UEA Weekend

We have had a fun-filled UEA Weekend (a long weekend to give comp days to the teachers). Here it is in pictures:

THURSDAY

Thursday was my 30th birthday...or as I've started calling it, the 1st anniversary of my 29th birthday. It was a day full of surprises! I had to work the morning and noon shows, and when I got there, I found a huge vase of flowers in my office from Mike. He had run them over there the evening before on his way home from work. So sweet! After work, Mike & I had planned to meet at the station. He was going to pass the kids over to me (he had stayed home from work that morning to watch them) & then he was going to head into work for the remainder of the day. So, you can imagine my surprise when, instead of Mike & the kids, I found my mom waiting for me. She explained to me that Mike wasn't going into work & that he was staying home with the boys so that I could have a girls day with her and my sisters. Again...so sweet! We started out our day with lunch at Rubio's Mexican Grill. I love that place! It's always so yummy...

After that, we headed over to Gateway for an afternoon of shopping! I found a darling red coat & a super cute jacket to wear to work. We had so much fun & laughed all afternoon long. When we were done shopping, I got another surprise...the entire family was going to meet up for dinner...

At dinner, I was absolutely spoiled by everyone with gifts galore...


I guess I should be offended that my husband gave me this next gift, but I was actually THRILLED about it! I've wanted a WiiFit since we got the Wii last spring, so I was super excited to finally get it...

And, after all that, Mike pulled another surprise on me! He handed me a card...inside were tickets to the Dashboard Confessional/Panic at the Disco/Plain White T's concert that was happening that night! Holy cow! I was blown away! My mom told me that she was taking the boys to her house to watch them while we went & then my sister, Kristin, and her husband announced that they had tickets too & we were all going together! Holy guacamole!

The concert was awesome! We all agreed that Dashboard was our favorite...and, let's just admit it, Chris Carrabba is super HOT!!! (Almost as hot as you Mike!)

It was such a fun day! I can not believe that Mike was able to pull off so many surprises on me! They just kept coming and coming and coming! Love you Mike...thanks for making my first day in the 30s a great one!

FRIDAY

On Friday, we got out of dodge and continued our recently-created tradition of heading down to Moab for a long weekend. This year, not only did we go with my parents, but with Kristin & Dan too. Here's a picture of Kris & the big boys somewhere in Central Utah...Wellington, I think (potty break).

When we got down there, we checked into our hotel & then the guys took off to do some biking...



While they were gone, the girls & the little boys did some swimming in the hotel pool...


After the boys (well, men) got back, we all headed to Arches National Park for a little hiking. First up was Park Avenue...


Then on to Balanced Rock...



After some hiking, we headed to one of our favorite places to eat, Pasta Joe's. Don't laugh at my hair...I didn't feel like redoing it after swimming. Plus, I fit right in with the Moab crowd...when in Rome, right?

SATURDAY

Saturday was my dad's birthday. What do you think he wanted to do? What else would my dad do on his birthday? He and the boys went on a 39 mile bike ride...

After their 7 hour ride, we all decided to hike to Delicate Arch. We tried to do this hike last year, but a huge thunderstorm came up, so we only made it about 1/3rd of the way there. This year, we had beautiful blue skies the whole time & we actually made it up to the arch...


The boys did surprisingly well! In fact, Connor did the entire hike himself! Aiden took the easy road and was carried on shoulders most the way. And, even little Cohen made it up the 3 mile hike...courtesy of Jessica's Baby Bjorn.


Here's the whole fam enjoying the view...


And, some daring people (including Cohen...much to my dismay) actually walked under the arch. Scary...

After the hike, we stopped at a sand hill that is just off the main highway as you're heading into Moab. The boys had a great time climbing up it & rolling down...



Afterwards, we headed to one of the Mexican restaurants in town for dinner...

And, we even celebrated Poppy's birthday...


SUNDAY

The boys finished up the weekend with one last ride on Sunday morning...

Afterwards, we headed back to Arches for a few more hikes. First, we went to the Windows. Cohen came again...

And, the boys had a blast...


In fact, we ALL had a blast...


After the windows, we took the short hike over to Turrent Arch. Where the boys did some exploring...


While there, we managed to break several laws & rules...

Our last hike of the day was to one of our favorite places, Sand Dune Arch. The kids (big and little) always like to climb up on top of it...again, breaking the rules...

Afterwards, Mike, Connor & Dan climbed up the narrow canyon next to sand dune arch to freak the rest of us out...


While they were trying to kill themselves, the rest of us found ways to amuse ourselves, such as creating sand angels...


And looking at the cutest baby in the entire world...

And, making rock cities...

After that, we packed up and headed home...


It was such a fun weekend! We had fun every second of everyday! Unfortunately, we had to come home and return to normal life...and deal with the mounds of laundry that are all covered in red dirt! Oh joy... (sigh)! --Lindsay