Does Money grow on Trees....

I wish money really did grow on TreEs!

Thanks!

Older Pics, but still cute and Timeless!


Thanks to great parents! Mom and Dad Hill took our kids for a full 24 hours. Friday night Ben and I went to the temple which was wonderful, of course. It was nice to be together and be spiritually uplifted as a couple and family! Then, we shared a salad at Cafe Rio and chatted! We usually will eat and go with the kids since they get antsy, but this time no reason to rush. Then, we headed over the Borders Books founds some light reading and chairs to again 'chat' (uninterrupted) ... It was delightful. We enjoyed each others company and it was refreshing! Of course we love our kids, but it nice to get a break and focus on our relationship as companions. Then, we saw a late movie at the dollar! We didn't get home till 1am and we were tired, but we did things we normally can't and we stayed out because if we have a babysitter we are on the clock to get back!

The next morning we slept in. Ben made his fabulous eggs. Then we did some grocery shopping. Costco, then some fun stores to look around in! Off we went to pick up our kids who we adore and love so much! :)

While we were enjoying ourselves, the kids had a blast with their Nana and Papa! Friday night they had pizza, swam and watched a movie! Then Saturday morning they went out to breakfast for some yummy pancakes, then to Big Lots for fun 'cheap' toys, then swimming again! They didn't want to come home, but of course when they saw us, they were excited to go home!

Ben and I don't date that much because of time and money mostly. So, we appreciate the opportunities to have one on one time with each other! So again, a BIG Thank you to Mom and Dad Hill!

Quote from Abby: " You mean we get to spend the night with Nana and Papa without you,Mom that is so much more fun."

Quote from Tyler: "I want to swim all day and night at Nana's"

Quote from Benji: " No home, Mommy." (This one made me sad, but knowing he loves his Nana and Papa so much, it was ok.)

I don't have very many memories with my grandparents so I love that my children already have so many and hopefully so much more to come!

Random

We took a jaunt over to Home Depot to buy some hoses. We got two for $15 which isn't bad. Our dog loves hoses so we were out of working hoses. Well, we were walking around and decided to change all of our door handles. The catch is we have to do it one at a time or per pay check to make it more affordable. We are cash only household so that is how it goes. But I am excited at the prospect of new door handles. A Little Change but it will warm up our house a little. We've had 'brass' handles for over 7 years. :) I've come to not like them, but things always come before those! Now we figured out a way to do it, it will just take time to get them all done. Time, I found, is worth it!

Trip

We went to Utah for a week long trip and had a fabulous time! Ben and I forgot how beautiful the mountains up there are! Our niece Samantha was baptized by her Dad, Jeremy and we were able to be there for it! The kids had a blast with their cousins. They played and played! Every moment! Thanks to Jodi and Jeremy for letting us stay with them. We loved chit chatting, swimming, riding bikes, playing by the lake and watching a movie or two! Nana and Papa Hill were there too along with Ryan, Aimee and Justin and Katey. In Park City, there is mountain slide called, Alpine slide. You get to ride up the ski lift and slide down the mountain. Abby was so scared and cried all the way up the chair lift but once she went down it with me, she loved it. They also had a zip line and a coaster but we just stuck with the slide. The kids did the 'launcher' which means they were put in harnesses and jumped high, did flips and such on a tramp! Abby did a couple of flips in the air!

We headed down the SLC and toured Temple square. The kids have never been so it was nice to show them the temple, Joseph Smith bldg., the Conference Center (we got to go in and see the inside of it), also the old Tabernacle and church. The flowers and grounds were so rich in color and it was a very nice day!

We also had the opportunity to visit with our friends Allen and Heather and their three cute boys. We took a walk up a canyon and met some racoons. We also rode some horses which was great fun! We hung out and ate at our favorite place,,,'Texas Road House' and 'The Pie'! Allen and Heather have a fun Theatre room which we watched a few movies --incredible surround sound! The kids got along great too!

We also stoppped off at BYU! My old stomping grounds! The kids had all sorts of questions about 'college'! And Abby wanted to see my classroom. So cute! We visited the bookstore and walked around campus. It always nice to come back to a lot of memories and share it with our family. We told the kids this was where we met!

Then at last we got to see our friends/family(even though not blood related) The Fears. They live in Springville. The kids again played. There favorite thing to do! :) They had a movie night and slept in the basement all together. Then us adults stayed up with Peanut M&M's and played games with lots of chatting and laughing till 1am. (like old times) We miss them for sure! The next morning Sara and Brad made a fab breakfast which breakfast with our two families is sorta a tradition over the years! It rained all day our last day in Utah, but we spent it relaxing and playing with our friends!

Bye-Bye Kindergarten!

"Mom, I don't want you to walk me to the media center. I know where it is. I am a big girl and I can do it all by myself. See you later." ---conversation taken recently.....

She is all grown up. She has always been independent, but more so now!

She sang her heart out at her Kinder Celebration at her school. There were about five other kids that she knows from church and so it was fun celebrating with them all. She was the cutest one of course.:) But I am her mother so I can say those things!