Capitol Reef......Again:)

This past weekend we were able to take a trip down to Capitol Reef National Park.  We have been there with our family many times!  Superior had a bunch of trade that they needed to use up at a motel down there so Rick reserved about twenty rooms for his extended family.  The only ones who could make it from our family were Brach and Kendra and Rafe.  They were in the room next to ours.  It was a cold weekend but we still had fun being outdoors. 

On Friday we hiked to Hickman Bridge.  I like this hike because it's not too strenuous.  It's about a mile in and the first part is some heavy duty stairs but after that it evens out into a nice walk.  We had a whole big group with us but Rick and I brought up the rear.....well, actually, I brought up the rear and Rick just accompanied me:)  He is a good sport!  This hike made me realize that I'm not in my thirties any more!  

The five of us!

The Bomans!  

Rafe turned his head the wrong way just in time but don't B&K look cute!

A shot in the rocks!

We went to Fruita to have a picnic at the park.  When we first got there it was pouring rain so we hopped on over to the gift shop and bought a few trinkets.  After a bit the rain stopped but boy was it chilly!  Mid 40's I'd say with a stiff breeze...and all I brought was an old hoodie!  Definitely not picnic weather but we did it anyway.

Here's one table.....

...and then the other:)

After lunch I went back to the room and snuggled under the covers for the next couple of hours.

On Saturday we took the ranger up the mountain south of Teasdale.  After about 20 minutes of driving it started to rain and then hail.  The Boman's were in the front seat and were getting pretty wet.  Luckily Kendra brought a little blanket to cover them up.  Cute little Rafester fell asleep on the way back down the mountain.  After having lunch at "Slackers" and a little afternoon rest we ventured over to Chimney Rock.  It's always fun to see the sandstone up close.  The crystals in the rock are really cool!

Rafe was cute running around smelling the wildflowers.  He was really fun to be with the whole weekend.  This boy loves the outdoors!  He is too precious and lots of fun:)

Sunday was a much nicer day.  After attending the Torrey Ward we went back to Fruita for another picnic.  This one was much more enjoyable.  There was quite a group of us.  That night we got a group together in the breakfast room of the hotel (where we could all fit) and played games.  

It was a great trip but I am very happy to be back home where I get to sleep in my own SOFT bed.  Motel beds just aren't that great:(

Good fun.  Good food.  Good family.

Ah.....Venice

Rick and I had a night out on Monday.  Brach and Kendra recommended a place that they had recently seen on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives.  The episode highlighted a SLC restaurant that we had never been to.  It is called Maxwell's and is located around 400 South Main Street.  It is an Italian place and the food was excellent....and plenty of it!  I got the chicken parmesan while Rick had......

....lasagna and a meatball!

Seriously,  the meatball was a meal in and of itself!

The portions were huge...definatley too much food for one sitting.

After dinner we drove over to Anniversary Inn and stayed in the Venice Room.

We have been to this B&B many times but we have never stayed in this particular room.  We got to sleep in a 18 foot gondola bed with a beautiful mural painting behind it:)  At the foot of the bed was a sitting area where couples can relax and watch a movie.  

We prefer watching shows from a horizontal position so the sitting area was not even needed.

The bathtub was very elegant with wonderful rain shower spigots.

A picture of the mural.

We saved the Martinelli's to bring home.

We woke up Tuesday with a full day planned.  We started with a fun breakfast waiting for us just outside our door.  After breakfast we got ready and drove up to the airport where we met up with the Baker clan waiting for their missionary Chris to arrive home from the Phoenix Arizona Mission.  After greeting him and taking pictures (they must be on Rick's phone because I cant find them:( we drove over to the mall to get some new white shirts for Rick.  We lost three of his church shirts last week when SOMEBODY forgot to take HIS pen out of HIS pocket and ink got EVERYWHERE!! We had to throw away numerous pairs of garments, my favorite white shorts and a new white tee.  It was a huge load and I salvaged a few pieces of clothing by scrubbing with rubbing alcohol but for the most part it was a big loss.  Anyway,  while Rick chose some new shirts I, of course, headed over to the baby section.  I bought a few new pieces for the upcoming additions to our family!  Kendra found out on Monday that she is having a girl so we are excited for that!  With the next two births we will be even at two girls and two boys:)

After shopping we hurried up to the temple where Mark and Taryn had their baby Emry Sealed to them in the SL Temple.  It was a neat experience:)  Emry is just so precious!  I love her big smile!

Since Brach and Kendra were with us at the temple we decided to go back to Maxwell's for lunch and let them try it out since it was their idea in the first place.  We sat on the patio and enjoyed the good food and good company:)  Afterwards we sneaked on over to Ruby Snaps for some melt in your mouth cookies.  If you have never tried Ruby Snap cookies you are missing out!!  It is fun to just walk in their shop because they let you sample as many cookies as you want before you decide.  They have raised their prices which were not cheap to begin with.  Now they are at $2.50 per cookie which I think is highway robbery but it is a fun treat!

Last on the list was cleaning the car then going to Kaitlyn and John's place to check up on them and baby Haivyn.  They are doing fairly well.  Haivyn is just really fun to snuggle with!  I love holding her.
It was surely an eventful day and into the night as we both had church responsibilities to take care of.  I'm so glad that we were able to spend Monday night in town and enjoy the whole next day together.  We both needed that!   I love making memories with my sweetie!

Mother's Day Weekend

This past weekend was busy and fun.  With Kaitlyn having her baby early Friday morning I spent the day with her at the hospital.   Rick texted me earlier in the day telling me that he really wanted to eat at Settebello's, a fun pizzeria, later that night.  He got to the hospital around 4:30 in the afternoon  to visit and hold sweet Haivyn.   As it was getting closer to the 5 o'clock hour he kept hinting that we needed to leave.  I felt uneasy leaving Kaitlyn and was thinking to myself, "We can wait another hour.  We're not going to starve."  Then he quietly said to me, "You have a Mother's Day present waiting for you."  I then understood that my kids were waiting for us to have dinner for my mother's day present. We drove the few blocks to Settebello's and had a good time with the Bomans and the Phelpses where we had nice conversation and yummy food!  If you've never been to Settebello's you should give it a try.  It's the closest thing to authentic Italian pizza that I have found.  

Skylar and Sarah love it and now I think Brach and Kenni have been converted as well:)

The Settebello's crew

Saturday I was at the hospital again for the day.  Kaitlyn was doing a bit better and even got a shower in.  I braided her hair and helped her with some makeup.  It's amazing what a little foundation and blush can do for a woman's confidence:)  I had to leave around 4:00 because we had a work party scheduled at our home that night. No pictures of that but it was a fun time with all of Superior's salesmen and their wives (except for Dalton who came stag:)  We  had a BBQ (we had to eat inside though because of the cold weather) and played games and ended with a movie.   Well, I was on the phone with my mom during most of the movie.  

A big shout out to my mother.  I love you!!  Your one of my best friends:)

While everyone was watching the movie I made a video of myself sing a primary song to my mother and e-mailed it to her:)  It was pretty ridiculous but if it gave her even just a little bit of joy it was worth it.  Did you like it, mom?

Sunday was nice.  I stayed busy at church with primary and playing the organ and then playing for choir so I was glad when I got home and could relax.  Rick put together dinner for later in the day and we both took a little nap before heading out to the hospital.  

Kaitlyn, Haivyn, and Grandma on Mother's Day 

Isn't she sweet?  I just love that little girl!

After visiting we headed back home where Gary was waiting for us.  We sat down to our lasagna dinner and had a nice chat with Gary.

Aunt Kathy thinks Gare looks like an Israeli with that beard of his:)

It was a nice weekend.  Full but nice.

For Mother's Day Rick bought (ok, well I bought) these cute pillows to go on my patio set.  I have another blue one on order.  They are going to go on the side chairs.

And this outdoor dinnerware is my favorite!!  I got a set of ten placemats, dinner plates, salad plates, and cups..... plus a serving bowl and platter from Pier One.  

Oh yeah, I also got some awesome bejeweled serving spoons.

I LOVE this gift!  I've used them twice already.

Love the colors!

I hope all of you mothers  had a great weekend!!

Haivyn Skye Riding

Haivyn Skye Riding 

was born to John and Kaitlyn on Friday May 9th at 2:04 in the morning.

She weighed 8 lbs 6 oz and is 22 inches long!  She is a beautiful baby!

Mother and baby are doing well!!

The Happy Grandparents!

The Tulip Festival

Last week for our date night Rick and I went to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point.  I have been wanting to go for the last couple of years and have never been able to.  Tulips are my favorite flower (especially the giant pink ones) and I sure did get my fill of them.  Over 120,000 bulbs were planted last fall.  Lots of tulips!!  

I know the pictures don't do these flowers justice but these purple and orange mixed together were my favorite!  

The orange ones have a bit of a purple stripe down the side so they look really nice together.

This is the perfect stage of the tulip.....right before the bud opens up:)

Rick and I at the cascading waters.  

These are hyacinths with the tulips in the background.  

They also had many daffodils on show as well.

I would love to plant some tulips in my planters but it seems by the time October rolls in after a long summer of yard work I get lazy and I don't want to do any planting!  HaHa!  This makes it sound like I do a lot of yard work.  I really don't but I do take care of all my flowers!!  

Speaking of which I am going to plant my annuals tomorrow and Rick will get the garden in on Saturday.   It's gonna be great!!