..."It Feels Like Home To Me..."

"...It feels like I'm all the way back where I come from...It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong..."

There are few people in my life who I really feel like if I needed something I could call them anytime of the day (or night). Carly and JT are some of those people.

I have four brothers and ALWAYS wanted a sister. Carly has been a sister to me for over 6 years. We met in college, graduated (with the same major) together, and worked at a bank together. She and JT were our best friends in Utah. It was great. Carly and I have so much in common and Ben and JT do too. We just got along perfectly. When Ben and I got engaged we drove straight over to Carly and JT's house and woke them up to share with them the news. They were some of the first people to know. She is still one of the first phone calls I make when anything big happens. We have the kind of friendship where we can pick up right where we left off...no matter how much time has passed since we have seen each other.
I can't say enough good things about Carly and JT...I just love them. Wholeheartedly.
They came and visited us for the weekend and we had a ball! There was shopping, golfing, food, s'mores, movies, and laughing. Lot's of laughing.

We went to the renaissance festival one day and it was HOT! People dress up to go to these festivals...dress up in crazy costumes that I would DIE in. I was dying in shorts, I can't imagine wearing a dress made out of curtains, or a bodysuit made out of chains. I felt like it was halloween b/c several of the women there used it as an excuse to dress slutty and show off EVERYTHING. (Why is it always the people that shouldn't be showing that much skin?)

I have never seen so many weird people all in the same place. It was crazy!
There was so much to see and do. They had elephant rides for $4 and we jumped at the chance. I was sitting on the elephants hip bones so every step she took, I was rocking. The elephant is Kai's favorite animal at the zoo and he was in awe. It was so fun and so cool. I absolutely loved it!




Since it was so hot and so sunny I totally lotioned up the kiddos with sunscreen. Cici's (barely there) hair was so greasy.
They had a small petting zoo with a few rides that Kai LOVED. (Especially since he got to ride in the BLUE butterfly. It's his favorite color and he was so excited.)
We cooled off with this AMAZING treat. I want to try to make it b/c I loved it so much. It was an orange cut in half with a raspberry popsicle scooped on top. It was cold and totally frozen but heavenly. We all enjoyed it and I enjoyed watching Ben's lips turn red.



At the petting zoo...

Carly and I watching one of the shows.
Carly and JT enjoying some fried pickles.

"I Just Can't Get Enough..."

My Mom drove back from Zion's with us to Colorado. I do talk to my Mom everyday but spending time with her is something that I never tire of. She is my best friend and the person I tell just about everything to. I just don't know what I would do without her. I wish we lived closer b/c then we could spend holidays, Sunday afternoons, birthdays, etc together. It would be so nice. It makes me jealous when I hear my friends talk about how often they see their parents. That would be so ideal. I can't wait for the day when my kids immediately know who their grandmother is b/c it takes them about 1 day and 1/2 to warm up to my folks.
The minute we got back from Colorado we were up and running. We did so much while she was here and yet I always feel unsatisfied with our time together. A week just didn't cut it this time. The worst part about seeing my parents is that I never know when the next time will be. So, when they leave I ALWAYS bawl like a baby.

I love that my Mom got to come to church with us. She is really so great with the kids. It makes it so easy to have her around b/c she is a huge help. I think she cleaned my house the whole time she was here. My kids are holy terrors though, so the day she left it was a wreck again.
We also hit up the park.

Kai (and Cic) made a stepping stone for my Mom to put in her garden. Kai was so excited to decorate it.
We went to the Denver Zoo.

Kai's favorite animal there is the elephant.

One of my new favorite pictures of Kai. (Even though he is wearing a necklace. Cicilee LOVES necklaces and b/c she wore one that day, Kai had to wear one too. I guess monkey see, monkey do.)
Mom took us out to dinner the night before she left. Kai was so happy! Cic on the other hand...

Thanks Mom, it was delicious!
I LOVE where we live! Colorado is beautiful.

My Mom loves to garden so the entire time she was here we worked in my yard. I was in heaven. Thanks for everything Mom! My yard always looks better after she has been here. She just has a way with plants. We even bought a hummingbird feeder (which I have always wanted) and I love to sit out and watch hummingbirds come by for a bite to eat.

We hit up several garage sales, and ALWAYS find great buys. Kai is gonna love several of the toys she got for him. She just spoils my kids (and me). I just wish they knew how lucky they were to have her as a grandmother.

"I don't understand why people camp. They save up their hard earned money to sleep in a tent and act like they are homeless."

I remember watching a comedy show and heard one of the comedians tell that joke. It has always stuck with me and totally made me laugh. It is so true though!
We went to Zion's National Park over the 4th of July weekend for my family reunion. Our trip started out rough b/c the day before we left Cic was diagnosed with her first ear infection. It was so sad. She had a temp and was miserable. I was terrified to put her in the car for a 10 hour drive but she was a trooper. She was pretty clingy the entire reunion but as long as I was holding her, she was happy.
Our reunion was in Zion's and we camped for four days. I enjoy spending time outdoors and have always had fun on camping trips in the past. Going into this trip I knew it was going to be tough to keep a "happy face" on. The campsite we were in had NO SHOWERS. Camping in July in Southern Utah is one thing, but camping WITHOUT A SHOWER...in Southern Utah...in July...for 4 days... is a totally. different. story. I NEED a shower. I can't get comfortable at night without one. It was horrible. There is red dirt everywhere and luckily we had a breeze, but it was just enough breeze to blow the red dirt on your sweaty body to make it stick. Yay. There was a fountain to fill up your drinks that clearly stated, "No bathing in fountain." There was also a river close by that we considered bathing in but after a brief swim, my brother was pulling worms (possibly leeches) off of himself. We used bowls and wash clothes to give ourselves a sponge bath several times during the trip but I never really felt clean. Plus, we were using sunscreen like crazy so I always felt greesy. I guess I sound totally prissy but hey, it's the truth. This is how I am. I like to take showers and shave my legs. I wasn't able to do either of these things the entire trip. If you want to know how to torture me, don't let me shave my legs. I hate if my legs even get prickly. Drives me crazy. Plus we were wearing shorts/swimsuit cover-ups the entire time so I was dying...
Wow, what a tangent that was. So sorry.
My family isn't exactly a close one so this reunion was exciting, and exhausting at the same time. I probably only see my parents once (twice, if I am lucky) each year. Don't get me wrong. I am really close with my folks. I talk with them at least three times every day. I have four brothers total. I grew up with two of them and the other two are half brothers and I didn't see them that often growing up. To add to our "closeness", one of my brothers HATES me. Yup, you read that right. I will never understand why or what happened...it is what it is I guess. It was hard.
(I try not to include too many sensitive things on my blog, but this isn't sensitive anymore. It shouldn't be...at least that's what I keep telling myself. I love when people are honest on blogs. It makes me feel better, like other families have issues too. I feel like people (and I am guilty of this too) only post the "happy" moments.)

Here's to honesty...
Have you tried to spend 4 entire days with someone who wants nothing to do with you? Tried to stay upbeat and positive around them? Tried to act like you don't mind or notice their disgust with you every time you walk by? Like how they just treated you in front of everyone didn't make you cry in the car? Acted like it is completely normal that they greet EVERYONE in the entire family with a big hug and enthusiasm when first arriving and upon leaving EXCEPT for you? (I am pathetic) It was hard...Ben had to give me several pep talks during the stay.

Don't get me wrong...I do love my family. I do. I was really excited to see everyone. I guess I was just hoping that things would finally be different between me and my brother. Like he would be the kind of brother to me that I want Kai to be to Cic. Some things never change. I need to accept it. It's just hard to give up on someone.


I think this was our first "official" family reunion on my side. We had lots of extended family reunions growing up but now that my brothers and I are having kids we have a big group with just our family.
We drove down to Zion's on Saturday and the first thing we did after our tent was set up, was go to the river to cool off. Zion's is HOT. The water felt great. Cici played in the sand with grandma and Kai and I played in the water. Ben, my Dad, and Ryan all floated down the river. We had a great time.




Cic was exhausted from the 10 hour car ride and passed out.
So glad I brought a hat. I have been struggling with keeping my hair dark. The sun just bleaches it right out. I think I wore this hat most of the trip.
The next day we went to church. (Ben forgot his church clothes and had to wear shorts. He really stood out. He was a good sport about it though.) We also went on a hike. Wish I could remember which hike we went on b/c it was so fun and kid friendly.
My folks made us all these AWESOME (sarcasm) shirts for everyone to wear. Nothing screams "Mormon Family Reunion" better than a brightly colored family reunion shirt.
This is our little family right before the hike. My Mom didn't understand my "hiking attire." She thought I was crazy to hike in a swimsuit cover-up that was just basically a dress. It was the lightest thing I had though. The dumb thing I did was to hike in flip flops. I was fine, but my feet are still recovering from how dry it was. They just cracked from that hike.

Ben was so great to pack the backpack with drinks and snacks for the kids.
When we got to the first waterfall I snapped this picture of Kai and Ben. Love.
This is my handsome brother, Travis. Baby Kiji fell asleep on the way up. She is such a doll!
Ben and I took turns holding Cic. She is getting so heavy now. My left arm is sooo much stronger than my right because of her.
Trying to keep the kids hydrated.
Mom, Dad, and Ryan.
My niece, Tiana. So cute!
We finally made it to the top. I thought my arm was going to fall off from holding Cic. Ben looks a little fatigued... :) Kai and Grandma playing in the pool when we got to the top.
The good thing about our bright reunion shirt is that it was hard to lose anyone.
Dad and Trav
Ready to make our decent down the hike...
The view...beautiful.
On the way down, Kai started to get super tired. ...was barely holding on.


Love this picture of Kai and Ryan.
All the cousins that were there. We missed Sierra, Aspen, and Forrest Jr.
Wish we lived closer to the cousins. It made me so happy to see them all interacting. Our little family...
Mom and Dad



I am so bummed that I don't have more pictures of Travis and Kiji. Oh how I love them.
Gotta love self portraits...we were trying to capture the view behind us but it was so washed out b/c of the sun.
love.


Ben and I laughed b/c the last time we hiked Zion's was when we were both dating other people. (Which is a loooong story b/c we all actually got lost on the hike.) We were friends so we were with the same group of people while we were there. I love that we have such funny memories together...but not really "together."



Done with the hike...We made it carrying two kiddos up and down. (With some help from the fam.) Thanks everyone!
Monday Ben went and hiked Angels Landing, and then when tubin' down the river. I stayed with the kiddos since Cic still wasn't feeling well and was super clingy. Later we went for a drive and walked around a bit while the kids were sleeping. I can't even begin to describe the beauty we saw. It was incredible.
Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Joseph. Maybe I am biased...but I think my Grandma is so beautiful.
Dad and all his sons, (minus Quinton). Forrest, Ryan, Dad, and Travis. We missed you, Quinton!
Grandma and I.


I'm so glad we made it out to the reuinon. As sweaty as we all were, it was great to make memories with everyone. I love sitting around a campfire roasting s'mores and just chatting. I am also so glad that Kai got to spend time with his cousins. He really fell in love with little Travis and Manase. He loves doing things with other boys. They had a blast hunting for "baby bugs" together.

There is already talk of next years reunion possibly in Texas. It would be great to go "home."