September

September was a busy, busy month full of fun and exciting things! On Labor Day, we had planned on going on a hike in the morning, but since it was raining when we woke up, we had to opt out. We had a yummy breakfast out on the patio while it rained. Later, we went bowling, and then had the Bundy's, Skeen's, Peterson's, and Searle's over for a cookout and beach volleyball.

A beautiful sunset and a rainbow. I love Cache Valley!

Since Brad had never been to the wind caves, we decided another hike was in order. We invited Leinani and Michael to join us this time and we had a blast!

We went up to the cabin one weekend for Ann's birthday. We had fun enjoying Brad's new toy (a 4-wheeler) even though it did rain on us everytime we went on a ride. It was the joke of the whole weedend that Brad and I couldn't go on a ride, or else it would start to rain. haha We also had fun visiting and playing games inside with the family, and organizing the cabin a little. 

We helped my parents with some yard work one Monday night. They are doing a lot of work to their front yard and it is going to look so good once it is done!

While nannying the Hess', I've tried to do a lot of fun things with the kids outside while the weather is still warm! In order: Going to the zoo, playing at the park, jumping on my parents tramp, feeding the ducks, going on lots of walks (this one was in the tunnel at first dam), drawing with sidewalk chalk, visiting twin boys that live down the street that just so happen to be four and have red hair just like Ruby and Lucy, celebrating the twins birthday, a little photo shoot at the park, painting on rocks, playing hopscotch, and wrestling with their dog Sophie. 

The day finally arrived that we could move into our house!! We spend many many hours during the week painting and cleaning it to get ready to move in. Mom came to help a few times, and Ann came all day on Friday which was a huge help! Bryce also came that night to help put in new baseboards. 

On Saturday, we went to Brooke's to load everything up. We borrowed Bryce's snowmobile trailer so it was nice to be able to put all of our stuff in there. We got home and unloaded, had some pizza, then mom helped me unpack the kitchen. We had a lot of people helping us, so it all went very quick. Brad and I were passed out on the couch before we could do anything else! Thanks to everyone that helped in any way! Before and after pictures will come later! ;)

We got to go on an amazing little trip to a place called Pirates Cove. It was seriously magical- so it will be a post all on it's own! ;) But here is a sneak peek.. 

August

Beautiful Logan sunsets!

Had fun babysitting these cute kids after a long summer away from them. The twins grew up a lot while I was gone, and I even got Malachi to say my name!

Went on a few bike rides with my parents in the evening

 I got to go to Lagoon with Lindsey, Emma, Lydia, and Kendyl and Milly (Lindsey's nieces who were visiting from Washington). We had fun going on the rides, and playing at the water park.

I was babysitting the Hess' on the night that Carol asked us if we could come help her with some things in her classroom. I decided to bring the kids along so that they could play with Emma and Lydia at the playground, they had a great time! 

During the summer, the Hess' offered me a nanny job that would take the place of All About Kids. I decided to quit after working there for almost 5 years! Now, I am nannying for them every afternoon since Charlie is in first grade and can no longer go to the daycare. I pick him up from school, take him home to do some homework and then go pick up the girls from daycare and hang out with them until their parents get home around 6. I enjoy it much more than the daycare because of situations like this: My friend, Lindsey (who moved to Washington in the spring) called to invite me to go to Aggie ice-cream with her and the Galvins since she was in town. So, I was able to take the 3 kids and go, something I would not have been able to do if I worked at the daycare.

Kylee came for a very short weekend for her friend's wedding. She got here late Thursday night, and left Sunday evening. We were able to do some fun things while she was here... 

We went on a hike to the windcaves on Saturday morning. 

And had tin-foil dinners in the canyon with the Bundy's that night. 

We sat in the hot tub

And then had some family over for dinner on Sunday. Andy and Chelsea were in town, so they, the Bundy's and Grandma came. I knew that Brad was on his way home that day, but I didn't think he would be home until late.. so I was very excited when he walked in while we were eating dinner. After dinner, we played a few games before Dad and Kylee had to leave for the airport. 

We all went on a bike ride around campus and then played on the Hillcrest playground. Brad stayed home to take a nap since he stayed up all night driving home. 

 We enjoyed going to dinner with the Browns. We went to Hu Hot and it was very yummy! 

Last Week of Texas

Amarillo consisted of going to lots of antique stores, trying on hats and imagining what it would have been like to live back in the days. It was down to us three girls (Meghan, Krista, and I) so we tried to do some fun things to stay busy and to not get too bored.  

We went to lunch at Logan's Roadhouse. We thought it was pretty funny that there is a Logan's Roadhouse in Texas, and a Texas Roadhouse in Logan (although Texas does have a Texas Roadhouse as well) They were almost identical, right down to the peanuts and amazing rolls! We were looking for a place to get ice-cream after and we found Cowboy Gelato. We ended up going there again for lunch 2 other times. It was just a cute little local place and it sure was yummy. 

We decided to go to Palo Duro again with our friends Krista and Clayton. (we came here when we were in Amarillo two summers ago) We found a little cave that we climbed up into. It was a fun little activity for something different to do. 

We found this fun little trail that was really close to our hotel. Every few feet, there would be a couple of the same kind of trees, and then a sign saying what kind of tree they were. So before we got to the sign, we would try to guess what kind they were. There was also a gazebo in the middle of it.   

The original plan was for me to follow Krista and Clayton home on August 12th. Well, they decided to go home about a week early, and I still wanted to go with them so that I would have someone to follow and I knew I would be bored without Krista there. So with one days notice, we packed up all of our things and left on August 6th. I followed them to Fort Collins, and then they left to finish the rest of the drive. I spent 3 nights with Kylee and Brody. We went for a bike ride, watched Planet Earth, I helped Kylee with a few projects she was working on in her bathroom, and I went with her to a park with the kids she nannies and to their house after to hang out. It was so fun to be able to see and hang out with them and I'm so glad they let me stay for so long!

 The drive back to Utah was very boring, but I was happy as could be.. first when I saw Little America, then the sign coming into Utah, and then Bear Lake.. as I knew I was getting closer and closer to finally being home!

 I kept me coming home early a secret to my family, so when I got into Logan, I went to Mikell's house to see her and cute Paizley and so I could have her help me surprise my family. She had a big box, so we put ribbon on it. I sat on my parents front porch, then she put the box on top of me, rang the doorbell and ran. My mom answered the door and was VERY surprised when she saw me! It was so fun and I'm glad Mikell could help me. 

Second half of July

When it rains here- it floods the streets. So one night, Krista and I decided to go out and play in it.

I went to the National Ranching Heritage Center with the other wives. It was on Texas Tech Campus and it was free! Perfect! When we went the first day, the outdoor section was already closed, so we had to come back the next day so we could see it. It  had a bunch of historical structures including homes, windmills, a railroad, and more dating back to the 18th century. It was really neat to see it all, and it really reminded me of Peru!!

A day at the pool with treats and a jam box- what could get better than that!? Mindi left to go home with her girls, so we got bored pretty quick without children entertainment. 

After the pool, we thought it would be fun to go play pool, and this is what it turned into...

Getting a picture of all of us jumping on a self timer is much harder than you'd think! 

Date night to Red Lobster this hot husband of mine. 

Got to go Go-Karting with these friends.

(Nick, Meghan, Jess, Brad, Krista, Clayton)

We got to go to the Lubbock Temple with Krista and Clayton. Since it is such a small temple, they are only open at weird times and only for a few hours. So, the only time we could go was on a Thursday at 9am. When we got to the temple, I realized I forgot my recommend at our apartment! I usually always have it my bag, but since we weren't planning on bringing our clothes to Texas and just renting, (we later found out that we can't rent clothes at this temple so I brought them back with me after I went home to visit) I had it in my wallet so didn't even think to bring it with me. Bummer!! Luckily, they were able to look me up and let me in! :) 

Another date night. We usually try to go out to dinner every Saturday night. We went to Chili's again this night.

The guys ran out of area in Lubbock so we had to take the drive up to lovely Amarillo to finish off the summer. Amarillo is about 2 hours north of Lubbock, so it is nice that we are a little bit closer to home. We passed a place on the way called Happy. But the worst part? We have to stay in hotels. It honestly hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be, but dinners are a little more tricky to make.