see ya '17...

If you would have told me what 2017 was going to have in mind for us, I would have ran right back to 2016 and stayed. It started off with so much promise, but quite honestly was the hardest years we have had in recent years.

our old home 

our new sinking home {we make jokes to lighten the heaviness of it}

At the end of 2016 we were on the hunt for a new home that fit our family, all the vending shtuff, and a bigger yard to play in. We found what we thought would be an absolute dream for us, but turned our 2017 upside down...and quite honestly is/was a total nightmare! Although we got all the things we were hoping and looking for, we also landed ourselves on a street of houses that are sinking. So, we spent most of the year fighting our crazy builder, getting piers, and trying to fix all the things in our brand new house. {This really does require an entire post on its own, which is coming!} If you are going for the silver lining of it all, our neighbors are the best!

Drakey Boy {2 years old}: Drakey is the most demanding, ornery, cute boy around. He loves his Momma something fierce, and although it can be cute...it tends to wear me down! Drake has an arm on him, and can hang with the big kids in a game of soccer. He is a picky eater, so that means chicken nuggets are now what I serve as breakfast food. We only had to call 9-1-1 once in 2017 for Drake, and we hope that it stays that way.

Sabrina{5 years old}: Our Bina baby decided that she didn't want to go by Bina anymore. Sob. So, Sabrina it is now, and she will correct you when she is feeling extra feisty. She finished preschool to start Kindergarten, and can't say she loves it. She is our homebody, our lover of Coke, and TV. A girl after my own heart, indeed. Even after the move, and getting her own bedroom, she prefers to share the bunk bed with Devin. Before going to school most morning, she can be found making gigantic messes with Drakey.

Devin {7 years old}: Devin still is a champion on the soccer field, loves to play basketball, and has only improved on his beatboxing skillz. He is as unique as they come, and it makes us love him all the more. Devin had an extra front tooth removed, and with that little surgery came his biggest accomplishment of 2017...he stopped sucking his thumb! We also decided that it was time to get some extra help for our boy, and it was the best thing that happened to all of us. With a new diagnosis, a good prescription, and lots of therapy...we are on a road to success!

Savannah {13 years old}: Savannah went from girl to a young woman overnight. It still shocks me when I see a picture of her, like whoa...what happened to my lil' lady!? She entered in the big ol' Junior High in 2017, and although it started off rough...turns out she really likes it! She started playing viola, made a bunch of new friends, total slime expert, got contacts, and is a babysitting machine. Even though she can't keep her bedroom or bathroom clean, I think we will keep her around. We missed her like crazy as she ventured on her first girls camp, and she loved meeting her favorite guy Hank Smith in person!

Paul {forever 32 baby!}: When Paul wasn't working on buying our house, he was probably working on fixing our sinking house. His whole year was filled with stress over this place we live in, and man that sucks! He did manage to take his first "Bros Trip" to Arizona with his bestie James. They got in some MLB games, and good food. Of course he went to an awesome amount of movies, ate an insane amount of baked good, and plotted for new adventures for 2018.

Evonne {how old am I? no, really am I 36?!}: What did I accomplish this year? Mostly just keeping myself alive, and all my little people alive too. I did another round of #sellfamilyadventureaday this Summer with the kids, and I miss those days badly. I started to cook regularly, and even tried quite a few new Pinterest finds. I found myself enjoying decorating my mantle every month, and spending an insane amount of money doing so. I love my afternoon naps with Drakey when all the kids are at school, and once a week I sacrifice my nap for my "fake book club" with Leisha. I found myself as camp director again in this new ward, so looks like this lady is taking a bunch of girls camping this Summer. 

Stitch {our tiniest addition}: Savannah finally suckered Paul in to buying a pet for her. So, we added Stitch the hamster to our family in November. He is highly entertaining, well loved, and has only escaped twice...so we are calling that a win!

As a couple, we learned how to really date again! We doubled with our favorite people, we went just the two of us, and we had a blast doing both. We went to the shooting range, and I shot a "real" gun for the first time in my life. We hit up the arcades, we got ourselves back to going to the temple regularly, we went golfing, and we made some amazing memories. Turns out when the kids all up and leave us, we will still have plenty of things in common...and things we enjoy doing the 2 of us. 

Our family highlights in 2017 was counting our jar of change, and the kids spending it on some vacationing. We ended up going to Great Wolf Lodge in Colorado Springs, which we lovingly call #PukeFest2017! We also got a trip to Bear World in, which we all enjoyed. We have big plans to take the kids on more vacations for 2018, because we spent way too much of our time on this dang house. 

Our goal is to be more thankful for what we have in 2018, dwelling less on those things that make life unpleasant. I can't say I will blog regularly in 2018, but every year I remember why I keep this old thing around. 

a day trip to Castle Dale, Utah

After I spent a short time in Castle Dale for my Grandpa's funeral, I decided that I really wanted to share my childhood memories with my little ones before it was too late. My sweet Aunt planned a fun day for us, and I will forever cherish the memories that we were able to make. 

We grabbed a quick bite to eat, and then we were off to find treasures in my Grandpa's house, and on his farm. I had spent the drive down telling the kids all the fun and quirky things about my Grandparents house, and I was so excited to show them.

We went down in the cellar, tried to catch a snake in the yard, went up the stairs that are just plain scary to come down. When we landed ourselves in the kitchen, I was just not prepared for the emotions that I had. All the same magnets that I remember playing with were still on the fridge, and I couldn't help but cry and then laugh at myself for crying. My Aunt had said we could pick a few things to remember him by, and you better believe those magnets came home with me. 

{The magnets found a new home on my fridge!}

It was interesting seeing what my kids found priceless, Devin found a touch lamp with horses on it. That lamp has been sitting next to my Grandpa's chair for about 25 years, my Aunt said. Savannah brought home the coolest vintage camera. I took a picture and a mirror off the wall that I thought I could find a spot for. Sabrina wanted the crazy tole painted cat that sat in the bay window.

We headed to the farm, and decided to go on a long walk. The kids loved exploring, and finding feathers. We had to stop for Drake multiple times, because he just wanted to sit in the dirt and play with bugs. He was totally in his element. Something about watching your kids be totally happy doing things you did as a child, made this Momma heart so very happy.

Of course a trip to Castle Dale is not complete unless you go to the cemetery. Auntie Joyce has that place memorized, and showed us all of our important people who are there. The kids were so thoughtful, and went and got all the feathers from the van they had collected and decorated their headstones.

We made new memories, and we won't ever forget this little slice of the past that we got to experience. We came home happy and exhausted, and the kids can't wait to go back soon. 

grandpa joe

My cute Grandpa in the Mountains passed away. It has been years since I had spent time with him, and wish that I could have introduced all of my kids to him. 

Jeff and Deanna invited me to ride down to his funeral with them. We spent the drive catching up on life, and talking about growing up. I was glad that I was able to go with them, and have a chance to spend some extra time together.

It was a short and sweet service. They opened it up to whoever wanted to share memories of Grandpa Joe, and it was so fun to hear all of them. 

Left me wishing my kids had gotten to make memories of their own with him. Made me realize how important the little things are in life. Life is so short. Relationships are what make this life more enjoyable. I came home wanting to give more of myself to those I love, and make memories with them.

Wardle Fields Regional Park

Now that we have been to the new Wardle Fields Regional Park + splash pad a few times, I feel like I can talk about it. I knew it was going to be busy, but nothing could prepare me for how busy it was the first day we went. So. Many. People. It really is amazing though, so I can see why everyone is going.

It is huge. It has everything that makes a splash pad fun. Waterfall, streams, lots of fountains! Lots of grass to put your shade that is close to the water. Major thumbs up!

The park is fantastic too! Except this Summer we are finding a shortage of swings, so it could use a few more of those in my kids humble opinions. I love that they have a good area for my little guy, but can keep the interest of the older kids too!

The biggest complaint is you can't see the park when you are at the splash pad. I wouldn't categorize myself as a helicopter Mom, but it is a prime location for losing children. 

Is it worth going?  You betcha. We have tried a few different times during the day, hoping to find a time that is not sooo overwhelming. It was definitely best later in the evening, but be warned the water shuts off at 7:00 PM. We were disappointed, because we still had at least an hour still in us to play.

If you want a splash pad that you can just sit and relax while the littles play nearby, I would not pick this one. This is definitely more of a get in and play with them type of splash pad/park! 

Name: Wardle Fields Regional Park
Address: 14148 S 2700 W Bluffdale, UT
Cost: FREE

Backyard Camp Out

It isn't a secret around these parts that we don't actually go camping. I don't mind being outside {obviously}, but Paul is anti dirt! This Summer I have really wanted to add new adventures to our list, and share with our kids what I loved doing as a kid.

One day we were talking to friends about Summer plans, and one thing lead to another...and we decided to camp out in our backyard together! It is one of my favorite childhood memories, except we slept on a trampoline.

Since my kids have never even experienced s'mores, tin foil dinners, or a campfire...gasp!...we went all out camping experience for them!

We started our night with our tin foil dinners, which were super yummy. Out of convenience, we used our oven, but still so delicious. We did the traditional tin foil dinner of hamburger/onion/potatoes, but then we did a chicken/salsa deliciousness that was a crowd pleaser as well.

We got the campfire raging, and started in on all the desserts. We tried a new to us thing, Woof'ems! You wrap crescent rolls around that neat little stick I linked, and then you can fill it with goodness. So, we put fruit in ours, and topped it with chocolate sauce and whip! It was a favorite. 

We looked up some camp stories, because Devin wanted those. The girls wanted to look at stars, and we found a few of the formations. 

Because we don't camp, we don't have sleeping bags or a tent. So, we went all redneck, and just gathered all of our blankets and made a big ol' bed on the grass. 

We did pretty well, minus the neighbors having a party that woke a few of us up. It got a lot colder than I expected, I would have been fine if I wouldn't have shared blankets with little people who kept moving. We made it until 5:00 AM before we came in, so I say for our first time sleeping under the stars, we get an A+. 

I think I could do this about once a Summer, because these old bones of mine don't do as well on hard ground sleeping anymore. 
It was definitely a night of fun memories, and I am glad we had friends who would do it with us!

SeaQuest Interactive Aquarium - Utah + coupon code

Let me start off by saying, it has become increasingly hard to entertain all of my children with the same activity. You know why? Drake is 1, and our Savannah is going to be 13 this year. It is difficult to find something all of them can enjoy at the same time. With that being said, SeaQuest Interactive Aquarium - Utah did that for us, and that completely sold me! Seaquest is located in the Layton Hills Mall, in Layton, Utah {more on this later}, and really isn't that close to our home...but it was worth the drive to see all of my kids entertained for a couple of hours!

We were invited for a tour of SeaQuest Interactive Aquarium a few weeks back. It was during school, so just Bina and Drake came along to explore with me. As soon as we started into the aquarium, I instantly was regretting not bringing the older kids too! I know people are skeptical when they hear it is inside of a mall. Your first thought is "uh, it must be tiny!". You have to think of a huge department store inside of a mall being filled with fish, instead of merchandise. It is a good size! 

My second regret, bringing a stroller! When they say it is interactive, they mean it. Of course Drake didn't want to sit in a stroller, he wanted to touch, feel, and feed all the things! Although the stroller is nice for cup holders, because they do have a FiiZ Drinks right inside the lobby {and yes you can take your drinks into the aquarium}!

We went back as a family over our Spring Break, and boy howdy did I have a happy bunch of kids. I asked Savannah if it was something she wanted to do again, and she excitedly said "Yes!".

Everyone had something different that they connected with. For Savannah it was the birds, and they flocked to her to take all of her food first. Drake liked "trying" to feed the shrimp to the stingrays, and following along the glass to point at fish. Bina is now really obsessed with mermaids, thanks to the real live mermaid you can have your picture taken with. Devin ran right up to the worker and asked if he could hold the boa, and the rest of us stayed as far away as possible. Of course I had to try the fish spa, and I can't say it was my favorite feeling in the world...but everyone needs to try it at least once, right? Savannah is begging to do it, next time!

So here is the nitty gritty, they have an entrance fee, and it doesn't include the fish spa or food for feeding the animals. You buy tokens for doing those things. If you don't want to spend any extra money, it doesn't take away from the experience of SeaQuest. You can still go into the iguana cage, or the bird cage...you just won't be given food without the token. 

It is sooooo much easier to take pictures of iguanas, they don't move like my kids do! 

SeaQuest Interactive Aquarium - Utah has given my readers a discount code to use on your next visit! Hooray! If you mention sellpartyday25, you will receive 25% off your daily admission price! I can't wait to hear what you guys think!

P to the S,...I will doing a fun giveaway on Instagram soon, watch my Insta feed. If you aren't following along, you might want to go follow me over there. 

Name: SeaQuest Interactive Aquarium
Address: 1201 N Hill Field Rd Layton, Utah
Admission Only: $9.95 - $14.95 {activity tokens are extra}

our love for baby magic + giveaway

The information, products, gift card, and giveaway have been provided to me by Baby Magic. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

If you were to ask me what my one true love in baby products would be, you know what I would say? Baby Magic. It is the one product that I have used since I became a Mom 12 years ago, and I haven't stopped. Even Paul and I use Baby Magic as our go-to lotion for ourselves! 

Besides Baby Magic being hypoallergenic, tear-free, and paraben-free...I am a fan of the smell! Nothing beats a baby fresh out of the bath that smells like Baby Magic! I have never had a baby that doesn't use it exclusively! I have even branched out from the iconic pink bottle and tried the Calming Baby Lotion {which comes in a purple bottle} for Drakey, because heaven knows he needs all the help with being calm he can get. 

Random tidbit about the Sell boys, we use Baby Magic lotion instead of gel. Even when the girls were little, the lotion was the perfect thing to pull all those baby hairs up into little ponies! It can hold a mohawk, and doesn't leave the flaky stuff when your baby messes it up! 

Baby Magic has been around since 1951, and have stayed dedicated to developing baby care products that do what they say they’re going to do- while cutting out the bad stuff. 

Have you ever tried Baby Magic? What is your go-to product? 

Enter to win some Baby Magic swag, so you can share with me in my love of it!


  a Rafflecopter giveaway