Southern Utah/Vegas Part 1

Over labor day weekend, we took a trip down to Southern Utah. We have some good friends who live in St. George who were in the final 5 for the battle of the bands, being held at the Hard Rock Cafe in Vegas. They were top 5 out of 800! That's how awesome they are!

We drove down there for the day to support and cheer them on. Skyler's sister lives in Cedar City so she met us in St. George and took the drive down to Vegas with us.

Shallow Day is what they call themselves.
Mike - lead singer, piano, accordion, guitar; Wes at the drums, and Justin - Bass

They rocked the house!

We bought some sound muffler things for Westin. He was such a cutie with them on. Surprisingly he didn't mind wearing them.

This was my favorite part of their show

Watch more of their videos here

After the show

Wes and Westin

Some group shots with Wes, Brooke, Hailey, and Mike
Wish I didn't look like such a geek here

Man, we love these guys!

And Westin and I in front of our hotel in St. George

More from our trip to come

Mom's 50th

My mom turned 50 in August and we through a big party in her honor. Let me tell you what, I had a lot of fun planning this party. This party just couldn't go without being shared on my blog.

It was a black, white, and red damask theme party. I wanted there to be black and white for the 50th, but keep it classy with the red and the damask design.

I custom made this frame. I bought the frame at Savers and decorated it with the colors.
I had too much going on to make the dinner myself, though ideally I would have, so we had dinner catered from Olive Garden. The food was a big hit. I guess you can't really lose with Olive Garden!

The party was supposed to be outdoors, but the weather didn't cooperate so we brought in tables and chairs from the church and filled them in my parents house. Good thing they have a huge living room!The cake and cupcakes were from a local bake shop, Sugar Daisy Bakery.

Red Velvet cupcakes

One of the tables, before the candles were lit.

I borrowed my moms album from my grandma and had some old pictures of her when she was younger printed off and framed and placed them on the table. My grandpa has always had a love for photography, I guess that's where I got it from. I'm so glad he captured so many great pictures of my mom for everyone to enjoy.

Natalie and my grandparentsMy dad asked a friend of his to play some live music while everyone was eating.
The birthday girl with some friends.
She looks so great here!
Natalie and I with mom after the party
Success!

Happy Birthday, Westin

Our little man turns one today. I love this little guy so much! This past year I have experienced more joy than I've ever experienced or knew was even possible. Being a mom is truly the best, most special thing ever and I am grateful I have the opportunity to be a a mother.

I have shed many happy, stressed, and overwhelmed tears this year. Being a mom is also more work than I ever thought it would be. And for all the work, it's 100% worth it.

I have learned a lot this past year. But mostly, I think the thing I learned the most is patience. Patience when I have had an exhausting day and all I want is for him to go to bed, but he has different agenda.

I have adored watching him grow up. I have learned it is a bittersweet thing to watch your baby grow, but mostly it makes me happy. Watching him grow and progress through all the different stages and learning how to do new things. Every time he does or tries something new for the first time I get elated.

Westin,
I love to see your happy face in the morning or after a nap.
I love to listen to your jibber jabber in the back seat when I'm driving.
I love to cuddle.
I love love love your smile. But I love your sweet giggle even more. It's so contagious.
But mostly I just love all of you!

Happy Birthday my sweet boy!

The Francis Folks

We went to the Francis family reunion this summer and let me tell you what, the Francis' know how to reunionize! We all gathered at the most fabulous cabin I've ever seen, but then again I haven't been to a lot of cabins in my life, so this was a treat for me. This place was tucked away from the main road and far enough away from anywhere so you could be as loud as you want, as late as you want.

We ate outside until we were rained out. Then we all went inside and those who wanted to, did some entertaining; jokes, stories, dancing, singing.

Some of us took it outside when the rain stopped.

Mmmmmm.... S'mores by the campfire.

We hadn't intended on staying the night, so we didn't bring any overnight supplies, but we stayed so late, and everyone talked us into staying so we could help eat all the breakfast in the morning, so we decided to just sleep in the car because we were worried Westin would wake everyone up too early. Yes, we slept in the car like we were homeless or something. It was ok, other than Skyler only got 2 hours of sleep. Turns out Westin slept like a log all night.

Here we are in the morning

We woke up to these gorgeous cloudsMorning haze

View of the pond near the cabin

There was a zipline going across the pond. We didn't do it becauseif you weigh more than 90 lbs. you'll skim (if not more) the water on your way to the end. It was fun to watch the younger ones do it though.

Skyler helped watch the end of the line

Westin with some of Skyler's cousins

On our way home

Westin was out quick!

Albion Basin continued

I almost forgot about this one

Albion Basin

Over the summer I wanted to explore more of Utah, so to continue our exploration, our intentions were to take a hike in Albion Basin, up Big Cottonwood Canyon, but the day was a busy one and we didn't get out of the door as soon as we should have.

Once we were near the Canyon, we realized we were low on gas, and we failed to stop for gas when we should have before entering the canyon.

By the time we neared the end of the canyon, the sun was beginning to disappear behind the mountains and our gas light had been already been on for a little while. So we decided to bag the hike. I wanted to make the drive up the canyon worth it so we hoped out and got some pictures.

The flowers were everywhere! The lighting was gorgeous! This place was so pretty! You should check this place out! I bet the hike is even prettier!

Heading out of the canyon

I couldn't resist this light!