November Girls Weekend!

In August - Rachel, Becca, Nicole and myself realized we were not going to see each other for ANOTHER year if we didn't pull off a quick girls trip. So my gracious in laws volunteered their home as a place to meet (since we had 2 babies with us still). My mom graciously drove 6 hours (one way!) to come cover for me while Bill was at a work retreat. 

A quick trip to MSP! Friday morning I left and came back Sunday night. 

we arrived in Hudson Friday around dinner time and it was perfectly set up! 

I used my firestarting skills to run the fire and it was heavenly! 

Nicole, Rachel and myself went out running each morning. It was too cold for Becca! 

Natalie had a rough hour on Saturday, but I tamed her with my bouncing skills. loved meeting her and spending more time with Leif. 

It was so soul filling spending the weekend with these ladies. I am so thankful for them and their constant support and friendship despite the distance. Having soulmate friends is the best gift from the Lord! 

on Sunday before we all went our separate ways we shopped for a bit and of course the only full photo we have of all of us was in a lulu! ha!

Can't wait until our next one! 

Becca & Nolan visit WA

Oh Happy day! Becca and Nolan flew in Tuesday late afternoon.

The kids blended in like pros. It was great having Nolan with the crew.

charlie was so happy to have a little brother.

teaching him things about Dinos.

piano playing

we headed to Manito park on Wednesday and it was glorious. Julia met us there too with Reed.

Love these two bellies! Due 4 weeks apart.

Ellie

Reed.

my clan snacking. as always.

charlie did awesome playing with all the younger kids. He has had to be at many playdates lately without older kids and is doing awesome.

Nolan’s cheese inside Rockwood bakery.

yum! love this place!

I’m not sure we will be getting family photos done this year since these are the sort of smiles we are busting out these days.

Missing Julia’s oldest – Zane (4) who was at preschool, but this line up is awesome. Reed, Charlie, Nolan, Claire, Ellie. Please note Ellie’s outfit – just amazing.

one afternoon we took the big box and moved it outside and chalk colored in it. Love the many uses of a big box!

the kids bribed lily in with dog food.

ellie loves lily.

Becca’s belly was a BIG topic of conversations throughout the couple of days she was here. The kids loved to feel the baby kick and then decided we should pray and decide to have another baby too. ha!

one day we headed out to Julia’s house in Liberty Lake. It is so fun to see friend’s homes and be able to picture them there.

the 3 of us!

Friday morning – I was teaching my rowfit class and Becca came and snapped this photo without me knowing! So fun to have her there!

Saying good bye to Nolan! What a blessing it was to have you guys come visit and fill me up. I can’t wait until we can visit you in Scottsdale (hopefully just me and Bill – ha).

you are always welcome to come visit Spokane where our weather is sure to be gorgeous!

Rochester Reunion 2015

Me and my homies have been talking about this Jan/Feb 2015 reunion for years. It was worth the wait! We planned the weekend for January 30-Feb 2nd, which we learned one month before the event happened to be the same weekend as this little football game and small golfing thing that were happening in Phoenix at the same time (aka the SUPER BOWL and US OPEN event). It really didn’t effect our time in Phoenix, but really affected my flight times.

Julia and I boarded our plane at 7:45 and then sat on the runway for 3 hours waiting to get approval to take off so we can land in Phoenix and so that was a bummer. but I was super excited that I was able to chat with Julia for the whole time! We connected with Kerri & Beth’s flights in Phoenix and were all able to drive to Becca’s house together. It was amazing to all show up and BAM we were together again. So joyous and so normal!

Me and Kerri after arriving.

Nicole, Becca and Scarlet.

cheers!!

despite having a bit of rain (the only rain the forecast for weeks!) we got into Becca’s hot tub and it was incredible. Her backyard is amazing!

after chatting way to late we crashed and after some coffee we headed out for a walk around Becca’s neighborhood.

crusty picture (nicole, beth, me)!

kerri, becca, julia

we really wanted a group picture so Beth rigged up her phone in a tree and snapped this beauty. the best were the outtakes of her running back to check her phone.

Pretty awesome pic!

then becca added missing Kamber (and her little babe) and Rachel (with her baby inside!). I loved this!

After our walk – soaking up some bits of sun!

nicole made some delicious peppermint bark for us (and mikel!).

chowing down lunch after our walk!!!

kerri – officially in Columbus, Ohio.

Julia – in Liberty Lake, WA (sooo close to me!!)

me – so thankful for a shower!

Beth busted out some cinnamon rolls so we could make them tomorrow. I have talented friends people. Becca helped with the rolls, but most of the credit goes to Beth.

all showered up and ready to go out to eat!!

lookin’ gorgeous! love that khaki and scarlet wanted IN on girls weekend too.

Beth, Julia, Kerri, Nicole, me, Becca.

the fog lifted so we could get a good pic!

A delicious dinner at the Herb box. Love these ladies sooooo much!

these are my kinda ladies. we opted out of dessert at the restaurant and decided to head home and make gooey brownies and eat big bowls with ice cream & brownies by the outdoor fire. While the brownies were baking I looked online and saw that Aaron Rodgers won MVP and freaked out so Beth (another loyal sconnie) and I did a GB cheer that I made up on the spot.

go packers! I’m supposed to be a letter B for GB.

Enjoying the dessert by the fire and some time with Mikel!

Sunday morning we woke up to see Nolan back home! Becca is the best mom! She lets nolan have some coffee!!

love this friend!

then we drove to hike the Gateway area.

so thankful for blue skies!

me and beth!

we did a 2.5 mile hike up and took this picture before heading down.

why oh why can’t AZ and WA be state neighbors???? I {heart} you bubuk.

reflecting on our time together. a dream.

we arrived home from the hike and showered off and had to pack up (except for julia and beth who were staying for a few extra days) and head to the airport.

we thought the airport would be dead because we were flying DURING the super bowl. yeah – not so much. I was supposed to depart at 6 and get home at 8pm, but instead didn’t fly out until almost 10pm and got home closer to 1am. I watched the super bowl with random airport people, but it was fun and I got home to my fam safely so all was good. I am so thankful that I was able to get to Phoenix for the weekend and that Bill took friday off to stay with the kids. Feeling very filled up from time with these friends. Miss you all already! I’m ready for our next reunion!