Late Night Outings

This summer we have had a little pack of us that do late night adventures. This has definitely become one of my favorite things of this summer and I look forward to us all getting together at least weekly.

So, this is our group.

We have Jacque, my niece.



Then there is Marissa, Jacques friend who is classic with coming up with what we call "Marissa-isms."



Ty is our young male who keeps us all in order.



Brad has joined us a few times.



Courtney, my niece who recently came along.



My sister in law...Kristie.



And last but not least, me!




So, what do we do? The real question would be what DON'T we do.

Well, it ALWAYS starts with a movie.

After the movie, we pick something else to do with it. We have done Hobbitville, Look out point, Wall Street, I-H-O-P, (famous "Marissa-ism" is that you do not say IHOP...you spell it out...I-H-O-P.) WE drive around downtown, go to parks, etc. So...if you have something fun to do late at nights, please leave a comment as to what it may be so we can go try it out.

We then usually talk and call it a night. The night is never over before 2:30 am, and then my darling baby is awake by 8. So, there are short nights because I refuse to not get up with my Little Man if I have been out by choice. Thank goodness for nap time, because often we both need it. BUT...this is EXACTLY what summer is for!

Much love to my late night groupies, and I look forward to our last few outings before we have to start to readjust our schedules and get ready to be back in school.

Yippee Super Carter Man Is 3!!!

Yesterday was the celebration of our Little Man's 3rd birthday. Grandpa Garry had a Card in the Yard done, and it just started the day out right.



We had a super hero birthday and it was so much fun for us. We had a great crowd of about 40 people. Nathan let us borrow his blow up slide and the little kids LOVED it!!!











After the little one's had played for about an hour and the adults were able to chat, we came together to sing happy birthday to our baby.



Once we sang happy birthday everyone enjoyed some cake and ice cream.











As people finished, the kiddoes played in the water a little more, and the socializing continued.











Shortly after, we opened presents. Carter was spoiled! He received jammies, a backpack, a blanket that Kristie, Stac, and I made, a lunch box, a flashlight, a watch, balls, a slip and slide, a kiddie golf set, and money for him to start taking dance classes.











Once the presents were done, Carter and the kids went over to the side of the yard and smacked the pinata. I think they enjoyed and all walked away with a large amount of candy.











The crowd died down around 4:00, and I was pooped. My dad and Kel had left, and then called a few minutes later, and asked me to go out front. I ran out and was delighted with a bottle of margarita mix. So, Dustin, Kate, and I shared a glass and talked until about 7:30.



We then got ready and put Peanut in his new Pajamas and went to the Mastricola's for a social gathering due to some friends being in town for a few short days. We stayed for a couple hours but then around midnight, we called it.





When we got home, Carter was out. We made his bed in his new sheets, put his worn out little body in bed, and kissed him goodnight. We had a fabulous day and are so grateful for all who celebrated our baby with us.



On Carter's birthday I will give an update on my Little Man!

A Couple More Walls

Last Sunday I was going through my Michaels App and I saw they had picture frames on sale. When I clicked, I saw there was a wall mural idea, and instantly my little mind started thinking. Oh...if I did this...I could do this...then that...and I wonder if it would work.

Monday I went to school and started asking people what they thought. Most of them said, they liked my idea and that I should try it.

So...that day I came home, picked up Ty and off to Michaels we went. I bought 18 frames, 5 spray paint cans, and then came home. We started by spray painting all my frames a bright color.



We then painted the two little walls that frame my fireplace chocolate brown.



Then we put it together! We hung up my frames and WA-LA!



We then painted two more small walls in my dining room.



I have done several projects around the house, as you know, and my fireplace wall with the collection of pictures is the first time EVER my husband said, "I love it!!!" It really is such a fun wall, and I LOVE that I was able to find a way to display more of our pictures.

Cabin Night Get-Aways

On the 16th of this month, Nathan called and said he had the cabin again for the next few weeks. Remember the cabin? We went last year for an overnighter and really enjoyed ourselves. So, when Nathan extended the invite for a night getaway, I couldn't resist.

After a LONG day of my child locking my keys in my car, Nathan having to go to Costco to get the spare, and an hour or so added to the delay of the trip, Nathan Tyler, Carter and I headed up the canyon. It is such a beautiful cabin and just the right distance away. We made dinner and then called it a night after a movie. We got up early and headed back home.

The following Thursday, July 21, we had the opportunity to sneak away one more time. This time it was Nathan, Brad, Carter and myself. It took awhile to get up there, but the car ride was nice and the weather was beautiful. The boys followed me up, because we had to return the car to the cabin. I had my window and Carter's window down and my Little Peanut had his hand out the window the whole way. The music was on, the sun was setting, and it was PERFECT.

Once we got there, we put Little Man down, and opened a bottle of Moscato. We played a game of Price is Right and Family Feud on the iphones. We then started a couple parroting apps, and ended up laughing forever as the two apps sat back and held a conversation, much like a game of telephone.

Once we were done, we spent a great amount of time outside looking at stars and talking. At first the wind made it a little cool, but as the night went on, the weather warmed and made it very easy to stay outside and keep one another company.

Once morning came, we quickly cleaned up, as we all were DESPERATE for some coffee from good old Maverick! We headed back down the canyon and home to get back to the realities.

These two night get aways were so nice and exactly what we needed. On our way home, Brad, Nathan, and I decided that five years from now we were going to see if we are in a position for a cabin. A little getaway where we can go in an hour and a half, in the late evening, and enjoy a night with friends and family. A place where Christmas parties can be had or a night of star gazing can be completed. Hopefully we can make this happen sooner than later!

A Trip To The Mine

A couple Sunday's ago, Grandpa Garry called and asked if we wanted to join NeeNers, Grandpa Garry, and the Hansen Family to go see Kennecott. I hadn't been there in years, and Peanut had never been. So, we packed up and spent a few hours at the mine.

We had to ride a bus to the mine, but Carter loved it.



We then were able to see the hole, that is about a mile and a half deep.



The kids got to see a tire, look around, and enjoy.







We then went inside and looked at what is made at the mine.









Grandpa Garry bought all the grandbabies a little treasure and then we headed home for some street tacos. It was a great little Sunday outing.