November in Utah

We look forward to every single trip we take to Utah to visit our family and here is one reason why...Because on the very 1st day and minute we show up my kids are having a blast with their cousins.

Jumping right into all the fun.

Kelani got out her face paint and used her skills to paint dog faces on all the kids. My kids pretend to be puppies just about every day so this was heaven running around Kim's house totally in character. It was all in preparation for the big debut play they planned for the adults. The very 1st play in Kim's new house. Kelani and Malia were in charge and they created a whole play with all these cousins. Each had their very own part and the whole thing was just so cute!

Kelani painting Matthew's face.

K, J, Matthew. Ready for the play.

J and Shane. Love these boys.

Sweet puppies.
The play begins.

The End. Bravo!

Poor Gidgey got hit by a car and had some major surgery.

As much fun as cousins are, J always needs some alone Daddy time...bonding with video games. Daddy is always happy to oblige.

We love being able to celebrate Mailee's birthday with her every year. She's 5 and such a fun girl!!

For a few days we went up to Kim and Robert's cabin in Midway. It's the perfect little getaway - it's away from normal life where you get to do all the cabin-y things, but it's not hours of driving just to get there. They've really done a lot with the land they have and it's fun to see the changes. The back is all landscaped, they've added some real teepees built by indian tribes, and one of their natural hot springs is landscaped too. It's so beautiful and peaceful up there! Some of our favorite things to do there are ride the four wheelers, play games, watch movies, run around, watch the deer, and just be with the family.

Jackson - future world's best babysitter. K and J love playing with Jackson because he knows how to have a good time. He took the kids outside to play soccer and shortly came back in for his gymnastics-like floor pad to create this launching pad. Awesome. He demonstrated.

J loved it

and K was crazy about it too.

I left them to just play outside and a while later K came inside to ask if she could get wet, too. Um, what? Of course not, it's only like 40 degrees outside. Then it clicked and 3 seconds later J walked in with the biggest smile on his face and drenched clothes. Jackson and Mailee trailed right behind him looking identical. Apparently, Jackson created some fun water slide game with that blue mat and they had a great time. Of course, it was then time to throw the little ones into a warm bath after which Jackson promised them some hot chocolate with marshmallows and bedtime stories.

I just might hire him for the summer.

It's never a real trip to Utah if the kids don't get to bake with Grandma. She keeps it simple and kid-friendly with cookies, brownies, or rice krispie treats.

They love taking their turn to stir or pour,

but the best part is sneaking some tasty ingredients, licking spoons clean, and eating the final result.

Highlights...
-Sister's house full of days of entertainment. Slides. Sport court. Golf simulation. Theater. Rooms and rooms to explore and let the kids' imaginations run wild.
- Leaving the kids with the fam so Will and I could escape to Las Vags for a few days. Las Vegas = Sleeping. Eating. Phantom. Relaxing. Spa day. Cirque du Soleil. Perfect.
- Thanksgiving. The one where Kahealani saved us with quick rolls.
- Baking with Grandma.
- Cabin. 4-wheeling. Teepees. Hot springs. Games. Puzzles. Movie nights. Muppets.
- Chuck E Cheese's with Grandma and Grandad.
- Playing with cousins. A couple nights before we left K told me she didn't want to leave because she would miss her cousins and that makes her sad. Me too, K, me too. Tears.
- Shopping and lunch with the mom and sisters.
- Finding out we are having a GIRL.
- Cousin "babysitting."
- Trip to the toy store with Grandma and Grandad.
- Cousin's birthday. We come every year just for her birthday ;)

I'm always so thankful for this family I get to be a part of. They are so good to us and we love them so much!!

This picture makes me smile.