Cabin Get-a-way

(daddy gets a ride)
We took a quick trip up to the mountains for some much needed r&r. It's funny how when you have 4 children, trips- even short ones- aren't as relaxing as they used to be. We had a good time, though, the mountains were beautiful and peaceful, we got to share company with our dear Bagley's, and most of all we got to be together.

Jared makes us such delicious food. Every meal is just perfect. Even when he forgets the homemade veggie burgers for the sliders.

Ella I love you.

Cutest little boy ever.

Rory is my sunshine.

Violet, you are scrumptious.

Our first sunflower bloomed yesterday. We have approximately 54 sunflowers growing in the front side yard, 50 of them being the "mammoth" variety. I am excited to see them bloom. We also have 2 of my four rose bushes budding and growing now.

Flowers make me happy.

I would recommend this article on motherhood. It is worth reading.

Cousins

So these two are siblings. . . but meet Carter- here with Rory

They have been frolicking outside for 3 days straight now. Enjoying the warm Arizona sun. Carter told us it feels much better than the 40 degree temps they left behind in Kansas.

Can you tell these boys are related? Hudson is enjoying having some male company. Someone who understands that he just wants to get dirty and shoot the bad guys and play in the mud all day. (although Ella is a very willing participant in all those activities. Rory, not so much.)
Of course Violet needs to be included in this post, even though she has no official opinions on mud, bad guys, or cousins for that matter. She is simply cute.

Oh, it's ruff being a baby!

Bike ride-o

Rory and I take a bike ride. It is getting too warm out already- hoping for a cool down this weekend. We are enjoying our week with family now. Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Emily and Uncle Darek, Carter and Tina. You won't believe the beautiful blanket my mother in law made for me. It is just amazing.

Summertime, here we come!

morning outside

outdoor living

It is officially Spring in AZ. Warm, sunny, 70 degree weather, beautiful days and chilly nights. We have our garden planted and our yard fixed up. My wonderful dad has been building us the most amazing back patio- we now have doors!

(no more windows. . . . open like a dollhouse.)
Of course this means picnic weather. I want to eat outside as much as possible. Does anyone know where I can get a metal vintage-y outdoors table and chairs set? Not only are they cute, but they are doggie-chew -proof.

I will share some more pictures when the project is complete. I can't stop staring at my new doors, though, they are gorgeous. You should have seen/heard them taking out the old windows. It was scary- I thought for sure someone was going to lose some (more) fingers.

21st of December

Jared and I's secondary anniversary. . . and the beginning of winter.

(our street)

(our backyard)
Here is what the beginning of winter looks like here in the desert- FALL. I am loving it. It's like mother nature's Christmas gift.

Now we just need some of this.

picnic and balloons

Jared has been working a lot lately. And by a lot I mean 12 plus hour days 5 days a week. While I am very grateful that he is employed, I don't love his hours. I try to come up with fun things for the kids and I to do when he is working late. Or on Saturdays. Or on Holidays.

Picnics are one of our favorite. We have a few a week at least.

We stopped by Trader Joe's to get some food and then headed over to a nearby park with balloons in tow.



It was fun, the weather was nice, I found the mums I'd been looking for at the market. I'm glad my kids are not terrified of balloons anymore. For a while they were scared of them popping and wouldn't come near them. It just took a little persuasion from the little brother who of course is not scared of anything except for the vacuum cleaner.

Can't wait for Thanksgiving! Hopefully my nausea will magically disappear by tomorrow. :)

A bike and a plan

Goal: follow this map (courtesy of Ella) on a family bike ride.

Hudson's ready, check.

Ella and Rory ready, check.

Mom still with wet hair ready, uh. . check.

And we're off!

With only a few obstacles, including:

1-Rory biffing it hard 3 times because she. will. not. slow. down. She doesn't cry the first two times- so I tell her she is a tough cookie. She asks why I called her a cookie. By the third time, little miss petite pants had had it and broke down and cried for a whole 10 seconds. Then got on her bike and sped off.
2-The mister (aka Jared) taking us on a much longer trek than was expected by the missus. (aka me)
3-One little man who kept wanting to go around and around in circles, saying, "that's fun" each time.
4-Ella repeatedly asking if we were following the map.

We all made it back in one piece and ate a delicious lunch of curried tofu salad sandwiches. It is SO NICE to be able to eat again. I heart food. And when Jared has a day off.

a campfire ignites memories

There is something very magical about campfires. . . the smells, the warmth (even if it's not needed) and the bright flames dancing and crackling.

We made a temporary fire pit (we are putting in a permanent one soon) and roasted marshmallows to make delectable fillings for s'mores. We even sang some songs. Then a big ugly mutt dog snuck in through the gate and tried to mate with Daisy. Not good!

I love sitting around the fire. It reminds me of camping with my family as a child- mostly at ward campouts. I loved every minute of them, the adventure, nature, and of course the fires. We once thought their was a bear outside the tent, but it ended up just being my dad snoring in the tent next to us. Good times.

It was fun to see my children get so excited about the "camp" fire. Maybe someday soon we'll go on a real camping trip. But not this week- Hudson is getting potty trained.

The End.