St. George Sunshine

A couple weeks ago some girls from the ward and I decided to go visit our friend Cami who just moved to St. George.  It has taken me forever to blog about our trip, possibly because I feel like I'm still recovering!  It was fabulous, but it was probably the most spontaneous thing I've ever done - and we planned it for at least a week.  It was especially nerve wracking because Easton was throwing up the two nights before we left.  The first night he threw up 6 times and oh my it was a long night.  We weren't sure we were going to be able to go, but we took a chance and he didn't throw up until we got home again! I had 8 loads of laundry to do when we got back!  8!

I borrowed my parents' Excursion and the boys all rode down in my car.  

Ben, Cohen, & Easton

(Callan was in the next row up)

It was a really fun drive.  I loved listening to the boys' funny imaginations.  They all decided to be nocturnal and not fall asleep the whole way there.  Except for Easton who was "noc-turtle."  Lucky for me, they all gave in for the last hour of the ride.

We were so happy to have Kelly's grandparents' condo to stay in!  We put everyone to bed and woke up bright and early to play.  We met the Squires at a really fun park.

moms reunited

super heroes reunited

 The weather was so nice while we were there!  We loved all the sunshine!

That night, the kids had a popcorn party before bed.

The moms painted nails while we waited for the kids to fall asleep so we could watch the Bachelor Finale.  I took one for the team and suffered through it:)

 The next morning we went to the splash park and even though it was a little chilly for swimming, the kids jumped right in!  The moms enjoyed "dirty" blue coconut Dr. Peppers and sugar cookies from Swig.  Callan had one taste and was hooked.

That afternoon I took everyone on a wild ride around the desert of St. George in search of the glitter mine but we never found it.  It was a waste of a couple hours and I felt so bad for having talked it up to the boys!  After being in the car for hours we went to dinner at Durangos and it was kind of a disaster.  The kids (especially mine) were totally out of control.  And that was the last time we ate out with 4 moms and 8 kids!

The next day we played at another park.  Callan found binoculars at the park and it was like a dream come true!

We got McDonald's and In n Out and went to yet another park to eat.  Cole and Callan played with ladybugs and when Callan got home he told dad all about the ladybug that Cole gave him!

Callan is obsessed with driving cars and would have spent the whole time in the driver's seat of "grama's big big truck" if I let him!

We had to leave Wednesday morning so I could be back in time for work, but the boys got to play outside together one last time.  They found a snail and were all amazed by it.  We managed to get one last group picture of all the boys and their snail.

The ride home was a little bit more rough because it was all during the day.  I was glad to have Kelly and Millie's company this time!  Cohen and Easton had to be separated by this point of the trip because they were driving each other crazy:)  Callan entertained himself the entire time with nothing but his cup of ice water from the gas station.  He was soaking wet when we got home, but it was well worth the mostly quiet ride!  Once again, the DVD players from Grandma and Grandpa Page were lifesavers!

holding Millie's hand and attempting to dip his toes in the ice water

...and this lasted all of about 15 minutes...

It was such a fun trip!  We hope we get to see the Squires one more time before their adventure in Texas!

Spring Break Staycation!

Tyson had a short break from school and we decided we really wanted to go somewhere!  Unfortunately, he realized he had to work on the Saturday and Sunday of the break so that was going to prevent us from leaving town.  We decided to just stay home, earn the extra money working, and do some fun family activities that we wouldn't normally splurge on.  It started Friday night with the Jazz game.  I don't even know who they played, maybe the Charlotte somethings?  It didn't really matter.  The boys were really excited.  We went to like 6 different stores looking for toddler sized Jazz hats and there were none to be found.  I fully intended for their messy heads to be covered by cute hats!  It's the thought that counts.

 For some reason they had tons of mascots.  Not just the Jazz bear.  The boys loved all the "animals."  They also loved when the Jazz bear rode out on a Harley.

 Nose Bleeds!

On Saturday Tyson had to work.  I gave the boys hair cuts and we just hung out.  I let the kids play with the couch cushions as much as they wanted.  See, we were really going out on an adventurous limb here.

We had a lunch play date at our cousins' house.  Easton and Callan had a great time playing with Noah and Tucker!
That night we had an indoor bbq with our neighbors.  They have a newly finished basement and the kids love to be sent downstairs to play.  The parents don't mind it either!

Sunday morning I received a new calling to be a Relief Society teacher.  I can't say I was really thrilled about it, but it will definitely be a learning experience!  After church we went to the Cook's for a yummy gluten free dinner and dessert.

Monday morning Tyson went looking for sheep/goats in the mountains.  The boys and I went to visit Aunt Kate at the dentist.  They got new Burg Pediatric super capes again!

Callan really enjoyed waiting for his turn in the velvety princess chair.

No cavities!  It's a miracle!

Aunt Kate took us out to lunch at Chili's and then we went home for naps.  When the boys woke up we took them to Build-A-Bear.  They had a great time!  Even though mom and dad were a little ticked at the employees scheming against the children to make us spend more!

Bat Monkey and Jazz Dog

We grabbed dinner at the food court and met Grandma Page, Amanda, Thomas, and Crew at the Springville pool.

All three boys were fearless and jumped into the pool over and over.  It was all we could do to keep Crew off the diving board!

It was a great staycation!  And we have lots of good ideas for the next one!

FHE & BFFs

One of my New Years Resolutions was to have family home evening every week.  I'm not doing great at it but we've had a couple good lessons and a bunch of weeks of reading a quick scripture story.  This week was one of our better ones.  I found a good idea here for the "Armor of God" lesson.  We talked about the lesson and then let the kids put on their armor while mom and dad shot them with nerf guns.  It was kinda great.

Our awesome friends and neighbors moved away to St. George en route to Texas!  We miss them so much already!  On Wednesday the movers were packing their truck, so Cami and the boys got to come hang out with us for a while.  We decided to have an impromptu going away lunch.  Cami brought over the leftovers from their fridge and we had some hot dogs and mac and cheese!

 I don't know who misses each other more!  The boys or the moms!

We've never lived in a place long enough to feel SO SAD about a neighbor moving!  I'm so glad these boys got a good chance to say goodbye!  I know great things are waiting for the Squires in Texas!