1st Annual "Mini" Vacation to Downtown SLC

Thanks to some friends and family for a great idea for a new tradition! We decided this was a great year to start some new traditions with our kids, all on our own...We had a great time together. Earlier in the week we planned ahead to do a little service (remember our homeless kits) well, I can't remember if I mentioned why we did them, but we brought them with us downtown to pass them out. Knowing we'd have better chances to bless their lives. So when the kids arrived home from school on Friday we packed the car and off we left. Our first stop was to Grandpa Randy and Grandma Mary's house. They were SO kind to be totally inconvenienced to watch baby Ben. As fun as he is, this wasn't the trip for him...being cold and up really late. So we left him behind. We missed him but didn't miss him enough to wish we brought him. (Really other than in the family picture, that made me sad!)

First stop our hotel. This was awesome. We picked this hotel for a few reasons. One, price. Two, right next to the Trax station (this pleased the boys greatly!), Three, an indoor pool, Four, an amazing breakfast buffet. Pretty much it was "SUPER FANCY" - that was in the eyes of Alayna. It was just perfect for all of our needs.

You would think they had never been in a hotel before. The three monkies were in HEAVEN.

Caleb thought the coolest thing was that they had remotes just like us.
I wish I knew what this face of Jake's was about...Either way it shows their excitement level. For these initial moments made the entire vacation worth it!

I surprised them with new pajamas. They thought this present. An early Christmas present was pretty awesome.

I also gave them "Mini M&M's" because this was a "mini" vacation. Mini in family size, mini in distance, and mini in time.

They loved it.

As you can imagine this was Caleb's absolute favorite spot to spend his time. One of my favorite lines from Alayna was, "Why would anyone need to spend the night in the "Grand America" because this is really fancy, because it not only has a fridge in the bathroom but a phone too!" Hysterical.

Off to catch the train!

Cute wintry dressed kids. 

 

Well our dinner plans were kinda foiled because of the delay in driving through Sandy to drop Ben off...(WOW talk about a busy city and traffic. Note to self, never live there or drive through there during rush hour!) So we gave their kids their choice and get this at the food court at City Creek. Alayna said, "Oh, really, anywhere...How about we can get my 4th Happy Meal from McDonald's!" (That's not bad for kids growing up in American right...the 4th Happy Meal! I think I'm just too cheap...and it kinda grosses me out, just a little...okay a lot!) Why not. I didn't have to eat it. Jared and I went for the Red Iguana. Yum.

Off to Macy's candy windows. 

The happy family. Finally enjoying the Temple Square lights. 

Jake being Santa. Our walk around Temple Square wasn't quite what it  normally is. The children were so excited about passing out there homeless kits we would walk through, then walk out on the the streets. Then walk back in. I'll explain more in detail about how wonderful of an experience it was.

 

From Alayna's perspective...

She was so darling all night. She was so ooey gooey with love. 

The kids found Santa out in front of our hotel.

  Caleb was in heaven!  

 Oh, this would be Jared's dream...a mini fridge filled with drinks.

Hands down delicious breakfast buffet at the hotel!

Homeless Deliveries...Okay, this might get a little mushy, but it was so neat. Honestly, what a great experience. It is amazing how blessed we truly are. WE as a general public have been given so many blessings.We had a great experience handing out our goodie bags. We had many different reactions. "You beautiful children, you have made my night!", "God Bless You", "Thank You", "Look at this!" "Merry Christmas to you and your family". All of the individuals we gave our baggies too, took the time to admire the bags filled with the items. We had one gentlemen who walked back from the corner, sat down and pulled out all the different items. Jake watched him every second. He watched him pull out the gloves and then say, "Mom, he saw the gloves and he doesn't have any, so I bet he's so happy he will now." That same man took the time to pull out and read the message of hope we had printed out. I noticed when he flipped it over he saw the children's drawings and he smiled. A really sweet moment was when one man was playing a Christmas song on his harmonica. The children waited patiently until he was finished and then handed it to him. This man seemed so awe struck that he had been acknowledged. He continued to say "God Bless You children" It was a tender experience because the particular Christmas song he was playing was so sweet it brought the Spirit so strongly as we waited and listened. It was impossible to hold back the tears and to not feel so greatly blessed for all our many blessings. Before we left to return to our hotel, a sweet lady approached us and asked us about our bags. I spoke with her for about 5 minutes about how the idea came about, how I felt moved and inspired to do something. She explained how she is the humanitarian aid specialist in her ward and she will be returning to have her ward and children do this very thing. It was such a good thing to have my children hear her reaction. We were able to explain how by ONE good deed it blesses the life of SO many. That now, OTHER people will go out and do MORE service for those in need. Jake's smile is something I will NEVER forget as I explained that to him. As we returned home from our experiences we took the kids a little night swimming, then it was a late bedtime. As we ended the night we sat on our bed talking about our experiences. It was darling to hear and see our children light up as they spoke. They each have their own tender little feelings. I can't wait as the days go on and they keep talking about. As we are all drifting off to bed, Jake says, "Mom, do you think one year if we save enough money we can pay for one of the homeless people to get a hotel room to sleep in?" I responded, "Yes, Jake one year we can do that." It was a good night.

We were able to deliver all of our bags. We took three bags out the morning we left and found some others. As the morning went on we took time to drive the children by the homeless shelter. We explained to the children that there are people who care so deeply and give of their lives to lighten the loads of the homeless people. This experience of driving the children down the street by the shelter was very difficult for us all. The reality behind them sleeping in their sleeping bags, lining up to receive food and shelter that day, was their reality. I really struggled. I will always remember that our car was silent. Besides the children asking a few brief questions, they were focused on the people. I know our hearts were touched. It's amazing how this short of experience can help you recognize the depth of gratitude for MANY more things we should have. I loved Alayna's prayer tonight as we were back in our home. She expressed great need and concern for the homeless, for her blessings, for the simplest things. I know this experience will be something we will build from and continue to teach our children about others. It's amazing how this original "mini" vacation was to be about going as a little family and seeing the lights. But this vacation was compounded with excitement for the GOOD of others. It's amazing how doing service brings a level of joy that is impossible to reach until you are truly doing as the Savior himself would do. This was a good weekend.

Mr. Slowman

I guess I'm starting to realize that boys like toys...I mean, my boys turn everyday toys into BIG BOY toys...pretty much it's adorable. Caleb rides his hot wheel like he's a wild man. It's honestly one of my favorite things to see him be crazy and ride bikes. He plows in to his orange cones and loves to see how far they fly.

Then there is Jake. He's on his way to being another crazy kid too. He recently has started calling his bike is Motorcycle. He insists on always wearing his sunglasses and finger gloves while riding his motorcycle.

Cool Man.

Here is a serious biker in the making.

Caleb's famous hot wheel pose. Just for the record Caleb calls his motorcycle...a MiterSickle. We laugh in hysterics, because it sounds so darling!

Let me introduce you to our newest member of the family....Mr. Slowman. Yeah, the kids are CRAZY outside and so I've become a little more nervous over time of the street we live on. So to help out those fast drivers, we put this Mr. Slowman out and help remind those drives to SLOW DOWN and look out for all the crazy kids on this street!

My favorite Jacob. Seriously, he's adorable.

A few Birthday Pictures

Alayna

Jacob

Caleb

Time Out For Women

The Fam- Krista was here, but she had to leave before we pulled out the camera!

My good friends...missing Camille, she also left before we snapped the photo!

YEAH! For my sister Angela telling over 25 ladies about Time Out For Women...let's just say it is a tradition. We will return and have another GREAT time. If you know me well, you know I love all things spiritual, crying, sharing heart to heart feelings, laughing, good food, great friends, beautiful music, excellent speakers, laughing, staying up till 3am, being with my mom and sisters. Really, the only thing missing that I love more is my husband and kids. But since they were together (and were not invited) I knew all was well. This is a MUST for any female out there that reads this. Honestly, if you h

ave been to education week or women's conference at BYU like I have, yes, you love that...but this I love. It just was done perfectly for us.

Here are just two silly pictures of a funny morning. Yes, there is TONS of laundry on the floor. Yes, the kids are supposed to be sorting them. I thought I'd have this great idea while I was working Deals to Meals yesterday to turn on a movie for them WHILE they worked. Um...note to self. This does not work! They decided to go to a "drive-in movie" instead of doing their jobs.

Because they are so cute and clever I decided to take a picture of them happy before I turned off the movie and ruined their fun. Sorry, we try to live by the "work before play" phrase around here. That sounds like I'm super strict, because once again those that know me know that I will take imagination play over working any day!

Ok, here's to marshmallow. My dad gives all the grand kids the largest marshmallows ever. I think my kids are kinda sick of them, considering I found them doing this!

Our little entrepreneurs

I think I would buy something from them...how cute are they?

Here's to a great day (about 2 weeks ago)...we were all excited to see the SUN shine for the first time in weeks! YEAH. I'm sure it snowed the next day, but that's another story. Here are the events leading up to the kids afternoon adventures. Alayna and Jake LOVE the driveway. The LOVE having the garage open and being in the front yard. This isn't my favorite place to play since we don't live in a circle anymore. But thankfully they obey the rules (at least while I'm looking!)

Alayna had this great idea to sell something. So bless her heart, I was in the middle of making dinner so I wasn't fully invested in her idea. So she did this ALL on her own. She would run in and grab random different things. I watched her write "3 3 3" on a piece of paper, gather a stool, cups and water. I assumed a mess would be happening, but the clean up or supervision would have to happen at another time.

Jared came in and asked me..."Do you know what the kids are doing outside?" I answered no, he then told me I had to come and see and to bring the camera. So that is what I did. I was so happy to see that all of her ideas came together. It was adorable because she had three cups filled with water and the sign taped below said they were 3 cents. So cute.

Several minutes later as I continued cooking dinner she came inside discouraged. Then she said, "I have an idea...where's dad mom?" I asked why and she said, "I need Dad to come outside and use his LOUD voice to have our customers buy our water!" I found this very humorous considering Jared is known for having a loud voice around here.

Just waiting... hoping to have people buy their precious "Herriman tap water!"

Thanks to our SUPER nice neighbor who was in the middle of moving he humored the kids and bought some water. He stayed and chatted with them and enjoyed the water. Let's just say he SPOILED the kids... I had to sneak a picture through the window so I wouldn't scare away their customers.

Here is Alayna showing off her collection of pennies. As it was time for Alayna and Jake to come inside Alayna was all SMILES. She expressed, Mom this was the BEST day ever! I think this girl needed a good project, a goal and some SUNSHINE! Thanks to her idea this made for a great family home evening on tithing...I just love when life falls into good teaching moments.

What kids say...

(Here's to an old picture...the only one on my computer with the two of them. - I just took all the picts off the laptop to free up some room for the next million pictures I take...Anyways, this was over 1 year ago.)

I don't know what it is about the kids lately but I have been appreciating, laughing and enjoying some of the things they say. That phrase is so right on, "Kids say the darnedest things!"

"Way-na" is how Jake says Alayna. We just think it is so hilarious. We sadly think its so cute we answer him repeating it also like "way-na" so we are reinforcing this behavior. Sorry!



"Mom, do we really need Him every hour?" Alayna - Alayna and I were getting ready for church on Sunday while listening to one of my new favorite CD's Nearer it also happens to have one of my personal favorite singers...Sarah Sample...but anyways, Alayna asked that question. It allowed for me to pause a moment and share my testimony with her why in fact YES we do need our Savior every minute.

"Mom...(big breath) Jesus loves us...He does mom, He really loves us!" Jake--I was in the office on my computer and Jake came bounding in the office sliding on the hardwood floor with his socks, he paused and just took in a deep breath and stated it so matter-of-fact and then ran back out of the room just as fast as he entered in.

"Dear Hevwenlwe Fader pray Mommy and Daddy go Oquirrh Mtn Temple, and bless our heads, Daddy's head, Mommy's head, Way-na's head and baby Kay-wubs head, and Jake's head..." Thanks to Jake all our heads are blessed EVERY day MULTIPLE times a day, and he reminds us EVERY prayer as well for Jared and I to go to the temple!

"Sorry Mom, I just hit you with my golf club...Silly Jake!" Jake (Came over with his chubby arm and placed it around my neck. He just bumped my toe...I barely even noticed I had been "bumped" not hit.

"I know what I could do...I could just look at my CTR ring next time and it will help me remember!" Alayna --Alayna was sitting on the toilet going to the bathroom one last time before bed as we were discussing "things we could improve on" the next time we experience them. I'm a BIG believer in role playing and thankfully Alayna responds VERY well to it. So we were discussing how she could react differently when I tell her its time to leave her cousins house. Instead of screaming, crying, kicking, dragging her body when I tell her it's time to go. I'm glad her CTR ring is having this big of an impact on her already! She's only been in her CTR class one time! Oh, we needed this!

"Mom, could you hand me my brown shoes?" Alayna asked. "Sure, where are you going?" I asked...she replied, "On a date!" ---"Oh, fun where are you going?" "To a restaurant and to Disneyland, of course!" she said... ---- Come on, where was I on that one! That's where we all go on dates, right?

"Mom, vegetables are free, fruits are zero and an egg is two points!" Alayna has obviously been over hearing Jared and I talking about weight watchers.

Alayna said, "Mom, we need to get gold..." "Oh, really says who? I asked... "Glenn Beck."

Adorable, Convertible, teeny-tiny are probably some of my favorite words to here Jake say!

And last but not least here is what Caleb says ALL THE TIME....ARHHH...ARHHH in a very high pitch squealer voice! I will have you know he does say, "MOMMA" Yup...he's a fan of his mommy! I love this kid.

My camera has lived in my car ever since Christmas, you'd think one of these days I will pull it out and start taking pictures again!!! Until then, here are just a few fun things to read and one really old picture to look at!

Merry Christmas 2009

Caleb (6 months), Alayna (4 1/2 years old), Jacob (2 1/2 years old)

The baby of the family...he's sitting, eating solids and smiling more than any other kid! He's one happy CHUBBY little dude. Jared and I are still fighting over him and we both MUST kiss him good night. We are hooked on him.

Then there was Jake. He's full of personality, spunk and just an adorable personality. Let's just say, with him in the room there is never a dull moment. He has a very sweet and tender spirit. He came out aware and sensitive to temples, the prophet and Jesus. He adores his sister, he will be heard jumping off EVERYTHING, running everywhere and throwing anything and everything. He is "all boy" he loves the sports, BYU football, tennis rackets and his golf club at Grandpa Randy's house. Oh, and we can't forget how our crazy dude turns into "Charlie Brown...Linus" Jake can instantly turn to our shy guy and walk around with his "ball blanket" in his mouth and only want to be at HOME! He's the one I turn to when I want to hear something sweet and tender, he always tells me, "Your beautiful Mom!" Ahh, it really doesn't get any better. Jake is a complete delight, he ads such a peacemaker, flexible, calm and crazy spunk to our little family. We really just stare at him in complete joy...he's a keeper!

Our little princess. She may be the oldest of the family but she's the first to cuddle, snuggle and stay close to mom and dad. She is the brightest little girl I've met. Her mind is VERY complex and she has this amazing memory. She is a great problem solver and negotiator...let's just say, she thinks through everything I say and do and she knows what she wants. She picks up on ALL adult conversations, and stays involved, by commenting and asking questions. On her good days, she's happy, helpful and very fun to be around...on the other days, we wonder where she went! She's a HUGE help to me, loves her brothers and still dislikes any and all kinds of food. She really likes "fancy" clothes, shoes and jewelery. She's still into the "princess" stage...I'm counting down those days, but they have yet to decrease! She loves learning and has been enjoying preschool this year. She is also our little social butterfly...everyday I hear, "Mom, who can I play with?" She loves surprises, traditions and party's. Oh, and she refuses to have her hair cut until it's down to her waste...so we will have to see if it gets cut this year.

Merry Christmas 2009

We really have lucked out with such darling kids...I must admit I am enjoying each stage...babies I love them dearly, two-year olds keep you laughing and smiling and four year olds you love the independence and relationship. I couldn't be enjoying this wild, crazy, hectic, busy, always changing, unpredictable ride anymore....well on the good days! (Please send more in 2010!!!) It has been an adjustment to say the least but somehow each day passes and I keep pushing along...I think it's because of their individual personalities and the smiles. It's really the smiles that keep me going. Here's to motherhood!