Annual Summer Family Trip

It was just a small group of us this year, my parents, us and my brother Eric's family and

I didn't take nearly enough pictures!

We headed down to HOT Mesquite Nevada and had lots of fun playing with cousins, golfing (boys), facials (girls), and SWIMMING.

Skyelie and the boys got a little bling after tearing it up in the Arcade!

We also headed back up to St. George one of the nights did a tiny bit of shopping and saw Footloose at Tuacahn (good but a little risque..Eeehh).

should have gone to Annie- my bad

Our room shared a door with my parent and on several occasions they listened in for Avery while she napped and Jeff and I were even able to go get bite to eat on our own one night. What a treat!

We sure love these folks!

There were lots of first on this trip... we drove further then we every have, we stayed in hotel rooms, we ate out a lot, the boys golfed two 18 hole rounds, the girls went to the spa (my mom had her first ever facial and of course LOVED it) and we endured temperatures up to 108* that is CRAZY hot (if you ask me)!

I love that we have this tradition and that we make it a priority every year.

Big group or small we go every year!

HUSBAND OF THE YEAR!!

10 days ago, Avery and I boarded the plane in SLC with my parents and headed to Louisville to see my sister and her family and be here for the baptism of Hallie and the blessing of Davis. Jeff was left to Wendy's and... Annabelle (my parents boxer). In case you do not know, Jeff is NOT a dog person but was happy to keep her while we were gone. 1 check on the great husband list!!

Today was the day we were to say our good byes for a WHOLE YEAR and head back to Utah.

Well, Kathryn and I got talking and decided that Avery and I might need to stay a week longer, especially since Trevor will be back to work (Kathryn will be home alone A LOT) and the kids will be back in school. This would leave us time to get a little bit of that crafting done that we wanted to do (just trying to keep the craft blog updated, ya know since I am so good at updating blogs these days;)) we could go on a walk everyday, I could go to her wonderful institute class with her, take more pictures of the babies (she is so so good at taking great pictures) and we could just be moms together for a week. Something I have wanted so badly since I had Avery!

I ran this little idea by Jeff, thinking he would immediately stop all of that talk! (I do have his baby girl with me!) But being the amazing husband that he is said that that would be okay. What a dear!! He really does know how dearly I miss my sister!

So off we went to transfer the ticket to 1 week later and low and behold the only way I could transfer the ticket with out paying an extra $120 is to stay for TWO weeks! That was the end of that idea! I really wasn't considering it at that point and told Jeff and oddly enough he was still open to it...should I be worried;) I think he still wants to get his golfing in that he was unable to do since the weather has been bad the entire time we have been gone! No, I am kidding! He is just ... HUSBAND OF THE YEAR!

I had a hard time deciding, really!! I debated all day. I really want to stay especially since this is probably the last time I will see them for another YEAR, however, Avery and I also miss Jeff dearly!

So the verdict is... we will reside in Louisville 2 more weeks and talk to each other on the webcam a lot! I am also going to keep my eyes open for a flight home next weekend for the same price.

I am so blessed to have such a sweet UNDERSTANDING husband and I love him so much! (FYI: I thought he was sweet, understanding and I loved him to death even before he let me stay with my sister for an extra 2 weeks too!! But now I think he is extra sweet! )

If there is anyone out there that wants to feed Jeff a real dinner I would really appreciate it and I am sure he would too:) Also, as soon as it stops snowing he will need some golf partners! Thanks Babe for being so supportive! You are so good to us! WE LOVE YOU!!

Busy Past 2 Weeks!!

It has been a very fun and very busy past two weeks!!! It all started with the arrival of my sister Kathryn and her 3 darling kids from Louisville Kentucky! Needless to say I spent a lot of time at my parents (where they stayed for the 1st half of their visit) house this week.

We played lots of games, visited with lots of people, relaxed as much as possible, and...

played a little dress up (notice the earrings, pretty bracelet, and ring on Megan) too!



I just can't get enough of these kids!!! (Unfortunately, Campbell was already fast asleep during this picture!)

Then on Friday my brother, his wife and their two cute kids got here from Oregon. On Saturday they threw a great party for Anna's 7th birthday and so the partying started.



From there we headed off to Bear Lake, for our annual family summer trip. And for the first time in I don't know how many years, everyone was there!

We were a little further away from the beach this year in a cabin that would fit us all, so we didn't spend quite as much time at the actual lake as we usually do! But that didn't stop us from getting plenty of water time in the cabins hot tub and club house pool (while the boys went golfing-no pictures)!

and during the dry times we all enjoyed some much needed downtime!

And of course what would a great vacation be without lots and lots of good food!!!

My dad brought the Wii and and Eric brought guitar hero... hours of fun!!

And anyone that knows us know that we LOVE to play card and board games.

Bless Skyelie's heart, she was the designated hair stylist and spent I don't know how much time braiding and re-braiding all the girls hair.

I can't end this post without at least mentioning what a FUN uncle Jeff is... He had the idea to do a mini Deal or No Deal with each of the grand kids, with REAL $$$! Unfortunately, we were both busy during the whole game (Jeff was Howie, I was the assistant and my dad was The Banker) and so we personally did not get any pictures. I am hoping that as soon as my dad get pictures from everyone there with be at least a few that I can post. It was super fun and a great memory, especially for Makenna the big $20 winner of the night (and first one out of the gate:))!


Needless to say we had a WONDERFUL time and all left completely exhausted! Dustin, Tamra, and kids left for home straight from Bear Lake. Kathryn, Trevor and kids stayed around for about 5 more days and then off they went back to Kentucky.

We miss them all but are so glad we got to spend just a little bit of time with them this summer! I am so sad that all my fun summer plans are already over:(!! Jeff and I are going to have to come up with somewhere else to go! Anyone up for a getaway??