DISNEY IN DECEMBER

Life is me just always playing catch-up, apparently. Back in DECMEMBER, I decided to take my two girlies to Disneyland for my birthday. We had a quick trip, Wednesday through Friday, before flying home just before midnight on my birthday. We stayed at Disney's Paradise Pier resort, ate at my favorite restaurants (Lamplight Lounge and the Blue Bayou), and rode ALL OF THE RIDES! We even ran into a friend from school and enjoyed the parks with her and her mom. So many magical moments made this trip truly unforgettable.

365.5: WEEK THIRTY NINE

 SEPTEMBER 26th - OCTOBER 2nd

Jr High band concert. Paddling the Salt River with a few neighbor friends. Camping with cousins up near Forest Lakes. 

365.5: WEEK THIRTY FOUR

AUGUST 22nd - AUGUST 28th

THE ONE WHERE THEY WENT TO DISNEYLAND. Seriously, I can't say it enough. Disney with kids is magical. But Disney with adults is a whole new level of fun! And going with family members who are also friends is even better! This is the trip where I finally recognized my joy again and it felt just like an old friend. 

30 MAGICAL HOURS IN THE FOREST

Last year, our family skipped out on our annual camping trip; it just wasn't in the cards. And this year wasn't looking too hopeful, either, because of my mental health. Not looking too hopeful, that is, until a friend reached out and shared how much fun her kids had while camping with us a couple of years ago. The more we talked, the more turned onto the idea I became. So in mid July, we whisked our families away for a couple of nights on the Rim (not too far from where THIS happened). It was pure magic. We found two sites together at a little campground along Rim Rd and got our camp set up while listening to a mountain thunderstorm. The kids ran off to play with sticks and bugs and flowers. We swung in hammocks. Made flower crowns. Caught butterflies. It was perfect. On the second day, we decided to drive a little further north to visit family friends of mine in Happy Jack. It was a beautiful visit, but we watched as the sky darkened and decided to cut the visit short. The moment we arrived back at camp, the rain began to fall. We laughed and joked under the safety of our canopy tent, but smiles quickly gave way to concern as the storm moved closer, the rain intensified, and hail began to fall. Within a short period, the ground under the canopy had completely flooded over, so we took refuge in our cars. It was the moment when the canopy collapsed from the weight of the water and the wind that we decided to throw in the towel, pack up, and go home. Even though the trip ended upruptly, it will still have some of the sweetest memories attached to it. But I'm starting to think maybe Rim Rd isn't the place for me...