24 Hours as a Mom!

I had the opportunity to babysit Spencer for 24 hours, it was Chelsie and Taylor's 4 year anniversary. So we picked him up on Saturday night on our way to visit the Earls. Spencer was so cute in the car, he was singing and talking (nonsense of course, we couldn't understand what he was saying). Benton and I just looked over at each other and smiled, we're not use to having someone talking in the backseat. He was great at Kattie's, played, ate some dinner and was a gentlemen. On Sunday he slept in, and then we went to 2 different parks. Holy cow, parks are scary for 2 year olds....they are so big, with holes where a little guy could fall in, not sure where everyone takes their toddlers, cause it's scary! So we went to a second park, still scary, but not as bad. Here is Spencer going down a slide at the 2nd park...

Spencer and I going down together...

I didn't get ready all day...I have to give it to all you mom's out there, I'm not sure how you do everything? I was exhausted-when he napped, so did I. It was weird because Spencer was awesome, no fits, no crying, nothing, he was perfect, but for some reason I was still worn out. It was a great experience to be a mom for 24 hours, hopefully my kids will be as wonderful as Spencer.

Welcome Cache!

On Saturday night Benton & I drove down to see his sister Kattie who had her baby boy Cache on August 13th. I left for Arkansas on that day so I wasn't able to see her in the hospital...I was so sad, but was excited to go down this past weekend. He is darling, Kattie and Jay have the cuttest kids. Their little boy Cowen who is 15 months is so much fun, and his hair is so blonde! I cannot imagine having 2 kids, only 15 months apart, but they are doing great and are loving having Cache in their lives. Congratulations Earl family, we're so happy for you guys!
Kattie & Cache

Here's Cowen, isn't he a doll!

Arkansas 2009!

For the last 10 days I went and visited the Hodge's in Arkansas. We had so much fun, I braved the trip alone, left Benton behind. Sometimes it's nice to leave your hubby at home, it makes you appreciate each other way more when you come home. I loved meeting my nephew Reid who is almost 5 months, he is the cuttest little thing...he certainly is a sensitive baby. It's crazy something so little can actually get his little feelings hurt, he's adorable. Then their is Jack, who is the best little 3 year old. Every morning I would wake up to him opening my door and laying in the hall for me to get out of bed. We'd play cars multiple times everyday...it's kinda like playing Barbies but with cars...here's an example..."Hi my name is green car, what's your name? So where are you going today?...." It is so cute, he has such a fun personality, I love listening to him talk...he asks you so many questions...it's interesting sometimes when you don't quite know the answer. I love those little guys, I miss them like crazy!
I loved talking to Nick and Karly. I think Nick has such a hilarious personality, he says the oddest, funniest things. Karly is way easy to talk to and just is easy going. Here are some photos of the trip, I ended up flying into Tulsa, Oklahoma since it was $300 cheaper, my mom and dad actually were there as well (my dad had a work trip in the same area) so we all stayed in a hotel on the first night I arrived and my parents flew home the next day. What a great trip! I love you guys, miss you like crazy!

Reach 2009

This past Tuesday and Wendsday I attended the Reach conference with 2 of my co-workers and my manager. They held it at the Grand America, which is an amazing hotel. Here we are outside on a break, in the garden...
Lindsey, Me and Jill

The conference was about Crucial Conversations, Crucial Confronations and Influncer, they are all books and are also trainings. It was neat seeing where everyone traveled from...there were people who had flown from Thailand, South Korea, Africa, England, and then there were us who were lucky to only live 45 minutes away from the conference. I had a lot of fun listening to the authors talk and sign my book! On Tuesday night we ate at La Caille, yummy!!! Here I am at La Caille...

Jill, Me and Lindsey at dinner...

I'm so glad we were all able to attend the conference and that we were able to go together, I had tons of fun girls!

SuNdAy FuN!

As a family we all got together on Sunday and had family photos taken. After we had dinner at Linda's house (my mother in law's). It was a great night of laughing, talking and me touching Kattie's belly (she is due any day now!) I love family get togethers, it makes me so happy! I love how many people Benton has in his family, they are so much fun! I am one to love chaos, having kids running around, dogs barking, kids screaming, the guys talking, the TV blaring so we can't hear each other....it's just my type of environment, the more people the better. If I could, I would make them hang out every weekend because I enjoy being with them so much.
Here are some of the kids posing for me...

Aimee, Rachelle, Kattie, Carol & Benton

Me and Kattie

Benton, his Grammy, & Me

Love you all!

Sister Night!

On Saturday night all of Benton's sisters and I decided to have a night with just the girls. I was so excited to have a night with all of Benton's sisters. It doesn't happen very often because Benton's sister Rachelle lives in Montana, so it was a great opportunity to all get together. We ate at the Blue Iguana in SLC, the food was really yummy. The waitress however was really struggling, we ended up being at the restaurant for over 2 hours, which was great with me, I loved hearing all of their stories from when they were younger. Here we are at the restaurant...
Me, Carol, Aimee, Kattie and Rachelle

Love you guys! I had so much fun, thanks for such a great night!

TAG!

I've Been Tagged!

8 Things I'm looking forward to: 1. Arkansas in 1 week!, 2. VACATION!!!! 3. Meeting my new nephew this coming week (Kattie's little guy)! 4. Seeing my sister in law from Montana this week 5. Getting Paid 6. Having a baby in the future (no I'm not pregnant) 7. Babysitting Spencer overnight 8. Fall (I love summer, but I love looking at the trees change)

8 Things I did this weekend: 1. Ran 2. Cleaned 3. Went to Brighton with my family & Steph 4. Shopped at Smiths, bought 10 boxes of Special K (it was on sale!) 5. Ate at the Rio Grande in SLC 6. Sat outside and enjoyed the fresh air 7. Painted my nails 8. Made hamburgers on the grill (yummy!)

8 Things I wish I could do: 1. Go on vacations at least once a month 2. Sing (I have a really bad voice) 3. Dance (I am extremely uncoordinated) 4. Get a College degree without going to college 5. Be fearless 6. Have all my family live close 7. Invent something? 8. Hire a cook

8 Places I'd like to travel: 1. New York 2. Washington 3. Hawaii, visit all of the Islands 4. Mexico 5. Illinois 6. Canada 7. Alaska 8. Massachusetts

8 Shows I watch: 1. Grey's Anatomy 2. Private Practice 3. The Office 4. Desperate Housewives 5. Brothers & Sisters 6. CSI Miami 7. The Bachelor/Bachelorette 8. Friends

8 Friends I Tag: 1. Karly 2. Chelsie 3. Stephanie 4. Cortney 5. Monica 6. Kattie 7. Aimee 8. Carol

A day with the Fam

My family was up this past week, so I was able to spend some time with them on Saturday. My really good friend Stephanie and her little girl, Gracie came with us. We went up to Silver Lake at Brighton. There were a lot of people up there, but it makes sense because it's so pretty. They have a trail where you can walk around the lake. Here are some photos...
Chelsie and I

Spencer and I

The Lowe Clan

My brother, Thomas and I

Me and Steph

Me and my mammy

Silver Lake, how pretty!


After Brighton we did a little shopping and then all went to dinner at the Rio Grande in SLC. Benton came and met up with us.

The family photo


What can I say? It was a great day!

Weekend Getaway!

Benton and I had a gift certificate to go stay at Zermatt Resort in Midway, so we thought this was a perfect weekend to go. We dropped Roxy off at my sisters(Thanks Chels!) and headed off to Park City. I had to go to the Outlets, Benton said I could choose one store, so of course it was Banana Republic. I cannot leave there empty handed, it's too hard for me! Here we are at the Outlets...

Before we ate dinner we played an 18 hole putting course. I was stupid and brought my purse, it is really heavy and it was annoying to lug to every hole....so I made Benton carry it for me (that's the way to do it). It was really fun and actually pretty hard. Everyone should know, I WON!!! I got 87 and Benton got 88....that's huge for me, cause Benton LOVES golf and wins at everything! So I was pretty happy after we left, but here we are posing for the camera...


After my victory, we ate dinner and then went to the steam room and went swimming. It was a busy night. This morning we ate brunch at the hotel, it was so yummy. I ate so much food, buffets are not a good thing for me. They had so much food...as you can tell, I love food.


It was nice to getaway, and always great to spend a relaxing weekend with my hubby!

I aM so LuCkY!

This post goes out to all of my girlfriends! I was just thinking about how much I am blessed to have all of my girly friends in my life. I am overwhelmed with happiness of how much I love and adore all of my friends. Benton is great, but you know how husbands just aren't the same as your girlfriends? Well I just want to give a shout out to all of my girls! I seriously have the best friends, I have friends who I don't talk to for a while and then when we see each other we just click like no time has gone by at all. I have my friends that I keep in touch with from High School and love to hear all about what's been going on with them. I have all of my friends from America First-I cannot believe how many friendships I've established by working there, friendships that I'll have my whole life. I love my co-workers who aren't just my co-workers, they are my really good friends who I blabber to every day! I have my sisters who are my best girlfriends ever, nobody could ever replace them! Seriously, I just want to give a hug to each and everyone of you. I don't think I tell you all how much I love you and how much better my life is with you in it. I could start crying, that's how grateful I am. No, nothing has even happened for me to feel this way, I just do. So thank you all for being in my life and supporting me....I couldn't do it without you!