Road Trip to Boise, IDAHO

A few weeks before the BSB concert, I asked Sloan if she'd want to go to Boise after we went to Salt Lake. We planned it and couldn't be more excited to see our cousin's new baby Asher. Sloan didn't bring Gavin (it was Reese's turn since she took Gavin to DL) and we drove up the day of the concert, the 23rd. Where was Ammon? Work of course. Chris? Home. Just us girls and Matthew. (As usual). We stopped at Cove Fort on our way up which was so great because it was President Hinckley's birthday that day and his dad was the one in charge of Cove Fort! We didn't take the tour or anything, but had a picnic on the grass and let the kids run around for a minute. Matthew was a maniac on this trip. He had some serious issues with being in the car for longer than a few hours. We had to get out more often than we ever have and let him walk around.

HAPPY [would-be] 100th PRESIDENT HINCKLEY!

We got to Salt Lake and Ashton, Sloan's sister-in-law, was nice enough to let us stay in their little house. I have to say it was small, but SO CUTE! She had it decorated so well and it seemed perfect for her and her new husband. They were at Lake Powell for the weekend so we were free to overtake her house thank goodness. And what was Matthew in love with when we got there and he could get out of the car? Well, nothing else than the TRASH! He was occupied while we unloaded and I have to say, it's kind of nice not having to bring many toys when your son just wants to see the trash cans everywhere we go. This trip? No exception.

My mom and I met Joanna for the concert that night and Sloan was nice enough to watch Matthew. He and Reese went crazy in Ashton's house and ran nonstop. I will never forget the highlight of our trip. It wasn't seeing family or being in cooler weather or even the concert. For the kids, it was PETE'S DRAGON. I have never seen a child, other than my own, be so obsessed with something in my life. I thought Gavin was obsessed with Thomas. As much as Matthew loves trash, Reese loves DRAGON. That's what she said constantly. She even went as far as carrying around the movie case instead of a doll. So, we looked real normal. A little boy obsessed with trash who would carry around a trash can everywhere if he could and a sweet little girl saying "dragon, dragon, dragon." We probably watched the movie in the van 30 times through, especially minute 10 through minute 25. Matthew loved that part the most and Reese couldn't care less which part of the movie it was, as long as it was on. I have to admit, there were times I wanted to pull my hair out and other times when I'd just laugh [almost] uncontrollably because we were seriously watching it again. Those are times that you remember best. Too bad the kids are too young to think back on those "special moments."

Ever since I went to Ruth's Diner in Salt Lake with Ammon and his family, I have wanted to go back. LOVED it and had such a good time being outside in the nice weather.

So Thursday, my mom took Sloan's car back to Vegas since she had to babysit and we started our drive to Boise. We thought it would only take us 4 hours, but almost 6 hours later, we finally showed up. We had to take a few stops, but it wasn't bad because we had Pete and Sloan and I could do some great talking. You would think because I see her three or four times a week that we would run out of things to talk about when we were in the car together for six hours. But, it was actually so nice to do so! I loved it! I keep getting reminded what a great person she is and how much there is to learn from her.

WELCOME TO BOISE!!

Can I say how much Matthew loved this baby??! It was adorable. He loved him right away. Kissed him, hugged him and wanted to be with him nonstop. I couldn't believe how little Asher was compared to what I think of little Matthew. He is definitely not little anymore. It really made me realize what a little boy my baby is becoming. Made me sad but also made me grateful that I've had him to myself for over two years! I have LOVED being with me and him. I have loved it being Mommy and Matthew. He is my best bud and I wouldn't change a single thing.

Since it didn't get dark there until after 10 pm, the kids loved playing on the slide the Guymons had. Erin was such a great host and had dinner made for us when we got there (a yummy recipe I must admit. I will be using that some day). It was GREAT to see her and Dustin and get to see how much Kenley has grown. Oh, and let me say, I LOVED LOVED their house! So cute and such a steal of a deal compared to what we get in Vegas. Grass and a yard. Can you believe it? Neither could I.

We went out for yogurt that night and put all the kids to bed and Sloan, Erin and I all slept on their comfy couch for our slumber party. We got to talk and be girls and it was so nice getting out of the normal routine of everyday life.

After getting ready Friday morning, Erin took us to Goldy's, a great breakfast joint that was named number one place to eat for breakfast by Bon Appetite magazine. They had some great pancakes and we got to walk around and have four kids in two strollers and a newborn in a Bjorn. We saw some way-too-expensive-to-even-think-about maternity shops (like seriously, $190 dress. REALLY?) and got to see the scenery of Boise. I'd never been, so I loved getting to see a new place and be with great company.

Erin's great stroller we got to see and cute Kenley who is not so little anymore!

We went to the mall afterwards and got some great deals. The kids got to play and you know what Matthew liked most? (Other than trash). He LOVES not being in his stroller. He loves riding the escalator and pushing buttons for the elevator. He is so boy and I couldn't love it more. Reese is also the most adorable little girl I've ever EVER seen).

The kids fell asleep and the great thing about Boise is the weather. We left them in the car while they slept and we got to sit and relax while we left them in the garage.

The weather was FABULOUS while we were there. Erin didn't think we'd like having the rain and clouds, but we loved it. Since we had just watched the episode of Bachelorette that week before about Chris L. talking about his mom and how she was in the rainbows, we kept talking about this and it was quite funny yelling Chris's name and getting funny looks. We got a babysitter for the three rascals and Erin, Dustin, Sloan, Asher and me all went to Tuscano's that night and got some more frozen yogurt afterwards. We had some GREAT times laughing and thinking about 2004 (AKA the BEST year ever for Dustin, Sloan and me. Funny.) and all our old memories.

Saturday morning was sad. We had to leave. I really didn't want to. I think it was such a fast trip and I knew there was so much more in Boise that we hadn't seen. We got to drive around and see some of the houses that I'd love to live in and got to see the great city of Boise, including the temple. The kids liked having each other to play with, although I'm sure Kenley was not too fond of Matthew and Reese overtaking her toys.

My son obsessed with the baby.

LOVED THEIR HOUSE!
We left and drove down to Salt Lake since we wanted to break up the trip into two days because trust me, we did NOT want to drive all that way in one day. After a little bit of a detour, we got to Salt Lake and decided to take the kids to Temple Square and to Deseret Book. I could go to that Deseret Book everyday. I really could.

They were so cute because they really looked like twins, especially since we had the double stroller. Again, it made me want twins. I'm not sure why someone would want that, but it was so fun having them together. Reese and Matthew have always had such a good time together and have always played so well together. I loved seeing the Salt Lake temple again and it brought back a thousand memories from working there. I think about it often and wonder about all those things I'm missing out on. Who really misses a job where they had to do laundry for a living? For some reason, it wasn't so bad. For some reason, I didn't hate it like a person should. There were so many brides and it made me remember all the good times in helping prepare their clothes. How great is the temple?!

Matthew's first steps to the temple. It will definitely go faster than I think. Only 17 more years and my son will be endowed. If it goes half as fast as these past two have, I have a lot more work to do at trying to remember what a wonderful opportunity it is to be mom. I LOVE MATTHEW to death! There are days where I just look at him and wonder how in the world there are people who don't want to be a mother. I really love my job!

That night, after going to Gateway and getting next to nothing and eating dinner at the Food Court, (you know, all things we could do in Vegas...that's the joy of traveling with Sloan. We don't care what we eat or what we do! Things were so easy and it was such a great trip) we got some groceries before heading back to Ashton and Jon's house. They had little shopping carts and Matthew couldn't have been more excited. We took our eyes off him for one second and the next thing we know, he is filling the cart with Arizona Ice Teas while we talked what cold drinks to get. It was quite hilarious!

Sunday morning came and it was time to pack up and leave unfortunately. I usually hate going home, and this trip was no exception. It was good getting to go home and see Ammon again and for Matthew to see his dad, but it seemed to go so fast! We found an old ward (when I say old I mean their Eagle Scout plaques went back to 1932) in Orem and drove home right after. More Pete and more talks. FUN TRIP and a great bonding time with Matthew, Reese and Sloan!