MADNESS in the making..

Thanksgiving weekend has been a blast so far! We (well I) decided it would be fun to go up to Park City Thursday night after the big meal, get a hotel and then hit the outlets for a little "MIDNIGHT MADNESS" I was excited that the stores opened at midnight. I thought that would be nicer then waking up at 3 a.m. to go.

First we went to Sean's aunts house for an awesome Thanksgiving meal. It was so nice and all we had to bring was a relish tray. We enjoyed the company as well and had fun chatting & catching up with everyone. It was very relaxing and the kids had a great time as well.

Around 4:30 we headed up to Park City. We stayed at the Marriott and had a great time. The pool was awesome, even though I felt like a beached whale (literally, still shocked I got into a swimming suit). We checked in around 5 and tried to take a nap, but we had a pool side room and the people swimming were LOUD, so we all just vegged for an hour or so and then got up to go swimming. Afterwards, we got ready and went to find somewhere to eat. Little did we know that everywhere would be closed, yep, even McDonald's. Seriously, when do they ever close?? We drove around for a while and then figured we would just have to stop at 7-11 and eat some hot dogs and nachos for dinner, but driving back to our hotel we noticed that the Burger King was still open. Cute Tayler hopped out and said "I knew Heavenly Father would help us find a place to eat" She had been saying several prayers in the back seat. The faith of a child. Love her!

After we ate we stopped at Maverick to get some candy for a sugar high so that we could be the energizer bunnies to shop. We waited until about 11:50 and then headed over to the outlets. HOLY COW, there were tons of people. I guess it is crazy everywhere, hence the Black Friday label. Luckily, we found a spot to park and headed on our way. Sean and I were originally just going to trade off, but the kids were up and excited (don't worry that soon ended).

I took Jayson with me. He slept the entire time in the stroller all bundled up. I hit the stores to buy things for the kids, so Sean took Rylee and Tayler with him. After 2 hours they were done and tired. I did feel so bad for them. I would have been grumpy too. Next year we will definitely do the "trade off'' thing.

We all sleep in until 9:30 this morning, except Sean who went back to the outlets to exchange/return things. He said he felt hurried and frazzled since he had the girls. He is quite the shopper these days.

The sales were awesome, but the line at Gymboree took me 2 hours to get through and all I had were the $5.99 p.j.'s for each of the kids. Not so sure it was worth it, but it was fun night. Any excuse to spend money and I love it. Now everyone is catching up on their sleep. I have to work until 5 and then I might just crash! Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We are truly blessed with SO many things and I am grateful for all that I have in my life because it is a lot!

GIRLS weekend

This past weekend was WONDERFUL in every way!

New Moon came out, I had a girls weekend, AND I was able to see my sister, Jen! I loved every minute of it!

I am so grateful that Jen's friends let me come and tag along. I flew into Boise on Thursday at 9:05 and Jen flew in that same night at 11:10 p.m. We had tickets to see the Midnight showing of The Twilight Series: New Moon. When Jen arrived we hugged and then ran to pick up the rental and FLY (literally) to the theater. We made it with a few minutes to spare before midnight. Luckily they didn't start the movie in our theatre until 12:20 so we had a few minutes to breath as well. These cute ladies, Cherie and Cindy, greeted us when we arrived. Cherie had shirts made up for the whole group that said "Team Edward" Jen and I slipped ours on and had a picture.. (remember this is at midnight).

Cindy, Jen, Me, Cherie

Here we are after the movie- this is the whole group that attended.

I did enjoy the movie, but my dang leg made it hard to sit still and concentrate. We left the theater around 3:00 a.m. and went straight to Cherie's house. We were all dead tired. I think I could have slept standing up :) We brushed our teeth and called it a night.

The next morning Cherie had a brunch at her house at 11:00 a.m. for all the gals that went to the movie. It was YUM! She made muffins, quiche and then Cindy brought fruit. This is the awesome table she had all set up. Everything was amazing. It was fun to talk about the movie and eat. I was amazed at all the preperation that went into everything. It was fabulous.

After brunch we talked for a while and then took naps. I seriously don't know how I did it all those years in college and it didn't even phase me, NOW.. it totally wipes me out! After a 2 hour nap I felt great and so we got ready for the day. We went out to eat that night to the Texas Roadhouse. We rented some movies and went back to Cherie's house to veg.

My cute sis, here we are ready for the day! (at 6 pm)

Cherie (our wonderful hostess), Steph (who flew in from Spokane) and Jen (who flew in from Georgia). Isn't that awesome that everyone came back to the old stompin' ground. I think they are darling!

On Saturday we went shopping to the outlets, took Steph to the airport, and then went and saw New Moon again. Yep, twice within an almost 24 hour period! I have to say the second time was much better. I think being tired and crammed into a hot theater, along with my restless leg didn't help the first time so I loved seeing it again.

Afterwards, Jen and I ran some errands and then we came back and got ready to go to the temple.

All, in all we had the best time! I truly enjoyed every minute and am so thankful to Sean for having a daddy weekend. He took them shopping, bowling, etc. He is a wonderful person and I loved having a break. I feel rejuvenated! Thanks babe.

Sunday morning we went to Sacrament Meeting and then came back to Cherie's to pack up. Jen and I had flights that left within 20 minutes of each other so we headed to the airport around 11:30 that morning. She left at 12:52 and I left at 1:08. It was not fun to say good-bye to her. I hate that part! It is hard having them so far away and not getting to see her as often as we used to. We sat and talked for a while and then it was time to leave. I love my sis so much and am so grateful that she included me in her weekend.

And a HUGE thank you to Cherie for everything. Thank you for letting us stay in your home and making everything so perfect. You are wonderful!

Eclipse comes out June 30th! Yahoo. Can't wait ;)

Snow Bunnies...

Rylee's wish of snow and playing in it finally came true today. Our 1st snow fall (that actually lasted). They were so excited to get out there and play. I'm so thankful that all of their winter clothes still fit. PHEW!! I do need to buy Jayson new boots, but other than that, we are good to go for the next few months. It was freezing outside when I went out to take some pictures, but they stayed out for 1 1/2 hours. Tayler attempted to make a snowman. Rylee made lots of snow angels and Jayson ate the snow just as fast as he could. The snow was blowing side ways. BRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! I think I liked the 65-70 degree days last week a little better. Oh well, bring it on.

Snowball fight!

Jayson found the rock in the island to sit and rest on.

The start of Tay's snow "ball"

Cute Rylee

All 3 in action

Ready to come in... just kidding! Just needed their noses wiped.

I love when they have fun playing together. Now their clothes are in the wash and the hot chocolate is brewing. Next it's off to the bath to warm their frozen bodies.

Happy Saturday!

You're gonna miss this....

Have you ever heard the lyrics from the Trace Adkins song "You're Gonna Miss This"
the chorus says:

you're gonna miss this
you're gonna want this back
you're gonna wish these days
hadn't gone by so fast

For some reason lately as I meet older people who ask about my kids they all have a common phrase that they tell me and that is "enjoy it now, because it goes by so fast"

For some reason that has struck a chord with me lately. I look at this picture and just think man, it's already going by so fast. My baby is 7 and growing up every day and the days seem to go by faster and faster.

I know that I need to just enjoy everything they do. Sometimes my mood gets the best of me and I don't truly enjoy the little things they do. Yesterday Jayson and Rylee were in prime form and made the BIGGEST mess in my bathroom along with several other things. I should have laughed about it, but I didn't. The 5 coats of sunscreen and lotion every where didn't make me laugh, but did just the opposite. I often lay in bed and think of SO many things I could have done differently that day and am grateful for a new day to start over and try a little bit harder.

I have decided to just chill out. I love to keep my house picked up and clean but I do need to relax a little bit and just love my kids for all the little things they do because I know when all is said and done I am "gonna miss this" and having my house in perfect order isn't going to be what they all remember.
I need to keep that in perspective! I have been blessed with very good, semi-obedient kids. I have heard the terror stories about other kids and think "thank heavens" they aren't mine!

OH MY HECK...

So today at the gym I had to use the restroom. Well the gym is under construction and being completely remodeled, and for some reason I never thought to find out which one was the "girls" and which was the "guys"--I had never ventured back there before. In my hastiness (I really wanted to get back to my treadmill).. I headed in what I thought was the girls, never really thinking it wasn't ?!? Yes it was a truly blonde moment!

Well I get in there, shut the door, and then I hear someone else come in, cough, spit into the sink(SICK), and THAT'S when it hit me.. OH MY HECK, I am in the men's bathroom. Thankfully the ONE bathroom stall they have is from floor to ceiling so he couldn't see my feet underneath, but there is only one. Then I heard him use the urinal (I'm assuming) and turn on the shower. I seriously thought I was going to die. How in the world was I going to get out of there without seeing a naked man and being completely mortified at my silly mistake? The only option I could think of was to WAIT it OUT. So that is what I did. 15 minutes later the door finally opened and closed and it was silent. No more whistling, no more singing in the shower, no running water, no coughing, no spitting, nothing, just crickets. HALLELUJAH! I flushed and hurried out as fast as I could. I opened the door, praying that no one was in the hallway or would see me come out. Right when the door shut, another guy turned the corner to come in and off I went to find the "Ladies Restroom" to at least wash my hands. It could have been a lot worse- One after another, or someone waiting for the stall I was in, but thankfully it was only one guy that chose to use the bathroom at that time. PHEW!

I was also scared that the daycare would need me if one of my kiddos needed something, and not be able to find me. Thankfully, they didn't. I was happy to finish my run and get the heck out of there. If anyone needs to know which restroom they should use at Body WorX- (since they are unmarked) just ask, I'll show you personally.

I've taken a tour of both today :)

Grateful Sunday

My awesome hubby sent these to my work on Friday (that is the day we celebrated our anniversary). They are BeAuTiFuL! That night we went out. I loved having some alone time with him. It was so much fun and has been WAY too long. Now I remember why you need that time to reconnect.

This week I'm grateful for:

• My family. I know that I overreact way too much and way too often, but they still love me despite all my faults.
• Safety. I realize that so many things could happen at any moment, and yet everyone always arrives home safe and sound.
• Health. (knock on wood), we haven't had one sniffle around here. Everyone has been very healthy and I am so grateful for that. I got my Swine Flu shot on Thursday. Now I need to get the seasonal flu shot for the rest of my troops.
• Service. Rylee has to give a talk today in Primary on "serving as a family" and I realized I need to really focus on that area and reach out to others. I tend to stay in my own little bubble, but there is so much more I can do. I need to teach my children through example.
• This time of year. I love Thanksgiving time. I love the holiday season. 1 down, 2 to go! Thanksgiving will be here before we know it and then Christmas. Yikes!
• Prayer. I love that I can ask for help in EVERYTHING- the little things and the big things and I truly do receive help and inspiration on how to proceed in certain situations. It's so nice to know that we are all entitled to that. Even our littlest struggles are of concern to our Heavenly Father. I love that.

**Hope you all had a safe Halloween last night! I will post pictures soon. The kids had a blast. Jayson was so good at saying "Happy Halloween" to everyone by the end of the night. He clutched his bucket of candy all night. He wasn't about to let someone take it away from him. I think he ate a little bit too much because he has thrown up a few times today, so He and I are sluffing church.