“Back to Reality, Back to Life”

So, I know it’s been forever since I blogged, so I’m taking the Blog World by storm today.  Well, maybe not by storm, but maybe by “Five on Friday” – Five exciting things that have happened this summer…

And, here we go!!!

1.  The title is such because my wonderful husband took me on a wonderful two day getaway for our wonderful 5 year anniversary to wonderfully hot Las Vegas this week!  I couldn’t believe how good it felt to just relax and do whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted.  And also couldn’t believe the contrast it was to wake up Thursday morning and change two messy diapers and vacuum the whole house and put dishes away and have two meetings….

Where does the time go when you’re vacationing?  We stayed in the Venetian Hotel – our room had 3 flat screen TV’s in it and the pools were AMAZING.  Yes, pools.  I think there had to be 10 and they were all on the 4th floor of the hotel – away from the grungy noise, sometimes in the shade, (you “tan” people don’t appreciate that) and almost to heaven!

We flew there Tuesday morning and arrived in Vegas at 9:30, so we had the whole day to shop and walk around inside all the hotels till we went to “Phantom” in the evening. We got up the next morning and swam and then walked the strip till late afternoon and took a plane home.  Short, but sweet.

It was really the best trip ever – very reminiscent of our Honeymoon – thanks Kev for the awesome trip! (Oh, and if you didn’t already know, it was a complete surprise to me - he sent me on an almost all day long scavenger hunt Monday to find out where we were going. He put so much effort and thought into it.  It was amazing!!)

 

2. The Amazing Race

In July, my friend Kristi and I planned “The Amazing Race” for our friends.  We taught everyone how to Geocache and had a REALLY fun time!

We had 4 groups go out with a GPS  and they looked for different geocaches around the area.  We had trophy prizes and lots of treats to share. We all had a blast and I think we’ve convinced at least a couple families to get there own GPS so we can do it again!

 

3. Happy 3rd Birthday Emery!

The day we got home from Trek was Emery’s birthday, so we had my parents bring the girls over and we had a little dinner and some cake.  She thought it was so great…I’m so glad, ‘cause unfortunately I didn’t have a ton of time to plan!

Here are some recent pictures of our adorable Emery Rose:

This is what she looks like at some point almost everyday!

 

She has started a habit of not wanting to go to sleep in her bed, so we often find her in the hall when we go up to bed – this time it was the top step!

  This was at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House.

So beautiful!

 We’ve officially entered the “fake smile” stage

 This one’s a little better!  We love you Emery and just think you are so fun and so wonderful!

 

4. Kearns Central Stake Pioneer Trek We (I mean I) kind of volunteered ourselves to be a Ma and Pa on our Stake’s Pioneer Trek.  We really had a good time and were really glad we had the best family ever!  Our kids were so great and always were happy and helped.  It was a good experience to share together and we really gained a new appreciation for our ancestors.  We “trekked” about 13 miles the first day, 6 the second, 1 the third and about 8 the last day.  Needless to say, we were all ready to be done!

5.  Lagoon

On my parents’ Stake Lagoon day, Kourtne and I took our kids to enjoy a few rides on the Train and the Merry-Go-Round for free. We had a fun time and even met up with my Grandparents who, because they are residents of Farmington get in for free (without a ride pass).  It was so fun to watch Emery and Will be so excited for the few rides they got to go on!  Simple pleasures, I guess! :)

Emery and Nanna Lynne                                Jane, after a nap:)

Kourtne, Will, Grandma & Grandpa Barnes, Me & tired Emery

 

Will & pregnant Kourtne                       Jane & Me

Oh, So cute! 

 

AND – an update on the green crayon on the carpet…

Just covered it with a rug!!!

I know that was a lot all at once.  Sometimes I just fill my time with things I like to do more than blog, then I remember that the whole reason I do this is to keep a journal entry of what our family is up to. So, hopefully I’ll be better now.  Stay tuned for some of Emery’s funny sayings and great drawings and Jane walking on tape!