out and about: BYB 2013 Conference

Wondering what to expect at a blog conference? Here's a bit of my personal experience.

I attended the Build Your Blog 2103 Conference last weekend in Salt Lake City. The darling girls at Six Sisters Stuff blog (yes, they are actually sisters) hosted and did a beautiful job.

WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST?
When I was deciding whether or not to go to the conference, I saw that Brooke Walker, host of KSL's Studio 5, was the keynote speaker. I watch Studio 5 almost every day while I'm on the treadmill, and think Brooke is darling, so that was the little push I needed. In real life, she's even more funny and inspiring.

I loved that the conference was just one Saturday, which made it very doable, less overwhelming, and cost-effective for so many attendees. And, I love, love, love that all the classes were recorded, and will be available for viewing soon (free for attendees and a small cost to non-attendees). That means I (and you!) can actually attend ALL the classes. I think that is a huge perk to attending this conference.

out and about | witchfest at gardner village

For as long as I can remember, we've celebrated fall by visiting the witches at Gardner Village. Every year it grows into a larger event.

Kate and Madi were visiting from Idaho, and it's Ella's fall break, so we thought it would be a great little girls' date.

 

There are little vignettes with witches throughout the villages shops. They are all so darling!

our sand bucket list

Summer break is about a month and a half over. I can't believe the time is going so quickly! Last year we sat down at Family Night and created a bucket list of things we wanted to do during the summer. We called it our "sand bucket list." We were able to cross off almost every activity on the list!

This year, we created another list. I let Ella go through the photos on my kids board on Pinterest for ideas. I've added the links to some of our list (at the bottom), just in case you're running out of summer fun activities.

We're doing okay at crossing off items. Ella seems more content with just chillin' a lot of the time, so I'm going with it. :)

Slip n' Slide
zoo with Madi

traveling with small children: tip #3

One of the first things Ella asked when we returned from Southern California was, "When is our next trip?" She loves to travel. But we've had our share of not so great days, melt downs and tantrums too. This isn't really a single tip, but a compilation of ideas that have worked for us to help alleviate (or at least lessen) the drama.

A Home Away From Home
The first thing Ella does when she arrives at a new location is "set up" her room. For small children, familiarity makes them feel more safe and secure. Home is a safe place. So we allow her to choose a few "treasures" from home to bring along. When we arrive at our destination, she arranges them in a special place or just keeps them close by. The point is, find something that will make your little one feel safe and secure in an unfamiliar environment.

traveling with children: tip #2

Though we don't like to think about our children ever getting separated from us in a large crowd, we all know it's a possibility.

We always briefed our little ones that if they got lost, to stay in one place and find someone with a badge. We also had a secret password that anyone picking up the kids from school, practice, etc. in a emergency had to know before they would leave with them. Kate's was Butterfinger. It was her favorite candy bar. :) Fortunately we never had to use them, but it's good to be prepared.

There are a lot of great products out there kids can wear so if they're separated, parents can be contacted right away. Here's our simple version.

traveling with young children: tip #1

We just got back from our annual adventure to Southern California to visit Grandma and Grandpa Chiniquy and Mickey and Minnie.

My daughter, Kate and granddaughter, Madi joined us for three days at Disneyland. It was Madilyn's first time to the happiest place on earth. There is nothing that compares to watching little ones see a "real" princess for the first time. Don't you agree? It's magical. If you ask Madi what she did when she saw Tiana in the parade, she'll answer, "I freaked out." She did, and it was hilarious.

Traveling with little ones is always a unique experience. :) But there are also some very simple things we do to make it more enjoyable.

Planning ahead is a big one. I package up one outfit for each day--including undies and hair accessory--in a zipper bag. When I get to the hotel, I put them in a drawer and Ella can choose one each morning. It saves time (no rummaging through the suitcase to find items) and tantrums. I noticed the last time my granddaughter, Madi came for a sleepover, Kate had each of her outfits packaged up. Like mother, like daughter. :)

out and about: St. George, UT mini va-cay

Every fall, Lynn and Patrick take a "boys" trip together. They've gone to Yellowstone several times and Zion's National Park. This year, they sort of invited the girls (me, Ashlee and Ella). We all headed to the condo in St. George and on Saturday we went our separate ways.

The boys took off for the day exploring back roads and visiting the site of the Mountain Meadow Massacre. They also visited a ghost town called Grafton.

The girls had some serious shopping to do at my favorite spots. Not before hitting the nail salon though. Ella and I got manicures. Since Ashlee was having her bridal photos the day after we arrived home, she got both a mani and a pedi. Ella asked me, "Hey, why does Ashlee get both?" :)

out and about: sundance, utah

My sweet husband loves to plan surprises. And I love surprises. Yep, we make a great team. :) When we were first married, we spent a lot of time and weekends at Sundance. It's one of our favorite places to turn off the rest of the world and just breathe for awhile. I can literally feel the tension leave my neck and shoulders as we climb the hill to the resort.

About two week ago, Lynn told me, "Don't plan anything for this certain Saturday (last week)." He arranged for a babysitter and made reservations at my favorite place to eat at Sundance, The Foundry Grill. I had mentioned a couple of times that I really wanted to drive the Alpine Loop to see the fall colors. So after lunch, we did. It was a perfect day.

It was so peaceful and nice to just sit and soak in the light.

out and about: 10 tips for Disneyland and travel

1. We decided to look at some other airline options this year and saved almost $500 by flying Jet Blue into Long Beach Airport. We really enjoyed our flight and Jet Blue doesn't charge for your first piece of luggage (per person) or strollers and booster seats. Long Beach Airport is pretty small and nasty, but you're there all of what...15 minutes? Worth $500.

out and about: disneyland 2011

We spent last week goofin' off at Disneyland and had the. BEST. time. The weather was great and the crowds weren't too bad (less in the fall, but still okay).

the north pole express

For years Lynn has wanted to ride on the North Pole Express in Heber during the holidays. He purchased tickets a few weeks ago so we could take Ella and Madi.

The girls were so excited to ride on the big train.

happy thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all our family and friends. We love you! I’m feeling so blessed today for my health, eternal family, warm home and testimony of Jesus Christ and the gospel. I am also so grateful that not only are our needs met, but so many of our wants too.

It was a fun day. We had an early meal and went to the movies to see Disney’s “Tangled.” I loved it! So sweet and don’t tell, but I saw Lynn wiping his eyes at the end. He’s a softy.

We came home for pumpkin pie and while we were eating, Ella asked, “Is Christmas tomorrow?” It’s going to be a long month. :)

Hope your Thanksgiving was delightful too.

out and about: fall break St. George getaway

It's COLD today. I really don't like being cold. I'm wishing we were back here:

northern california vacation part 2: lake almanor

After we left Grandma and Grandpa's house we headed to Chester, California which is about an hour from Butte Meadows.

We stopped at the Lassen Gift Shop for ice cream. It was a tradition we had with the older kids. Patrick had his first banana split there because Grandma told the kids they weren't allowed to eat them until they turned eight. And since she's a grandma, they believed her. After pink ice cream, we grabbed a few groceries and headed for the lake.

Soon after we arrived, we all headed to the recreation area.

The first thing Ella wanted to do was hit the playground. I was a little worried when she got off the swing and threw up. She was fine after that though. Probably a combination of the winding roads on the way there and the ice cream.

This is walking into the rec area. It's beautiful. Everything is kept up really nice. I took a walk there in the mornings. When we had Ella, we took the golf cart. There are tennis courts and an amphitheatre to the right.

This is the beach. We spent a lot of time here. The boat ramp and docks are down at the end.

We played in the water and sand.

I relaxed and read. (I don't care how much I'm out in the sun, I will never have tan legs! Guess that's a good thing really.)

Can't get enough of those curls.



































Ella made friends quickly, of course.

I thought this was the cutest car. I loved the color. And then it headed straight for the water!

How fun is that?

Ella talked for weeks before our trip about riding in a boat.



































Grandpa's boat needed some work, so his friends Phil and Gracie Bush, took us out on their awesome boat. It was a blast! It was great getting to know them too. They are so fun and kind and have a wonderful family.

While I was on my morning walk, I watched a golf cart drive by loaded with two guys and some kids. One of the guys was holding a big pie with a Fourth of July decoration sticking out. It looked so good and I remember thinking, "I wish they were going to our house." When I got back, I opened the fridge and there was the pie! Lynn told me Phil and his son-in-law and granddaughters came by. The pie was amazing by the way. I can't remember where they ordered it, but it was a small cafe near the lake. We'll be getting one of those every time.

This handsome dude is Grandpa Murph, a.k.a my dad.

Ella's new life vest Grandpa bought her in Utah while he was visiting. I think it was just an excuse to shop at Cabela's again. :)

That's Mount Lassen in the background.

This flag usually sits on an island, but the lake was so full, it was completely covered.

On the other side of the lake was this nest with three eagles in it. It was amazing to see.

Mount Lassen again. The lake looks so different sitting in the middle of it.

Helping Daddy drive the boat.

Honking the horn--over and over.

Ella gives me this super cheesy smile when she's really, really happy. She loved when the Bush's played Little Mermaid on the boat speakers while we were going really fast. I'll admit, I loved it too. Ella told me later that she was a little bit nervous, but that she had so much fun.

That night we went to a concert at the amphitheatre. Ella and I danced like crazy. She loved all the people and the music. Everyone was laughing at how cute she was. She has quite the moves.

The next day we headed into Chester for the Fourth of July parade.

The whole gang. Grandpa had a fit when I told him he had to wear red, white and blue to the parade. Aren't you glad you did, Dad?

Those little cuties with Ella are Phil and Gracie's granddaughters, Elaura and Emaya.

I thought it was so cute that the girls were waving at everyone, until I realized they were actually yelling, "Over here, over here!" whenever a float with candy went by.




















 















































Looks like it worked.

Grandpa yelled for the guys with the huge squirt guns to get the girls.

They did.

Later that day, we took Ella to the Bush's home to play with the other kids. They had a great time on the slip n' slide and throwing water balloons at each other.

This little little momma deer and her baby jumped the fence into the backyard.

It was pretty exciting to have them so close.

 













































 And then eating right out of the kid's hands! Apparently deer enjoy tortilla chips and pancakes.

We ended up staying for a yummy bar-b-que. Thanks, guys for a wonderful time!

We can't wait to go back next year. Ella still talks about our trip just about every day. The journey home went really well. I'm so grateful Ella is such a good little traveler. We stopped at an Outlet Mall in Nevada somewhere on our way to the hotel. It was a nice break. We have great memories of our trip, but it's always nice to come home.