Conference Weekend in Eden with Friends

 

After our first weekend in Eden our good friends, the Nettesheim's, invited us to their cabin in Eden too! It was conference weekend and we were very hesitant to say yes at first because we didn't want to interrupt their lovely weekend listening to prophets by having our 6 kiddos there. But then we found out that they invited the Swan's there too and they have even more kids than us so we knew the Nettesheim's knew what they were getting themselves into. Cade and Matt have been in the bishopric for 5 years together and just got released a few weeks ago. It was SO fun to spend the weekend with awesome families who are very uplifting and put Christ in their lives so readily. 

Anyway, we first got there Saturday afternoon and went on a gorgeous hike up by Nordic Valley Ski resort to a giant metal "paper airplane". It was soooo pretty. Benson was the only little boy amongst a million girls...which he did care or know anyway :). It was a short but awesome hike before going back to listen to the evening session of conference. 

At night we stayed up entirely too late playing games (past midnight which is late for us!) and it was so fun! The next morning we made pancakes and sausage for everyone and watched the morning session. In between sessions we introduced the "horse racing game" where we gambled candy and it was super fun. We went on a gorgeous little walk around their beautiful cabin and watched the last afternoon session. 

Eden is so beautiful. I would love to have a cabin there someday. Or maybe just rent others peoples often. So fun. 

Weekend Getaway (FLYING) and Fall/Canyon Fun

 

We had a most fabulous birthday vacation as a family. Exactly how I wanted to celebrate! We first drove to Ogden, Ut and went to ifly--an indoor skydiving place. Even Jane went indoor sky diving- and she was a champ!!! Everyone of us had the best time. It was pricey but well worth the money. 

The AirBNB we stayed at was the perfect size for our family. It was a cute little A-frame up by Nordic Valley ski resort. WE played games, watched movies, did archery, and went on walks. On the Saturday we went to a little beach and blew up a giant play water mat like we did with my family a couple weeks before. We had a great time as a family making memories!

My Birthday Celebration!

 This year for my birthday, Cade's mom watched Benson and Jane and I went on a lovely hike with Boose. We talked and talked and it was exactly what I needed. Nature and my sister. Great birthday indeed! Most of the celebration came the day after my birthday when I planned a weekend getaway for our family (next post). 

BYU Education Week

 This year I had Allison Lawrence come babysit for my and I took Cade's mom with me to education week. It was her first time and we had a great time together. I went Monday and Friday and she went 2 more days than that. Always a good spiritually uplifting time. 

Anniversary Camping Date

 We celebrated our 16th Anniversary by going up the canyon and "glamping"- just the two of us! It was actually super super fun. We showed up and a tent and beds were already to go for us. We just brought some easy dinner and games and had a great time talking and being together. I sure love this amazing man I chose to marry. I am forever grateful he asked me. He is so good for me and helps encourage me to be better every year. He is such a hard worker as well as very service minded. He is constantly wanting to be better and work on become a better husband, father, co-worker, friend, and neighbor. He is wonderful. 

School Begins Again!

 

Here we go again! Emma is in 8th, Reese 6th, Nora 4th (Mrs. Christensen), Lucy 2nd (Mrs. Roberts), and Jane 2nd year of preschool. We had our back to school dinner the Sunday before. Emma is in yearbook and photography classes this year and loving using my canon camera. Yearbook has been fun to be a part of a group and learning new skills. She is so creative that it is perfect for her. This year Reese is in full-blown middle school. It's been a pretty hard transition going from Mrs. Bagley's amazing class last year to a whole lot of change this year. But she's a trooper and doing her very best! Nora was a little sad that a lot of the "naughty boys" from 2nd grade are in her class again this year. But she says they have grown up a little from a year and a half ago :). Lucy is with a lot of her friends and is doing so well this year. A lot better focus and learning a lot. Math and reading are becoming easier and easier. Jane is going to a new preschool this year called The PEAC and is absolutely loving it. SOOOO much better than last year. I wanted a school that would do afternoon while Benson naps. It works out great. 

Here's to another school year!

Queen Day Fun

 Each summer I let each girl have a day where they get to pick the fun outing we go on and a fun treat and get to watch a movie during the daytime. We had fun at the mall, Airborne, getting gelato, painting pottery at Color Me Mine, paddle boarding at Manila Pond, petting puppies at the Puppy Store and more.