Adventures on the western front

Well, we're back in dodge and not much has changed. Our house is still on the market. We've had a steady flow of showings but just no bites yet. The good news is that Spring has sprung and people are finally coming out of their caves. We had about 10 showings while I was gone so that's 10 less times I had to clean my house from top to bottom!!

Our 2 week trip out west was CRAZY busy but a total blast. My extremely selfless mom flew all the way out to PA to help me fly my 3 young kids across the country. I don't know how I would have done it without her. Trying to get through security was a spectacle in and of itself. The craziest part...we all flew standby. My mom works for Southwest and it was a miracle we were all able to get on the plane with buddy passes...and all sit together. My trip was broken into 3 parts (I stayed at each sisters house). I'm documenting each visit with an obscene amount of pictures on this post. Our first adventure began in Albuquerque, NM to visit my sister, Stacy and her 2 adorable girls.

Albuquerque, NM (Stacy and Jason's house)

I haven't seen the Greenhalgh family for almost a year and a half. Hayley was in hog heaven with a smorgasbord of girly stuff at her fingertips. Every time I turned around she has some sort of dress up outfit on and was draped in bling from head to toe. Ethan was barely able to escape the week with a little bit of his boyhood left. They both formed an instant bond with their cousins, Megan and Zoe, and continue to talk about how much they miss them.

Highlights: 2 trips to local parks, kids riding bikes in the back yard for hours, chasing Maddie (the cat), my own personal Shady Maple breakfast in bed for my birthday, decorating cupcakes, Olive Garden, Chuck E Cheese, Gone with the Wind (it took us 4 nights to watch the whole thing), chicken crapes...(very yummy Jason), looking at model homes..

Hayley and Zoe during one of their many fashion shows

Hayley couldn't hide her affection for Zoe and kept trying to squeeze her to death. Zoe had enough and finally expressed her disapproval

Ethan and Megan became best friends overnight. They are 2 peas in a pod.

You can't plan moments like this. Who needs a pillow when you have your cousins skinny and bony shoulder to rest your weary head on?

I totally remember riding on this at Chuck E Cheese when I was little

Me and my sis

Somebody hand this girl a toothbrush!

Again, not planned....just cuteness at its best

This sweet little girl is packed with personality. Man I miss her!

Hayley....such a diva!

Lehi, UT (Shanda and Ryan's House)

After spending a week in Albuquerque, my parents bravely offered to drive me and my kids to Utah. That was my first 11 hour trip in a car with all 3 of my kids and it will definitely be the last for quite some time! My youngest sister, Shanda and bro in law Ryan recently moved to Traverse Mountain.

Highlights:Playing the Wii, 4 wheeling, soaking up the sun on the deck, a trip to Backyard Adventures, a trip to Cabelas, rockets, game nights until the wee hours of the morning, hide and go seek, home made ice cream cake, bubble baths, riding down the stairs on a sheet with Aunt Shanda....

Ethan and his Uncle Ry.

We visited the new Cabela's in Lehi. Those fish have got to be on steroids!

More 4 wheeling with Aunt Shanda

Brooklyn was stung by a wasp on our way to the local park. It was the saddest thing ever. After calling the Dr., I learned that Colgate toothpaste is a good remedy for a wasp sting (after you know they did not go into anaphalactic shock). Thank goodness grandma travels so prepared and saved the day!

While visiting Lehi, Shanda and I took the kids to Spanish Fork to visit some of Jeff's family. It was so great to see how great all of our kids got along. Even though it had been over a year an a half since we'd seen them, it was as if they'd never spent a day apart. My sister in law, Erin, dyed my hair blonde (Jeff is ecstatic!) and then we went out to dinner. It was a quick visit but so great to see them!

Aidan, Ethan, Sienna and Katelyn

The Gregerson Gang

Goodbyes are always hard....even for a 4 year old

Back to Lehi for more fun. My oldest sister and her kids came down from Layton to spend the evening with us. They brought this awesome rocket toy down that made for hours of fun!

Ethan quickly became addicted to the Wii. I am afraid to ever own one for fear that I won't see him again

My oldest sister, Lisa and her daughter, Kelsey getting reacquainted with my girls

No caption necessary

Our final destination....Layton, UT

Last but not least, our journey took us to Layton to visit my oldest sister, Lisa and her family. Her kids are growing up way too fast. I'm so grateful she was able to get the time off work so we could play. My niece, Kelsey, was such a big help to me. She even gave up her comfy bed to sleep next to my kids. I just adore that girl!

Highlights: Trampoline, rollerblading to the park, karaoke, rocket fights, trip to Treehouse Museum, trip to Aquatic Center, trip to ER, trip to Costco, getting to be in the room when Tyler was set apart as the Deacons Quorum President....

Ethan and cousin Ryan eating ice cream on the trampoline

Treehouse Museum in Ogden

Ethan worships the ground his cousin Tyler walks on. He was constantly whispering in my ear saying, "mom, Tyler is the biggest guy." I hope Ethan walks in Tyler's footsteps cause he is an amazing young man!

Aunt Lisa and Brooklyn

We were able to visit our great friends, the Yeats, and finally met their adorable little boy, Zachary. He and Brooklyn are exactly 1 month apart. It was a very quick visit but Ally made an amazing dinner (Cafe Rio) and the kids had a blast together.

Zachary is seriously one of the cutest kids I've ever seen. Look at that smile! What a charmer!

Jason, Zach and Ally. So good to see you guys. Thanks for having us over!

As you can see, it was a very busy trip. Hayley was diagnosed with a severe double ear infection the day before our trip home. Yikes!! By the time the trip was over, I realized I had packed and unpacked a total of 4 times, rode on 4 airplanes, slept in 3 different beds and driven over 650 miles all in 2 weeks time. I snapped over 150 pictures but failed to get one picture of my parents. (I have no idea how that happened). I'm so grateful to all of my sisters for their hospitality. I am especially grateful to my parents for being by my side for almost the entire 2 weeks. There were many friends and family members that I would have loved to visit but just didn't have the time. It's great to be home with Jeff again but I look forward to seeing many of you again in a month for Jeff's graduation.

Some of you may be wanting to ask: "was it worth all of the trouble and chaos?" HECK YES!! I'd do it again tomorrow if I could (well, with the exception of the 11 hour drive from Albuquerque to Utah. That about did me in).