Boise cousin sleepover

Every summer Clara and Lydia come to Grandma and Grandpa's house for a week. We love to spend time with them and try and get in one sleepover while they're here.

One of the days we spent at Grandma Sandy's playing with her amazing dress up collection. She has scarves and hats and headbands and glitter and wings and everything a girl could want.

Lydia is a natural born model. She loves posing for the camera while Clara was behind the scenes running the wardrobe changes. I even got a fun outfit for a while!

Another day we spent time outside. Two little pools were filled with water and the girls had fun splashing, playing, laughing and laying in the sun.

One night we decided to out on the town. Grandma Sandy gave each girl $5 and they decided to go to Justice. Afton walked in and found a purple feather pen immediately and that kept her pretty occupied while the girls shopped. Lydia decided on a bag of gummy candy (hot dogs, hamburgers, etc) and a feather for her hair and Clara (after much deliberation) decided on a bag of Pixie Sticks (I was keeping her for the night so I figured whatever) and some fake nails. Better than some of the alternatives like the training bra she wanted. I told her she'd better make that a  mommy daughter activity! :)

After Justice we went to Arctic Circle. We had corn dogs and mini cones and the girls played for a few minutes. Once we made it home the girls washed up, got on PJ's and we put in a Barbie movie and had some healthy snacks. Our little neighbor Yana came over as well. Her family was moving the next day and we were glad to have her.

Afton was so excited to have the girls sleep over and couldn't wait to sleep on the floor with them. They let her snuggle into the middle and she was all smiles.

The next day we took off on the trail. Grandma gave each girl a little water bottle with a special holder. We were going to color them but couldn't find markers but we took them anyway.

Once we got home we decided to meet Grandpa and Grandma at a new park. It isn't really new, just new to us. We drove for about 20 minutes and I didn't take a single picture because I spent the entire time trying to keep track of Afton. This park is made of wood and has tunnels and ladders and closed in areas which make it really hard to see your child if they're moving around. So between me and my mom and my dad we kept an eye on the 3 girls and they had a blast.

When we were done we said goodbye to the girls and they jumped in Grandma and Grandpa's car for the ride back to Boise.

Girls Night

Keys on Main was our location for this outing. It was really entertaining and nice to hang out with friends.
This group is so much fun and we love that Melis and I are sisters and Loni, Jen, and April are sisters too! Love that Charlie Brown was playing in the background! The other TV had Rudolph!

# 37

# 37

I am not one of those people who dreads my birthday or pretends it's not happening. I have worked hard to get myself here and I love today!

Good decisions are shaping my life every day and I have 37 years worth of memories! Today I have an amazing life.

Today I feel loved.
Today I spent time with my family.
Today I got phone calls from my closest friends.
Today I got presents I didn't expect and loved.
Today I had a birthday dinner at my mom's and Afton couldn't wait to blow out the candles.
Today I got flowers from my sweet honey.
Today I am older, and wiser, and more wrinkly, with more gray hair, and ok with that.
Today I am grateful for my husband, my daughter, my parents, my siblings, my friends, and all those who have been good examples and shown me how to be happy.

Today I watched Afton enjoy an ice cream cone after her cupcake.



Today I enjoyed a girls night out with friends from my neighborhood.



Today I got some sister time!



Today I am happy to be 37! Thanks to all who called, texted, gave little gifts, and made me feel special! I am one lucky girl!

St. George with Krista

My friend and sister in law Krista invited me along on a work trip to St. George. It was only one night but it was well worth it and I don't mind the drive. 

 

Afton stayed behind with Brett and Grandma and didn't seem as sad as I'd secretly hoped. (Brett took the picture and wanted to make sure his new tree was in the background!)

Once we got to St. George we met Zane and Ivy at the Pizza Factory. Everyone was stuffed after eating huge twisty bread sticks, calzones, pizza, and yummy soda's. Zane and Ivy are incredibly talented and sweet and it was so nice to spend time with them. I miss them!  

I love these two! I'm glad they'll still hang out with me!

After dinner Krista and I went back to our room (which was really nice) and had fun talking and hanging out. My throat was hoarse by the end of the night. I can't remember the last time I'd talked so much in one day!
We slept in the next morning and it felt great to have my own big bed to snuggle up in until I chose to get out!

The next morning Krista dropped me off to meet Rache on her way to work. Rachel and I had breakfast and wandered through the Polo store. It was so great to see her (self portraits not so great, of me) and I loved just sitting and talking.

Once she left for school I was stranded (yeah). I was stranded at the outlet malls in St. George in 65 degree weather. Ahhhhhh

I wandered and wandered until Krista was done. We ate lunch in the sunshine and headed for home. Krista is so easy to talk with and the drive went by so fast. It felt good to be home and I was happy to see my little Afton.

Pink Marathon

During one of our recent girls nights we (Nancy and Jen) decided we should all sign up for a half marathon. The Pink Marathon was taking place in Park City. This was an all female marathon supporting breast cancer awareness. What better way to spend quality girl time right?
We all signed up (except for cute Loni and her pregnant belly) and that was only the beginning.

I woke up today at 6:15, took a shower, got dressed and headed out the door. I met Melis at my mom's and off we went.
Once we arrived at the check in point we got our goody bags full of deodorant, a spoon, headphones, chapstick, and coupons and then found our friends. Everyone was excited and ready to go.

We left the check in and drove to the starting point. Melis and I pinned our numbers on and watched all the girls getting ready. So many girls were wearing skirts and looked super fit and were stretching and oh my gosh....what have I done.

Our plan was to walk it together but then a couple of girls starting to train (not me) and we ended up pretty spread out. I stayed with Nancy and Sarah, Melis took the lead (and kicked everyone's butt), Jen was right behind her and Anna was right with Jen.

The entire race was beautiful. It wound through the hills, past streams, by the big white barn everybody loves, and the fall colors were rich. We enjoyed the scenery and even snapped a few pictures (to come) along the way.

We all eventually finished, received our pink (run)necklace, pink water bottle and got a gleaming white smile from the guys in suits, sunglasses, and pink ties. Hi...

Martin Sexton

I LOVE Martin Sexton! He is my height, looks like Jack Black (according to Nancy) and has the most unbelievable voice. He is and has been my favorite singer for years. I have seen him in concert so many times and I even have a picture of the two of us together. I will post it as soon as I find it!

He played at The Depot downtown and I went with my best girlfriends!

Nancy made friends with the security guard right away so as soon as the bottom area filled up he came and escorted us upstairs to a 'closed' section! We were right above the stage and had the perfect view! Not to mention we weren't bumping elbows with all the crazy (I mean crazy) fans!

I don't think I'm the only one with a crush anymore!