Hogle Zoo

We had the opportunity to go to Hogle Zoo on Saturday. Burg Pediatric Dentistry was having a customer appreciation day, and I was invited as a blogger.

We woke up to a gray skies, and lots of rain. I was so close to letting it stop us, but I knew I would go stir crazy inside all day. We loaded up hooded jackets, snacks, and my camera.

We were not lucky enough to have the rain ever stop, but the kids still had lots of fun. I decided to not take a stroller/wagon, and it turned out so much better than I could have ever expected. Yes, I had to carry Sabrina a lot, but it was still better than pushing a huge stroller up those hills!! Also, no getting in and out of anything to see all the animals. 

Our favorite part was definitely hearing one of the trainers talk about the elephants. Baby Zuri is still nursing, and it was funny to watch her try to get her big body under her Mommy. 

After we were all totally soaked, and tired...we headed home.

Thank you Burg Pediatric for letting us enjoy the zoo!

Copperton Park {kick off!}

I couldn't help starting our Adventure a Day before school is officially out, because it was a long weekend...and I really need to start having something to look forward to every day.

We started Friday with our favorite park, Copperton Park. This is a repeat from last year, and other play dates we have done. We just love it that much, and it is really close to our house...added bonus.

We stopped at the gas station, which doesn't happen as often anymore, makes it extra special now. All the kids picked out treats, and we were on our way.

I usually love to hit parks first thing in the morning when it is not as crowded, but Savannah being in school didn't make that possible. At Copperton Park the big metal slides get hot, yet another reason why mornings are awesome. 

We still lucked out this day, because it was early enough no one was there, and the weather was absolutely perfect.

They do have this {new from last year} spinning ring that was a total hit with the all my kids. I have to admit, I have gotten on it...and fell off. It is really fun, and quickly makes you sick. 

This is one of those things we will probably do a few times this Summer, and it won't ever get old. 

summer itch.

We are ready for Summer. Who isn't? I can't wait to not set an alarm clock, maybe get a tan, and bring back our Summer adventures!! 

You read that right, I am doing an adventure a day...just like last Summer. People may think I am slightly crazy, but I enjoyed it so much it is worth repeating.

Although I will be recycling some of last years ideas, I would love to add some new ones. Got suggestions? Leave a comment.

Some of the things I will do again...
Non Lemonade Stand (are you ready Cathy?)
Bridal Veil Falls
Painting rocks
Ogden Eccles Dinosaur Park
All of our favorite splash pads
Library once a week is a must
We will also be doing planned play groups (which I will post here and on my Facebook page, if you would like to join)

Things we want to add...
hike the Y
lots of new Pinterest crafts
swimming lessons
picnics in the back yard, maybe even daily
Summer party, kind of like our Back to School Bash
I want to add a bunch of different recipes that the kids can help me cook

I am ready for your suggestions, and ready to start playing!

we ranaway together.

We decided it was long overdue to run away together as a family. We didn't tell the kids what day we were leaving, or when we would be home. We didn't even tell them the destination. We love a good vacation outside of Utah, but with the age of our littlest, it doesn't sound like as much fun. So, we booked our favorite suite up in Park City at the Newpark Resort. Savannah still remembers our first trip to Newpark, because how can you forget a private hot tub on your balcony? It is pretty awesome.

 It is the perfect distance away from our house to feel like a real vacation, and still not go crazy driving there. I think the kids still managed to get in a fight there, and back!

view from our balcony

I took a week long break from social media, and took pictures with my big camera. I need to remind myself to do this more often. Sometimes I look at my phone just out of habit, and it is a bad one.

The kids played with fun new things I brought with us, we went shopping, and ate, and ate some more. I took the bigger 2 to a movie, while Paul stayed back to give Sabrina a nap.

We went swimming as a family every day in the indoor/outdoor pool, and I showed off my awesome cannon ball skills. I also haven't lost my touch in being able to do a perfect headstand in the water either. Paul and I also successfully made Sabrina and Devin cry by dunking them in water.

Even though it was the perfect little getaway, I definitely was ready to be home. My little people love their routine, and it does make hotel living a little crazy. 

another view from our balcony

We are making plans for our next staycation, and we are going to attempt Lagoon with our crazy bunch. I feel like it could either be a disaster, or an absolute blast!

what motherhood is for me.

Motherhood is a lot of sleepless nights.
Motherhood is sharing when I don't always want to. 
Motherhood is cleaning up the same mess multiple times a day.

Motherhood is trying really hard every day.

Motherhood is exhausting.
Motherhood is laundry.
Motherhood is stepping on sharp objects.
Motherhood is running away by myself to make sure I don't go crazy.
Motherhood is sometimes just surviving.

Motherhood is poopy diapers, messy faces, and spilled juice.
Motherhood is a BIG dirty Coke to make it through the morning.
Motherhood is hiding in the bathroom with the iPad.
Motherhood is crying, just because.
Motherhood is watching the clock until bedtime.

Motherhood is a list of hard things.
Motherhood is celebrating the little moments every day.
Motherhood is listening and supporting.
Motherhood is rewarding.

Motherhood is my dream come true.

Happy Mother's Day to all the strong and supportive women in my life. The woman that listens to my complaints, thank you. The woman that watches my children for me, thank you. That woman that cleaned my house, made me a dinner, lightened by load, thank you. The woman that snuggles one of my babies for me, thank you. The woman that brings me a treat on a bad day, thank you.

all I do is party.

Paul tells me that he wants to be one of the girls, because all we do is party. At first I protested, but it is true. I party a lot, and that is okay by me.

At the end of last year, me and 7 of my sassy friends decided to start having little parties every 6 weeks or so. It was an excuse to get together, and have fun. They seem to get bigger and better every time, and themes...oh, the themes. 

Here is recap of the first 5 parties, and amazingly, awful pictures. 

We kicked things off by hosting a baby shower for Stephanie in November. It was all things unicorns, rainbows, and glitter. We wore matching unicorn sweaters, and celebrated her babicorn right. 

*** 

 Our next party was hosted by Vanessa in December, and it was a 80's/pajama/lazy Christmas party. We played Girl Talk, ate junk food, and exchanged white elephant gifts.

***

The next party was hosted by Kim in January, and it was an 80's glam birthday party. Kim had someone come to do our nails, and we all did each others hair and makeup. It was only fitting we had Kim take glamor shots to show off how awesome our complete looks were. We also celebrated Kim's birthday with a fabulous cake.

***

Okay, so the next party was hosted by Emily, if I remember right it was in March. She planned a "favorite things" party. We were all to bring our favorite kitchen thing x3 in the $5 range. I brought 3 magic erasers, and came home with some fun new things from the ladies. It was more low key, and I loved it. I got to really talk and get to know my friends better.

***

Our most recent party was last week, and we had a Cinco de Mayo party. It was hosted by Vanessa again. We all ordered take out from Cafe Rio, and then each brought a snack/treat to share. We also did a fun favorite/dislike type game. We were all assigned a person to buy for and we had to buy 2 things our person liked, and 1 thing our person hated. When we got to the party we put them all on a table, and had to guess what items belonged to who. For the record, I really stunk at this game, but it was really fun.

Also, Vanessa and I did a lip sync to JayZ and Beyonce. It was hilarious, I also found out I am good at makin' it rain.

***

What kind of parties do you do with friends that would be fun? Our next party is at a local place that you paint pottery, and I am excited to test out my painting skills.