Girl's Weekend

I had the opportunity to do something pretty life-changing and epic recently!  It all started several months ago when I made a comment on FaceBook about friends who I know would bend over backward for me, but who I never get to see or talk to because everyday life gets in the way.  

Well, one of those friends commented, followed by some others and out of it was born the most amazing girl's weekend ever!  Thank you Facebook!:) I don't get a chance to do these often (or ever!) so when the stars aligned with people's work, kids, husbands and life schedules, we had to jump on it.  

I spent 3 glorious days in LA with 3 of my college roommates.  We haven't all been together since I moved away from Utah almost 6 years ago!  It has been so long and all of us have spread out and gone different directions, but when we all get back together again, it is like nothing changed (except that staying up until 2 am is a lot harder now then it was in college!)

We got a house on the beach for the weekend and all met up in LA.  Coming in from Phoenix, Utah, Seattle and me from Houston, it was quite the gathering.

We went and saw Wicked.  My first time and it was awesome.

And driving into Hollywood, I kept trying to get a picture of the sign and it was epic fail.  This attempt was my favorite...I literally got a blank billboard instead!  Nice!!

 We stayed out on Manhattan Beach and it was amazing.  Perfect weather the whole weekend.

 Enjoying sunset.

 We went to the LA Temple and the visitors center one night.  Very cool.

 My last morning there, I got up early for a jog and was able to run the pier during the sunrise...pretty awesome.  I called to facetime with the kids then and they liked it too :)

 They also had an amazing creamery and candy shop that we went to a few times.  I loved the chairs they had...very Alice in Wonderland.

Over all I had the most amazing and relaxing weekend.  Jeff was awesome for taking the kids all weekend and I was excited to see my family by the end of it.  I hope we can do it again soon!!

A little of Life lately

Before school started up again we decided to take the kids bowling.  They all loved it and did pretty well with bumpers.  I almost beat Jeff too!

 The girls love to play at a little park at the school while we wait to pick up Harrison.  They love to hold hands and go down double slides...

 sometimes Raegan forgets to let go!  Good thing Bode is pretty tough :)

 Ohio State played in the National championship game this year...it was a great game!!  The kids sported some gear.

 Harrison tried to make it to the end.

The kids all climbed into my bed one morning when I was done making it.  They all laid together for a while laughing and playing.  I thought it was cute.

And I'm not sure if it is the teacher or mom in me, but something about seeing my child relax with a book just melts my heart!  It gets me every time!

Changes

Well, we started the new year with some changes.  Reagan got her second (but first real) haircut. Last time it was evening out her mullet.  This time, it was cutting off about 4 inches.

Before:

 After:

 And each year the kids move up in their Primary Classes.  This year Harrison started Senior Primary as a CTR 6.

 Raegan became the youngest Sunbeam in our ward and started Junior Primary.

 Bode became an honorary nursery member because I just got called to be a nursery leader in our ward.  So it was a big Sunday for everyone!

 And who couldn't tackle the world with these guys at your side.  They have their moments, but I know they love each other.  Someday they will see how important siblings are, just like I have seen in my life.

 And to have a big brother to look up too, I just love this look Bode gives her brother!  I can't wait to see the amazing things that these kids do throughout their lives!

New Years Eve

New Year's Eve was a fun night for us.  We were supposed to hang out with friends, but then decided we wanted to go to bed early so we stayed home.  We put Bode to bed at her normal time and let the other two stay up for a little while.  We built a marble track.

 We played with the marble track.

 The boys did some fireworks while Raegan hid in the house.  She got as far away as she could and kept telling me "I don't like fireworks".

Then we did an early countdown and put the kids in bed.  Then around 11:30 neighbors were lighting fireworks and woke up Raegan.  So, I slept on the couch with Raegan until 12:30, keeping her calm until it all stopped.  It was a fun night and we are so excited for 2015!  We have some good goals and dreams this year for our family and I can't wait to see where this year takes us!  Cheers to a great new year!!!

Birthdays continued

So besides Christmas and Raegan's birthday, I also have a birthday just after Christmas.  This year it was more of a birthday weekend and it was pretty awesome.

Jeff and I went out on a datenight.  We did some shopping and spent some time at Dave and Busters.  I had fun beating Jeff and skeeball and watching him dominate at Super Monkey Ball.  (This was a favorite game that we played back in the dorms before we were even dating.  We had forgotten about it and it was a fun discovery for us!)

The next day was relaxing and we hung out as a family and Jeff picked up pizza.  It was supposed to be Gino's East, but after a really frustrating experience, we found another great pizza place.  Then on my actual birthday, I was showered with attention and food.  Jeff made home made cinnamon rolls for breakfast, pizza for lunch/dinner and an awesome chocolate cake.  It was a great day!

 Don't let this fool you...it is one of the most awesome chocolate cakes I have ever had and that is saying a lot!

 It was an awesome day (weekend) of relaxation!  I got tons of birthday wishes from friends and family and felt so loved by everyone.  Here's to another year!

Christmas 2014

 Christmas Eve we spent the afternoon at a friends house eating and playing games.  When we got home, Santa visited and left us some awesome pjs.  The kids opened those plus they are allowed to pick one other present under the tree to open.  Then it was bed time.

 Love this hug.

 Santa's spoils and the tree.

 Harrison was up very early in the morning and waited patiently for a resonable hour to wake up his sisters...they still weren't very happy!

But I think the presents made everything a little better.

 Christmas morning was presents, food, music and good relaxing times.  It was awesome and the whole day was very low-key!  We tied to take some time to reflect on the reason for the season and spent some time focusing on Christ and his amazing birthday story.  It was awesome!!

And because everyone was sick the Sunday before Christmas, the kids didn't get to wear their Christmas outfits, so we did it the week after.  Still awesome and I included quite a few pictures because I actually got all 3 of my kids to look at the camera and no one is crying.  We still don't all have smiles at the same time, but we are making progress.

 And I love this.  Bode was trying to escape so they tackled her with kisses.  She liked it for a minute, but it ended in tears.

I hope everyone had a blessed and merry Christmas.  We were able to reflect on the reason for the season and enjoyed the time learning and spending time with family.