28Mar 2017

Targhee 2017 / St. Patty’s

By K + Z 0 Family, Holidays, Personal, Vacation Permalink 0

Targhee with the Hendersons was a little later than usual this year. It happened to fall over the weekend of St. Patrick’s Day! So – to keep up with tradition – we had our St. Patty’s Day dinner a few nights before heading up to WY.

We decorated with left-over decorations from Sloan’s 2nd Birthday. Balloons and streamers make a simple rainbow, and Sloan thought it was the greatest thing she had ever seen.

We spread out some chocolate coins and gold paper plates and we were set! Homemade green bread and rainbow linguine were on the menu. Sloan enjoyed playing with the colorful noodles more than anything, and Zach and I got to eat a full hot meal without any distractions. So I’d call that a definite win!

We continued the rest of the week making green meals, in good fun. I tried the most delicious chicken artichoke pesto pasta recipe that all three of us went crazy over. I’ve already got it on the menu again for this week.

Thursday after Zach got off of work we packed up the car and drove up north. The drive went so smoothly – the best road trip to Targhee we’ve had to date. Sloan read books, we all listened to music, and we finished the ride with a showing of Beauty and the Beast. We arrived at the resort around 8:30 pm. We unloaded and got Sloan into bed and then unpacked all our supplies in our room.

When Sloan woke up – the Leprechaun had left her something in our room. I love this age – everything is so magical and I don’t want it to ever change. Her favorite item in her basket? A tiny green cutting board of her own to help me with dinner prep.

That morning was Gina and I’s meal assignment – a Leprechaun Breakfast! Lucky Charms, green french toast, and little green footprints leading towards the “pot o’ gold” that the pesky leprechaun had left the kiddos. They loved every bit of it and a real leprechaun ended up gracing us with his presence (aka Zach is the creepiest costume to date). Sloan was unsure at first, but that didn’t stop her from grabbing her loot out of the cauldron when it was her turn.

Then we dropped Sloan off at the Kids’ Club so Zach and I could snowboard together for a few hours. To be honest, I was extremely hesitant to do this. Zach told me it would be pointless for us to drive all the way up there and both not ski. So he set up Sloan to stay in the Kids’ Club for half a day to test the waters. Long story short: she ended up doing great and didn’t want to leave when her time was up.

Zach and I even got 8 runs in together with a few other members of his family before lunch time!

When it was time to go pick her up we got to spy on her through the windows. She loved having her cousins Cole and Clark in there with her!

As soon as Sloan woke up from her nap back at our room we all set off for some snowboarding time together. We took Sloan on the kiddie lift for the first time and she was in awe the whole time. I will say though, snowboarding with a toddler goes a lot smoother when it is in the morning – not in the afternoon. We learned that the first day and didn’t make the mistake again.

That night we had dinner at the Branding Iron to celebrate Jeanene’s birthday [which was actually on Sunday, but we wanted all of us to be together to celebrate]. Sloan hung out with her older cousins while all the adults ate peacefully downstairs in the restaurant below them.

The next morning we did some earlier snowboarding together as a family. Sloan enjoyed it so much more in the earlier hours and did amazing on her little board – especially considering the snow conditions. It was icy and it made her go extra fast down that little bunny hill.

Cole and Sean and Siri came out for a bit, too and Sloan got to shred alongside her closest cousin for a bit. It’s so nice having these two only a few weeks apart – Sloan adores Cole!

After our shred sesh we dropped Sloan back off at Kids’ Club and she couldn’t have been happier. Zach and I got more time to snowboard together and met up with the majority of his family members and some of our nieces and nephews.

Part of the crew on the crest.
Mark the Shark and I cutting up some corduroy. Zach and I on the cat tracks.

It was all so much fun and so great to be together. When I picked Sloan up from Kids’ Club she was bummed to leave, but when we got back to our room she took a KILLER nap. When she woke up we went swimming at the pool along with a few of her cousins.

We had taco night in Mark and Jeanene’s room and then made our way back to our room to put Sloan to bed.

We left the next morning after Zach got a few runs in and I packed up our gear. We made it home before dinner time and in record breaking fashion unpacked the car and ALL our bags before we passed out for the night.

Targhee is always such a great time – and we were blessed with amazing weather while we were there. So grateful the Hendersons keep this tradition going, we never want it to stop!

01Mar 2017

Hendo Girls do AZ

By K + Z 0 Activities, Family, Vacation Permalink 0

We’ve had our annual (but not so annual, considering we haven’t done a girls trip since I was still pregnant with Sloan) Hendo Girls trip to Scottsdale this last weekend. We’ve had it scheduled for a while and it creeped up on me considering we have been going nonstop the last few weeks. Jan/Feb have been crazy months for me – and March is going to be absolutely bananas for Zach.

We left Thursday morning for Arizona. We flew out of the storm covering Utah and arrived to sun and mild temperatures in Scottsdale. First things first: we ate. We didn’t even make it to our hotel. We had a late lunch at a darling little place that came highly recommended from Gina, Arcadia Farms Café.

Afterwards we made it to our hotel to drop off our bags and settle in. It was gorgeous and the grounds were seriously top notch.

We had a bit of down time before Gina had scheduled us all for hot yoga. Jeanene and I opted out [I’ve done hot yoga before and was mortified at the smell of the whole experience – myself included] and instead of getting our sweat on we went across and down the street from the yoga studio to eat at Shake Shack. Jeanene doesn’t even really like hamburgers. She is such a good sport.

Afterwards we went to pick up the rest of our crew back at the yoga studio.

The next day was spent at the mall. We shopped, we had lunch, and we shopped some more. We had dinner afterwards down town, grabbed some Spinkles Cupcakes, and then went back to our hotel for an in-room movie. We ordered some popcorn, sodas, and treats – which eventually made up for the totally depressing love flick we chose.

The next morning we were up bright and early. Some of us stayed up later than others watching said depressing movie. The “wear your sunglasses inside” kinda late…

We had a brunch and then it was time to trapeze. Yes, I am serious.

Our hotel conveniently offered trapeze classes. When planning the trip – Gina asked a concierge about nearby hikes. The concierge asked, casually, “and do you ladies trapeze?” It was game over after that and we were all signed up to get our swing on.

First, we mentally and physically prepped ourselves. We observed. We stretched.

They didn’t waste any time. We were briefed, strapped up with harnesses, and then asked to climb the ladder. The first time was a little overwhelming. You are given commands – but when hanging and swinging it is a little harder to commit to those directions. Especially when swinging from your knees! But after a few tries we got the hang of it. We even advanced to the next trick – swinging and being caught by our instructor, Efe. Efe was hilarious, patient, and incredibly gay. It made sense – no straight man could bend like that, I am telling you.

It was honestly a total blast. I am so glad Gina singed us up – because I would have never in a million years done something like this if it were just Zach and I at the hotel by ourselves. Girls Trips will do that to you, I guess.

After freshening up – we made our way back to the mall. I even convinced a few more people to join us for Shake Shack for lunch. Again.

We had an early dinner afterwards at a great little Italian place down town.

Then we rushed off to our movie – Hidden Figures – at the nearby AMC. The movie was amazing and if you haven’t seen it, you must. It was the perfect feel-good end to our night.

Sunday we all met down in the lobby for our hike up Camelback Mountain. We made it up to the helicopter pad and Gina, Rachael, and I decided to attempt the steeper and higher elevation climb to the peak. It was a great little workout and the weather was a dream. I could live in Phoenix/Scottsdale area in the winter and be happy as a lark.

We showered up, had brunch at Olive and Ivy, and got pedicures and manicures back at the hotel.

Then we went to dinner at my favorite, Bandera. Even just the cornbread could have satisfied me. But their Macho Salad is literally life changing. We drove to find what we deemed the floating sperm (aka the strange art installation with flying/swimming fish creatures in the sky) and then made it back to our hotel for s’mores.

The staff sent us a plate of all the fixings and we put on some layers for the outdoor fire pit. By layers I mean some of us put on our hotel robes and slippers and made our way out in public to the fire pit.

The next morning we packed our bags, had breakfast, checked out of our hotel, and had one last lunch together before heading to the airport.

I am so grateful that the Hendersons make an effort to do trips together. Life gets so busy – and we have 27 kids between us! So getting to spend time alone with my sister-in-laws is a rare occurrence. I am so glad I got to have a weekend away with them, it really was fantastic.

15Feb 2017

30 / Las Vegas

By K + Z 0 Activities, Family, Food, Personal, Vacation Permalink 0

Zach.

He is the best husband that there ever was.

I woke up on the morning of my birthday to surprise after surprise. I heard Sloan wake up and went into her room. Once we were both up and ready we went downstairs. Zach had a full spread waiting for us. Bagels and cream cheese, fruit parfaits, muffins. He even had balloons, decorations, and cards.

In one card he gave me some spending money for our weekend out of town. The other card told me to hurry and get ready, because he had a babysitter coming over and we were going to spend the afternoon at the spa. I couldn’t believe how thoughtful the whole gesture was. Once she arrived, we drove up to Layton for our couples massage.

It was so relaxing and enjoyable and when I got ready to leave – he took me into one of the private rooms for a foot soak. He had a large Diet Coke, sandwiches, and my favorite treat – a Cutler’s cookie – waiting for me.

Once we got back home – Sloan had just woken up from her nap. We played the rest of the day together, honestly doing nothing productive at all. As I moved from room to room, I would notice little notes Zach had left me around the house. He even left me a note in my car. I couldn’t help but tear up every time I read one. It made my whole day – even more than the spa and the amazing breakfast.

It was honestly a perfect day. I am not big on birthdays for myself. I always try to make them special for Zach and Sloan, but mine I could take or leave. But this particular birthday was the best I’ve ever had, by far. Zach always makes things so fun and special, and he really went above and beyond to make it wonderful.

That weekend we had planned to go to Las Vegas for a quick getaway. We stayed at the Encore (first time for the both of us) and Zach literally let me do all of my favorite things: sleep in, work out, eat, and shop. It may sound uneventful to some – but that’s my kind of vacation. We arrived there Friday afternoon. We had lunch at the Cafe at the Wynn – where they have my favorite salad in all of creation.

We took an afternoon snack break at Sprinkles, for a red velvie.

Then we took an Uber to the Forum Shops. We spent most of our time at Nike and stopped in a few other places until it was time for our dinner at Joe’s.

We shopped around some more and then made our way back to our hotel.

The next morning we both went to the spa. I had an appointment for a facial (my first one ever) and Zach wanted to enjoy the spa amenities. The facial was amazing – in fact, I’ve been converted. I don’t think I could pick a massage over a facial now that I have experienced one for myself. She did put some amazing product on my lips, which I loved, but gave them a tingly sensation. I would later realize that “tingle” was numbness and I wouldn’t regain feeling in my lips until the next morning. But still…I loved it and would do it again in a second.

We later had lunch at Shake Shack.

We then spent the majority of the day at Fashion Show Mall and Zach wins the award for most patient husband. I don’t even want to know how long we were in Zara – I can’t think about it.

We then went to dinner at Momofuku. It was already packed when we got there at 6:30 – luckily, Zach got a reservation. When we arrived I was totally bummed they didn’t have chicken pho on the menu, like their New York location. But, the waiter assured me I would love the “chicken noodle soup”. It wasn’t until my first taste of my dish that my faith had been restored. Even though the menu was completely different – it was so very good. He can do no wrong, that David Chang.

We stopped on our way out at the Milk Bar – where Zach treated himself to something coated with cereal that he really liked.

We contemplated going to a movie, but decided to take a suggestion from my sister-in-law Gina about the “Feature Presentation” that they offer at the Wynn hotels. When we got back we ordered two candies, a buttered popcorn, and two sodas in CANS and ordered a movie to our room. I had no idea they even offered this – and it was totally worth it (and less expensive than a real movie with all the trimmings, I might add). It was an absolute home run! (Thank you Gina!)

We slept in and packed up the next morning, eager to get home to Sloan.

A lot of my friends have been struggling with the thought of turning 30, but I feel the opposite. I feel good. I am excited. My 30-year-old self is completely content. I never dreamed as a teenager I would be in love and married to my best friend (well, I hoped…but I didn’t KNOW), have the sweetest little soul for a daughter, and to be able to make memories with them every single day.

Ask me how I feel at 50, ok?

Because 30 is actually pretty bomb, guys.

25Jan 2017

In No Particular Order: January

By K + Z 0 Family, Food, Personal, Sloan Permalink 0

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. 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. 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. 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.Sloan 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…
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! 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… 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. 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. Recently 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.
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. 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.

25Jan 2017

The Last of December – New Years

By K + Z 0 Family, Holidays, Personal Permalink 0

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.

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…

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

05Jan 2017

I Don’t Even Remember December

By K + Z 0 Activities, Family, Holidays, Personal Permalink 0

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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…

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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)…But her favorite tasks involve washing vegetables.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Category Family