A look back; Utah...

I've come to accept the fact that this blog is my (and my family's) journal. I don't know why that bugs me but it does. No, I do know why; it bugs me that I'm not motivated to record stuff on my own but I'm motivated to do it if everyone in cyber space can read it. It means I'm l.a.m.e. Anyway. I'm off topic already. So since this blog is our journal, I have to post the rest of our pictures of the trip to Utah, even though we've been home for a month! Let the fun begin...

Ahhh. Millcreek Mondays. We were there for 4, and each was awesome. Retta and Nora, my moms best friends and second moms to me, always brought presents and stuff to entertain my boys. Such thoughtful and FUNNY people...


Chase Clark with the man he was named for... (I love my dad)

Nick's preferred watermelon eating method...

Jack and Nick LOVED the bridge...

Part of the group around the fire...er, the fire-pit...

Painting rocks...

This is "Grandma Retta" as my boys call her. A lot of my best childhood memories include her. She deserves her own blog-post. Hilarious. Brilliant. Talented. Thoughtful. Love her. Stinks that the picture is side-ways.

The whole group (plus my Grandma and Grandpa Smith who were able to join us that night)... My favorite part of this picture is Tim and Katie. If you know them, this will be funny to you...

One Saturday we took the boys to my favorite farmers market and to the fountain at Gateway. Love the stroller brigade...

So did Mara...

I also was there for the Dudley Family Reunion, the first that's been had in awhile. It was great to reconnect with cousins and aunts and uncles. It seems that we've grown exponentially in the last few years, and this isn't even half of us.

I got to spend an afternoon with my best friend Jen in Park City. I hope she's still my best friend after she sees that I posted a picture of her pregnant, in her bathing suit! Doesn't she look great, though? Jen has introduced me to many important things throughout the years... for example, spray butter. And 'So You Think You Can Dance.' And blogging. And substituting applesauce for oil when you bake. Oh yeah, and Brad. :) I love everything about her. And I wish she lived next door.

I had lunch with my bestest Oakcrest friends, which is always wonderful and hilarious. Love these ladies. My favorite thing about this picture is that we were all too chicken to ask someone in the restaurant to take the picture so NICK volunteered and took it. He pretty much rocks.

I also got to see Amy a couple of time, my amazing friend that sends me constant packages and emails that keep me sane and feeling loved. Again, another amazing woman in my life who I greatly admire.

So not only is my sister-in-law Katie beautiful and an amazing photographer, decorator, cook, and friend, but she's also a killer soccer player. We went to one of her games while I was there. She's the one in the middle. I think this was right after she scored a goal.

Daniel and Nick watching the game. I've always thought Nick looked like Daniel. Aren't they the handsomest?The four Dudley grandkids, cheering Katie on...

Playing around after the game...

Another highlight of the trip was seeing the amazing Melissa. Sometimes I feel like posting an add on Craigslist that says this:

Wanted: A blonde, hilarious, thoughtful, and kind woman to go to the gym with me at 5:30am with, grocery shop with, roam the aisles of Target with, be my next-door neighbor, and hang out with everyday.

Really wanted? Melissa to move back to PA! On a bright note though, she sent me a POTATO from Idaho last week! :) Love it.

Wonderful Morgan with Nick. Nick still says he's going to marry her...

The beautiful Mikayla with Chasey. These two were new babies together and now they're growing up so fast!

It was a GREAT trip to UT. It was crazy busy, but well worth it. Not pictured, but equally important, was a playdate with Heidi (a best friend since junior high) and Em (a best friend since 1st grade), a fantastic camping trip to Mill Hollow, and a lunch with some other friends from junior high that I hadn't seen in forever.

The week after we got home was Brad's birthday, and his parents came in town. Nick is rather obsessed with his Grandpa Jeff, and had to be with him at all times, even when Jeff was taking a nap and Nick and Chase were watching a show.

Last week was Nick's first day at his "real" pre-school, and he's doing really well. I wouldn't say he loves it, but he has yet to cry when I drop him off, so I consider it a success.

And last but not least, Chase turned 20 months old today and celebrated by throwing an all out I'm-almost-two-and-I-know-what-I-want-so-I'll-arch-my-back-and-yell-and-stomp-my-feet-for-10-minutes-until-you-give-it-to-me FIT! It was as lovely as it sounds. But to make up for it he sang every word of "I Am A Child of God" tonight, unprompted. We were shocked. It was heart-melting. He was forgiven. :) This is the longest post I've ever done. If you're still reading, you really are a true friend...