Baby You're My Better Half

Targhee and I go on an Anniversary Getaway every year and since our real anniversary is in the middle of crazy December, we usually take some time out in January instead.  I think it's a good tradition:)

This year was Targhee's turn to plan, which meant, I looked online and found something I liked and said, "Let's go here. Do you want me to book it?" and he said yes:)

We found a little nook in Sardine Canyon just before you hit the valley into Logan, called Sherwood Hills Resort. It's closing in a couple days so if you want a good deal on a room, you better hurry!

I've heard about snowshoeing but never gone and since this place has about 800 acres of back country I thought it would be fun to try.

  I'm afraid I didn't quite catch the magic.

How far we had gone.

How much farther I was willing to go...

Targhee's first step onto the snow with the snowshoes on he fell in about 3 feet.

We just looked at each other and busted up laughing!

Not exactly what we were expecting.

I was imagining something like walking on water, BUT IT'S NOT!

You fall into the snow about a foot deep and then have to pry your foot plus this enormous "shoe," that is now buried, out of the snow.

Why someone would find trudging through the snow a fun outing is beyond me.

"To trudge: the slow, weary, depressing yet determined walk of a man who has nothing left in his life except the impulse to simply soldier on."

(name that movie)

I didn't understand what I was trudging for.  Perhaps if there was something REALLY exciting at the end to make all the work worth it... no probably not even then. I would much rather take a snowmobile or a gondola.

Ok enough about the trudging.

So we trudged.

At this point I was wishing I had the little ski pole things to help alleviate some of the burning from my thighs and calves so Targhee thought he would fashion me one. 

He found a twig.

He twisted.

"It's not working."

He pulled.

Defeated by the twig.

He wasn't about to let a twig deflate his manhood so he decided to attack an entire tree instead.

Victory!

How I was going to use the tree for my ski pole I wasn't sure, but at least his pride was back in order.

Targhee could see my excitement over our romantic stroll in the backwoods had diminished so he started pointing out all the "neat" things around us, you know, like twigs and fallen over trees and stuff, and so named our trudge the "neature walk."

If you would like to be more educated on this matter, (I needed to be), then you can look at it here.

We found a clearing, which was actually the fairway to the golf course and decided it would be fun to build a snowman right in the middle of it.

Targhee wanted a snowwoman so we gave her some voluptuous snow curves and named her Ann Marie. 

Then we had to hike back up the slope we had just trudged down 

and I did this about every ten feet.

These are the faces of conquerors! We had just conquered the wilderness. In our snowshoes!

Despite all my silliness, it was beautiful scenery and very fun and romantic to be just the two of us.  I found myself wondering what time it was and then realized that it didn't matter because I didn't have any schedules to follow but my own.  It was very freeing.

That night we ate a scrumptious dinner at the Belle Monte Restaurant. It was part of the hotel and very beautiful.  Our package included an appetizer, two entrees, and two desserts.  By dessert time I was so full I asked the waiter to box them up for us.

I never do that!

But everything was so delicious I wanted to eat it all.

We watched "The Prestige" in our hotel room which I found a little disturbing and it gave me nightmares all night so maybe next year I'll choose something a little less heavy, like Serendipity or something:)

On the way home Keith Urban's "Better Half" song came on and I dedicated it to Targhee.  It is also one of the songs on our wedding video so I felt it very fitting.

It's kinda crazy to think that there has been four years and two kids since the day we got married. But I am grateful every day for the choice we made to work through this life together. I couldn't ask for a better parenting partner.  He keeps me calm when I get a little high strung (which is almost always).  He is a dedicated father and husband who knows how to put his family first in the long list of priorities and I am so happy we have each other to lean on. 

Also, a big thank you to my sweet sister for watching the kids for us!!

Happy 4th Anniversary!

To California and Back

After Christmas I decided it had been way too long since I had seen some of my family and since three of my sisters would be together the first of January, I wanted to be there too.

Targhee worked some magic at his job then we packed our bags and headed out!

The kids had no idea what they were in for.  All they knew is that we were going to California which sounded exciting and that there would be cousins to play with!  

Four movies and 12 hours later we made it:)

They were troopers though.

We stayed at my sister, Allison's house and sufficiently wrecked havoc where havoc could be had.

 

(leave it up to boys to figure out how to make a blow dart out of foam blocks:) 

Allison pulled out the big guns with her dress up collection and Minnie Mouse has never been so adored. 

Thursday we met everyone at the park and a small zoo, which we deemed to be more of a treasure hunt in search of the animals.  They must have taken a winter sabbatical.

Leilani was so excited she peed her pants...literally.  Thus the adorable outfit you see before you.

Hey look! Animals!

Spider monkeys and a green iguana.

TJ is a magician when it comes to socks.

Now you see them...

Now you don't.

Works like a charm every time.

We did get a show from the mountain lion though.

They're used to cooler climates.

That night we went to Callie's and ate a delicious dinner.

Then the kids played while the sisters crafted.  

I think TJ and Leilani were put to bed in a different spot the whole trip but they were good sports about it and transferred amazingly well.

TJ unfortunately adopted a bad habit of no nap taking, though. Anyone got a remedy for that?

Annie and Leilani's morning ritual. 

The Thumb Suckers!

Friday night we had a big party planned at my brother-in-law's work office.

We were headed to the party when this happened!

our car

the other car

Bummer!

I had to make a quick stop coming over some train tracks for a backed up red light and the car behind me didn't stop fast enough.

We were all a little shaken up.  Both kids were crying but mostly out of the shock of the hit, not because they were injured.  It's always a blessing to look back on these incidents with no injuries.

Well, that darn muffler caused me much grief for the next week.  Because nothing of this nature is ever done easily or with efficiency, our trip was extended an extra week (which wasn't necessarily a bad thing it's just hard not to have control of your own situation), we had to pay a lot more money than we would have liked to fix it and then had to buy Targhee a plane ticket home so he could return to school and work. 

I am so grateful to have had family so close and available.  They were all very supportive through the whole mess and I cannot say enough my appreciation for their hospitality! Thank you!!

I hope there will not be a next time, but if there ever is, I have learned a lot from this experience that will hopefully help me avoid some stress in the future.

We still enjoyed our party that night, though! We had food and fountain drinks and a big screen movie and video games and a ping pong table (Callie's the champ:) and balloons and even played several rounds of sardines.

I love being with my family!

I really was glad to spend some extra time.  I don't usually get to see them in "regular life mode" since our gatherings are mostly for their vacations.  It was good for me to see that my life is crazy and normal and GOOD just like theirs.  I learn so many things from my sisters and treasure any time I get to spend with them.

Good-bye loves for Annie.  They were such cute friends.  I think it will get better and better the older they get.

I was anxious for the drive home all week.  A huge storm had hit Utah so I knew I would be driving in some harsh weather and I would also be driving 700 miles by myself with two bitties.  I am happy to report that our trip went without, well, anything to report:)  I know a lot of prayers were said in our behalf and I felt them.

And they even slept for a few hours!!  

We made it home to a restless daddy who was happy to have his family back.

Thank you for the fun California!

Christmas Day!

We had to keep reminding Leilani that it was "Christmas Time" but not "Christmas Day" yet.  That's a confusing one.  So when Christmas Day finally came she could not contain the excitement.

This was our first Christmas at home as just our little family.  I was nervous about it feeling different since we usually have family coming out the woodwork during Christmas time:)  But we had to grow up sometime right? And I think we pulled it off well.

Me wearing my mom's Christmas apron.  This thing has probably been worn for 30 years and I felt a little sentimental pulling it out knowing my mom would not be putting it on this year, so I wore it in her honor:)

I made my family's traditional Christmas dinner.  And was so proud of myself all day.  But what a lot of work!  Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, veggies, and even pumpkin pie!

Just call me Suzie! 

I also got to pull out my own china for the first time since we've been married.  That was fun.

This wreath is a little bit of a family joke.

Targhee won it at work last year on Christmas Eve. He brought it home, stuck it on the porch railing, and didn't say another word about it.  Christmas morning was hectic with 5 of my sisters and their family's staying with us and then trying to get ready for church on time.  As we plowed out the door we all finally saw the mysterious monstrosity of a wreath sitting on the porch.  We all wondered where it had come from and then laughed when Targhee said it was his.  It wouldn't have been so bad except it was adorned with this hideous red and lime green joker plaid ribbon.  It was not good.  

Well this year we pulled it out, smiled to ourselves and said, "Do you think we can find a place for it?" We gave it a ribbon makeover and stuck it above the garage.  Now if only we could have got the Rudolf nose sized light bulbs to work then it would have been something!

  

Family tradition of acting out the Nativity.

Leilani was all over this activity.  She got to dress up!!

Round 1

Mary, Joseph, and our not so silent or still baby Jesus

Round 2

The Angel

Targhee reading the Christmas Story

TJ didn't believe that angles needed halos or wings

Round 3

The Shepherd

"Mom you can be the wise woman."

Christmas Eve Jammies

"This is my jaguar smile."

Finally Christmas Morning did come!!

She wore this the rest of the morning

(Not an exaggeration)

Lunch at Grandma and Grandpa Fuzzy's house

Great Grandma and Grandpa Checketts

waiting patiently to open their presents

Grandma (Fuzzy) Cole made all the grand kids a handmade bug in a jar quilt this year.  I know it was a lot of work, but they turned out adorable. Leilani pounced around with her quilt for days pretending to be all sorts of animals that eat bugs. 

Leilani and TJ becoming presents:)

It was such a fun day. I'm glad we were able to pull off the Christmas by our selves year.  It gives me confidence for the future:)

p.s. Today while I was taking down the decorations, Leilani asked, "Where are you taking Christmas?" I explained we put up all the Christmas stuff in December and then when Christmas is over we put it all away until next year.  It helps keep Christmas special.  She thought for a minute then sighed, "I miss Christmas."  I guess that's her way of saying she had a good Christmas too:)