aaaand we're back

WE ARE BACK IN SCHOOL.

Mixed feelings about all of this. Overall, we had a stellar summer. Lots of swimming, play dates, lazy mornings and movie nights. Then we had that horrible fire (which is still not quite out yet, almost a month later) and our town was covered in ash, outside plans were all cancelled, we worried about our friends' homes and our beautiful recreation areas. Bummer is an understatement. But we snuck in that trip to Texas at the end there and returned 36 hours before dropping the kids off at school. Nailed it.

I'm sure a lot of moms feeling like this- I love the flexibility of summer. But, when school starts again and we return to our normal schedules, it's such a welcome change. The kids are happier when their brains are being used, when they are stimulated more and when they get to see their friends... I love love love getting to spend one on one time with Thatcher, and I think the kids are happy to see me after school. I'm much more fun when I'm not giving them summer chores and checklists! Not gonna lie, that last month with Lincoln was a little dicey.

The kids both got the teachers they requested this year and were grouped with some of their buddies. Give Linc one of his friends and he is seriously good to go. Isabelle has this cute little group of 4-5 girls that have been together for four years now- she was so worried they were going to be separated. I went to back to school night this week and met the teachers, saw the classrooms... Izzie's in third grade now and I feel like this is the year things get more serious? They start worrying about test scores, being able to type a certain speed, hand out bigger projects. Makes me a little sad the fun school years are kind of over for her.

The worst part of school is getting up at 6:20. And packing lunches.

The best part is Thatcher is still sneaking in a nap before I have to pickup the big kids. So for a glorious hour, I get to eat lunch and watch a show in peace.

Isabelle, queen of accessories

Of course Thatch wanted in. The first couple of days he was MAD when they left but now he watches from the window and waves and says BYE in the cutest voice ever. 

also sidenote. these potter barn backpacks are going on their second and third year.
worth a little extra money, they still look brand new.

utah wrap up

I planned to take the kids to thanksgiving point on Sunday, but SURPRISE everything is closed on Sunday. We ended up driving up to Draper to the aquarium which ended up being way fun, I hadn't been since it had moved from downtown salt lake and upgraded about a million percent. The thing I liked the most was that every exhibit had a little viewing platform for the little kids to stand on and see- you'd be surprised how many places we have visited aren't kid friendly! We were there right when it opened and it wasn't very busy at all, we stayed a couple of hours until it was lunch/naptime. 

Every room, every exhibit, super excited about it.

penguins were a fav

I wish you could zoom in and see their faces.
First petrified, then fun.

not a fan

butterfly! Iz loved this

and linc caught a ladybug, lol.

We were in this room a lot- Isabelle was totally scared but eventually stuck her hand in the tank and then loved it. She wanted to pet all of them. 

the best part of this is the sting ray photo bomb

BLESS THIS BABY. After a quick stop in Cafe Rio (my second of the week, no shame.) we drove back down to Provo. Thatcher fell asleep in the car, TRANSFERRED from the car into the stroller so we could shop around Nordstrom Rack for a bit and the transferred AGAIN back to the car. Had an epic nap. We did some back to school shopping for the kids and picked up a few birthday items. I just love walking into that store because you never know what kind of gems you are gonna find. Always shoes. 

angel puff pie fluff baby

We popped in to see my friend Adrienne- she was my college roommate my freshman year at Chipman Hall 100 floor. We had some hilarious late night shenanigans and there's hardly a memory from the first few years of school without her in it. Now together we five boys and two girls between us. Years pass between our visits and it's like no time as passed at all. 

"I once ate these donuts out of the garbage."

After our visit we went back up to Sandy to see Chip- he was almost busted out of that rehab place! A couple days after we left, he went home. Chip has such a special place in my heart! We spent so much time at their house for Sunday dinner when we were in college. Jazz first met my entire family at their cabin up in Heber (and then got snowed in!). It was at one of those family dinners that Jazz got down on one knee and proposed to me. We are all rooting for him.

Dinner at Zachs

Linc = best day ever.

AND THUS CONCLUDES OUR TRIP.

We got up Monday, piled in the car and drove the 12 hours home. I WILL SAY. I think we managed the trip really well- packed so much in, the kids were really well behaved and helpful since I was flyin solo.  We even had fun! I enjoyed being with them.I did miss my other half, I appreciate what he does for us as a family on vacation (unloading suitcases and hauling everything into the hotel with all the kids was painful.) The drive was smooth! Long day for everyone, Thatcher was pretty over it by the end and the next week or so anytime I put him in the car he had some PTSD. Was still worth it and I'm so glad we went.

utah continued

This last minute trip to Utah was primarily to visit Uncle Chip and his family- he is fighting a really nasty form of brain cancer and had been in the hospital unexpectedly. While we were there, we snuck in a quick visit to the Mackay's on our way down to Provo. They were our first married couple friends in Sandy- they lived in our ward and we went out on some double dates when they had just one cute baby and now they have four! We obviously arranged the future marriage of both of our red head babies- Thatch and Hadley are pretty close in age.

between us, eight kids! (always inclyding my Max)

Uncle Todd was visiting from St. George and we had a quick chat before he had to head out

Draper Temple! This place is special to me and it was fun to drive up the mountain to show the kids. Lincoln did not want to get out for any of our temple pictures, lol. 

We made it down to Provo, fed and bathed the kids and put them down GNITE. This is me eating my dinner in the bathroom because #momlife. I'd eat Noodles and Co anywhere though, those Japanese pan noodles are just real tasty. This was my first time traveling solo with all three kids- everyone did really well but I sure did miss my tag team partner!

On Saturday I took the kids to BYU campus. Truthfully, I hadn't been back since I graduated in 2008! It looks and smells the same (cougar eat) except everything is totally different- new buildings all over. I took them to the HFAC where I spent a ton of time (also I heard they are tearing it down?) 

I also forced them down to the harp wing! I'm just happy I remembered where it was. Still full of harps!

such a gorgeous day

fudge from the BYU store
while we took this picture, Thatcher dumped out about half a salt shaker on the carpet

We popped into the Life Science Museum and it was PERFECT for the kids, they loved it and it wasn't too busy. I wish I had filmed Thatcher running room to room with his mouth wide open- WOW he said WOWOW. Favs were giraffe and the peacock.

Linc said he was doing a staring contest

my first true love- creamery chocolate milk

Provo Temple

And the new city center temple! It was so beautiful. And very sunny. 

had a date with I-80

I took the kids on an almost 2,000 mile roadtrip to Utah and back last week and everyone survived! Lots of caffeine and movies in the car but we made it and we had soooo much fun. To recap:

We spent the first half of the week with my sister in law and her family. She has kids that are a bit older than mine and my kids LOVED that- they felt so special. Lincoln has been talking about a sleepover with his Utah cousins forever and it finally happened and he was thrilled.

pulled in the driveway, cue pioneer day festivities

Adi and Thatcher

Thatcher was so mad he didn't sleep here!

Isabelle and Adi

Ellie and Thatcher. Isn't she so pretty! Sheesh

We made plans to go downtown and do Temple Square/ City Creek and on the way a tiny piece of tire flew up from under another car and under my car and did some damage. Such a bummer. Britta took my big kids while I waited for roadside assistance (bless Thatcher for taking an appropriate timed car nap!) and a few hours at Big O and we were on our way again.

BEST BABY REIGNING CHAMP

BEST FAV LOVE YAY

so much slime making

"Mom I just can't leave these cats."

The next day we loaded up again for an attempt at downtown and this time we were successful. I haven't been to Utah in four years, haven't been downtown in maybe 8-9 years since I moved? Maybe longer? I don't know. Everything is different but also the core is a lot the same and I wanted to show my kids some famous places. 

JSM Building- my parents had their wedding reception here

Salt Lake Temple

We walked around the north side of Temple Square and decided last minute to pop over to the Conference Center so the kids could get an idea of the massive scale of the building. This sweet volunteer gave us the mini tour since we were short on time (toddler attention span) and led us downstairs to get a better view. There was even someone practicing the organ! Lucky day!

We got out of the elevator on the lower floor and my jaw dropped. Right there across the room was my most favorite picture! It has come to mean so much to me since we had Maxwell, it hangs right in my living room so I can see it every day. It's so much bigger and even more detailed in real life, it was such a fun treat and the icing on the cake for this day. Hard to contain the tears, just felt like a little message from heaven. Hi mom, I see you. I'm with you. 

Visitor's center Christus

did a little shopping at City Creek and we wore Linc out

Fizz with all the cousins! Thatcher tryin' to swipe Izzie's drink.

We were all sad to leave on Friday for the second half of our trip- Linc kept trying to negotiate some way he could stay there with them and I could pick him up at the end of the week! Lol. The big boys shared their xbox and nerf toys with him and I am 100% sure he would stayed there forever if I had said the word. Isabelle was so happy to have some girlfriends to do play makeup and hair with... we came home with a giant bag of slime that she is pretty proud of too. Maybe my fav part was just sitting on the couch staying up late and chatting in real life instead of on the marco polo ap! Thank you Britta and fam for having us, for sharing your space/food/cats and making us feel so comfortable!