Summer Life!

We got back from Utah just in time for some crazy AZ monsoons!

This one knocked the power out for 6 hrs.

Not only to our houses, but Little Caesars as well!

This sparked an impromptu neighbor potluck BBQ.

We ate pretty will that night!

And lucky for us, the power turned back on at 9 instead of 1:30 am

like stated from SRP.

For my birthday I asked Casey for some ship lap in the kitchen.

This poor wall has been neglected since we moved in 3 years ago.

Before:

during:

first coat of paint:

And finished product!

I had a lovely birthday dinner at Orange Sky.

It is on top of the Talking Stick Resort.

You get to sit in a private booth overlooking the valley.

When the sunsets it gorgeous!

Hence, Orange Sky:)

We went to Travis and Sunni since her birthday is a few days before mine.

We ordered a fancy cheese charcuterie board (lets pretend I know how to pronounce that:)

as an appetizer.

The sky turning orange!

Nothing says happy birthday better than with a big juicy steak!

I've never seen my name spelled like that, ha!

I'll forgive them since I got a free, yummy chocolate dessert!

Speaking of food, we had some colorful Summer dinners I was pretty proud of!

Dips and light cold veggies and fruit turned out to be a hit!

Super easy, too.

This was more work, but turned out delicious.

Grilled steak and shrimp kabobs.

We can't forget about ice cream cones while swimming, either!

Lindi and I love to watch this show called Outdaughtered. 

Its a reality show about a family with all girl quintuplets. 

They also have another daughter.

It's so entertaining to watch and makes me grateful for my 4 kids born one at a time, lol!

I packed my car full of neighbor kids and went to Rhodes pool for some flow rider and swimming!

She was upset that somebody was hogging the Cheetos.

A day at the pool needs to end with yummy swigs!

A happy girl indeed.

My life with a sassy one year old.

NOTHING can get done.

If I sit down at the computer, she squishes her way on the chair and pushes me off.

*eyeroll

She redeems herself with her cuteness.

We go straight for the Milano's while shopping.

Last day!

Christopher told us of an amazing donut shop he had discovered that we MUST try!

Seeing how fried carbs are right up my alley,  I knew we needed to partake!

Casey left to grab them while I got the kids ready for the day.

Fresh Donut and Deli, was the name of the place.

Do you see the size of that fritter?

Those are my favorite.

Especially when they are extra crispy and greasy on the edges.

Ya, no shame. I ate the whole thing!!

As if eating 2,000 calories in donuts wasn't enough, we met Stephanie and her kids at Bruges for 

liege waffles and frites!

30 minutes is a good enough time to digest donuts, right?

I had heard about this place last year from my cousin, Molly.

We never made it there, so I was excited to give this place a try!

Well what do you know, as I was ordering, Molly's daughter, Annalyse, 

came walking in the door!

 She couldn't say enough how good it is.

I went a little authentic and got sausage frites with sauce.

YUM.

And a breakfast waffle.

YUM

The kids stuck with the familiar berry waffles.

With full bellies we were ready for Heritage Park at This Is The Place!

I don't know why, but I LOVE this place, haha.

But for reals, if I lived in UT I would have annual passes.

We barely scratched the surface last year so I was pumped to get more in this time.

And what do you know, we STILL didn't get it all in.

I guess we will have to go back:)

It cracks me up how this laundry station is such a hit!

Even with the older boys.

I won't post pictures of the 8 children line up waiting for a shave!

They played checkers while we waited.

Stamping leather

Watching a little street shoot out.

Mining for gold.

I hit the jackpot for days at home while doing laundry!

Gold doesn't belong in pockets!

Train ride to the hospital.

They got to do a craft.

Ended the day at school!

The teacher was asking some history questions and Lane knew them all!

We could have stayed hours longer, but it was closing time.

Boo!

With  different opinions on what people wanted for dinner, we decided a nice Chuck Wagon buffet

would be perfect!

I had never been before, but know it is a Utah favorite.

I was pretty impressed!

We went back to the hotel and changed into swim suits and swam until they closed down the pool!

I couldn't believe our trip was over!

Della and I had one last adventure the next day.

We packed up the car and Casey drove us to the airport!

We had a 10 o'clock flight home.

I was feeling super guilty making Casey drive with the 3 other kids.

But I knew this was the best decision for all of us.

I didn't want to haul my double stroller through the airport, 

so I bought a luggage cart and put her car seat in it like a stroller!

After some Jamba Juice and watching airplanes, it was time to board!

It was assigned seating. 

I don't know how, but by a pure miracle we got the isle seat, very last row!

I sent this picture to Casey saying we were taking off!

He sent this one back.

Lol!

That was after a big breakfast from McDonalds!

The second we took off she was fast asleep in my lap.

The bumpy turbulence must have bounced her to sleepy land.

She slept the whole flight home!

Once we landed the commotion of people getting their luggage woke her up.

We got off and walked down to baggage pick up where I ordered a Lyft.

Not 5 minutes later we seat belted in and off to our Clovis home!

We walked in the door at noon.

She instantly went down for another nap and slept 3 hours!!

We wore her out that week!

Casey and the kids rolled in at 8pm.

He said they all did really well.

A win all around!