Eight Year Anniversary

When Clayton asked what I wanted to do for Our Eight year Anniversary, I said I just wanted two night with you no kids...Don't get Me wrong I LOVE our kids. Though I really just wanted US time. I feel like anytime Clayton even try's to cuddle Me or sit close, Rylee screams MY MAMA, then squeeze's in between US. So Us time was in order.

We haven't spent two consecutive nights away from the Kiddos, so I asked My parents if they could stay two nights and the said of course!  

The first day We dropped the kiddos off and I had the brilliant idea to hike to some hot springs by Sheep Creek called Fifth Hot Springs. I looked it up online. It said it was a decent hike about 2.5 miles. Easy peasy. Plug it into the GPS and headed on our way.

We drove about an hour there. We pulled off to where the GPS said to go. We weren't sure We were in the right spot decided to keep going. After 2 miles We found a sign the said Fifth Hot springs. We were on the right track We kept going. We came to a fork...and the website I looked up had said it was clearly mapped out with signs...UM NO. After the first sign There were no more signs that said what was up the next tail just tail just the numbers 15 and 9...So I said lets go this way, after a hard up hill hike and .8 miles We thought this probably wasn't the right way, not to mention there was ice in the stream next to Us which didn't seem to make sense... Ice+ Hot springs doesn't add up.

We decided to do try the other trail.. after a while We stopped for a bit and then decided to head on back... with not hot pots in sight. We had a blast though. There was no one else in sight and We talked and laughed. It was so fun and good quality time.

The weather was PERFECT, for hiking a little chilly so We weren't hot. It was so quiet, there was a babbling of the stream and the wind in the trees, every now and then a bird tweeting in the distance. It was just perfect.

We spent the rest of the day chilling at home. The next morning We went and watched Dr, Strange. I was pleasantly surprised. We both liked it. After that We headed up to Logan to stay at Anniversary Inn. The Logan location in Our opinion, has the better rooms. We picked Rich's Drive In.  It was amazing it was a full size old Ford Pick up Truck,  with the bed in the back. A projector and screen to watch movies, a two person jetted tub. It was a lot of fun.

I didn't get many pictures of Us,We were kind busy,,,,but I did get this blurry one with Clayton half a asleep...

We had such a fun time! So glad I'm married to this guy for all eternity! 

On the way home we stopped by Ruby Snap cookies in Salt Lake if you haven't gone I highly suggest going! The cookies are fabulous and the samples are Huge!

Christmas Decorating

We decorated for Christmas last week. I love decorating "early". I love everything about Christmas. How We focus on the reason for the season, which is the birth of My Savior Jesus Christ. Even if you aren't religious. I love how everyone tries to focus on Family, Friends, and Kindness to everyone.

On top of all the reasons above Christmas décor brings back so many found memories of Christmas. I was raised by the Queen of all things Christmas. So is it any surprise I love all things Christmas.... NO not at all.

Saturday We went to Hobby Lobby to let the kids pick out there new ornaments. They get to get a new one that the pick with out Me nagging for it to match;) Though this year I decided to re do our whole tree and to Claytons surprise I went more His style.. What can I say its KINDA growin on Me. We don't have a star yet, haven't found one I like yet.. We actually haven't ever had one. I've always done a huge bow.

We woke up Sunday morning and I asked Ruger if He wanted to decorate for Christmas His reply.. " OF COURSE!!" So we started! We always drink Homemade Hot Coco and watch classic Christmas Movies.

Once We got the tree all set up, I decided I didn't want the kids missed matched ornament on the tree...So We are going to put a small tree for just those.

Here is to the HOLIDAY SEASON!!!

Halloween Shenagians 2016

This Halloween We were crazy busy. We did so many thing that were Halloween related events. The first on our agenda was hitting up Gardner Village to do the witch scavenger hunt. unfortunately We went with our realizing that it was witches night out....So busy. It was fun as always though! We went with My cousin and Her kids.

My cousins Lauren and Lisa did a pumpkin painting one night. We are so lame, We did SO many activities but We didn't carve pumpkins!! So I was glad My kids were able to join the fun.

Ruger and Rylee was So into it. Ruger did most of  His on His own. I helped fill in the back. He did a pumpkin batman. To cute not to document.

Our next event was a Halloween Carnival put on by the Aarron Drussel Group. It has become a must. They do such a good job at all the events they do. My cousin and Her family came with Us which made it even more fun! 

Clayton won the kids a blow up hammer. When Clayton hit it with one try, Ruger goes "My Daddy is very strong!" 

Next on the agenda was Our monthly family outing, with our Atkin Family. Amanda My sister in law planned a super fun corn maze for Us all to go to. It was SOO fun but had plenty a mini panic attacks, because Ruger kept running ahead with His cousins.

Once We got Rugers costume, He never wanted to take it off... and Rylee every time We went to My parents had to hug all the blow up pumpkins

This year I found out about Hallowesenday at Travers Mountain Outlets. Thy have trick or treat bags, coupons, games, a magician and the kids got A Free Pretzel from Annie's Pretzels. We will be going back there again every year now.

My cousins ward had a Trunk or Treat. Which if you haven't been its AMAZING!! A bunch of people gather in a parking lot open the trunks and have kids trick or treat for parking space till the next. It is easy and the BEST way to trick or Treat HANDS down!

We were all Super Heroes this year, So I give you Cat Women, Robin, Batman, and The Riddler.

There is more can you believe it...

We had Rugers first Pre School party! Clayton happened to have the day off so We both were able to volunteer. It was fun to see Him in Pre School.

We also went to Haunted Hallways at American Fork High School. They have all the rooms decorated as movie themes. This one was Hanzle and Grettle

My cousin Whitney is THE best party planner I know. A few of Us got together and had an adult Halloween party. It was beautiful, and so fun! It was costume optional, So Clayton and I dressed up as Sugar Skulls.

Now finally the Halloween post...Haha. Halloween was such an amazing nice day. My cousin husband Joey saw a bunch of leaves in a park and asked if We wanted to join in making leaf piles. How could We say no! So We went down to the park and it was SOOO BEAUTIFUL!!

We headed to Trick or Treat on Main. In Pleasant Grove Utah. I love little main streets...something about them just draws Me in. The cute little shops the history, love it all!

Claytons cousin CarrieAnn, works at Cravings the best cupcake place in UTAH. Ruger happens to love Her too. So We were able to See Her and Rue was just a little happy about it.

Last but not least, We had our traditnal Halloween dinner or soups and rolls. Then headed out to go trick or treating in My ward. Totally not biased AT ALL, they do an amazing trick or treating. The kids were happy and Rylee was LOVING it. She at one point yelled" I GOT A SUCKER!! I GOT A SUCKER!!" They are Her favorite candy and LOVES them. Ruger said it was the best Halloween. it was a super packed fill Halloween month! We had a blast though!

Vernal Trip

We have been wanting to do a Vernal trip to see all the dinosaur things. My parents took Me and My siblings when We were younger and I've been dying to go since Ruger loves all things DINO.It happened that the only time We could get fit it in was during Claytons Deer Hunt. So while Daddy was off hunting We headed off to Vernal with My Parents, and two younger siblings Daisy and Hinton.

The car ride was mostly taken up of the kids looking at the Christmas catalog for Toys R Us. I am pretty sure Ruger wanted everything in that catalog. Though it kept the kids happy.

We headed out to Vernal. I am always amazed once you leave Utah or Salt Lake County how much space there is in Utah. Not to mention the diversity in landscapes...So beautiful. I feel like every few miles We kept saying oh We need a picture!! Ok mostly Me and My Dad.

We got to the hotel before check in so We headed to Lunch. The kids were being super goof but that might have been because they were happy to be out of the car.

After Lunch We headed out to McConkie Ranch. Its private property, that has petroglyphs on the mountain behind their homes. They let people come and go as they please. The have a little shack where they have a honor box for 5$ per car. There are also stick notes everywhere and it was fun to read.

I'm glad I looked up this place before We went. One of the blogs I read said the first part of the hike was HARD but it quickly got easier. If I hadn't looked We would have turned around PRONTO! Though 90% of the hike I was holding Rylee so that was hard. Not crazy hard but a work out for sure.

The petroglyphs are WORTH IT!

There is something about looking at petroglyphs that are just memorizing. So cool. I love history and to be were someone stood hundreds plus years ago....SO awesome.

I am so bummed the color of the rocks didn't show up in the picture below. They were a almost turquoise and so beautiful.

See below Us were a few houses.

We didn't see all there was to see and I most definitely want to go back and spend more time looking and taking in all around Us.

After the hike the kids were pooped. So We headed back to the Hotel. Which was awesome. Ruger kept yelling "THIS IS THE BEST HOTEL!!" or "I LOVE OUR NEW HOTEL." Once We checked in We headed straight to the swimming pool.

Next We headed out to dinner. Then came back to the hotel. It was late by then and the kids were exhausted so We settled in. Guys it was a AWFUL night. Ruger started crying for Clayton. Rylee woke up every 30 minutes. My little brother was upset in the middle of the night so I moved the their mattress into our room. It was the AWFUL Night. The song Praying for Daylight was on repeat in My brain all night.

I was so happy and oh so tired when it was morning. We got ready and headed to breakfast. After We took a drive out to National Dinosaur Monument. It was so fun. Ruger was able to become a JR. Ranger and was beaming!! SOOO Cute.

Its such a fun weird experience seeing something your remember when you were younger and then seeing it as an adult. It was fun to see Ruger see things and know I had been that same age looking in amazement.

One thing I love about small towns, is how open everything is... so pretty!

After this We headed back to Vernal and passed Pinky the Dino who is holding a Welcome to Vernal sign. I really wanted a picture and Rylee just fallen asleep, and Ruger refused a picture. :( So I opted to get a picture by myself.

Next We headed to The Field House Museum. Rylee had been asleep for Maybe 5 minutes, So My Mom gladly offered to skip the Museum and read a book while watching Rylee. It was nice to be able to focus on Ruger and not chasing Rylee the whole time.

Our last stop was Marions. A ting little restaurant on Main sin Roosevelt. The decor, and everything else is the same as the day it opened, I believe since the 1940's.  I heard they have the best Ice Cream sodas so we tired and We were not disappointed. 

The ride home was AWFUL. Rylee was one grumpy girl. It was rough but We made it. It was so fun and I am so glad We went. A special thanks to My parents, who not only helped with the kids when I needed it, and for spoiling Us so much!! Though next vacation mini or not I want Clayton there next time.

Family Pictuers

 Photo Credit: Diane Fraughton :)