m o a b

Someday we plan to travel and see more of the world (and I'm seriously excited for those days) but in the meantime, Moab has our hearts. There is nothing quite liking waking early in the morning and stepping out of our tent to see the sun peaking out from behind that red rock. As we drove into Moab Thursday evening to see the sun setting on those same red cliffs I couldn't decide if I liked mornings or evenings better. Either way, we were all so excited to be back in Moab.

And as excited as we were, we chose the wrong time to be there. Memorial weekend was crazy busy. Check out that massive line that curves behind the hill.

:: car ride pics ::

dinner on the go (chicken avocado wraps, yum) + waiting in that massive line to get into arches was too much for Adeline, she wanted out of her carseat! (there were even chinese tourists who were next to us in line and asked if they could take her picture) :)

 :: parade of elephants - can you see the elephant in the rock? ::

:: that wind was crazy on top :: 

 :: dinner at the park, the shade was so inviting ::

:: ♥♥♥ ::

 :: this is why I love camping outdoors ::

 :: all the love going on in these pictures makes my heart so happy (but that poor girl) ::

Because these kids have such an anxious mom when it comes to deathly cliff sides, they humored me by clinging onto the rock while going down the trail.

This trip was exactly what we needed to get through the last four days of school. :) But seriously, we were all itching for an adventure. We brought nets to catch lizards, jumped around from rock to rock in our own playground build by nature, the scenery was just simply beautiful, and it just felt so good to be back in one of our favorite places. 

Unfortunately, Adeline did not feel the same way about this place that the rest of us do. She was mildly happy only when I was holding her. We wondered if she was a little sick, but as soon as we walked in the door at home, she smiled and was very much herself again.

father's day weekend

We started the weekend with having dinner at cousins house. We had barbecue chicken, coleslaw, and watermelon. Perfect summer evening meal. The kids also went into the backyard and ate raspberries to their hearts content.

Saturday morning several Packer girls headed to Grandpas house and watched West Side Story. Adeline watched for an hour then she sat with Grandpa and fell asleep. I think she'll like this tradition. It was so nice to spend some time with my dad on this father's day weekend. I quite like that he is my dad and I love watching him be a grandpa who tells the best stories. Afterwards we went to Shautel's baby shower. Still can't believe that my very first nephew is going to be a dad and I'm going to be a great aunt! 

On Sunday, we celebrated all things daddy! We gave him a tie in the morning, Rudger spent a long time making a special gift for him (which included wrapping some of his own toys), and we had a special dinner because that is his love language. We sure like him....a lot!!

anniversary weekend

Our anniversary was on Sunday. It still surprises me every time I realize that we have been married for 14 years. Time just keeps on flying by. We like to talk about those early years; how I never planned on moving to Salt Lake but it was just meant to be, how I almost lost my opportunity to date Justin (we actually don't talk a lot about that, because it depresses me), how young we were. I don't think anyone knows what they are really getting into when they get married, but when I made that choice 14 1/2 years ago, I just knew everything about me marrying Justin was right, and it was the best choice I ever made. 

Our weekend first started out with celebrating the amazing weather we were having! Playgrounds after school, popcycles, and hide n go seek in the bushes.

Then after THE longest four day wait, I finally got to see my adorable nephew!! My sickness that I had for two weeks before and felt like I was getting so much better decided to come back with a vengeance for two more days. I was so frustrated. By Thursday I was feeling much better, and Friday I was a new woman. I didn't even get a picture of him because I was too busy admiring him and talking with my sister! So so happy for her! But I did manage to get a picture of our two girls wearing matching shirts ♥♥♥ 

 

 :: Saturday night anniversary date in the new car Justin just bought ::

 :: this girl fell asleep three seconds after I took the picture on the left + daddy in a suit holding our sleeping girl melts my heart :: 

 :: and just because this picture makes me happy - chocolate face + drawing letters + fell asleep while trying to write those letters ::

I'm quite happy with the little life we have created!

(not pictured: Corbin - how did he get out of getting his picture taken!  Also - Taylor was away from us all Friday evening at a birthday party and we missed him like crazy! And I attempted a fun Cinco De Mayo party, but it definitely did not turn out how I envisioned. There are just not enough hours in a day!)