Me & My Mischief Makers: I'm Back

Okay, if you have waiting on pins and needles for me to update my blog, wait no longer. Make sure that you have plenty of time to read this entire post- it is going to be a LONG one!

So, on July 11th I left Utah to attend a close friend's wedding in Tahoe. I was able to spend 43 hours with 2 of the most amazing friends. I had a great time- especially considering it was the first time I had ever left Britin or Malia and only the second time I have ever left Jacob and Kylie. Shannon, Sherry and I had fun on the drive playing name that tune on our ipods, reminiscing about high school and just being friends. It was like it always was. I don't know why they put up with me, but I am so glad that we are still friends. After recently reading an old entry in my journal I realized how loony I was back then and am hoping that I have made some sort of improvement over the past -- years since high school. THANK YOU Shannon and Sherry for being my friends. You are more than I deserve and I am forever thankful that you (along with Amy) helped me make it through school with some semblance of sanity. I love you for all you did for me and for all you have meant in my life. I don't really know what else to say, but just know that I mean this with all my heart. I am grateful I can still call you my friends. I hope you never think my silence means I don't care. I forget sometimes to speak what I am feeling, so here you go- thank you for just being you, for accepting me for me and helping me to be better. I loved the talks we had on our trip. You two are the greatest examples to me. THANKS again!!!

Okay, so getting back to the trip, we had a great time staying up late, folding $$$ for Amy's present, which is an hilarious story all by itself, dipping our feet into the lake and being just about the only sober ones at the reception. We did get to meet some of Amy's friends that have been close with her since high school, and I am sure glad that she has such wonderful people surrounding her. The drive home was an interesting one, but we made it alive. I had to get back for work, which I know was the only reason the trip was so short. My wonderful friends put up with my work requirements and still went along with me, or rather, still let me tag along.

Then, last week we had too much fun with various activities. We had our weekly outing to the movie theater. The kids loved it. They were all actually really good for me. After the movie we came home and got ready for a tea party for the kids and their friends. Lots of pictures to enjoy! Good friends, good food, and good fun. As you can see, there was also water involved, which wasn't planned.

Later Tuesday, Dalen worked on the tree house for the kids. He finished putting in the floor so the kids were able to join him up in the tree for the first time. Jacob cried and was really scared, but Dalen wanted him to face his fears so I took him up the ladder and he just sat there crying for a little bit until Dalen convinced him he was the big helper, and then he was happy.

As you can tell, Bits was in heaven with her Daddy up in the tree!

Kylie was loving life (Jacob is peeking his head in this one, just when he started to be happy about the whole tree house idea).

Jacob, clutching to his Daddy, scared at first. I am so blessed to have such a great dad for my kids!

Now for a most fabulous video of my daughter singing the song that never ends. She is hilarious! I love that she sings in a falsetto voice. Check it out!

On Thursday we joined some friends on a jaunt to the carnival. So much fun. The kids were a little sad, but my poor self couldn't spend a ton on tickets, so the kids were only able to go on 2 rides each on my dime. Check out these cool shots of the kids.

Ride #1- The carousel...

Britin's Ride #2- The Ducks...

Ummmm- aren't you supposed to be sitting down??? Termine ser sentados, por favor.

Kylie and Jacob's Ride #2- The Caterpillar Roller coaster...

Thanks to Sister Lefler - the Kylie and Jacob were able to enjoy an extra ride on the Monster Slide. Climbing the stairs with all of their friends.

Kylie with Austin- finishing the slide ride. Man, they were brave. The stairs looked too scary for me to climb. I hate heights! Kylie was actually sad that her dad wasn't with us so she couldn't go on the ferris wheel.

Lastly- Friday was another WONDERFUL girls' time with my friends, Laina and Shanna. We were able to enjoy a free stay in Park City- no kids and no cooking, I believe those were the rules- right ladies???

We ate out at a very fun restaurant for lunch- which we had to take a gondola ride up the mountain to get to. The food was phenomenal. We strolled main street in- which I have never done before. It was great. We enjoyed a lot of galleries- holy cow there are so many. I think I liked the one in Tahoe the best, though. We got homemade ice cream at a cute little shop and strolled through a most excellent bookstore. Life of leisure! I almost didn't know what to do with myself. Later we were each pampered with a manicure/pedicure at a local salon. We even got the paraffin wax treatment- quite nice. Check out the toes- don't they look fabulous?

Okay, so this picture makes me giggle. There were 2 rooms, no airconditioner and only 1 fan. So we opened the window and all jumped into the king bed so we could be cool during sleep. Funny thing was that by the middle of the night we were freezing, but no one got up to turn the fan off or shut the window. We stayed up late telling embarrassing stories- sad to say I think I won that contest, yet again- but fully enjoyed their stories. Just remember- "It happens all the time!"

One last picture in the condo before heading off to the outlet mall for a great morning of shopping and bonding. Thanks for the help with picking clothes out for the kids school clothes. They are going to look very stylish thanks to both of you!~
(Umm, and by the way- no I am NOT pregnant, though I do look it)