Lake Powell 2014

Lake Powell 2014 was one of the best vacations to Lake Powell that I have had in YEARS. With Nate there, no illnesses, not being pregnant, Anna at Grandma and Grandpa's house, and perfect weather....it was an epic trip. The hugest bonus of all was that all of my siblings were finally reunited and it was so much fun being together and making some great quality memories in one of the most beautiful places on earth. I love that many of my childhood memories were made here and now my children are able to have those same experiences!  

Highlights from this year include: hanging out with my dad's new brother and his mother, the 6th annual red rock challenge, MICE on board the houseboat YIKES!, paddleboards, Anasazi ruins, the crack, cliff jumping, climbing in old trees, Parker learning how to jump off of the wake, Dallin LOVING the tube, cool lightening storm at night, Mexican night, Hawiian night, James and his crazy beard, Jason forgetting how to wakeboard while he was on his mission (haha....farthest thing from the truth!), Tyty being the BEST little guy the entire trip. It was a great year and tears were shed as we parted ways...James is off to dental school for 4 years. Who knows when he will be able to join us at Lake Powell again for awhile anyway.

A huge thanks to the in laws for watching our Anna while we were gone. It was so nice not having to chase a 2 year old around in a place with hazards everywhere you turn! She had a great time up at the cabin.

Elder Rock returns!

A couple of weeks ago Elder Rock returned home from serving a 2 year mission in Denver, CO. We were all SO over the moon excited to see him. At times it seemed like he was gone forever but then there were other times that it flew by!  He had a great mission....he was sad to come home. The true sign of a missionary who LOVED the people he served. We're so happy to have him back!

I'm thankful for the example my brother (well, BOTH of my brothers) are to my sons. Dallin actually bore his testimony for the very first time last Sunday and he said he was excited to serve a mission one day. Having Jason come home was one of those moments where you feel a little bit of heaven on earth. Welcome home baby brother. We sure love you.

33...that's me!

I had a pretty fabulous 33rd birthday this year. Nate was going to be out of town and was feeling rather guilty about it. This definitely worked in my favor because the guilt ended up buying me a new computer, a new washer and dryer and more. Hehe. My dryer was totally on the fritz and it has been heavenly having a functioning washer and dryer that takes a quarter of the amount of time to get done.

Before he left, we took our annual trip up to Mesa Falls as a family. It is spectacular as always.
 I love this little tradition. Its hard to believe we've been going up there for 5 years now!

Some people despise growing older. I honestly find it to be such a blessing. Each year I have to spend with my husband and my children should be celebrated. I love my family, and our lives shared together. It brings me such happiness and joy. Here's to a great year #33!

The day I wanted to DIE

Nate and I had gone to Chick Fil-A one evening through the drive thru. We saw a sign advertising a free meal on "Customer Appreciation Day." I thought to myself, what idiot on earth would dress up for that? A few days passed and a neighbor was telling me about last year when they dressed up and got some free meals. She told me about how FUN it was and how they ended up getting both lunch and dinner there for free.

 

Then I decided to do it. For the kids of course.

 

I thought it would be fun....memorable....silly.

 

I spent 3 FULL hours preparing to go get our free meals. I cut felt, hot glue gunned black spots on white shirts. I made utters, silly signs, ears and even put pink lipstick on the kids noses.

 

We were ready for this. It was going to be

 

AWESOME.

 

Then we walked in.

 

People were starring at us.

 

Nobody else was dressed up.

 

Dallin said, "I feel really awkward Mom."

 

"I hope I will be able to forgive you for this one day Mom."

 

Yeah. I felt really awkward too.

 

Then the lady at the register says, "You DO realize that Customer Appreciation Day is tomorrow right?"

 

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaat.

 

Are you freaking kidding me!?????

 

I told the lady there was NO WAY I was coming back tomorrow after all of the work I had put in that day. She told me to hang on a sec while she talked to the manager.

 

They ended up giving us the meals for free.

 

It was THE MOST EMBARASSING moment of my life for sure.

 

I laughed the entire time we ate our free ($47 worth) dinner.

I didn't need any pink lipstick on my nose because my whole face was BRIGHT RED.

 

 

 

A day that will go down in the Starnes Family books forever. Me and my "herd."

4th of July

It was a low key 4th. A drive out to Swan Valley with EE. Pizza in Ririe, and square ice cream. Babies both tucked in their cribs sleeping soundly. Homemade root beer floats, blankets and pillows on the trampoline, and a magical fireworks display 360 degrees around us. Patriotic music playing on the radio. Bonfire with smores. It was magical. It was perfection.