February Girls' Weekend & Highlights

Back in February, I got to cash in a Christmas present that Brandon gave me - a girl's weekend in Las Vegas with Nicole.  I flew out Friday afternoon and came back Sunday night.  Our husbands treated us to a five-star hotel (Aria) and front row seats to the Michael Jackson "One" by Cirque du Soleil (Brandon bought the tickets and actually didn't know that they were front row seats, but we will give it to him anyway).  

The highlights were the simple things like 

- eating when/where/what we wanted, totally uninterrupted

- sleeping uninterrupted for 2 nights

- getting ready uninterrupted

- shopping without kids

- delicious food - Garrett's popcorn, pink berry, crepes, Maggiano's, etc.  

- catching up with Nicole

Brandon made me think that taking care of the kids all weekend was a piece of cake, although when I got home, I could tell he was exhausted.  Three cheers for Brandon on taking the kids to church all by himself!  The kids hardly missed me at all, but when I talked on FaceTime with Kendall, she was so ticked!!  She wouldn't even smile at me, she was so upset I was "stuck in the phone".

On the way there, I sat to a nice couple and they asked me if I was Mormon.  The wife wanted to tell me that she had just gone through the Gilbert Temple Open House, and she had lots of questions!  We chatted for an hour about all the different aspects of the temple and general Gospel questions.  Her tennis partner is a member, so I am hopeful that she will pick up where we left off.  However, I am kicking myself for not getting her contact info to send the missionaries.  Truthfully, that part didn't even cross my mind until 30 minutes after I got off the plane.  I had forgotten the most important part!  I am slowly learning how to share the gospel and hopefully will do better next time.  

Other February highlights:

- Kendall can roll her tounge and the big kids can't (now they can because they have been practicing)

- Trip to the Zoo with the Resch's and Wallbrecht's - friends from Chicago; Rachel kept calling Lucas, Lucifer, and it was cracking me up!

- Beautiful winter weather 70's and even 80's (we already brought out the sprinkler for under the tramp); this winter has been unseasonably warm, which makes me nervous for summer

- Taking Kendall to the pet store - so simple, but she was SO happy

- Pink Chick Fil-A ice cream Valentine's week

- Rachel was so thrilled with her class valentine's - cupid's arrows; however, I did learn that something more simple next year would be a better idea!

- Andrew's weekly playgroup swap kicked off, and he loves his new friends

- A bummer for the ENTIRE month was allergies for me!  It stays in my eyes, and I wear glasses and rub my eyes all month.  I even tried all the different meds, but it was relentless this year.  

ZOO - Owen, Lucas, Andrew, Rachel & Carter

Lots of laughs on this trip - for instance, we have no idea who the child is 2nd from the right, but he might as well join our picture!

Good friends while Rachel is at school

Pet Store - Kendall loved it!

Pink ice cream somehow tastes even better!

Cupid's Arrows, Class valentines

Ready for Valentine's Day at school!

Look at those big ole' front teeth coming in!

Outside fun!

My first try at chalkboard typography (I looked at someone's chalk art online, and then tried to do something similar).  It was really fun to do!