Halloween '15

Halloween was a fun night. We went with the Langhaim's and another family from their ward. It is always a joy to be with the Langhaim's. They are our family away from home. Our boys love their kids and Greg and Sara, and it is very nice because they are all nice to each other and get a long so well. 

I have to say though the little sock monkey Zig and Rowan are two peas in a pod. They are so funny to watch together. There is 6 month difference between the 2 boys and it is not as if they have spent most of their time together talking. They follow each other around and both find things they are curious about: turning the light switch on and off, dancing on the table, things of that nature, and laugh and look at each other. I get a kick out of them every time they are together. 

The trick or treating itself was pretty standard. We went around the Langhaim's neighborhood where a lot of members our old ward live so we see familiar faces which is nice. The boys last about 1 hour tops. Josh was having so much fun this year he had an extra skip in his step at all the candy he was gathering. But, Kaj had hit his max a little before Josh and wanted to go home which surprised me to hear considering I heard a lot about trick or treating and the candy gathering every day prior to Halloween. But, the timing was good because Rowan was also hitting hit breaking point. When Rowan is done usually means the family is done. 

 I had a cute Iron man, ninja, and pretty sure the cutest little pirate on the planet this year. Oh... Rowan. I am thankful to spend the different holidays with good friends.

Reunited and it Feels so Good

At the airport first picture all back together

 This was a wonderful miracle that took place that we were able to gather 6 busy women from across the nation to get together for a girls vacation in Sunny Las Vegas in October. It was brought up on a group voxing feed and honestly I wasn't too optimistic at first. With busy spouses and lots of kids between us I just wasn't sure...though my hopes were high, of course. As dates started being thrown out I quickly realized this is serious. And this could seriously happen. As the girls started booking their flight and talking to Sam about dates I told him that I could just go from Friday to Sunday, "well I didn't think you could get work off." I explained. To which he replied, "For you..of course." It was on! ( and what a nice man might I add) 

It felt much needed and so wonderful to be all together. It was a trip full of laughter, tears, deep conversations, potty jokes, and of course the strip, swimming, and exploring. These women..they are my heart. They lift me up so much, and being around them once again made me feel enlightened and uplifted, and inspired. I wish that we all lived close together for those selfish reasons. Ha! They are truly the salt of the earth kind of women. We kicked off the vacation by getting double flipped off by the angriest of food employees ever. It created some awkwardness and hilarity wrapped up nicely. 

We went to the strip one night and ate at fancy Italian restaurant where I am pretty certain each waiter was Italian, it might be a requirement? Or they fake the Italian accent very well. We walked pretty much the entire strip of Vegas to eat at Serendipity- a dessert restaurant which was delicious. Sum up that part of the vacation: we ate good food. The strip is odd. It always has been odd, but I looked at some of the people on the strip and felt somewhat sad for these women who were dressed in the skimpiest of the skimps and with really huge high heels and thought: I know your feet hurt. My feet hurt without heels so I know your feet really hurt- all to get used by some dude who doesn't care about you. Not worth it, honey.

fancy Italian restaurant

We enjoyed swimming at the hotel for any down time we played water volleyball which is perfect for this group. We went to the Red Rock area in Vegas which I had no idea was there, and it was so fun to break up our trip with some hiking and exploring red rock. I love this kind of thing, and it was liberating just going and not worry about my kids falling off anything. The last night we went go cart racing. It was a lot of fun, a different experience only because you put on a lot of stinky gear before going. It fun to race each other. I don't remember who won? Kim? Maybe Katie?

It was sad to say goodbye just not knowing when the next time we would be altogether again. All I know is that after some of us going years without seeing each other we were all comfortable and happy to be together. I honestly don't know how I am even so lucky as to be a part of this group of women- I admit I thought that many times. Somehow I am. We hope that we can plan a trip again. Our hopes were every other year. Possibly as couples one trip. If we could make this happen once I believe it can happy again. Cheers!