TWENTY SEVEN!

While in Utah, I turned 27! I officially feel old. 26 was good. I still felt mid-twenties. At 27, I'm feeling like I may as well be 30! Daron celebrated the week of ("birthday week") leaving me notes and presents. I finally got a snoogle! It's never too late, right? On the actual day, I got my big present - a new camera! It was so exciting. Then, later that day my birthday twin (we are actually 3 days apart but just roll with it) came over and a few of our Utah friends and Daron's sister sang to us and hung out.

^Cookies because I'm not a cake person

And 3 pictures of us blowing out the candles because my sister bought trick candles for us to blow out and it totally worked! We were blowing them out forever. She thought she was pretty funny and she was. Mary and I were so confused until someone spilled the beans... 

The other birthday girl and her adorable baby, Genevieve. 

The kids devouring the cookies!

^I love how Carter and Naomi are looking at each other in this picture

While on our road trip, Daron asked me what I am looking forward to in my 27th year. I always love when we have these conversations. I told him I am fantasizing about somehow finding the time to learn how to surf. That's a crazy long shot but one can dream! I want to really learn my camera. I'm also hoping to fit Lake Powell in there somewhere... it's been too long since we have been to that magical place. I can't wait to meet this sweet baby. That moment always exceeds all expectations. I spend 9 months anticipating it but the real thing is always so much better! I also hope that transition to 3 kids is a smooth one. I know it won't kill me but it'd be nice if it didn't feel like it was, ha.   

Hello 27! Be good to me!

UTAH

We headed up to Utah as a family the weekend before last. I usually drive with the kids alone or with my parents or a friend. This time Daron came and it was the bessssttt. The drive there, although a very long one (we were in the car for 12 hours!), was a day I'll remember fondly. Thanks to our new mini van(!!!) the drive went so smoothly. It was really relaxed and I felt so happy road tripping with my little family. 

We went to Utah for a PLC event that invited its members (my parents) and their families to join in a weekend of fun events and activities. It's kind of weird to explain so we will just leave it at that. My favorite pictures below!

^ Still can't believe I caught her sass on camera... this girl has some spice!

^My sister's delicious baby,  Jack. How sweet is that face?

Carter got to play with his cousin Savy all week. These two together are really somethin' else... What you can't tell in this picture is that Carter is in the middle of a booty shake!

^^My dad in this picture! haha

^That cheese though...

After the afternoon session of conference, we drove the Alpine Loop to see the gorgeous fall colors Utah has this time of year with Daron's sister, Becca, and her boyfriend. 

^^Naomi snuggles... they are the best.

^I don't know why Naomi's little legs in this picture look so cute to me.

^A 25 week baby bump!

On Sunday, before and after conference sessions, we went up to Park City to explore and then headed to Temple Square to walk the temple grounds. Daron and I were married in the Salt Lake Temple and the grounds are always beautiful at conference time. The day ended up being long and very tiresome but we somehow made it and oh how glad I was that we did!

^These two in the back were killin' me. Cuties.

^Loved letting Naomi hang out the window, best feeling when you're a kid.

^I live for times like this, letting my kids run free in the wild!

^Carter holding on for dear life to his "bones." 

^All the grandkids in a special spot

^The Salt Lake Temple at night as we were walking out of the visitor center. This scene gave me chills!

The trip was a blast. I didn't realize how much it wore us all out though until we came home and none of us could function without a nap. Until next time Utah!

NOT ON INSTAGRAM

(Pictures taken last week on the hottest day of the year. Luckily the day was spent with my mom and sister-in-law and so the day was bearable!)

We got home from our trip to Utah earlier this week and we've all been zombies ever since. The kids and I are a little under the weather from staying up late and having too much fun. Sometimes, I feel like I have my life together and then I have weeks like this past one and I get a serious reality check! 

There was one day this week that we had our left overs from breakfast for dinner. I don't mean the yummy, fresh left overs that I stored in the fridge until dinner time. I mean, we ate breakfast, rushed out the door for a thing, left the waffles covered in syrup out alllllllll day and then came home exhausted, slept for hours, woke up at 6p.m.(!!!) and ate the said waffles covered up in syrup that were still out for dinner. Ew! I know. I was horrified. The kids didn't even notice. Carter actually asked me if we could do that again hahaha. Oh man...

Then a few days later we got a letter in the mail saying one of the bills I have needed to pay was at a collection agency. Awesome.

This morning, I was determined to have a fun day with the kids that was more organized. I spent the morning cleaning and so we were late to get to the pumpkin patch. After only a few minutes of being there, Naomi pooped all over her clothes and Carter was dying from thirst because I forgot water. 

Someday I am going to start a series on this blog called "Not on Instagram" and write all the not-so-pretty moments that make me laugh and in their own way, are pretty great too!

Fortunately, this weekend we have plans to watch a Halloween movie and eat doughnuts, a holiday kick off with my my California cousins and Poldark(!!!) to look forward to! 

Happy weekend!