Happy Birthday Mom!!

Today is my mom's 54th birthday! I love these pictures of her through the decades.

I love you mom!!!!!

Monday Fun

Today was a family day. We swam and ate and enjoyed the loud chaos that our family has grown into! There were like 16 kids here, and lots of adults. When we're all together, it's loud and hectic, but also full of fun and laughs.



Tiffany also stopped by with Eliza, and Carly stopped by for a bit with Alyson! It was a fun day. My girls were so tired tonight, Lexi actually asked me if she could go to bed in the middle of all the cousins playing! Poor girls - so wiped out! But also so much fun.

Sunday

This has been the most packed Utah trip we've had so far! Okay, so Sunday was another fun and full day.

First of all, we saw Creighton. Creighton and Tucker have been friends for like 12 years. Creighton was Tucker's "little brother" in their fraternity in college. They have one of those instant bonds and don't get to see eachother often, but when they do it's like no time has passed. Creighton is such a great guy and it was so fun to see him for a bit! He came to see us and then stole Tucker away for some lunch. Thanks Creighton!

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Next we went to visit our friend Aimie and her family. Aimie and I worked together at Siebel for a few years (from 2000-2003) and since then have both had three daughters! It was fun to see her, catch up and see her amazing new home!

Our second daughters: Addi and Lexi

The firstborns, Zoey taught Jordyn how to play Guitar Hero!! She loved it!

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Then we were so happy it worked out for Karli and Chris to come to see us at Tucker's parents' house! Karli is like family to me and I love how we connect and could literally talk for days and days (and used to when we lived together in college!) without tiring. She and Chris and Kaiya make such a beautiful family. Thanks guys!!

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And of course the rest of the night was family time. Playing games, kids playing, eating....all the usual great stuff!

Maren and Greg's House

We were able to spend Saturday evening at Maren's house. It was a spontaneous decision and was really fun. We ate and played games (nothing new!) and the kids ran wild. Besides Peyton tumbling down the stairs (she's okay) and Brock cutting his lip and getting two stiches (he's now okay), the night was fun!

Lexi is really starting to wonder why she doesn't have red hair. (Jaden, Jordyn, Taylor, Peyton, Lexi and Brock)

Peyton loved the slide, swing and trampoline out back

And so did River! (Lyndsy and James' little 2 1/2 year old cutie)

We tried to zone them all out to a movie (that lasted 20 minutes)

And the thumb suckers found solace in their favorite past time!

Visiting Tara

Tara and I have been friends since we were 1 year old. She is another sister to me! Our mom's are best friends and our families have been intertwined for our whole lives. I love to see her and wish it was more often. It always feels like home to be with her! We were able to spend an afternoon together on Saturday! Bill and Tucker went to lunch and a movie and had some "guy time" while Tara and I did our girl talk and hung out with the kids. It was great!

Tara's oldest, Jade (almost 11 years old), was so nice and painted Jordyn and Lexi's nails! They loved it!

Here's to 30 years of friendship!!!

Jade made salt dough and the kids had a blast making little creations!

Bill is so tall! He and Tucker first met when we visited them in Japan in 2001 and hit it off!

Bear Lake!

I love this lake. Look how blue and beautiful it is as a backdrop. Tucker grew up at Bear Lake. Literally every summer was spent with his Mom's side of the family at the family cabin. Now, just a few miles past that old cabin, Don and Monette have built this amazing lake house and invited us up to visit!

The gracious owners of the lake house! Don and Monette (Tucker's cousin) with Tucker and I.

Tucker and I with his cousin Richie and his wife Carol

Second cousins, Jordyn and Lexi had fun with Aspen.

The living room

The front of the lake house!

How Peyton was most of the time. A little sad and whiney. But still cute.

The girls played with Tucker on a floating dock!

Out on a ski run!

The girls weren't sure what to think of the boat. When it rocked from the waves, they were a bit hesitant! But they thought it was fun to see Tucker and I in the water :-)

Jordyn's very favorite part was putting up the "man down" flag!

Tucker popped right up on the wakeboard, even though it's ben around 5 years! I can't say the same for myself. After multiple tries, I sort of got up on a slolam ski and my muscles said "I'm DONE!".

Don has a volleyball court built in front of the lake house!

This is just a few of the many pictures we took. We had a great time seeing family, being in a beautiful lake and staying at such a beautiful home. Thanks a million Don and Monette!!!!

Another Day in the Life of a Road Tripper

Some of the cons of being on a road trip, bouncing from place to place: Being tired, not spending enough time with everyone we visit, being tired, living out of suitcases, being tired, kids throwing up in the car, being tired, and sick kids while traveling (did I mention being tired?).

But the many pros outweigh the cons tenfold: seeing loved ones, making memories, taking pictures to blog about, the kids fight so much less, we're not messing up our own house, a new exciting adventure each day, a break from my "life" and duties, seeing my kids absorb each place and person and build upon their memories...

(I love when I can do a quick blog each day about my trip - it is so much better than getting back and feeling overwhelmed about catching up on the blog.)

Today we were able to see Kandelyn, Ashlyn, Tanner and Haylie. It's been about two months since they moved away from us, and it was so exciting to pull up to their new home and see where they disappeared to! It wasn't too long of a visit, but it was so great to see them and catch up a bit. We sure miss them!

(Haylie and Peyton were getting into mischief in the bathroom together)

(Together again! Jordyn, Lex, Ashlyn and Tanner)

(This happens......oh, NEVER. Peyton was so tired she fell asleep just out in the living room. Too much excitement)

(Me and Kandelyn. I told her I'm still waiting for her to move back so I can stop "filling in" for her as the Primary President, ha ha)

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And finally, a sneak peak at the amazing Bear Lake "cabin" we get to stay at for the next two days. (It's more like a mansion than a cabin!) We were so excited that Tucker flew in and joined us today for the rest of our trip. More to come....

Me and Katie

I met Katie when we were 10 years old. We became close friends immediately and now have loads and loads of memories from the past 21 years. She has helped me to enjoy, and even survive, MANY phases of my life. I am a different person for having her throughout my life. I thought it would be so fun to put just a few pictures from over the years (there are thousands more where these came from).

(1988 - we were Flag Girls in Jr High. Cute, huh)

(Sophomore year of high school, all ready to hit the town!)

1995 - High School Graduation

Our freshman year of college in Utah

In 2000, on my wedding day (obviously)

And us today! Mom's of three kids each!