Dirty 30 in Palm Springs

I’m going to be 30.  In less than a week, but who’s counting?  My high school friends and I decided we needed to do something to celebrate this milestone and we voted to go on a Girl’s Trip.  We debated on several locations:  but Palm Springs won out for the most convenient + best weather.

We had booked the flights and vacation home several weeks in advance, and the trip totally snuck up on me!

We flew into Palm Springs late on Thursday night.  We didn’t arrive until after 10 pm.  We went straight to grab our luggage and then to pick up our rental car.  Once all was settled (and crammed into the back seat of our crossover) we drove to a nearby grocery store for some supplies.  Little did we know that we would be returning to this said grocery store every day (some days multiple times a day) during this trip.  Thank you Ralph’s for putting up with us!  They even had Sea Salt Caramel Halo Top in stock – so I couldn’t have been happier.

The property we rented was one of my favorite parts about the trip.  My mediocre iPhone photos don’t do it justice.  Whitney is the one with a professional camera.  The pool was in and of itself a game changer.

home 2

home 3

One day my dream is to have a lap pool in my backyard.  Swimming laps is one of my favorite things to do for exercise.  One day.

home copy

We unloaded our groceries, unpacked our bags, and settled in.  True to form – we didn’t call it a night until well passed 3:00 am.

The next morning we woke up to rain.  We had breakfast, showered up, and went to lunch at Bill’s Pizza.  I wasn’t expecting it – but it was actually one of my favorite meals of the entire trip.

After lunch we hit up the outlets just outside of Palm Springs.  They had nearly every store you could think of.  Their Lululemon Outlet even had a 30 PERCENT OFF EVERYTHING sale.  Britt and I were over the moon.  Since the rain didn’t let up, neither did we.  We weren’t finished until it was nearly closing time.

The next day was warm and sunny.  I went on a run before the rest of my crew was up and at ’em.  I had been dreaming of it for weeks.  Running on the treadmill has had me gloom and doom lately, so running amongst all the mid century modern homes and palm trees was like a little slice of heaven.

running outside

I got back, had breakfast, and showered up for the day.  Since the weather was good – we grabbed lunch and then drove over to Indian Canyons for a hike.  The first route was short, but it was my favorite.  There was a natural spring coming down the canyon with palm trees lining nearly the whole way.  It was so picturesque and the temperature was perfect.

We did a second hike – called Palm.  It was short and sweet as well, but a great view and more of a desert landscape mix.  It was the perfect activity for the warmest day of our trip.

Later we had dinner at Trio – a surprisingly busy restaurant down town.  We stayed up again – way passed 3:00 am – and awoke very slowly the next morning.

We all weren’t up and ready until the afternoon and decided to get a late lunch at Melvyn’s [Britt’s request – it was one of Frank Sinatra’s favorite restaurants].

The chicken pot pies were bigger than expected, but it hit the spot on our rainy afternoon.

After our late lunch the rain wasn’t letting up.  So instead of staying at the house, I convinced a few to go back to the outlets with me.

We shopped around until closing time, returned home, and then went and picked up some pho for dinner.

We ended our night with a swim in the heated pool while it rained!

The next day we had to be up earlier in order to get ready, pack up, and check out of our place.  We loaded up our rental car, locked up the house, and set off for brunch.  Turns out the occupants of the entire city had the same plan we did on that rainy morning.  Our brunch spot was a hub of activity – so for the sake of time we decided to eat at the airport.

We all got lunch and awaited to board our flight.

We always joke how close we are – but we never see each other.  Last time I went on a trip with these girls – I was about 4 weeks pregnant with Sloan!  Time passes so quickly.  We always promise to see each other more often, and hopefully we will keep that promise this time.  Because being together at Christmas is not nearly enough.

So glad I have these ladies to celebrate this milestone with and I couldn’t have picked a better way to do it!

 

 

 

 

 

In No Particular Order: January

I can’t believe I’m saying this and risking jinxing it all – but my New Year’s resolutions are actually going great!  I love to bake and cook and have really made an effort over the last few years to make healthy and somewhat satisfying meals for our family.  Some they like, some I like.  And there are even a few we all like!  I was craving corn bread randomly one day and decided to make cornbread and turkey chili.  I found the best recipe on Yummly and it was a hit!  It’s even made with yogurt instead of oil, so it was even lower calorie.  IMG_5737 I love turkey chili – though not everyone in our house does (ZACH) everyone gave it a go and it turned out great.  If you ask Sloan and I, that is.  IMG_5743 One evening after Zach got home from work we rushed over to a pond nearby our house that had completely frozen over.  It was the perfect time and place for some more ice skating.  Sloan was in heaven.  I was frozen solid.  I wish they had a one-piece onesie in my size.  I don’t know if I am just getting old or what…but I’ve been freezing this entire winter season. IMG_5896 IMG_5897 Sloan experienced Play-doh for the first time and acted like it was the most revolutionary thing to happen to her since cheese.  If you know her – cheese is the end all be all.IMG_5983Sloan and I went to Kangaroo Zoo one afternoon when she was up from her nap.  It was a stormy day, so it was great to get out of the house for a bit.  Sloan loved all the slides and blow-up activities…but she was more concerned about the chairs being all organized a certain way.  She gets that trait from me, poor thing…
IMG_5984 We got Sloan her second haircut this month.  It was much needed.  Her hair is growing faster than it seems possible.  We are actually due for another one this week! IMG_5985 One night for FHE we made homemade pizzas.  It was super easy – store bought dough and sauce – but it was a blast!  They actually tasted much better than I expected, too.  Artichokes were the hero, I’m telling you…IMG_5986 Sloan’s Bubba (my brother) bought her a coon hat at Cabella’s and Sloan has been a big fan.  Like, wearing it instead of her shirt, kinda fan.  IMG_5987 Zach begged me to make manicotti a few weeks ago.  I’m not a huge fan of the dish, but I try to be a decent wife once in a while.  I was convinced Sloan wouldn’t last through dinner prep – but was surprised at how much she loved helping me fill all the noodles with the cheese filling.  She helped me stuff 12 noodles – barely moving a muscle. IMG_5988Recently Zach and I had a date night:  Pizzeria Limone and the Jazz game.  Because pizza is always on the top of my list and because SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS is on Zach’s list all day erry day.
IMG_5989 We had Classic’s company seats and they did not disappoint.  PS – Did you know there is a Swig counter at the Vivint Smart Home Arena?  Yeah, it’s true. IMG_5990 The weather hasn’t been ideal the last few weeks for snow sports.  We’re dying to take Sloan up snowboarding, but it keeps storming on us.  Luckily, she is just as happy to be indoors and being pulled around on the carpet by Zach.  She even learned a new trick:  a board grab.  While wearing her coon hat, but that’s not surprising.  We are in the “dressing ourself” phase and I’m actually not mad about it.IMG_5991

The Last of December – New Years

After Christmas I was lucky enough to spend a night with my high school girlfriends for our annual Christmas get together.  Alison was in town from New York and that’s the day that worked best with everyone.  So even though it wasn’t BEFORE Christmas, we still exchanged our “Favorite Things” and stayed way too late at Kristina’s new beautiful home.

FullSizeRender-2 IMG_5675

We had pizza, pizzookies, and stayed until passed 2 am talking.  It is always the same.  No matter what happens – we always pick up right where we left off.  I love that part so much.  We really all are so different.  That’s why we work, I think.  Because we balance each other out. 

I also got to go out with another group of high school friends for dinner not long after to Alamexo down town.  We all brought our significant others and it was a blast seeing those that live out of state and catching up with everyone.  I branched out from my typical chicken tacos and got the salmon.  It wasn’t a bad call…

IMG_5693

Before the holiday, my mom had some time off of work and joined Sloan and I for a movie.  We went to Sing at the Cinemark with the recliners in Sugarhouse.  It wasn’t our favorite flick – we all agreed Moana was better – but Sloan downed half of a large popcorn all by herself.  She obviously gets that from her father.  I didn’t have a single bite.  Not to mention the blue Slurpee my mom bought her disappeared faster than expected.

IMG_5685

For NYE we decided to join Mark and Jeanene up at the Hendo Cabin and stay the night.  Papa picked us up in the Ranger and we unloaded all our gear for our short stay.

IMG_5977 We unloaded our stuff, Sloan explored the cabin – particularly the play room – and we all bundled up to go on a snowmobile ride.  Sloan loved it.  I thought she would hate the fact that her face was freezing, but she didn’t mind one bit and even got upset when we made her go back inside.

IMG_5712IMG_5978

Afterwards we had a delicious dinner (have I mentioned my MIL is an amazing cook?) bathed Sloan, and put her to bed.  We stayed up late watching Liar Liar – still as funny as it was 10+ years ago – and when Zach and I got in bed for the night we went over our resolutions.  A tradition we’ve had since we’ve been married.  I did a mental, physical, spiritual, and financial goal this year.  Zach did something similar, and we agreed to work on them all together.  I have a feeling 2017 is going to be even better than this past year.

We had a big breakfast the next morning, loaded up our stuff, and drove home.  It was gorgeous on the drive home.  As far as you could see – everything was covered in bright white snow.

IMG_5716

It was a perfect, laid back holiday.  Here’s to hoping our New Year’s resolutions make it past February…

 

 

 

Christmas Eve + Christmas Day 2016

0 Permalink 0

Christmas Eve morning Zach told me he wanted to do his Christmas Eve tradition of service.  We didn’t do a Sub for Santa this year – the first time in 7 years.  It’s one of my favorite traditions and not doing it this year felt strange.  But Zach had a back up plan.  We all got dressed and jumped in the car and drove down town.  We stopped at the McDonald’s off of 500 south and got bags of sausage biscuits and breakfast burritos.  Then we proceeded to drive around and hand them out to whoever looked like they could use a hot breakfast.  It was a great experience and it’s always so humbling.
img_5787

It surprised us both how fast we were able to go through all that food – but it was honestly shocking how many people were out and about on the streets in the cold.  We had a good laugh at our last stop – with our last four food items – that was at a little make shift community made of tents off of 600 south.  I ran the food over to them, wished them a Merry Christmas, and then hopped back in my car.  Just as I buckled my seatbelt a huge group of people with sleeping bags and blankets rolled up to that exact same spot.  If they were trying to one-up us and our breakfast burritos, they succeeded.  I couldn’t believe how many items they had brought with them.  It made me feel our Savior’s love to see all those people giving on this special holiday.  It puts things in perspective for me every year – sometimes you need a wake up call (even if once a year) to realize how blessed you are to sleep somewhere warm and dry every night.

We returned home, explaining to Sloan the whole way what service is all about.  I know she can’t quite comprehend right now – but showing love to someone is not hard to understand.

We lounged around the rest of the day – Sloan took a nice long nap – and we got ready to meet my family at Tepanyaki for dinner.  We had a great time and the food was delicious.

img_5790 Sloan even attempted to catch a shrimp in her mouth…and the grill master was more apprehensive than she was about it [notice her mouth wide open, just waiting].img_5791Good times were had by all – until Sloan smacked her head on the stone counter.  We made a quick exit and met everyone over in Magna for a party with my mom’s side of the family.

Sloan loved seeing everyone, getting to sit on Santa’s lap, and even dancing to the Christmas carols we all sang.  She was in heaven.

img_5621

Sloan was gifted the most darling shopping cart accompanied by a huge load of plastic food.  She still gets excited every time she sees it.
img_5792

Afterwards we drove down the street to my Grandpa’s house to open our Christmas pajamas.

img_5618My shirt said, “Gangsta Wrapper” and Zach’s had a clever Drake pun.  Sloan’s was the best – “Santa, is it too late to say sorry?” because that has always been one of her favorite songs on the radio EVER.  We left my grandpa’s wayyyy past Sloan’s bedtime and returned home completely exhausted.  We set out a Coke and cookies for Santa before we put Sloan down for the night.

img_5789

Santa LOVES Cutler’s sugar cookies (especially the star shaped ones – they are THE best).

After Sloan was sound asleep I put everything out for the next morning.  A few people still don’t believe me – but Zach and I didn’t get each other gifts this year.  Not one single thing.  For months we had been debating what to get each other and we both agreed that there was nothing for either of us that stood out or that was much needed.  So, we skipped it this year.  A lot of people gave me a hard time, saying things like, “Whatever…he is going to get you something and you are going to be so embarrassed when you have nothing to give him.”  But we both stuck with our promise to each other and it was actually really nice.  We both agreed we would spend whatever money we were GOING to spend on Christmas gifts for each other on a family vacation in 2017.  That’s the best gift I could ask for, anyway.

Santa did leave dress socks for Zach and a pair of matching sweats for Sloan and I.

img_5793

The next morning Sloan woke up and we took her straight down stairs to see if Santa had visited.  She saw the cookies and Coke had been dabbled with – and her new pajama sweats and stocking were all ready for her.  What was her favorite Christmas gift, you might ask?  APPLESAUCE.  Santa left applesauce in her stocking and that is what she was most excited for.  It made me feel a lot better about keeping Christmas so simple this year, because girlfriend liked the APPLESAUCE the best.

We went to church in our Sunday Christmas best – and it was a very stressful meeting for all of us.  I think there was a serious tension in the air – like every kid banded together to fight against their parents to make them return home or something…?  They were all in cahoots with each other, I swear it.

img_5632

After church we rushed off to my Grandpa’s house again to exchange gifts with my mom’s side of the family.  Afterwards we went home so Sloan could have a quick nap before rushing up to Ogden in the blizzard to spend the night with the Hendos.

It was a full house – we had our entire gang (which is hefty all by itself) plus three missionaries.  It was honestly a blast.  We had delicious food, there was music, and a gift exchange at the end with all the cousins/sibblings/and Zach’s parents.

img_5794

And of course, a visit from Gingie and the Grinch.  Sloan loved the Grinch (despite being alarmed by him at first…the grandkids were screaming and hollering at the Grinch when he bit Gingie’s arms off) and she couldn’t stop touching, smiling, and hugging him.  [Poor Alex, I bet he was dying in that get-up].  Oh yeah, I should mention that Zach has graduated from costume duty.  Now that he has a child of his own he gets to watch from afar and the oldest grandkids get to sweat it out in those costumes.

img_5795

The Grinch had to go home to Whoville, however – leaving Sloan desperate to find him.  [For days afterward she would talk about the Grinch, always concerned about his well being].  One time in the middle of the night I heard her say, in her sleep, “No, no Grinch!”  Zach and I both died laughing.

We had a fabulous Christmas.  I was very worried about this year, to be honest.  I thought about Sloan getting a very simplified version of Christmas (her birthday is in November and she still hasn’t even played with a fraction of her toys yet) and Zach and I not exchanging gifts this year would make it seem less meaningful.  But I was very wrong.  Sloan could have received a cardboard box full of applesauce for Christmas and she would have felt like she won the lottery.  And honestly, the best part about the weekend and the holiday was being together.  Sloan would wake up each day ecstatic to realize she got both Zach and I all day every day.  Our families were both so sweet to Sloan – getting her such thoughtful and fun gifts.

I wish every day was the holiday – even if just to spend so much time together consecutively.

 

I Don’t Even Remember December

But for real.  December came and went so fast – I would have guessed it would be Dec 12th by now.  Maybe.

I decorated for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving.  I did Sloan’s playroom first…so Zach wouldn’t give me such a hard time about the rest of the house.  He found out quickly, though, and just succumbed to the fact that it was happening and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

img_5584 img_5570

As soon as I could allow myself, we started festive activities.  First – Sloan and I decorated a gingerbread house.  Sloan was all about it…until she realized she could eat the candy we were using to decorate.

fullsizerender

Towards the beginning of the month all three of us went to the Rail Gardens and did a little shredding.  Actually, I didn’t shred.  I hiked and pulled the littlest one of us around.  But we all had a blast and even captured a great shot with Zach’s GoPro.

img_5334-jpg

I took Sloan to her very first movie – Moana.  It was at 9:40 am, in our pajamas, and it was glorious.  Sloan did amazing…but mostly because I had every snack available in my diaper bag and she took full advantage.  Recliners always win.  Always.

img_5377

Sloan loves being bundled up – even during breakfast.  I’m very lucky I don’t have to fight her to wear winter accessories.  It makes going out and about much smoother.

img_5345

I had a bridal shower to attend one Saturday and Zach decided he would take Sloan up to Park City for a little daddy-daughter date.  She loved it, as always.  I was so impressed when I found out Zach had packed her a lunch (a PB&J) and two beverage options.  As if I could love him any more…

img_5358

We did our new(er) tradition of breakfast with Santa at the Grand America.  We did it a little different this year.  We stayed the night before at the hotel.  Zach had his work Christmas party and planned on staying late.  So the two of us girls ordered room service for dinner and walked around to see all the Christmas windows, giant gingerbread house, and other Christmas decorations.

img_5414

Zach joined us later that night.  The next morning we woke up and got ready to head down to breakfast.  My parents joined us this time around and Sloan was elated.

img_5756

And at the end of our meal we got to take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  I was dreading it – with Sloan’s professional photo track record.  But as always, she surprised me.  She was perfect – maybe because Santa let her hold his bell?  Regardless of the reason, I was thrilled to get the photos back and see that we all were smiling.
fullsizerender-1

Later that weekend we had an Ugly Sweater Party with my mom’s side of the family.  Long story short:  I didn’t realize that the sweater I had put Sloan in was gifted by the host of the party.  But we proceeded and covered it up…hopefully.

fullsizerender-2

Towards the middle of the month Zach and I had a date night at the Roof for dinner.  It’s my favorite way to see the Christmas lights.  High above, indoors, and with no crowds.  Also – they made a mistake (unbeknownst to us until they brought out the sign) and thought it was my birthday.  But we got a seat by the window, so it was a happy mistake.

fullsizerender-3

Zach was deemed CRAB MAN – due to his five visits to the seafood area of the buffet and I got myself an incredible Christmas onesie (THAT HAS PIZZA ON IT) later at City Creek – so I’d call the night a complete success.

img_5769

img_5770

We spent a lot of time baking this month.  And my thighs are regretting it.  Sloan helped me make bread, several types of cookies, pastries, and a few other desserts.  She’s even got cracking the eggs down.

img_5762

I attempted to make my former neighbor’s infamous pastries – since we no longer live near them, we definitely miss them during this time of year.  They turned out pretty good – but not AS good as hers.  Maybe one day.

img_5510

My mom also enlisted my help to make sugar cookies for her coworkers and neighbors.  Five dozen, to be exact.

img_5482

She was thrilled with how they turned out, so it was all worth it.  Let’s just say I’m not making it a Christmas tradition, though.

Not long after – we had the Henderson Christmas Party at the Layton rink.  I’d love to post a photo of the whole gang eating together joyfully…but the only pictures I got were of Sloan in the Wrecking Ball blow-up castle.  It’s her favorite.

img_5758

Sloan’s become quite the little helper around the house.  She takes chores and tasks very seriously – especially the ones involved with prepping dinner.  She has become a master of unwrapping candy kisses for peppermint chocolate cookies (or peanut butter blossoms for Zach)…img_5761But her favorite tasks involve washing vegetables.
img_5760

I’ve noticed something about myself as a parent – I tend to hold back on things I think will be messy or potentially harmful to Sloan.  I also tell myself a lot “Oh, she’s not old enough for that yet”…and it’s one of my biggest weaknesses as a parent.  I have found that if I let her do things, even if I question those things, she usually excels at them.  I need to learn to stretch and she is helping me.  I’ve also noticed that having Sloan help me around the house (baking especially) makes her better at following directions and focusing.  It also completely changes her attitude.  When she’s having a rough day – we make cookies.  She loves helping and feels important.  Plus, we both get a treat at the end.

As much as she loves baking, she loves making “forts” even more.  It’s her favorite thing to do and we made plenty during the month of December.  They don’t even have to be that spectacular – just a couple of chairs and a blanket.

img_5759

We also did a little backyard and Park City snowboarding.  Sloan actually preferred to play in the snow this particular trip.  You win some – you lose some.  She’s a toddler after all.

img_5588

Zach even made her a little course in the backyard with a hula hoop and a tote lid (to represent a little box rail maybe?) to test her skills on.

fullsizerender-4

The Friday before Christmas Eve was our Fotheringham Family Christmas party.  It was at my aunt’s church – and a Luau theme.  It turned out darling and everyone had a great time.  Sloan especially…she even got loved on a little TOO much.

img_5594

December was wonderful – I’m honestly sad it’s over.  I almost wish I could do it over (but without the obscene amount of glitter in every room of my house and the stomachache from all the baked goods) but it might take me another 11 months to recover.