they have decided that the plain ol' kiss will never do...it must be Euro style with a kiss on each cheek and then ended with a third on the lips.  And then a hug...very important.  This HAS to happen EVERY time we part ways...dropping off school (parents probably thought it was cute the first day and now they're like..."wait, you do that everyday?"...that's right, people!  EVERYDAY!), dropping off at friends houses and saying goodnight.

And if you thought it ended there...you would be wrong.  

The goodbye continues into a "race".  Any time, let me emphasis that, ANY TIME,  Ryan and I leave the house the little ones HAVE to race us down the street on their bike and scooter.  We must have our windows down so we can wave, and a honk as we drive away is also mandatory.  And believe me they remind us what we need to do every time.  And like suckers, we do it.  We could be gone for 5 minutes, or five days...the goodbye is the same.

And don't think this is just with Ryan and I...oh no, grandparents, uncles, friends...strangers...it doesn't really matter.  Once you come into our home you will become their next target. 

And be warned, their kisses are sometimes wet and or sticky.

The little ones "racing" Ryan on his way out to work this morning.

This process can be quite frustrating sometimes...especially if ones in a hurry.  But I try to keep reminding myself...there will come a day we won't have two little blondies racing us down the street every single time we leave the house.  At least I hope not, because that would be weird.  Well, weirder than it already is that is.