Track Break(s)

I love year round school! The kids go for about 8 wks. and then are off for 2 wks. It breaks up the monotony. My sweet husband is nice enough to let us go somewhere for a few days every time we have a break (if someone's not already coming to visit) even though our fundage is low. These little trips serve two purposes; 1) helps refuel the "single mom" 2) gives Trey some peace and quiet to study.

Lehi & West Jordan, UT:

This past break we went to UT to visit my sister-in-law and my mom. Brent and Markelle were nice enough to let us stay at their house and eat all their food. We went to the aquarium one day and the kids loved it. Here's Atticus looking into one of the tanks. I'm glad my mom was there to help with the kids, sometimes I forget how hard it is taking them places without Trey.

The weather wasn't the best so another day we went to an indoor play area at one of the malls:
Atticus loved this big globe. He kept saying, "ball" and hugging it.
One night we got together with my uncle Cavette's family. I haven't seen most of them for about ten years and it was fun to catch up! The kids loved meeting some new cousins and were sad to leave them.

The lovely hosts for the weekend, Brent & Markelle:

My four and their cousin Jackson. He is SUCH a cutie! It was so fun to see his little personality.
On the way to and from Lehi we stopped in St. George to see our dear friends the Gunns; Danika, Abe, Lia, Hazel and Olive. So fun! Even though it was great to see family and friends, hang out, watch Pushing Daisies, go to the aquarium and eat food I didn't cook myself, I must say my highlight of the trip was Sheri Dew. Markelle invited my mom and I to a tri-stake fireside with Sister Dew as the speaker. She was fabulous and I could have sat and listened to her all day. She spoke on the influence a righteous woman can have and she really inspired me. Thanks to Brent who volunteered(or maybe Markelle bribed/threatened him?!) to watch all five kids while we were gone.

Farmington, NM:

Paige had her State soccer tournament the same weekend as Halloween so we hopped in the car and went to support her and had such a fun time dressing up with the whole family for the ward Halloween party. The green are for Scorpion pride for the soccer game. I miss my family!

Panguitch, UT:

Beautiful picture, for sure. Panguitch is the halfway point for Danika and I to meet up so we've gone for two track breaks now. We hang out at her in-laws cabin with our eight kids and have a great time. One night we did facials and nails. So fun and girly.
Our eight ragamuffins. Everyone has a playmate; Jonas & Abe, Clara & Lia, Nora & Hazel, Atticus & Olive. And what do we do in Panguitch with eight kids and no husbands? Play soccer, do science experiments, go to the park, play with dead kitties, try new recipes, watch movies, paint nails, read books, bathe stuffed animals in the sink, play with magnets, do facials, attempt to go to the grocery store(FYI: not a good idea with 8 little ones under 8), go on walks, have pic-nics, stay up late talking, take naps, put on plays, and laugh a lot.
Places to visit ASAP: AZ(Trey's family & my cousins), CA(my friend Rachel), NM again(it's just soo far)!!