Frienassaince

 

 

That is seriously so true when it comes to my Kadee and I. I've blogged about her in the past, but we have been friends since the 4th grade. We've had our share of years that we were terrible at keeping in touch, and we had years that we were inseparable.

I am more than words can express grateful for where our friendship is today and has been the last several years.

She moved to California right after high school to attend some fancy schmancy college because she was cooler than me. Yep. Every teen in Utah talks about moving to Florida or California, some AMAZING tropical place where life is fast and luxurious and hot...as soon as they graduate. Well, Kadee actually did it. And she never came back...

 

Broke my heart.

 

But I can tell you that as you see below, 20 years of friendship, 14 of those years being 2 states apart, she is my BEST friend. The person I talk to EVERY day. Sometimes ALL day. In fact, if I didn't have unlimited text messaging I'm pretty sure I couldn't afford my bill. I am incredibly grateful for the closeness that we share.

 

I see something funny on the net-text Kadee. I don't know what to make for dinner-text Kadee. I am being lazy and can't believe how dirty my house is-text Kadee. Something on the news is an uproar-text Kadee and discuss our positions, beliefs, political opinions...you name it. Children are frustrating us and we want to hide and cry all day-text Kadee. Feeling constipated and don't know how to fix it-text Kadee. See the pattern?

 

 

I had the opportunity, for the first time since she has lived in Cali, to visit her. I am BEYOND grateful for the short time I got to be with her. We've been wanting to plan this for YEARS and we are often texting that we wish we could run over to each other's house at that very moment. It's hard. REALLY hard. But the 24 ish hours I got to be with my best friend during this unexpected trip meant so much to me.

 

 

I don't travel as much as I use to or WANT to, but I have a goal to see any LDS temple nearby when I'm away. Kadee was more than happy to drive me over to the Newport Temple that she regularly visits. Oh those beautiful palm trees!

 

How neat is FaceTime these days? I feel like every time I am away on vacation I am so lucky to be able to see my littles live. It makes all the difference in the world. It's not as great as snuggles and kisses and toddler cheek smells but it definitely curbs my cravings and gets me through. Sadly, as you can see below, Saydee was having a rough time without mama. Totally unexpected from my "tough girl". Broke my heart a bit.

Since it was such a short trip, we didn't have a whole lot planned other than lots of much needed gabbing and lounging. I forced Kadee to do my make up. I have been obsessed with her RIDICULOUS make up collection for years. For years she has been sending me make up of the day pics and tutorials. We are so weird like that. We make videos for each other all the time! Hair videos, make up videos, home tour videos, whats in my purse today videos...haha...we have so much fun.

But how ridiculous is just this SLIVER of her make up collection? Don't even get me started on her nail polishes. She is out of control. But in a fabulous way...I am beyond jealous!

 I am so grateful for your friendship Kadee. It's hard to even call it a friendship. That sounds so juvenile for what we have. You're a sister to me. Another half of me. I don't know what I would do without you. You inspire me, push me, motivate me, teach me, comfort me and entertain me. I can barely go a day without you in my life. No matter what I'm needing at the moment you are there for it. I can vent to you, tell you stupid stories, funny stories...my dreams and goals...my fears and weaknesses, my triumphs and my mistakes. I have been SO blessed by our Heavenly Father to be given you. Yes, you were GIVEN to ME. I am claiming you all to myself! Please don't ever underestimate your value in my life and everyone else you meet. You are truly an irreplaceable person. "Michelle & Debra" forever!!!

Caramel Apple Party

Each October, I usually beg a friend to bring their kidlets over for some caramel apple decorating. This year my friend Brooke and I had been trying to get together forever with our crazy schedules. We finally made it happen and we had such a blast. We cut up apples, kabob style for the kiddos and it made it so much easier for them. I had a major fail this year...I thought I would try out home made caramel this time. It was delish but it wouldn't stick...grr!!! Ugliest caramel apples I've ever made haha!

 

 And this is Miss Brooke. You might recognize her from the AMAZING and talented LDS music group Mercy River. We've known eachother since high school and this girl has always inspired me beyond measure. I am so lucky to have her friendship and example in my life! Between juggling being the cutest and most creative mama, she is so hardworking, uplifting and somehow manages to keep it together with all her out of town performances each year for the Time Out For Women conference. Kinda my hero!

And this is Kate. Her 2 year old that I'm just a little too obsessed with. Cutest girl I've ever seen. I'm going to adopt her one day...watch out Brooke. :)

Land of the Free

I just love everything about the 4th of July. The fireworks, the music, the food, the outfits, parades...it's the definition of summertime! Here are some pics from our busy but FUN day!

 

I made some bows and necklaces for the girls...which you already saw on Studio 5 but they're much cuter on my patooties!

 We always head up to the Cherry Days parade!

 These little ones had so much fun just running around!

 And of course after lunch with grandma & grandpa they were tuckered out

 We did some swimming in the backyard and then had a little BBQ with Erik's parents in the evening

And then headed to the Riverdale Fireworks with our Farley friends! Such a blast! Our 4th is actually pretty simple but it's what we love!

Temple Square

We had a fun little visit to Temple Square to see the Christmas Lights this year. We missed the annual visit last year because it was just too cold for the girls at that age.

We decided to turn it into a fun family event and invited Erik's parents and siblings. We took the Frontrunner & Trax, and to our amazement, the triplette stroller fit on both! I love being able to combine a bunch of my favorite things. Family time, good food, beautiful Christmas lights and an opportunity to revisit the place where our little family was sealed for time & all eternity. A constant reminder of the beauty and blessings our Heavenly Father has to offer us. I love being able to mix the tender feelings of the spirit and the joy of Christmastime there.

 

 It's a Christmas miracle...we fit!

Man he hates when I get camera-happy. But look at those gorgeous blues. I couldn't miss that shot.

 One of the cutest couples I know...Bren & Talisha!

 One of my favorite pictures this season. Me with my handsome and wonderful hubby. I'm such a lucky gal. I get to squeeze him whenever I want!

 Look how beautiful these lights are! Our iPhone captured it so well that it makes the perfect Christmas wallpaper!

 I love this picture so much for TWO reasons:

1. Erik and all his Erikness

2. Kayson caught loving on his sister...how cute is that boy!?

 At the end of the night my heart jumped when I ran into a dear friend of mine. My Jones. Who looks that cute in pig tails? I loved bumpin into this cute little family!

 

My BFF...FFF

It's true what they say...

 ...but for me, I've been particularly blessed to have both. I have many wonderful friends but this is a story about my BEST friend. Kadee and I have been friends since we were in Elementary school. And it's not the fairy-tale friendship you see in the movies where you're attached at the hip from the time you learn to write cursive to being each other's Matron of Honor.

No, our friendship has been much more realistic & human than that. She moved to California right after we graduated. We've had yrs when we weren't as close...yrs when we weren't on the same page...yrs when we (I) were lazy. But we never lost touch. We've always been connected in a way that I'm so grateful for because it's led us to a place in our lives where it's all come full circle and our friendship has grown incredibly deep & unconditional. We've been able to help each other through some pretty hard trials in our lives and it's been our glue.

 I mentioned in my side blog a while back that I've been so blessed to have friends in my life that have been there as a support and strength during some of the hardest times in my life. Kadee is that person. She has THE best trait you can find in a person...she's Christlike. Is there a better friend you can ask for?

She's accepting, forgiving, understanding, a great listener...and most importantly, she's the person that knows the BEST me. She's incredibly supportive & uplifting. She knows who I really am & who I'm trying to be and always finds a way to focus on my strengths. She lifts me up when I'm down and gives me hope & faith when I need it most. I don't know what I'd do without her "therapy" some days. I love that there's nothing I can't talk to her about.

 

It's not easy to have such a close friend live in another state...but it doesn't seem to hinder our friendship or my love for her. We talk EVERY day. We motivate each other with our goals (especially losing our baby weight!), we share just about everything and anything. Sometimes I get so stuck in the house with the kids and being able to talk to her about everything from spiritual things to politics to decorating, celebrity gossip, COOKING, fashion and a LOT of mommy/parenting talk...we pretty much never run out of things to talk about.

 

She came to visit this week and given the difficult things she's helped me through recently, it was such a relief to have her sweet smile in my presence! I truly look up to her & strive to be the friend to others that she is to me. I know what it feels like to need people to lift you up when you need it the most...to help you keep going & to remind you of your worth instead of bringing you down. She's made me feel like a great example on days when I feel like I've failed. That's what a true friend is. One that knows you by your heart and not your mistakes. I am mesmerized by her talents and her amazing love for others! She's a ridiculously great cook, wife, mother and the best crafter and decorator I know! There's not a single decorating decision I don't run by her first haha! And I have to be a dork here and mention what amazing custom cards/invites/birth announcements she makes. She's made our wedding announcement, birth announcements, blessing invite and Christmas cards with her insane talent! See for yourself here.

 

We let our little munchkins play together finally and let me tell you...there is something about her little Blake that just melts you. I've never met a baby and fallen in love so quick. I miss him terribly already! He's going to be just like his mother...a love magnet!

 

 

We were lucky enough to have a girls night...after all, I probably text her several times a month saying how badly I wish she were here so we could have a girls night!

We've been wanting to eat at the Blue Lemon at City Creek and it was just as good as we imagined!

 

 I'm convinced anything with Artichokes is divine! Mmm...

We had to enjoy ourselves a little Chocolate...we walked so much we deserved it :)

 

I don't know what it is about caramel apples but I could stare at them all day. I'm glad it's the season to make them again.

Until next time...I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father has blessed me with friends like Kadee...extra sisters. I look forward to many more yrs of irreplaceable friendship and endless girltime! :)

Bye Bye BBQ

Labor Day Weekend we usually go camping and/or swimming BUT I didn't feel much like packing up our whole house for the triplets just so we could enjoy a couple days in the mtns. We're saving that chaos for next summer!

We did manage to squeeze in a few great BBQ's though! And I managed to snap pics at EVERY.SINGLE.ONE. Go mama.

This was from a night with The Bells & The Hoffmans

This is our cute friend Madi (below). She and Brooke (in the above pic) are both expecting girls this winter. Can you imagine all our friend get togethers with 5 girls the same age? We're getting ourselves in deep.

Next up, BBQ/Campout with Grandma Lessie. She was SO much fun. She brought a tent to pitch in our mini backyard (it's a very pathetic version of a yard), she brought music, games, fake tattoos, walkie talkies, a survival pack & a s'mores maker. Kayson was LOVIN it.

I thought it would be fitting to make some hobo dinners to grill. Yep, just as delish on the grill as in the fire!

The girls loved chillin outside...Hallie is such a snuggler!

Personally, putting up a tent for a only couple hours isn't worth the work to me. Then again I didn't help haha!

Last, we had ourselves a nice Hot Dog Roast @ The Hunt's. We love us some firepit time. And I love this family!

I know the quality is all fuzzy but I have a hard time taking pics on the nighttime setting and it turned out horrible. Oh well.

Bren & Payten 

 Grandma's gettin good at this!

 Wyatt...eating a s'more the RIGHT way

Sadly, I think this just might be the end of our summer activities. But I don't care cuz I'm a FALL GIRL!!!!! I can't wait to suck it all in. Last fall got ruined by the pregnancy and I spent almost all of it horribly sick. I can't wait to make it up this year!

Lover's Getaway

The hubcap & I choose to celebrate each Valentine's day by doing a special ALL DAY (or weekend) Lover's activity together instead of buying gifts. This year it was Erik's turn and he really outdid himself! He had quite a hookup for a free 2 day/2 night stay at a GORGEOUS 3 story, 4 bedroom condo in Midway (near Park City). I loved this "condo" so much I wanted this to be my future home! We invited Erik's 3 best friends & made it another couples thing like last year...definitely spiced up the fun!

I was a little concerned I was going to be a drag being 22 weeks pregnant with triplets and knowing I couldn't do much & was having a tough week. But they were ALL so sweet. They let me lounge, chill in my warm bath while they played in the hottub, and even pushed me around in a wheelchair at the PC outlet stores...ha! My honey did SUCH a great job and it was amazing to spend some quality time together and RELAX!! Here are some pics from our little getaway.

I couldn't let him take care of the WHOLE weekend so I had taken up some little surprises for him to put out each night in our private room/bathroom. :)

PS I ended up eating all the Swedish Fish myself...whoops.

Dinner @ ClaimJumper

Zach & Madi

Brooke & Darin

All the boys...

Sorry about the next pic...Grape Shasta just brings that out in my husband...

Look who's the proud new renter of a SWEET wheelchair...

The boys made their wives breakfast...I could get use to that

And just so you know...that is an O'Douls in Josh's hand. Ha, it's a V-Day thing for some reason.

The 2nd night we all made a KILLER steak dinner together

The guys came up with a lot of games to play. I didn't dare post pics from their hacky sack game.

This was trying to get ping pong balls off the balcony into cups on the fireplace

Saying goodbye to our little piece of Heaven for the weekend

...Thanks a million babe for the most amazing surprise and weekend with the one I love. I wish I could get away with you more during our crazy life. I'm truly lucky to have you in so many ways and hope that every year brings us closer together and more in love :) Love your guts!!