Is summer over yet? I think we officially have a few more days left, but to be honest, I think I am more than a little ready for fall. True, the turning leaves and impeccable fashions are some of my favorite things around, but I am also ready for a little calm after a summer full of crazy fun.
August was quite the month for our little and big families alike, and living only a 7 hour drive from it all made us (me) believe that there was no reason to miss a second.
August started off with a quick visit to Utah for the first of three weddings that would take place within three weeks of one another, and then we hurried back to Billings to prepare our little home for a visit from Ryan's parents and sister.
Ashlie was living in Texas for the summer so it was so great that she was able to come along, and it worked out perfectly that the girls and I could hitch a ride back to Utah since Ryan had to stay and work during the majority of the fun. Weird he couldn't get three and a half weeks off from work, right?
We had lots of fun with Nana, Papa, and aunt Ash experiencing some of Billings' most exciting attractions such as the zoo, the movies, the beach, a baseball game, and the cupcake store; just to name a few.
It is definitely a different experience showing visitors around our new hometown than it was in Columbus. I felt like everything we did was something they could have done just as easily at home, but I guess eating out and playing at the park is always more fun with family!
We decided to be adventurous and take the scenic route home in order to please Miss Ashlie who had never been to Yellowstone. While the scenery is beautiful and everyone needs to experience it once in their life, twelve hours in the car is just way too many! By the end we were all joking that the two babies were the best ones during the trip, and sadly it was mostly true.
Eventually we did make it back to Logan, and just in time for a good night's rest before it was time for wedding #2 and all it's ensuing festivities.
Even though it made for a crazy few weeks it was so much fun to be a part of each of my cousin's special days. My mom's brother gave away his third and final daughter, while my mom's twin sister married off her two oldest children within twenty days of one another. Plus she is in the stake Young Women's presidency and had to put on girl's camp right in the middle of the weddings. So I guess my busy August could have been a little bit worse!
Wedding #1: Tanner and Lizzy.
Tanner and I are the same age and have always been close. I feel like I could consider most all of my cousins to be as close as siblings, but especially Tanner and the rest of the Bickley clan. Having moms who are twins creates a special bond that has been a wonderful blessing in our families lives.
Wedding #2: Thomas and Mattea.
What a fun weekend filled with Bluebird Restaurant luncheons, evening wedding ceremonies at the temple, and dance parties that Stella could not get enough of.
Wedding #3 (the last one!): Jedd and Allie.
I hope I never forget the feelings I felt during Allie and Jedd's sealing in the temple. Jedd lost his father to cancer a few years ago, and it was so obvious that there were many angels with us in the temple that day. Allie and my dad always had a close relationship, and I know the fact that he died while she was on her mission has been a very difficult thing for her.
Being with Allie and Jedd in the temple and hearing, once again, the beautiful promises of eternal families was such a privilege and I will always cherish those special moments.
Let's not forget to mention that their reception was held in the lodge at the top of SnowBasin Resort and we were able to take a beautiful gondola ride to get there.
And of course, cowboy boots were the footwear of choice and highly recommended.
In between all the weddings and driving (I think we made the trek between Utah and Idaho at least twice a week while we were there...although it was probably more), we did find time to play!
Stella had lots of fun playing and pretending during an afternoon at the Treehouse museum in Ogden, and loved playing at my mom's house with some of Papa Scott's old toys. Baby boy Geddes is going to have lots of fun with all the classic trucks and cars awaiting him.
Somehow in between all the fun we all found a little time to sleep.
Whether it was in the car, on grandma's couch, the makeshift bed on the floor, or sprawled across mom all night long; sleep was certainly necessary to keep up with all the action.
Nana Joni turned the big 5-0 and of course is looking as fabulous as ever!
We are so lucky to have her in our lives and thought a beach cruiser bike should help keep her young at least for a few more years.
Jumping on trampolines, a Sunday afternoon running through grandma's hose, and feeding the ducks with the BFF were some of Stella's favorite moments of our trip.
Princess Eliza turned another month older and is already swiftly approaching yet another month down.
She is still every one's favorite girl, and did pretty great with all the travel and excitement.
She busted out three more teeth while we were away from daddy, and now boasts four on the top and three on the bottom.
I was so sure she would finally be crawling while we were away from Ryan, but she didn't quite do it until we were reunited at the end of our trip. Daddy's girl for sure, this one.
Now, however; she is a crawling machine and I am begining to remember what a destructive force a mobile baby can be.
Sleeping is suddenly becoming quite the battle. It isn't that she is waking up all night long as it is becoming difficult to actually get her to sleep. She has always been the baby that likes to be put in her crib awake to fall asleep. She isn't that baby so much anymore, but she also doesn't want to be rocked or held so I am at a bit of a loss as to what to do. These phases always come and go with kids, but sometimes you forget that fact during the moment. Here's to hoping we figure each other out again soon!
Another car ride for Miss Stells. As long as she can assume "the position" and watch a movie she is good to go (thankfully!).
Meeting up with old friends is always a highlight. It seems I only get to see these girls once a year at the most, and it is often even longer between the times we can all be together. I sure love them and cherish our friendship so much.
And surprise! I have brown hair now.
We were even lucky enough to get to attend a couple of Aggie football games, one of them being the amazing game against the University of Utah.
It is so much fun to spend time with the Palmer family and experience a little of the Logan life. We sure love that place and everything it represents to us. I am not lying when I say dressing my kids in Aggie gear and spending an evening cheering on our team is kind of a dream come true for me.
We might be brainwashing our children that Utah State is the only school that they can attend a few years down the road.
So that is just a peek into what the last month of our lives has looked like.
I didn't include showers for Baby G (who should be gracing us with his presence very shortly!!!), play dates at the park with cousins, half marathons, missionary homecomings, and happy reunions with a daddy we missed dearly while we were away.
Now it is back to the daily grind of life: cleaning house, cooking meals, potty training (yes, it's really happening this time!), and the weekly activities of a two-year old.
It is certainly a different kind of busy than parties and travel, but I am certainly looking forward to finding our own little groove here at home.
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