I know who my best friends are :)

As most of you know, I took the kids and we headed down to Moab this last weekend for fall break. I wanted one last vacation in the trailer with the kids, and there were some families in our ward that go every year and I was invited. I figured I would try to be more social and get out of my comfort zone, and I knew the kids would have fun. I was right, the kids did have fun, and I definetly got out of my comfort zone; way out. I learned a few thing on this trip; I love my trailer (which I already knew), I love camping (also already knew), and that I enjoy camping with my kids alone better than with a huge group of non family members. The girls were non-existant and I didn't like that. I like having them around. we play games and just have fun. Sammy hung on my like a little monkey, which drove me nuts. It was fun, but not somethign I will do again. I write this post however with a purpose in mind; I want to do more campign with all of you. The trip we had at fallen leaf was amazing and I loved it and so did my kids. I enjoy being with my family more than anyone else, and I want to do more campign trips with all of you when spring rolls around again. I plan on doign a lot of camping this next spring and summer and want you all to consider it more. So next time you plan a camping trip, please let me know so we can join you :)

Fun evening!

We had a craft night at Emily's the other night. Melissa took some pictures of our crafts, so maybe I can get her to post them. Mine are shown on my blog. But I thought since I was the one railing on everyone to post on our family blog that rarely gets posted on, I should be doing that. We haven't gotten together and done a craft night before that I can remember, and it was so much fun to just sit around the table, visit, eat fattening food, and make things. I really enjoyed myself and so enjoyed the time with my sisters, and I don't even like crafts actually. Anyway, it was fun and I wanted to let everyone know how much I enjoyed it and hope that we can do things like that more often.

Just as a reminder, Gingerbread house making day needs to be set and you need to start thinking about it. I was hoping, that like last year, we could do it Thanksgiving weekend, like Saturday of that weekend. Let me know if that will work. We are still planning on doing it at Mom's house (although I haven't asked her about that). It's one of my favorite times of year. Remember, it's for mom's and daughters that are 8 or older (I have found that 10 works the best for attention span), so please leave your little ones at home if at all possible.

never such devoted sisters....

Hi Sisters....

According to the schedule there is to be another Sisters' Trip next year and I get to plan it (this is Emily). I have to be honest with you; I don't just want to use Jen's beautiful vacation home as our default trip every time. Jen (and everyone), I love going up there and I know it saves us a lot of money, but I also think it would be fun to do another "trip" like our Tahoe one. It has been seven years (eight by the time of our next get together) since Tahoe and since then we have basically just gotten together for a glorified mate at Jen's house or Michelle's house (the West Jordan one). Although they were great times, I am ready for another trip. Do you follow? Agree?

So I have been putting a brainstorming list together. Let me run my ideas by you  and then maybe get some feedback. Oh but before I run my ideas by you I wanted to also share my expectations for this and basically all Sisters' Trips. I expect that we spend time together first of all. I like to relax a little but I also like to use my body a little (more), so it would be great to have places to get out and walk, hike, bike, swim, canoe, kayak, or really anything. I would like to be somewhere pretty. If I am going to spend the money to go on vacation without my family then it needs to be a vacation worth going on. I think you all agree with me on that. Okay so here is my list of suggestions:

1. Camping in Tahoe: That was such a blast and I think it would be super fun to do it as sisters. We could have some awesome food. Plus it is really easy to find cheap airfare to Tahoe, so we could totally fly. I think it would be a lot of fun!

2. Sonoma/Napa: I have always wanted to visit this area. It seems like it would be a beautiful place and judging from the information I found online there would be plenty to do. Maybe we could use someone's timeshare, if available (and offered, of course), so that might help offset some costs in getting there.

3. Carmel: Look on this website  http://www.carmelcalifornia.com/index.cfm/travel_itineraries.htm.This place looks like it would be wonderful (if not a bit expensive). I would love to vacation there. There are two downsides though; first it would be very expensive and second it is about a two hour drive from San Francisco. But if this looks like a place that we want to go then I might be able to find some deals that would help with the cost...I can't change the distance from San Fran though...

4. BYU Women's Conference: As you all know, this is one of my favorite events of the year. I think this would be fun, cheap, and uplifting. The biggest downside to this is that I know that it causes stress in some of you, and we may not be together the whole time because of different interests. (P.S. I am going regardless, so anyone that wants to come with me is welcome)

5. Time Out For Women in Toronto, Canada: This is a long shot, I know, but doesn't it sound like it would be fun to go somewhere we haven't all been before. And unlike Women's Conference we would all be together and there is no stress in not getting the class that you want. But there would be a major expense in getting there.

So those are my suggestions. I think any of them would be a blast. I think if I start planning now then I can get an idea of what this will cost and we can start saving now. Let me know what you all think.

P.S. I was going to try and put Michelle or Jen or Lisa's face over Angie's in that picture, but it was just going to be too much effort...