Touring Seattle Washington

After the wedding festivities were done, we went and toured a few sights of Seattle before we caught our plane home. The Great Wheel in Seattle...

Us again.

The Pier

The Great Wheel

Beautiful Heather, Jared's youngest sister. It was so great to spend more time with her. I just love this girl!

We met up with the newlyweds for a few hours before we left them for several months! 

A very gross GUM WALL...Unreal. Disgusting.

Seriously, sick. 

Pike Place Market, Seattle Washington...It's a must visit. From the bakeries, fish markets, floral shops, fruit stands, it's beautiful. 

Amazing food.

 

 

 

The ladies

Jared always looking out for our bro-in-law Todd who loves Hot Dogs...

The football and baseball stadiums...

Goodbye Lisa and Sean, we had such a wonderful time being with you for your very special day! 

Maui - Hawaii - Part 1

Saying goodbye to this sweet little face...Maybe I should give a little background to this totally spontaneous trip...So, a few months back Jared got a few days off from work during August. Jared really wanted to go camping. I didn't really have a desire. After months of a few brother-in-laws bailing on one more camping trip - due to scout camp, girls camp, youth conference, etc. We were ALL alone as a family to vacation. Jared had big dreams of still camping "just as a small family"...I thought it sounded fun for one day but not five. Anyways, my darling sister (Krista) said, "Heck, if you have the time off you and Jared should go somewhere together..." From one thought to another we talked about doing a stay-cation here at home with the kids...I said, no. Only because I know how life happens. I would run errands and Jared would fix stuff around the house. Days off are priceless and totally HARD to come by so I wanted HIM all to myself. So one lovely little idea of Hawaii came up...we looked into it...prices...vacation fund (budget$$)...condos to book...flights...etc. Friday night we decided let's do it...we booked the flights...the condo...and four days later (Saturday.Sunday.Monday.Tuesday!!) We were flying off to Maui, Hawaii! Seriously, it was the BEST spontaneous vacation. I think I liked the short wait period better then waiting like 6 months for this trip. Every minute was amazing. Loved it. Here are a few pictures to tell our story.

What a fun Aunt...What kids wouldn't want to go live with her in the COUNTRY for a week?

My favorite part is this picture...Krista asking and saying, "What is the big deal? Why do I look so funny?" Um...maybe because we caught her looking like this in the kitchen. She claims she was going out to "feed the dog and switch the sprinkler!" Yeah, right, she just lives this way down in Fillmore! Oh, how we love her though!!

The first of many Hawaiian sunrises...

We made it!

Jared's excitement for Hawaii.

Look at this surprise baby! Yeah, he totally surprised me. And honestly THIS car made the spontaneous trip ALL THE BETTER! I could see myself turning into those 50 year old ladies and driving a sports car...Oh, it was awesome.

2012 Mustang Convertible....Alayna was totally shocked we ended up getting this car. She had asked if we would drive a convertible and I said, "No, way!" But look at that...here comes fun!

Burning sugar cane..."What, Smoke?" This is nothing new to us...we are very used to smelling smoke each day. It actually was only on the first day we arrived, but it made us laugh.

Crusing down the Lahaina shops. My first Shave Ice. Coconut baby! Yum.

Our first snorkeling adventures. Honolua Bay.

View from our Condo. Worldmark Kiehi, Maui.

Sunrise on Haleakala..3 am wake up. We FROZE to death. I know, we were on Hawaii, who packs a coat and long pants. NOT US! But 45 degrees was honestly the coldest I have been in a very long time!

See freezing. We took the blankets from our condo off our bed.

But this sight was worth every little shiver!

Twin Falls. This is a beautiful hike on the road to Hana. Well worth the stop.

Aloha!

The worlds largest plant...we at least we thought so!

My last trip to Maui this hike was clear of water...Um, not this time. We actually couldn't even finish the hike to the falls because it was super muddy and rain fall had been really high. We caught a glimpse of the falls from a far distance, but it was a little sketchy to finish the hike. I was a little bummed because I loved swimming under the falls and I wanted Jared to do the same. Oh, well. There is always time for another Hawaii trip!

Texas Part 2

Since the first part of my trip to Texas was all about Baby Mikey I figured I should post a little bit about the second part. Sadly, I left my camera in Texas where ALL my pictures are living for the next little while, but Ashley was kind enough email me a few pictures I could show our kids.

So here is to some GREAT Texas BBQ. Some may wonder if there is even such a thing as Texas BBQ but honestly, this was Awesome! Thanks to Brian and Ashley doing some research for Jared on what great places to eat at in Dallas, Texas. Jared had one request while visiting Texas...He wanted to eat, eat and eat some BBQ and Steak. That's it. So what did we do...we ate until we were all sick. Honestly, it was painful. But at the end of the day it was still delicious. This restaurant was called Hard 8 BBQ, you entered and literally just saw a giant metal pit of BBQ meat. You tell this BIG sweaty guy what kind of meat you want and how much, they plop it on a plastic tray lined with wax paper, weigh it then charge you. It's unreal. Then you walk through line and pick up all your sides. We had pretty much one of everything, and lets just say I will totally try and recreate their Jalapeno Creamed Corn. Random side dish but totally delish! YUM. From start to finish this was an A+ meal.

This here is a picture of the gate that enters the entrance to a highly secured neighborhood where Glenn Beck just moved in Westlake, Texas. We went here for my mom, my sister and a few other fellow Glenn Beck fans. We obviously couldn't enter, but I thought I'd snap a picture of two in honor of those who just adore him!

As soon as I get a few more pictures I will upload them and blog about them. But until then you will just have to wait!!! Despite the HEAT we really had such a wonderful trip. I can't wait for Brian and Ashley to return to Utah and visit us!

There is nothing better than mini-vacations...especially when you find SUN!

That's right, we were all up in arms with the rain, clouds, wind, snow and nothing fun to do...so what did we do? We decided to hop in the car and head down to St. George to 80 degrees of warmth, SUN and swimming. Seriously, this kid couldn't have been happier about the little mini vacation. I really keep asking myself why I live where I do? Because seriously, we are happier in the SUN and with a pool nearby!

Caleb's new favorite scooter! He wouldn't share with anyone! Good thing he has birthday coming up in a few weeks...I learned two new great summer toys for him!

Thanks to ALL my sisters wanting the same exact FUN holiday weekend we headed down to where we all have connections to stay with people. We lucked out having so many swimming options. But thankfully my sisters family neighbors had this great pool that they welcomed all 8 adults and 20 kids to come over and go swimming! It was AWESOME! The best part was they lived right next door so all the little babies could take great naps while we were over the fence swimming. It was so MUCH fun!!Ice cream poolside is the best way to enjoy them!

Jake is totally proud of his Spiderman floaties he found!

There really is nothing better than cousins having fun together! This morning we played very competitive games of steal the flag and kick soccer before our afternoon filled with sunshine. After our last day of sunshine we had to pile back in the car to return home to our daddy! Jared was gone in Elko, NV once again for work for the full week so we were VERY excited to be home with him again. Thanks to all for such a great mini-vacation!!!

(Sadly, my shoulders are totally sunburned...since when does 30 SPF sunscreen not work for me?? Unreal, I feel like a teenager all over again in so much pain! ahhhhhh)

Hello Sunshine...

Well we have returned once again from our favorite trip of the year...Indio, California! We love the sunshine and completly relaxed week of life. We wake up run, eat breakfast, swim, eat lunch, nap time for babies, lay out by the pool, swim, eat dinner, put kids to bed, play games, then sleep. Then the next day is exactly the same...soaking in sunshine!!! Some may think this gets boring, but let me tell you it's a kids heaven and a parents paradise. We loved every second of it!
Caleb loving "motor boat motor boat"

Everyone is ready for nap time!
The kids favorite lunch time games on the grass...red rover red rover...
Happy Birthday to Jared...I got him some sushi for lunch on his birthday!
Our annual trip to Pat & Oscars in Temecula! We love this place...not to mention the great conversations!
A few boy cousins soaking in the sun at the playground.
Happy 32nd Birthday to Jared!
For the first three days of our trip we ALL sleep at my Aunt & Uncles house in Temecula...Let's just say it's a tradition, not matter how many people are there...it's literally every room filled with air mattresses and people! During dinner on our last night this is how we found Jacob while waiting to get is food!! I think it's an indication how loud it must have been!!
So, this picture is hilarious. We were eating dinner at Pat & Oscars...and let's just say that Caleb had been a nightmare all night...he was LOUD, WILD and being naughty! There were not enough hands to hold all the kids, and he was pulling and throwing everything in sight. I think I was on the verge of a breakdown...but that's another story. So after a few minutes I was talking with Shan & Todd across the table from me. And I said, "Oh, dinner really hasn't been that bad!" So come to find out in all of Caleb's ornery frustration he had wheeled himself by kicking and throwing a tantrum to a different location. Let's just say I didn't even realize he was missing...bad parenting I know, but it gave us a few minutes of peace and quiet. He doesn't appear to be to damaged by the experience. He actually was happier!!

Well it was a great trip once again! I can't wait till next year, I think I'm planning on going for two weeks next time! Bring on the sunshine and flip flops!!!