Our Vacation Home

Our friends, the West's go on vacations a few times a year, and when they do we usually get to stay at their house to watch their dog and hamster. The girls absolutely LOVE it! I also enjoy staying in a nice, big, new home on the water, but it can also be a little stressful. We've stayed there about four times now and each time the girls almost ruin a piece of furniture (furniture that costs more than we make in a few months). I'm learning how manage it though, and it's definitely getting more enjoyable for me.

 The girls enjoy jumping off the dock and swimming to the rocky shore or using inner tubes and rafts. The rocky shore gives endless amounts of crabbing and discovery.

 The girls also spend lots of time jumping on the trampoline. Carly has perfected her back flip and has also worked on her front flip and back handsprings.

Here's a shot of the beautiful kitchen. Eating is one of the house-sitting things that can be difficult. Normally I like to make our meals (dinner mostly) from scratch, but I don't want to use all of the West's food and I don't want to bring my whole pantry. So, we usually buy some freezer meals and bring a few essentials from our home.

 They have tons board games. A couple of our favorites are LIFE (I win every time) and Say Anything.

We certainly enjoy the beautiful views from their home:

Other fun things we (mostly the girls) like to do there:

-hide and seek

-check on Luna (the hamster)
-play with and love Sandy (the dog)
-watch movies

(Update Feb. 2015: This post was written before we stayed there over Christmas break 2014. That was rough. I was going through morning sickness - tired and yucky feeling most of the time - and the freezer meals did not sit well with me. And for some reason Sandy was really annoying me (probably the morning sickness thing), but she follows me around EVERYWHERE. Poor dog. She really is a sweet, good dog, but I just couldn't deal with her. Also, their washing machine broke (probably our fault), and the girls got permanent marker on one of their tables, and Aubree literally chipped a piece of their brand new coffee table off with a crochet hook! So..... I don't know if we'll be staying there again.)

First Days of School 2014

 Carly, entering 4th grade and Ellie, entering 3rd at West Broad Street School. Aubree, with her baby - kindergarteners started school two days later at West Vine Street School.

These two girls were SO excited and nervous about the first day of school - I remember those feelings well! It made me so happy (and a little surprised) to see them holding hands. Such a sweet picture!

Ellie and Ms. Breen (3rd Grade)

 Our last day together before her first day of kindergarten. We went to the library and Wilcox Park. I just love this little friend of mine!

 Aubree woke up a little bit nervous that first morning. So Ellie tickled her back for a little bit, and made a lunch for her. Then, after they were both ready for school, Ellie played "good witches" with her until it was time to go meet the bus.

 Looking very thoughtful and wise on that first morning.

 Waving goodbye to me from the bus. I held it together and put on a big smile and waved and blew kisses. But as I walked Carly and Ellie to their school down the street I just couldn't hold it in. My baby was going off to kindergarten for a whole day without me! I was worried about how she would feel - maybe scared or lonely? And sad that a phase of my life was over - no more preschoolers. As we walked to the school, Ellie held my hand and so sweetly told me, "It's okay if you need to cry Mommy". As I walked back home by myself I thought of how I usually made that walk with Aubree, hand in hand. And of course, I cried some more.

Here she is getting off the bus on that first day. She ran right to me and buried her face in my neck and I carried her home. I think we were both so happy to see each other again. She was pretty shy at home and didn't have much to say about school on that first day, but as each day has gone by she has talked about her school day more, and I can tell she is more comfortable and confident. And so am I. (I'm finding that the school day passes by more quickly than I thought it would, and I'm not as productive as I thought I would be.)

Carly Nicole is 10!

For reals. Not like the past three months that she's been telling everyone she's ten. But now she actually IS ten.  On Friday (the day before her birthday) we had a Branch Beach Blitz, so we let her invite her friend Marin. I brought cupcakes to share with everyone. It was nice to be able celebrate with some friends from the branch since they are our family here. Afterward, Marin came to our house, and Carly had her first late-night (our version of a sleep-over). They played M*A*S*H, ate candy and watched a movie until 10 and then Marin's Dad came to pick her up.  

On Saturday (her actual birthday) we picked up her friend Kelsea and brought her to our house for a special birthday lunch - mac and cheese and a birthday ice cream cake.

 Then we headed over to Get Fired Up for the girls to paint and decorate their own plates. They had a great time doing that!

I found a list that Carly made a while ago (I think she may have made this list with Kaylie). It really describes the type of person Carly is. Not because she's perfect at all of these things, but because she really has a strong desire to be good and choose the right. 

THE Last Day of Summer

 We packed our last day of summer vacation so full! We started out by going to the Providence Children's Museum (with our free Westerly Library reading program passes). This is our third year going.

 

 And we thought we were short before...

 Then we made our way to the beautiful Roger William's park to eat our picnic. It was a pretty hot and humid day, so we didn't get to enjoy too much of the park, but I definitely want to to make it back there again for some exploring.

 Then we came back to our neck of the woods (literally), and used our free carousel passes at Watch Hill. (This is the oldest operating flying horse carousel in the USA and was build in the 1860's - pretty cool!).

 Then we did some window shopping. Our first time looking at the cute (and expensive) shops at Watch Hill. When our bodies just couldn't take any more walking, we came home to prepare for the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! Yay!

Last of the Summer Days

It seems like when the girls were really little and always at home with me I just couldn't wait to send them all off to school some day (those were some great days, but also physically and emotionally draining). And now, here I am. On Friday Aubree will be a FULL day kindergartener and I will be a part-time empty nester. I can't believe it! I really never thought this day would actually come, and honestly I'm not quite sure how I feel. When it's nighttime (like it is right now), and the girls are all asleep I feel very nostalgic and lonely and sad and a little regretful that I didn't enjoy every single moment when they were littler and were always here at home with me. But, we're real people and we have real moments and get real sick of each other sometimes. And in the middle of the day, when I'm worn out and don't know what to do for lunch and am sick of hearing people tell me they're bored and sick of the fighting, I get so excited knowing school is just around the corner (and then I feel a little guilty). So, anywho, I'm just trying to soak in these last summer days and really enjoy these girls of mine. They really are growing up so fast. The days are long, but the years are flying by! So, here's what we've been up to:

 A little dance party before we head off to the beach

 I really love the kettle ponds scattered around New England. It's nice to have wave-less, salt-less water to play in every once in a while.

 Aubree, Ellie and our neighbor Lily have been spending a lot of time making delicious creations out of mud.

 Our branch and old ward had a cardboard regatta event. The youth (and anyone else who joins in the fun) are split into teams and are given card board boxes, duct tape and a time limit (I think 30-60 min.). The goal is to build a "boat" that will float longer and go further than any other "boat". The event was held at the West's home (our vacation home) and it was SUPER fun.

 At the cardboard regatta Ellie injured her foot. She was still limping and had a bump 2 weeks later, so we took her into the doctor. (While we were waiting we found this book - above. It was one of the first books we were given after having Carly. A gift from the governor of ID. I LOVE that book.)

We were sent to the hospital for an x-ray. Fortunately Ellie didn't have any fractures or torn ligaments. UNfortunately we will probably be paying an arm and a leg for this x-ray. :(

 We went to the high school for lunch a few days a week. (They serve free lunch to anyone under 18 throughout the summer.)

We went peach and blueberry picking at Holmberg Orchards with our friends the Brown's and the Garrett's. 

  This is a horrible picture, but the only one I have of Aubree's kindergarten orientation. She was a bit nervous, but I think overall it was a good experience and helped her to feel a little more comfortable for school to start. (She even made friends with a little girl named Lauren, and they held hands.) Oh man, it's pictures like this that get me teary eyed and homesick for my girls.

Out West - Utah

(This post and the previous two are journaling from our trip out west in July. We had such a great time seeing family and friends in Idaho, Wyoming and Utah! Three weeks was a bit long for me, but better than not coming at all.)

When we arrived in Utah we went straight to Stephanie's house where we planned on staying for 5 days.

Here we are having a BBQ in Alpine with my parents and the Nielsen's. Bryant and the girls had a competitive water fight, and Kate tried to figure out the crawling thing.

As soon as we got over the stomach bug, Aubree came down with a really bad cold and croup and then shared it with Ellie and me. So, our plans to stay with Steph and Bryant were foiled. My parents graciously invited us to stay in their hotel room with them for the next few nights - and they took care of us. My parents have got to be some of the most giving people I know! They fed us, entertained us, took care of us, and so much more! 

One afternoon we met the Garretts (who were also visiting family in UT) and some of our Boston sister missionaries who have returned home and live in the Provo area. Sister Avery (by Ellie), Sister Ford (above Reese), and Sister Prezsler (by me). We LOVE our sister missionaries!

We spent a lot of time at Seven Peaks - I think we went four times. 

Ellie and Sophie

 Emma, Kali, and Carly (with photo bomber Scotty)

 Kissy face! (My Dad doesn't believe in kissy face and Kate forgot because she was zoning out.)

My parents took the girls to an art museum at BYU where they got to dress up in old fashioned outfits.

 For our last night in UT we spent the night at a hotel near the airport. As we were on the freeway to go to the hotel I passed a sign for the Temple Square exit and realized we hadn't stopped by while we were in UT. So, I quickly changed lanes and we took a very last minute trip to Temple Square - one of our favorite family spots! I so hope my girls have fond memories of all the time we've spent here and the spirit of this place.

Out West - Wyoming

We drove through Yellowstone to get to my parent's old stomping grounds in Wyoming. Aaron and I both grew up going to Yellowstone, but with somewhat different experiences. Aaron's family went there to go fishing, take pictures for his Dad's artwork, and just enjoy Yellowstone. For my family Yellowstone was never a destination, it was just the best way to get to Burlington, WY. So, we usually only stopped when needed, and my memories of Yellowstone will always include my mom's very annoyed remarks toward the people who stopped to look at the wildlife (specifically those who stop in the road to look at the wildlife). Either way, we both have fond memories of this great place and enjoy talking about our childhood memories while driving through. 

 At Yellowstone Lake
(As a little side note - Aubree did end up having Lyme Disease. Luckily we caught it early enough that one round of antibiotics did the trick and hopefully we won't be dealing with any long term side effects.)

I am so completely grateful for the beauty of this earth and to have all my senses to enjoy it with and to have this family of mine to share it with.

 At the Old Faithful Hotel

 One memory I have of driving through Yellowstone with my family is the story of the lost spectacles. We made a quick stop for my dad to use the bathroom at one of those outhouse type things. When my dad came out of the bathroom his glasses weren't on him. He told us that his glasses had dropped down the hole and that he would need Ryan to get them. He told Ryan that he would hold him by the ankles and lower him down into the hole. Of course Ryan was not excited about this idea and quickly suggested that he hold either Stephanie or me by the ankles because we were smaller and would fit better. After some begging and arguing over who would do it, my Dad laughed and pulled his glasses out of his shirt pocket. (Nice one Dad! I wish we would have thought to ask him HOW they dropped down the hole...)

 We made it to Cody, WY where we met my Dad's brother and his family and my Grandpa and his wife at a rental cabin. (Unfortunately Aubree, Ellie and I got the stomach bug while here, which held on through some of our time in Utah.)

Aaron and some of the guys went fishing

 Grandpa and many of his great-grandkids

 Grandpa and many of his grandkids (all of his biological grandkids)

 Dad, Grandpa and Uncle Larry

Grandpa, his sister, and Grandma Midge (grandpa's wife)

 Me, Aubree, Ryan and Stuart

It was so good to see all of my siblings (even if it was for only one night). Also that night my Dad and Larry stayed up and told some of us a bunch of stories from their youth - so wonderful and funny!

 Potluck lunch at the church's pavilion in Burlington. It was nice to see cousins and Aunts and Uncles on my Mom's side and of course my Grandma Henderson. She is such a sweet and hard working lady. (On Sunday morning before church she had a homemade strawberry pie ready as a breakfast dessert.) I LOVE Burlington! So many wonderful childhood memories. And the people in Burlington are such amazing, down-to-earth, hardworking people. I'm proud to have roots here and share heritage with many of the people here.

 Dad, Alan and Larry

 Paddle boating in a little reservoir near Burlington

And last but not least, we finally got to meet our newest cousin, Kate! What a cutie!