Nana and Papa Visit

This past weekend, my in-laws came down from Utah for a visit. They stayed at our house and we had so much fun with them! We went out to eat, went to Top Golf, went swimming, Nana joined us for Sadie's dance class and watched her for all 3 hours of church so that I could focus on my calling with the kids (LIFESAVER), and Will and his dad went to the football game. We absolutely loved the one-on-one time we got to have with them. Will was in heaven having his dad around to talk and watch sports with and getting my homework done was much easier with the extra helping hands around. A few hours after they left, Sadie woke up from a nap, grabbed me by the hand, and led me into the loft and spare bedroom looking for them. It was sad but so sweet. She misses them already! So do we! 

Friends

When we moved back to Arizona, I had the naive thought that my same old friendships would all pick right back up where they left off with the people I hung around with before I was married. Well, that didn't exactly happen. I still see those awesome people from time to time but we've been so blessed to make great, new friends in our church ward and community. I've met awesome women through going to story time at the library, mommy groups on Facebook, and through mutual friends at play dates. I have loved expanding our circle of friends and it is so rewarding watching Sadie learn to interact with other kids. She mostly likes to observe still and thank goodness isn't a bully. This past week we met up with some friends at the riparian preserve (a park and pond next to the Gilbert library full of ducks, turtles, fish, etc.). We fed the ducks and then went to check out "The Soda Shop" and grab a treat afterward. Sadie dumped a glass of water on herself but didn't seem to mind since it cooled her off haha. 

I love living in Gilbert and feel like it is a perfect fit for our young, active family. For the first time since we've been married, I feel a strong sense of belonging at my home ward. There are so many other young mothers and Sadie has already made a bunch of little friends. This past week I went to a girls' night at one of their houses and a workout class that some of the talented ladies in the ward take turns teaching twice a week at the church. A lot of the women are also stay-at-home moms so we brought our kids with us and brought out the nursery room toys to keep them busy. It was awesome! Some of the women in our ward also put on a fundraiser this weekend for sweet, little Capri (a 4-year-old in our ward) who has Leukemia. We were able to stop by for a little while (photo booth pictures are from the event). It was amazing to see how many people are rallying around Capri and her family. I can't imagine how scary this must be for them but her mom, Amy (my visiting teacher), bore her testimony to me of God's love and shared a few of the blessings they are finding through this trial as well. She has so much faith. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Hubby

 I don't rave about my guy nearly enough. This past week he has gone above and beyond for me! He has come home from some long days of working and without any complaints gone right to playing mom so that I could write a paper, take quizzes, finish discussion posts, and even take a nap! The nap was glorious in case you were wondering. I am so grateful to be back in school full-time but honestly, it would be impossible without Will. He never complains about work, is always willing to listen and give feedback, and is constantly encouraging me forward. I am seriously amazed at how much he believes in me and my abilities. Thanks for being an incredible husband and the world's best dad! We love you!

Falling for Fall

 I don't know why I waited until this late in September to bring out the fall decorations because this is my favorite time of year! I miss the beautiful changing of the leaves and cooler weather we had in Utah at this time of year, but I know eventually things will move along here too.

I know these shelves aren't decorated for fall, but I just keep staring at them every time I go in the kitchen. They were the last ones on the shelf at Target and I just had to have them! That's a little cactus with a yellow blossom on it on the right. 

I am SO excited for Halloween this year because it will be Sadie's first time trick or treating. We still need to decide what we will be dressing up as, because Will keeps shooting down all of my ideas. Apparently they have all been too corny for Mr. Cool. Oh well. We'll agree on something sooner or later!

Young Mom

I always knew I wanted to be a young mom. If I could have my way, I'd want to hurry and have the rest of our babies before I turn 30. This might sound crazy to some who don't even think about starting a family until they're 30, established in their career, yadda yadda yadda. I just want my kids to always remember their mom playing right alongside them (and not being out of breath!). I know not everyone has control of when and how many kids they will be able to have (we've struggled with these issues ourselves already..) but that is my dream and hope. So I'm putting it out there!

Enough serious talk, now onto the pictures! We did a lot of fun things this week as a family and with friends. Sadie is developing such a silly personality. We absolutely love it!

 

The Sour Patch Kid

 First she's sour...

 

Then she's sweet...

 

Just kidding! But honestly, thank goodness for the Dum-Dum suckers that were up for grabs at the bank. This was the first grocery trip in weeks where we didn't have to take breaks so that she could get down and walk for part of the time. Little miss independent... 

Where the Wild Things Are

 Over Labor Day weekend, we went on a little camping trip with my brother's family. Neither of our kids have ever been camping, so we thought it would be a fun adventure. Sadie loves watching and copying my nieces Violet (4) and Jackie (18 months), and Violet is always looking out for her and giving her lots of hugs. It's the sweetest thing! 

 

  

We headed up toward Strawberry, AZ right after church on Sunday and found a great spot near Kehl Springs just as the sun was setting. We quickly set up our tents and got the fire going while it was still somewhat light out. The weather was cool and beautiful the entire time we were up there. For dinner, Will and I stuck to our easy hot dog meal but enjoyed some nibbles from Glenn and Afton's tin foil dinners. Then we all roasted marshmallows and made s'mores over the fire. We were so happy to camp in a place without fire restrictions. I feel like the best parts of camping revolve around the fire. We had a great time talking and playing "Smurf" after we put the 2 youngest to bed in our tents. It was good to get some one-on-one adult time with my brother and sister-in-law since we've hardly seen each other the last 4 & 1/2 years while we've been living in different states. 

Sadie surprisingly fell asleep without a peep for a couple of hours while we stayed up late by the fire. I figured she wouldn't sleep well, but my main concern was her being too cold. I don't have any fleece pajamas in her size (in Arizona, stores don't usually come out with those until the end of fall..) so I had her in a long sleeve one-sie outfit and 2T size pullover (aka hoodie turned dress on our bitty babe) with knee-high socks on over and lots of blankets around. Surprisingly, she stayed underneath the blankets and didn't move around too much in her sleep during those first few hours. We kept the top cover off the tent so that we could stargaze through the mesh layer of it. The stars were incredible where we camped.

When Will and I went to our tent around midnight and got settled into our sleeping bags, then Sadie wanted to play. Thinking back on it now, it must have looked pretty hilarious. She was climbing all over me, sitting on my face, and chatting up a storm while I was laying there motionless in the dark trying not to get her even more riled up. This must have gone on for at least an hour and somehow Will managed to sleep through it. I just kept laying her down next to me in my sleeping bag and cuddling her until she would sit back up again. Eventually, she gave in to sleep and we all got a few hours before the sun started to come up. 

Afton, Violet, and I woke up at about the same time and got the fire up and going again. Everyone else woke up pretty soon after (Sadie last) and we all had hot oatmeal for breakfast. Sadie woke up with a dirty, daze face. It was so funny! It's crazy how dirty a little person can get while camping! It didn't really bother me as I'm usually the one saying "Kid's are supposed to get dirty" and "It will build up her immunity". Will is much more of a clean freak than me and tried his best to wipe her down every now and then. 

 

After breakfast, Afton and I took Violet (and Max! How could I forget to include him until now!?) out exploring. We saw a few squirrels and strayed off the trail for a bit. While we were gone, Glenn and Will played some horseshoes while watching the two youngest. We didn't stay up there very long in the morning, because we didn't want to hit traffic on the drive home. It felt like the perfect amount of time for a first camping trip with kids. We had a great time with my brother's family and hope that the next time we go, even more of my family can come.