30...The Best Birthday Ever, Really

I've got to tell ya, turning 30 has been a hard one to swallow.  Actually to be honest, everything past 28 has been hard.  I think this is because since I was 20 whenever I was asked my age I always said 28.  I was always a little self-conscious about getting married so young and being such a young mom.  Also, when I was teaching I was trying to put more years in between myself and my students.  So suddenly when you're as old as and then older than the age you thought was really old, it sucks.   For the past two years I've been avoiding photo albums.  They only make me depressed at how much I've aged.  In fact, it was a stroll through a photo album that brought on my blond craze this past Spring (and we all know how that ended).  So I was really trying to avoid my 30th birthday altogether.  But then...I got a wonderful surprise.  And I mean wonderful.  

Now, for a little more back story...I love my husband, but he's not exactly great at the "big" holidays.  I think it's the pressure.  He seriously cannot handle it.  For just one example, this year's anniversary he went and played basketball with his friends.  I used to get all upset over it, but he is great every other day so I've just learned to let it go.  So this birthday I was really not expecting anything, literally.  We had gone out the weekend before and I had said to just let that count as my birthday.  That's really what I intended.  He was still trying to be sweet and made arrangements for us to go out to dinner on my actual birthday.  Fine by me, although I even tried to talk him out of it because I had had a big lunch with my mom and wasn't hungry.  He still insisted, so I played along.  He had arranged for our friends to watch the kids.  Great. 

As we drove to Ogden I still did not question anything.  Even as we drove out to the middle of nowhere, he just said it was a new restaurant that had been recommended to him.    I bought it.  I'm telling you, my radar never turned on.  Then we pulled up to a small airport.  Huh?  Suddenly I was on high alert and got really nervous.  I had said a while ago that for my 30th birthday I was going to jump out of a plane.  He knew I was kidding, right?  

It turns out that he had planned a helicopter ride!  I was absolutely shocked!  He never pulls off a surprise.  Never.  One of our first dates had been a plane ride.  I was thrilled.  Not even so much for the ride but for the thought.  We flew over Ogden Canyon and saw Pineview, Snow Basin and Wolf Mountain at sunset.  It was beautiful.  The helicopter was so small, at times we got really close to the ground.  It felt like we were on the ride Soaring Over California at Disneyland.  It was truly amazing.  Thanks, babe!  

That wasn't all.  When we were done and it was time to go pick up the kids, Rob kept stalling.  Again, this is so not like my husband.  He's usually in such a hurry to relieve whoever it is that is stuck with our kids.  I just thought his sugar was low.  When we did finally make it back to our friends house, there was a party waiting for us with black balloons and all.  I was shocked!  I just thought that my friends were trying to figure out a day we could go out.  I had no idea about the party.  It was so much fun!  Thanks everyone!

This really was the best birthday I have ever had, even if I was turning 30.  It also helped bring things into perspective.  So what if I'm 30?  I have great friends, a great husband, three wonderful kids, my health, and especially my happiness.  What a great life to continue to look forward to.  31?  Bring it on.     

Disneyland!!

This November we finally bit the bullet and made the long trek to Disneyland.  And what a trek it was!  We were lucky enough to have lots of help from Grandma and Grandpa Foy.  If I were to make one suggestion to all of you parents out there thinking about taking Disneyland on, it would be to sucker in recruitments.  I don't know how we would have done it without their help!  So a huge thank you goes out to Grandma and Grandpa.  

Disneyland really is a magical place.  Mekinley's favorite thing was the rides, and she went on every single one!  She even went on the California Screamin' roller-coaster and the Hollywood Tower of Terror--twice.  Her favorite rides were the Matterhorn and Soarin' Over California.  She also loved that everyone got soaked on the Rattlesnake Rapids.

Sierra loved the Teacups.  She would have ridden them all day.  She just couldn't find anyone who would ride with her all day!  I am sad to say that I only made it once, but Sierra rode it at least five times.    She also went on every ride she was tall enough for.  This included Splash Mountain and even Space Mountain.  Yea for Sierra!  This was a huge accomplishment for her. She also loved meeting all of the characters and getting her picture taken with them.  

Myles' favorite thing was the GPS system we used to get around.  Every time it would say "miles" (as in turn right in 2 miles) he would squeal, "Myles!!"  and giggle.  He thought it was talking to him!  He also loved any ride he could go on.  He would have gone on all of them if they would have let.  He wasn't, however, a big fan of the 3D movies, especially Bug's Life.  I went running out of them with him clinging to me for dear life.  

We also spent one afternoon on the beach.  This of course, was also the favorite (and FREE).  Rob and I have already planned that our next trip to California is all about the beach.  The kids could stay there for a week and never get bored.  

All in all, the trip was a huge success.  The crowds weren't bad at all, and the kids still ask me at least once a day when we're going again.  My reply is, of course, "In 10 years," but it really was a great trip.  It's also no coincidence that it took me a month to write about it.  I've been recuperating!  

The castle all decked out for Christmas.

Sierra's favorite picture.  Proof that she went on Space Mountain.

I have a ton of great pictures at the beach.  

We were there until sunset, and it was so beautiful.

Soccer Season

I absolutely LOVE fall.  It is my favorite time of year.  I love the food, the colors, the holidays, the clothes, the return to school, the sense of urgency to soak in the sun before it gets really cold.  Now I love fall because it's soccer season.  With two in soccer these days, every Saturday is devoted to soccer, and it's so much fun.  I am the proud mom.  I love watching my kids.  

Now I must warn you that Mekinley and Sierra have two very different approaches to the game. While both are good, they couldn't be more different.  Sierra is out for blood.  She is hilarious! Her first game she scored four goals.  She is all over the place and super aggressive.  Do not get in her way.  We've actually had to talk to her about toning it down a little bit.    I, of course, love it and cheer her on.  Rob, on the other hand, is a little embarrassed and always apologetic to the other parents.  Her last game there was a good girl on the other team.  She was a lot taller than Sierra and gave Sierra a run for her money.  Sierra would not have it.  She took this girl on, literally.  Most of the time Sierra didn't even know where the ball was because she was so focused on not letting this girl score.  And she didn't.  Sierra, however, did get by the girl once and scored.  Rob and I were laughing so hard.  It was so funny to watch!  

Mekinley, on the other hand, is much more mellow.  She doesn't like to fight for it.  When she has the ball in the clear, she runs and dribbles fantastically.  She's just more worried about hurting someone's feelings or getting her feelings hurt.  She is a great player, don't get me wrong, she just has a different approach to the game.  This year she's advanced beyond "bunch ball" where they are playing a full field and actually playing positions.  She likes this much better. 

Now when Myles starts playing....ah!! 

 

No Kids Allowed

Thanks to our good friends, you know who you are, we got a weekend away from our kids. Yep! This never happens...I mean never. We went to LasVegas for one night a few years ago, but then we took Myles with us, so it's been almost 7 years since Rob and I have been anywhere together without the kids. Let's just say it's been a long time coming.

We spent one night up in Park City. We went out to dinner AND to a movie...what a treat!! We never have time to do both. It felt weird though not rushing home to relieve a babysitter. The next day we went biking up at Deer Valley. It was just enough to remind me just how much I love mountain biking. And I have to say, I wasn't too shabby. I guess the saying is true...it's just like riding a bike. I was super sore the next day. What can I say? I'm getting old.

We then met up with some friends for a weekend full of laughter, games, talking, movies and most of all, eating. We ate so much!! Yes, Beth, I'm blaming you. This is the first time that husbands were invited to our cabin weekend and all Rob could say was, "Do you guys always eat that much?!" And the answer is pretty much yes. But what a great time. Thanks Bri for making it happen! And to answer your question on your blog, we have definitely started a tradition, except maybe we should shoot for once a month.

I think this could pass for a high school dance picture!

Boating at Pineview

All the kids playing on the beach. We took enough sand home with us to make our own beach in the bathtub!

Isn't this romantic?

Mekinley loves hanging out with the Hayes' girls.

Summers in Panguitch

Panguitch is a great place in the summer.....

Small town parades are the best. The kids leave with a giant bag full of candy and wet from the fire hose, you always have front row seating, and best of all, you get to see everything twice!

The kids love to play in the creek.


It doesn't get more white-trash than this!

Myles loves riding the "Vroom-Vroom." To this day the first thing he says when he wakes up is, "Ride Vroom-Vroom?!"

The balloon festival is amazing. At dusk all of the big hot-air balloons line up on Main Street and light up the street. It really is fun to see.

Flaming Gorge

Okay, so I don't think words can express just how busy our summer has been. I LOVE summer, but I have to admit, I was relieved when school started this week! Now maybe things will slow down, and I will have time to breathe. So I have a lot of catching up to do on this blog, so I will start with one thing at a time. Going against tradition, I'm not saving the best for last. It's going first....Flaming Gorge.

Last weekend we went to Flaming Gorge with some friends, Sarah & Brett and Nate & Brianna + lots of kids. We had a grrrrrreat time. This was our first venture to Flaming Gorge, and it was amazing--glassy water, beautiful scenery, perfect weather, and actually very cooperative kids. We spent two full days on the water. Let me tell you, Sarah and Brett are die-hards!! We skied, wakeboarded, tubed, and played on the beach until our kids literally dropped like flies from exhaustion. It was the perfect way to see out the summer. Can't wait to do it again!! Also, I have to send out a special thanks to Sarah and Brett for making it all possible. You're the best!

Rob, making us proud.

All the ladies. Sarah and Bri followed orders very well as I was
shouting leaning directions so we wouldn't tip. It was hilarious!

The guys posed for a picture--so cute!

Yes, that's me sporting two skis.
But in my defense I did get up on one for a few seconds!

All of the kids on the tube. Sierra even went without a single wail.

Of course she had to keep up with her friends.
We were so proud of her!!

Rob and Mekinley--like father like daughter.

Moms and kids around the campfire. Aren't we a great bunch?!

Lessons From Cleaning My Bathrooms

My kids are great “helpers.”  Now I put it in quotation marks because their help usually turns a half hour job into an hour job and results in Myles screaming for me to come rescue him.  Take the bathrooms for instance.  They love to help, so I try to clean the bathrooms when they are fully distracted so I can get it done quickly and without their interference.  But today, I had a window of time on my hands and the bathrooms needed to be cleaned (when don’t they?), so I decided to go for it even though Sierra and Myles were bored and I knew I would get extra help. 

As I felt the frustration boiling up in me as I watched Sierra drag a dirty, wet rag across my streak-free mirror and Myles sitting in the middle of the floor with his rag swashing the dirt around, I suddenly had a moment of clarity.  So what?  So what if Sierra was dirtying up my freshly clean mirror?  So what if I was going to have to change Myles’ clothes?  Honestly, what is the big deal?  And just like that my blood pressure dropped, and from that moment on I actually had fun cleaning the bathrooms with my little helpers.  Sierra was so into being “Mommy’s great helper;” she cleaned her little heart out.  Myles was my shadow undoing everything I was doing.  And it was so cute!  Now of course it took me three times as long, but they were elated, especially Sierra. 

So it made me think, why am I always in such a hurry?  Of course I have a billion things on my “to do” list and am always on the go, but maybe I should just slow down.  After all, what’s more important than spending quality time with my kids?  Their childhoods are really passing so fast, and if I don’t take time to really experience them, I’ll have missed them.  Heck, it seems like yesterday Mekinley was an impossible infant, but tomorrow she’s graduating from kindergarten!!  I’m sure there will be plenty of days when I’ll just want to hurry and clean the bathrooms without extra “help,” but I’m really going to try to remember my moment of clarity and keep things in perspective. 

 

 

Memorial Day

We had a fun Memorial Day weekend.  On Saturday we hiked Adam's Canyon.  My girls are hard core!  I took the Scouts on this same hike a week earlier and my girls were way tougher!  They whined less, went further, and smelled much better. What can I say?  They take after their mom.  

On Sunday we headed up to my parents' cabin in the Uintah Mountains.  Always an adventure.  Myles' favorite part of the cabin was the 4-wheeler.  Every since we got back he's been  running around the house pretending like he's driving one and shouting, "Vroom!  Vroom!"  Never mind that at 1:00 in the morning Rob finally resorted to sleeping in the car with him because he was screaming at the top of his lungs and wouldn't go to sleep.  How would it be to be 1 again!  The girls always love swinging on the swing by the river and hiking around.  

I swear every time we go anywhere, we're always reminded of why we don't go anywhere.  It takes a day to prepare, at least a day to recover and that's just for the weekend!  Not to mention the screaming and fighting during the entire drive, the battle of the junk food that results in me losing and moaning and groaning from tummyaches, the non-existent bedtime and the sleepless nights, Rob and I not doing the one thing we were looking forward to (in this case the Park City outlets on the way home), and I could go on.   But then if we didn't go anywhere, I wouldn't have these cute pictures to share and, of course, the memories.  Oh, the memories.  

So my advice?  Take as many Excedrin as your system will allow and keep forging ahead.  I've been told that one day I will look back at these pictures, and the headache that went into creating them will have faded and all that I will remember is the fun and joy that's staring back.  Still waiting for that to happen with childbirth, but I'm keeping the hope alive and will, I'm sure, continue to post pictures of a smiling, happy family doing fun and exciting things.  And hopefully, so will you.

the "tough" girls on our hike

the boys

Myles on his Vroom! Vroom!

We couldn't drag him off.

Okay, so maybe these smiles are worth it.

The cabin crew: Jake, Rob, Myles, Beth, Tru, 

Mekinley, Mom, Sierra, Quinn, Me

Family Picture

Okay, okay, okay. Due to popular demand, here is a family picture!

Bragging Rights

So I finally, and I mean finally, got real pictures taken of the kids. Now I know all parents are proud and think that their kids are the cutest, but.....

Fishing at Syracuse Lake

We are always looking for something to do on a Saturday, sometimes frantically so. A few Saturdays ago we found ourselves at the fishing ponds in Syracuse. We didn't catch anything but litter and moss, but we did end up with some cute pictures and had a great time. Next time I'll take charge of the fishing instead of lunch and maybe we'll have more luck! I always have been able to out-fish Rob.

Easter Fun

Okay, okay, okay. So I've kind of fallen off the blogging bandwagon. It's just so hard to find the time! But I'm here now with a new goal to keep up on it. I'm sure you're all quite relieved to hear it, but it's not for you...it's for me.

Easter was a grand adventure. We headed down south to Zions with the Bell clan. It's always a lot of fun. This year we didn't have the best luck with the weather. It rained and rained! While the adults all huddled around the campfire, the kids didn't let it slow them down and played and played and played. I tell you, we all complain about how difficult our kids are, but in reality they're very simple. All they need is a lot of mud, a shovel and bucket, and some friends and they can stay entertained for hours!

We did get lucky and have a small break in the storm for the Easter egg hunt. Leave it to my mom not to disappoint with the Easter egg hunt. We literally filled and hid over 200 Easter eggs. 200!! Mekinley, Sierra, and Myles loved every minute. It's always an adventure searching for the eggs among the rocks and trees of Zions National Park. Myles was especially fun this year. He really got into the hunt and was absolutely adorable to watch. But then again, what isn't adorable about Myles?

This year I was still playing the "I just had a baby" card (yes I realize Myles is 18 months old) and opted not to camp. We were lucky enough to stay with Rob's uncle and his wife at the most beautiful spot in Hurricane. I mean this place is gorgeous. The kids also got to have another Easter egg hunt. They are spoiled! Well, we had a great Easter. A little soggy, but that's only part of the adventure.

Myles wants to ride a bike so badly!
He really is a miniature Rob.

I told you it was gorgeous!