End of June and July:
We finished off June with a trip to Lake Powell with the newlyweds (Taylor and Bethaney) and the Moyletts.
We stayed in Page, AZ for a week and it was filled with the lake, the pool, and a little bit of scenery.
One day we managed to head up to Horseshoe bend. Gorgeous place but absolutely terrifying with small kids. No fences and a looooong way down left me very anxious.
Most days on the lake ended up with the kids thoroughly exhausted but happy.
The middle of July I agreed to join a a team and run Ragnar with Bri Butler in Washington. The day I left for WA I found out I had a virus in my eye and we had to search high and low to fill the prescription. Thankfully we found the eye drops but that left me with having to run in glasses all weekend. I guess there's a first for everything. We started in Blaine, WA (right on the border to Canada) and ran south to Whitbey Island (approx. 200 mi) in a 36 hr time period. It was a beautiful run and perfect weather.
The rest of the July was spent keeping the kids entertained. We hit up the museum, Troy's work, the lightrail, etc.
Towards the end of the month we went camping with the Cowans and the Hales. Once again, it rained on us but we were able to set up our tents and dry out. The kids loved it.
Troy and I also decided to move the boys into a shared room. I think we're regretting this idea now...they don't sleep! Maybe eventually the novelty of it will wear off.
We also celebrated Brooke's birthday. The BIG 8! I can't believe it. Where has the time gone? And the unfortunate thing...I have no pictures. I do have a video of us singing to her with her breakfast pancakes.
August:
Family came and helped celebrate Brooke's choice to be baptized. We had a full house-My parents, Troy's parents, Shane & company, and Taylor & Bethaney. It was a great weekend.
School also started at the beginning of the month. Talk about a quick summer! Brooke started 3rd grade and Connor is in full day kindergarten. They both love their teachers and going to school. Yay!
Troy and I celebrated 12 years. With how hectic the last couple months were with vacations we were excited to stay local and try out the ropes course in Castle Rock.
September:
Labor day weekend we drove up to Ft. Collins to attend the open house for the Ft. Collins temple. It's a beautiful temple.
We also hit up Horsetooth Reservoir with the Moyletts for one last boating adventure.
The second weekend Troy and I headed up to Aspen for another go around with Tough Mudder.
I'd like to say that I participated but I was busy doing other things....I did carry my weight carrying around food and supplies and being the group's personal photographer. Even though I stayed clean I did my share of putting in the miles.
Troy and Taylor wanted to double their amount of headbands so they did the Tough Mudder back-to-back. They are machines and completed it n 2 1/2 hours.
Shortly after coming home from Tough Mudder, Troy and I hopped onto a plane headed to Hong Kong to celebrate my Grandma's life. She passed away at the end of August. It was great to be able to spend time with my family and to learn a little more about my grandma.
I think my favorite part about these recent trips to Hong Kong is spending time with my parents and learning more about their childhood. It was a little easier having left the kids at home with friends and family but I wish they were able to come and hang with their cousins.
We arrived home from Hong Kong on Wednesday, Sept. 21st and I hopped back onto a plane Friday, Sept. 23rd for a girls' trip with my old roommates. If there's a remedy to jet lag this is it-plan another vacation with other people so that there is absolutely no downtime! Late nights and no naps=no jet lag. It was so fun to see all the ladies. Fun fact-between all 7 of us we have 25 kids.
October:
After a whirlwind September Troy and I wanted to add some more airtime miles so we headed to Maui for a little getaway. Iit was nice this second time around. We felt a little more relaxed and didn't really feel the need to do everything. The first night we stayed in a cute VRBO alongside the road to Hana. We knew from the last time that it was better if I drove. Once again, the drive did not disappoint. You seriously feel like you're driving through a jungle and that any minute you'll see monkeys swinging from the trees.
The remainder of the time we stayed in Kaanapali. We went snorkeling, ate enormous amounts of delicious food, met up with some friends, and relaxed. Oh...I was also the sickest during this time. I was around 13 weeks and I made myself seasick from snorkeling. I told Troy that I owe him another trip. I'm sure he won't argue against it. :)
My mom came out during that time and stayed with the kids. I think they all loved it!
As if going to Maui wasn't enough I head to Salt Lake City at the end of the month to celebrate my good friend, Megan's wedding to Sam. I am beyond happy for the both of them and I'm grateful I was able to be there. It was even like a small reunion with friends from back home.
While I was gone Troy put the boys to work around the yard.
We celebrated Troy's birthday pretty much from sun to sun down with delicious food.
Halloween came and went along with the 4 dozen donuts we made and passed
out to the adults. It's a fun tradition and it's starting to take
hold. People are remembering that we are the ones that hand out fresh
donuts and hot chocolate.
November:
Troy and I treated me to a new set of washer/dryer. Our old ones were over 10 years old. The dryer took double the time to dry and the washer was finicky. It could take at least 3 hours to do one load. Now I can do a load in less than 2 hours. It's fabulous and it keeps the kids entertained!
Dylan had his first dentist visit. He wouldn't stay in the chair so I had to hop in their with him. It wasn't very comfortable with a little belly but he passed with flying colors!
Not pictured: We were going to host Thanksgiving but at the last minute we had a change in location so we made Thanksgiving and headed to a friends house to chow down. There were over 20+ people and plenty of food. For as much work as it is to prepare Thanksgiving it's still one of my favorite holidays.
December:
Sadly my camera never made it out so I have nothing to show for it. We found out we were having a girl. The kids weren't too thrilled about it. I think Brooke liked the idea of being the only girl and the boys just agree with whatever she wants. I think they've come around to it now and I'm excited to have a girl to round out the numbers. Now if only we could settle on a name...
We headed to UT for winter break and spent Christmas with my family. Besides the first part of our road trip being plagued with Connor being carsick (as in puking from Castle Rock all the way to Grand Junction) it was a ton of fun and I think the kids had a blast with their cousins. Thankfully the drive home was less eventful.
In reflecting, 2016 was unintentionally a crazy, busy year. Troy and I figured out that between the 2 of us we had gone on 23 trips. We've decided that 2017 will be the year that we dig in our heels and enjoy time at home.
