Goodbye Howcrofts

Today was moving day for some of our favorite people, Kristin and Kenny Howcroft and their two boys. Aspen and Bentley had their last play date with Camden and Emerson this morning when we had them over while Kristin took care of some last minute things.




Later that afternoon, before Camden and Emerson left to spend the rest of the evening and night at their Grandma's house, we took them some going away gifts.






Three years ago when we moved from Adam's parent's house, here, to our first home, I was so excited but also really nervous because I had come to rely on Adam's family for so much, including help with Aspen. Then I met Kristin Howcroft and knew everything would be okay. Kristin couldn't have been a better friend to me through my pregnancy with Bentley, a really bad year with Crohn's, and just the daily challenges we all face as moms.





I'm so grateful for the friendship our two families have shared. We will miss living across the street from the Howcrofts, or in the same state for that matter, but know this is a great move for their family. I hope their new neighbors realize how lucky they are. Good luck, Howcrofts! We'll see you on our next trip to Arizona. Some of our good friends just moved there, so we have a place to stay!

Rock Creek Pizza Lunch With The Howcrofts

Our dear friends the Howcrofts moved to Arizona. We are so sad to see them go but are excited for the new experiences and opportunities they'll find at their new home. The day before they moved, we had Kristin and Camden over for lunch from Rock Creek Pizza (one of Kristin's favorites). Kenny was already in Arizona and Emerson was down for a nap.

Swimming Party At Daria's

My friend, Hillary, and her little girl, Daria, invited us over for a little swimming party in their backyard. We had steaks and salad, and ended with angel food cake for Karlin's birthday, which was the next day. It was one of those enjoyable afternoons that make up for the regular draining days of a mother's life. The kids played and the mommies talked and then all too soon it was time to go home. Thanks, Hillary and Daria, for having us over. We had fun!

Lake Powell

Adam and I took a trip with some friends, AND NO KIDS! to Lake Powell where the weather was hot, especially for a 6-month pregnant lady, but the water was perfect! We really needed to get away after the sale of our house fell through. We had planned to move before our trip, on the 18th, so we didn't come home from de-stressing on our vacation just to get all stressed out with moving but won't be moving now until we get another offer. I have a ton of pictures from our trip and more coming from our friends, but didn't want to wait to get them all to post. Here's just one picture of Adam and me right before we left the lake to come home. Don't we look so well-rested and relaxed after 4 days without children?

A Good Daddy

Almost every night, as I'm done being Mommy for the day, Adam gets our girls ready for bed with pajamas on and teeth brushed, and reads to them. I thought I married a good man, but seeing him as a dad has only made me sure. He loves his girls and they love their daddy. Bentley tells me, "Miss him" when I tell her that Dad is at work, and Aspen asks me all day long how much longer before he comes home. They scream, or hide, when he walks through the door, and immediately ask if he will take them swimming. Unless we have something to do or somewhere to go, he tells them yes- and is just as excited as they are. Most evenings this summer, you could find the three of them at our condo's pool between the hours 5:30 and 7:30. Whether he is throwing balls at them as they try to run away down the hall, dancing with them to his new favorite song, or tickling them to death, Aspen and Bentley love playing with their dad, and I love to watch.

Ward Campout

We started our trip to our ward camp out at Walgreens where Adam ran in for treats while the rest of us waited in the car. Once we had our candy, that I don't think we even opened until we got home the next day, we drove a whole 15 minutes, to Willow Park in Lehi. It's real camping, but perfect for anyone who just wants to come for the evening and go home to their bed at night. Last year, Adam and Aspen camped out together while I took Bentley home. This year we all stayed. Our ward had the same great camping spot, right by the playround, where the kids played all evening until it got dark and then the June-bugs were more fun to play with. We ate hamburgers and hotdogs, made smores around the campfire, and enjoyed being with our ward friends and neighbors. We have loved being a part of this ward and are really going to miss everyone when we move. At bedtime, the four of us (almost five of us with the baby in my belly) suggled into our two sleeping bag on our one air mattress and tried to get some sleep. It wasn't the most restful night, but it was fun to be together as a family.