Monday, March 31, 2014

All the rest of March~

Gilbert Temple dedication, Sunday March 2, 2014.  Baptized members ages 8 and up were permitted to attend with a special recommend.  Glad Blake, Brooklyn and Gavin could go with us!
We had our white handkerchiefs embroidered by Sister Carol Barney in our ward!
Such a wonderful keepsake.
Matt's office moved locations, just a couple streets over and for the Grand Opening, they had @TheGrilledCheeseTruck there for staff, patients and family!  Luckily the big kids had a half day so we were all able to go see the new office.

Blake got his "date" with Great Grandma Hamilton!!  When I was reminding him to use his manners and take care of her, he said, "That will be easy, Mom, I have a soft spot for Grandma."

This was the sight on our bench today at church (3/16/14), everyone loves Daddy!  Matt was released from the bishopric and called into the stake Young Men's presidency.  We are happy to have him back on the bench with us but it is very bittersweet.  He has loved serving the people of the Ironwood Ward alongside Bishop McLeod and Bro Fairbanks.  I was also released as Activity Day leader and Primary pianist and called to be Primary chorister.  Eek, a little nervous for that one!

My two munchkinlanders in their green~ #littleleprechauns #stpattysday #nopincheshere

 A morning well spent with sister-in-laws, a session at the Gilbert temple

Gavin finished his animal report on the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake!  He even had a real rattle to display on his poster!!

These girls can be wild and crazy but I sure love every one of them!  We had a party at the park today (during a random dust storm) for my last day as an Activity Day leader for the 8-9 yr old girls in our ward.  Pictured~ Kylee Turner, Kendra Nelson, Peyton Whipple, Piper Merrill, Cassie Olsen, Elizabeth Solomon, Caedence Thornes, Bailey Anderson, Kate Oitzman

 Finished off our weekend by attending the General Women's Broadcast with this girly!!  My emotions were close to the surface and my heart was full as I realized the great responsibility of raising valiant daughters (and sons) in these, the last days.  The Spirit was so powerful in testifying the message of walking the covenant path of the Lord.  I'm grateful I had the opportunity to attend, with my sweet Brooklyn, who is turning into a beautiful young lady!!

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Fathers & Sons 2014

Matt and the boys just returned from the annual Aaronic Priesthood Encampment, aka Fathers & Sons, up in Christopher Creek.  From what I heard, they had a wonderful time getting filthy, not brushing their teeth and doing what boys do best...
Fishing,

Shooting,

And eating!
Mmmmmmmm~ dutch oven cobbler for dessert!
I love everything about this selfie- the eyes, the freckles, the dirt smile

Meanwhile, I got to take these lovelies for a girls night out!!  We ate at Gecko Grill for dinner then skipped a few doors down to The Sweet Tooth Fairy for dessert!
Decisions, decisions
I'm so lucky that I have TWO daughters to spend time with while the boys are away!  It's definitely something we look forward to every year!

Monday, March 24, 2014

Field Trip to the Fire Station

For our last preschool field trip, we got to visit the fire station in Gilbert!  The firemen showed us their kitchen, their bedrooms, the pole and super-fast slide they use to get downstairs fast when they get a call!

While the fireman was talking about the truck,
they got a call and had to get out of there quick, quick, quick!
They did such a great job going over carseat safety, swimming safety, bike riding safety
and how to get out of your house in case of a fire.
Then the fun part, they got to climb up in the truck!
Of course Hayden needed a little look-see too!
{Tristan, Ember & Summer Stokum, Abe Thornes, Brooklyn Haering, Preston
Molly Oitzman, Emily Thornes, Lea Oitzman, Hayden} 
We got to see a fireman put on all the protective gear they wear in a fire.
A couple of the kids didn't want to go near, but Preston went in for a high five!


We're so grateful for all the men and women that serve in our community to keep us safe and help us out when we need them!

What Happens in Vegas....

....goes on the blog!

Matt and I decided that we need to take more time to get away, just the two of us.  Since we did a big time trip last year and have a big time family trip planned for the Fall, we decided on a quick Thurs-Sun trip to Las Vegas.  I had never really been to Vegas to stay, and I know people say there isn't much to do if you don't drink, gamble or go to clubs, but we decided to give it a go.  Britt came in from California to stay with the kids and we also had a little help from Joshua on the first day.

It's about a 6 hr drive and since Matt was reading the popular book Divergent, he decided that I should read it out loud while he drove.

We got there in the evening, checked into our hotel, then set off for a walk to find a place to eat.  We found El Segundo Sol, which had awesome guacamole!!  We watched the volcano in front of the Mirage and stopped to see some street performers, before heading in for the night.

The next morning, we got up early (*yawn*), drove across town to the Las Vegas temple and attended an endowment session.  It was a great start to the day in "Sin City!"  Every temple is so different and unique!  
On our way back, we hit up the premium outlet mall and did some shopping.  When we got back to the hotel, we headed down to the pool for a little fun in the sun!  Sidenote:  I have never been comfortable wearing a swimming suit without board shorts or a swim skirt covering my upper legs.  Since losing a bunch of weight, I decided now was the time!  I visited the wax salon, got a couple new swim suits for Vegas, and didn't bring any sort of coverup.  I'll admit, I was a little nervous, but just like Matt assured me, NO ONE was paying attention.  It was very liberating and it was a huge personal victory!

That evening, we ate at Mon Ami Gabi at the Paris hotel.  The food was different than anything I've had, but delicious.  We quickly headed over to the Wynn, where we had tickets to see a Cirque de Soleil show, La Reve.  I've been DYING to see one of these shows for YEARS and it was amazing!!  Thanks to a hookup, we had great seats.  I was captivated the whole time.


We just walked through a few of the resorts and ended up at Serendipity 3, which was right in front of our hotel, for some dessert.  I tried the Frrrozen Hot Chocolate that they are famous for.  Yummmmm!  Then we walked across the street to watch the fountains in front of the Bellagio before calling it a night.
INside the Venetian.  Totally feels like you're outside!
Fountains out front of Ceasar's


Saturday morning, we slept in then went out for breakfast at Hash House a Go Go.  We should've gotten going earlier because apparently this is a very popular place and by that time, I'm sure all the people that were drunk out of their minds the night before were hungover and looking for food!  This caused an insane wait time to get in AND to get our food.  Needless to say, Matt was ready to walk out without paying.  Thanks for appeasing me and trying this place, babe!
Matt wanted to order two pancakes and the waitress assured him one would be plenty.  LOL!  #biggestpancakeever
 We took the bus down the strip to Mandalay Bay and visited the Shark Reef Aquarium.
inside the Luxor
Matt with his buddy David ;)
From there, we took a taxi to the movie theater to see Divergent, then went back to the hotel to change for dinner.  We ate at a Brazilian churrascaria, where they bring the huge slabs of meat to the table and cut it right onto your plate.  We took the bus down to the North end of the strip because I really wanted to see the Stratosphere.  No way am I brave enough to do any of the thrill rides that dangle off the edge way up high, but we did go to the observation deck.  The view of the city is gorgeous, all lit up at night!
Matt thought it was hilarious to keep taking pictures of me taking pictures and posting them on Facebook.
Doesn't everyone do this to get the shot??!

Again, we walked through a few of the resorts.  There is SO much to see and everything is HUGE!!!  Shopping, restaurants, casinos!

Of course we needed more dessert and there was a Sprinkles cupcakes right across the street from our hotel.  It was my first time trying one!  Everyone needs cupcakes at 11:00pm, right??!
Loved staying at Caesar's!!

The next morning, we got up, packed our stuff and went back over to Serendipity 3 for breakfast.  This is how Matt posed every time I ask to take a picture of him with his food.
 On the other hand, here is my breakfast.  Can you even believe this deliciousness??!?!
Banana cream waffles.  Mmmmmmm!

Then the drive home. I read Insurgent (book 2 in the Divergent trilogy) out loud until I couldn't keep my eyes open for another second.
#ilovehim #12years #togetherforever #backtoreallife #sotiredbutsohappy

The weekend was amazing.  It didn't really matter WHERE we went, just the fact that we were together and could focus on each other.  I loved holding hands where ever we went, eating three meals a day (in peace) together, being leisurely, flirty, recharging and reconnecting.