Jackson Hole~10 yr Anniversary Trip

Yall, I don't even know where to start! This post overwhelms me a bit because there are just so many wonderful memories from this trip! Scott and I headed to Jackson Hole ALONE for a week to celebrate our 10 year anniversary! It was amazing, so wonderful to be together, with no distractions all week! One of our very best friends has a college aged sister, Ali. So, we hired Ali to stay at our house and take care of our babies! Since my mom isn't alive, Scott's mom is in California- we don't have anyone to drop everything and watch our kids. My siblings are willing but all have their own kids and are so busy, so I wouldn't want to burden them with an extra 3 kids and 2 dogs for a week! So, this trip was a big deal for us! It was such a treat! Ali did amazing, and we had a blast!

I left the house ready to go with meals prepared and play dates arranged (to give Ali a little break here and there!) I texted Ali pictures during our trip so the kids would know what we were up to. They loved all the pictures, and Ali explained each activity! The kids felt included, and we enjoyed making them part of our vacation! We called them a couple nights to say prayers and chat! They were ready to see us when we got home. I literally jumped out of the car before Scott even parked. I was SO excited to hug them! While we were gone, they slept great, ate good, were well behaved, and had FUN! I wasn't worried a bit, which gave me the opportunity to let loose and have fun!

Speaking of letting loose, OH MY, we had the best time ever! It was the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure! Lots of adventure! We stayed in a beautiful log cabin with a creek running through the property. There were teepee's with fire pits, which was my favorite place to go at night! We had our own little log cabin with a front porch. Amazing! We could walk to town, which is an adorable town with delicious restaurants and fun bars! We enjoyed long dinners and bar hopping at night! We also snuck into our resorts outdoor pool at midnight, haha! We jumped the fence, pulled back the heated pool cover and laughed like teenagers! Priceless! Now, let's move on to our day time adventures...

I have never hiked so much in my life! We had to hike to all of our adventures. First off was the mountain top ropes course. This ropes course was pretty intense, but an amazing experience. It was way harder than it looked! Scott and I are both very active people, so we accommodated and enjoyed it! Talk about upper body strength!!! Woa, we had to use all of our strength to get us through the course. We laughed a lot during the obstacles. We enjoyed doing this challenge together. The views (and the workout,ha) were breathtaking!

We went on the Alpine Slide. We took the ski lift all the way up a mountain, picked up a sled, and flew down the slide. You can control your speed with a lever, and I got way more adventurous once I got a feel for the slide! Scott flew down! Then, we hiked up Josie's Ridge, which is one of the highest points in Jackson. Amazing views! We felt like we were on the top of the world. We sat there and breathed the most fresh air ever! We also did fun tricks (jumps, handstands and heel clicks). Scott was a little nervous because we were so close to the edge, but it was so fun to be so carefree! 

White water rafting! This was a blend of risky adventure and peaceful. There were times that the water was like glass and silent. Then, other times that the rapids were engulfing our raft! So much fun! The water was cold, but the sunshine felt wonderful. The rafting guide did a great job, and we enjoyed this so much! We rafted in Costa Rica, which was insane! Our raft flipped, I ended up downstream pinned under a rapid. I had to get rescued by a rescue kayak. Strangely enough, it was so much fun that I took on the challenge again in Jackson Hole. This time around was much more our level, but still thrilling. I am a total thrill seeker, so I was all over this!

Paddleboadring in the Grand Teton mountains. This was the most peaceful part of the entire trip. We rented a paddleboard, threw it on top of our rental car, and headed to the Grand Tetons! Jenny Lake and String Lake run through the Grand Tetons, and this has to be the most serene place I have ever been. Snow was still on top of the Grand Tetons, the lake was like glass, and the views were unbelievable! We cruised for hours. We found a random "beach" area that we sat and hung out. Scott didn't think I could do a handstand on the paddleboard, so I had to prove him wrong, ha! He tried it too, let's just say we did lots of laughing! We have always loved spending time together, but this time was extra special. We were both so relaxed, laid back and enjoyed this memory so much!

We planned to go on a hot air balloon, but it had to get cancelled because it was a little too windy. Rather than being bummed about it, we decided to take on another totally risky adventure...downhill mountain biking. Yall, this is NO joke! This is the wildest, most risky thing I have ever done. This also goes down as our favorite/most fun adventure of the trip! We had no clue what to expect, but after I ran into a tree and Scott flew over his handlebars...we discovered real quick that this sport was INTENSE! So, we tightened up our pads, secured our helmets and had a blast!! We hooked our bikes on the ski lift and rode all the way to the top! They have different trails to choose from (like skiing) green, blue, black. There are cliffs, jumps, curves, creeks, and bridges along the way! There were some out of control moments that I was a little scared, but again, I love a good thrill, so this was a totally amazing adventure! We both left with some battle wounds from this one, but on to the next adventure....

Horseback riding! We rode horses up about 10,000 feet and back down to enjoy the best steak dinner we have ever had! The ranch was gorgeous, Scott couldn't get over this property! We rode the horses 2 hours up to the highest point. Now, this has to be one of my favorite parts of the trip...the view was the coolest thing I have seen! There was a storm on one side of the valley and sunshine on the other. We could literally see the line between the two. We sat on our horses in awe of  mother nature! It was wonderful! Then, the ranch owner made us a ridiculous steak dinner. The steak was huge and so fresh! The horseback and dinner goes down as Scott's favorite adventure of the trip! We ate dinner in a barn, and our wedding song came on (Cross my Heart by George Straight.) So, we got up and danced all alone! The owners wife ran and got my camera to snag some pics. I loved this place, I loved the people...I could have stayed there forever!

The most unexpected adventure of our trip was the waterfall host springs. Some of the locals told us about these hot springs, so we decided to go experience something off the 'beaten path.' We drove 20 miles up a mountain on a dirt road. There were unbelievable views along our drive, we made many stops for pics! The higher we got up, the more secluded we were. Scott loved the adventure of not knowing what to expect. I guess I watch too many lifetime movies, so I was just sure that we were going to disappear, ha! We finally made it to this gorgeous waterfall. Just above the huge waterfall was a smaller one that was hot water. There was a dammed area that pooled that hot water, so we swam and relaxed for hours! This was such an unique experience, and I am so glad that we were spontaneous!

Then, off to some R&R. We sat at our resorts pool for hours!! Scott snoozed, I drank their yummy margaritas! We totally "vegged" and enjoyed every minute of our down time. In between all of our adventures was a lot of walking the town, site seeing, hand holding, talking, laughing, and sitting in my teepee!! Every moment of this trip was perfection!

As our trip came to an end, I was SO ready to pack up and see my babies. This was a trip of a lifetime. Scott and I enjoyed this trip so very much. We are grateful for the people that helped with our kids, and we are beyond grateful for our alone time. We came back totally refreshed and ready to embrace our sweet babies! Happy 10 year anniversary to the best man in the world! Scott, you are my best friend, my everything! Thank you for planning such a wonderful, amazing, memorable trip!

Trent's 3rd Birthday Party

Trent had such a great 3rd birthday party. All the kids and parents had a wonderful time. We headed to Home Depot to build helicopters. We set up in the lumber department, and I just had some balloons, the same birthday banner that I use every year, cupcakes, animal crackers and juice! Home Depot provided the building aprons and helicopter building kits. It was so adorable!

I got there early to set up, and Scott came right before the party for Trent to see the decorations. He was so excited. I could hear him running in the store, he turned the corner with a huge smile! He thought he was so cool to have his party at a true big boy place!

Home Depot only wanted 20 kids. With 10 kids just in my family, we invited a few neighbors and close friends that Trent sees often. It was the perfect size group for this party. The dads were all so involved, hammering and building with the kids. It was so so cute!

The kids went straight to building. They had animal crackers and juice in their apron to help fuel them to work so hard! They all stayed in their chair and worked hard...so did the parents! It was a team effort. Faith Ann just walked a million circles around the table showing off her walking skills!

Then, we had cupcakes and everyone left with their finished helicopter in hand. It was such a unique and fun party! Home Depot was so accommodating, friendly and helped make the party smooth! Trent was ear to ear smiles! Happy 3rd birthday to my sweet Trent!! This was the perfect party for him! Trent, my bud, you are one special dude!! 

10 Year Anniversary, Happy 3rd Birthday Trent & First Steps!

WOW!!! What a big day! July 16th is an extra special day to our family. July 16th 2015 is our 10 year anniversary, Trent's 3rd Birthday, and now the date always remembered for Faith Ann's first true steps! All this in one day!

Scott and I will be going on our 10 year anniversary trip to Jackson Hole soon! We can NOT wait! I will do a totally separate post about our wonderful vacation later. In the meantime, Happy 10 year anniversary to the sweetest, most patient, most consistent, reliable and handsome man! Our wedding sure doesn't seem like ten years ago! We have lived a lot of life in that 10 years, and I am honored to live this life with such a special man!

Happy 3rd Birthday to Trent. Gosh, Trent stole a huge chunk of my heart 3 years ago! The day he was born, I just knew he was something special. He is so tough yet so very tender at the same time. He has the most gentle heart. He is so simple too. We always say, "Trent is black and white, cut and dry simple." And I love that about him. He is my tried and true momma's boy. Trent is also such a dude. I have said it from day one, but he is just so cool! Calm, cool and collected...and totally beautiful! I just love my baby Trent! We are having a little party at Home Depot, and I will post about that later too. In the meantime, Happy 3rd Birthday Trent, you are the best anniversary present ever! 

He woke up to his gift from us...his very own nap mat! He will be starting school soon. I have kept him at home with me, but it's now time that he goes off to school. He will be going to our church (MDUMC) 3 times a week. He is so ready, so excited, and I have been SO happy with my decision to keep my baby at home as long as possible. But, he's ready to open his wings now and he has his very own nap mat to do so! Haha! He was so excited about his own nap mat...tellin ya, simple boy!

He ordered breakfast. I told him I would make him anything he wanted. He ordered eggs, chocolate pancakes, and chocolate toast! Done! We put candles in his eggs and sang Happy Birthday for the first time of the day! Then, we went to the splash pad where sissy decided to take her first true steps! I was so glad cousin Jake was there to help document this special milestone! She was walking between person to person. But who waits to get to the splash pad to learn to walk?! Slippery ground is not the best for first steps! But, she was real steady on her feet. And Trent said, "yea, Faith Ann is a big girl for my birthday!!"

After nap, Trent wanted a snowcone. He headed to Bahama Bucks with a few friends, and of course put a candle in his snowcone and sang to him again!! The kids made a mess but had a blast. Trent wanted to wear his shirt with a cape on it- just in case he could fly on his birthday! Sweet boy!

Then, we met Scott at Southwells for dinner. Our favorite place to eat!! Then, a special tradition...on the birth date for each child, every month, Scott spends alone time with. So the 8th of every month is Faith Ann, 13th is Hunter, and 16th is Trent. Scott just spends like 30 minutes of intentional alone time with each child. The kids TOTALLY look forward to this each month. Trent wanted to go fly a kite down in the easement yesterday. He and Scott had a great time!! I love this 'daddy alone time' tradition, special memories for everyone!! Yesterday was action packed, memorable and so wonderful!!