operation roommate reunion

I got to take a road trip a few weeks ago, sans-husband and sans-kids. It was weird. I felt so free and light and my arms literally felt empty. It was strange not having to lug a huge diaper bag around, making sure sippy cups were always full and plenty of snacks were in tow. I loved it but at the same time I missed those boys so much! I know they would have had fun, but I am glad that I got to do something just me. I got to be selfish and free and didn't have to worry about anything. It was so refreshing and I feel like I came home a better mom and wife...at least for a little while. My mom kept the little people for me and they probably hardly noticed my absence.

I loved the long drive up to Idaho. I love talking and catching up with my favorite girls. I loved the yummy food we ate, the lazy mornings, the shopping, the talking, the laughing. We ventured up to the campus and I can't believe how much it's changed. I felt nostalgic a little bit. We laughed so hard, like we always do. I love that we are all so different but we meld together perfectly. We understand each other and always pick up right where we left off. It was so good, just like it always is.

Look at my halo! It's glowing. hahaha. I wish.

Cute little Ashley. What a character she is. I was so glad that she met up with us the night we were in Utah. It was so good to catch up with her; I love her so much.

I just love Andrea's shirt so much. It makes me laugh everytime I see it. She has two boys who would marry her tomorrow. Such is the life...

Seriously, what would I ever do if I didn't have such wonderful friends? I feel so blessed, truly. We got talking about someone Andrea knows who really has a lot of challenges and struggles. I said something about how I can't believe some people have to go through so much in life that it just seems unfair. Amber said, "Jess, that is you." I may have my fair share of struggles, but so does every other person on earth. I feel like I really do have it so good. I have a family that I couldn't be closer to, friends that love and support me, the gospel, etc. and all of those wonderful things completely trump the hard stuff.

I love the renewal that this little trip was and I am already looking forward to the next one.

my little pumpkins

Today I spent the entire day on a special date with my two little men. Cutest dates I have ever had. We missed Daddy since he was working, but I loved every minute with these two. They've been clingy and whiny since I got back from my trip and I don't blame them one bit. I think it was good to just spend every single second of today with them. I spoiled them rotten and had so much fun doing it.

Kaden has been wanting to go to the pumpkin patch for weeks. I decided to surprise him today and he lit up when he found out where we were. I think seeing excitement on that little kid's face is one of the very best parts of my life. It makes any hassle to go places and do things totally worth it. I was worried about the weather because it's been rainy and cold the last few days, but today was great--crisp and fall-like.

Side-by-side last year and this year. The little man is sprouting like a weed.

The boys got to play in the corn pit, go down the slides, Kaden got his face painted, and we picked out yummy treats from the market. They had a fun little train ride and Kaden was beyond excited about that. Beckham loved it too and cried when we got out. I hardly fit in the little barrels and it about broke my back as we hit every bump. I couldn't help but laugh--it was worth it.

After the pumpkin patch we went to lunch at Kaden's favorite place and then shopping for stuff for our Halloween costumes. Kaden is SO excited about this. I hope I can pull it off.

I took these in Durango today. Wow. Fall is so beautiful.

just because he is so dang cute

He's 14 months old!

The little munchkin got his first real haircut the other day. I had trimmed it before, but this time I cut a good two inches off. He looks so handsome. It took me a few days to get used to it. The morning after I cut it when I got him out of his bed I was a little sad. He had the best bedhead I have ever seen. His hair was totally out of control in the mornings and we are always running late so morning baths just don't work out around here. I love the shorter hair, but am still missing the stuff I cut off. Man, he is just too adorable.

I love that little profile and the shadow on the wall. This little guy is so fun. He has quite the personality. I can't believe how feisty he can be. He has discovered his voice and the many noises he can create with his mouth. He says words, blows bubbles constantly, clicks his tongue and lips, and comes up with new sounds daily. He is constantly talking and making noise, or yelling and fussing over something. I love him to pieces.

I am so excited. He is traveling around the room and making his own messes. He is getting into stuff, dumping toy bins, and is all over the place. I love it. I can't believe how far he's come in the last month. Yesterday he was on his knees digging through a toy box. It was such a big deal and I was so impressed. Sometimes he gets frustrated and I think it's because he wants to move around and his mind is just so far ahead of his body. He is getting much stronger and braver by the day. He is trying to scoot and even army crawling a little here and there. I am proud of him and I think he is so happy discovering the things he can do.

He is a love bug! He kisses and hugs on everything. He says "hi" in the sweetest high pitched voice whenever he sees Toby. He gives me slobbery kisses and attacks me with his hugs all day long. Being a mom is more joyful than I could have imagined. Even though I go to bed sometimes feeling like I have totally failed for the day, my kids give unconditional love and somehow make me feel like a million bucks.

the best part

Today I returned from a four day girl's trip. It was so much fun, so relaxing and rejuvenating. I can't believe how much I missed my boys. The best part about coming home was being completely smothered by them all evening. They were climbing all over me, slobbering on me, pulling my hair, poking my eyes, asking to be tossed into the air, and giggling nonstop. Matt was cracking up and I love that he started snapping pictures. (I must be wearing off on him.) There was an endless supply of hugs and kisses, stories, and every "why" question imaginable. I felt like I hadn't seen them in a month and I am so happy to be home.

seriously yummy

This little family has accidentally made a Saturday tradition of going to Serious Texas BBQ nearly every week. We pick Matt up from work, head straight over for some deliciousness, then top it off with soft serve cones from Sonic. We're easy to please. Serious Texas has the coolest ambiance and we've loved our summer evenings there out on the back porch overlooking the river. There are hanging lights, tons of trees, and it's just beautiful. They have live music too and it's always great. The food is dripping in grease and so, so good. The kids love it too. We didn't go last week and Kaden asked about it for days. We didn't mean to start this up but it's been such a fun thing to do together as a family. The other day I had the camera along and decided to document this little outing. I think this might be one of those things the kids look back on and remember. I know I will. I had to take a lot of pictures of Beckham because he was being such a ham and I just can't get over how cute he looks when he chews.