We decided to take a road trip with the kids and drove to Cle Elum, Washington over Labor Day to spend some time with Kitty and Steve. We left Thursday after picking up the kids from school and drove to Boise. We arrived around 9:30 and had some late night hot wings at Buffalo Wild Wings. Did I mention the hot "Blazin" wings come with a warning? Yes, they ARE that hot! That place is awesome and it just so happened that beers are two-for-one Thursday nights after 8PM so, hello!?! Perfect timing! We stayed the night at a hotel in Boise and woke up bright and early for the long haul to Cle Elum.
We stopped in Prosser, WA and had lunch at a fabulous brewery, the Whitstran Brewing Company, where I had the most amazing blue cheese burger with onions sauteed in the brewery's own stout. So good. SO SO good. Then we just had to do a little wine tasting as Prosser is considered Wine Country! They had 49 wineries in town! Their roads were named such names as "Cabernet", "Merlot", "Chardonnay" etc. It was a wonderful town and someday I'd like to go back and spend a weekend just there trying to hit as many wineries as I can. They even have a RV park called Wine Country RV Park! 
Back on the road and the next stop was Thorpe where we purchased some onions, whipped honey, doughnut peaches and other local fresh fruits and vegetables. Then onto our destination point, Cle Elum.
While there we did some shopping and walking around the local Farmer's Market (where I picked up the most beautiful rosemary tree) and ventured over to the fish hatchery where we learned all about how these guys keep up the salmon population! But the most fun was just hanging out with Kitty and Steve. We had a ton of yummy food and Steve surprised us by sharing his bottle of 1992 Dom Perignon with us! We felt so privileged. None of us wanted to leave. We all slept so well in the mountain air and had such a relaxing time. We all ready miss them!
While there we did some shopping and walking around the local Farmer's Market (where I picked up the most beautiful rosemary tree) and ventured over to the fish hatchery where we learned all about how these guys keep up the salmon population! But the most fun was just hanging out with Kitty and Steve. We had a ton of yummy food and Steve surprised us by sharing his bottle of 1992 Dom Perignon with us! We felt so privileged. None of us wanted to leave. We all slept so well in the mountain air and had such a relaxing time. We all ready miss them!
Monday we drove home. All the way home. Let me just tell you that 14 hours in a car with two kids gets a little crazy towards the end! But we are home safe now and get to cherish the memories we made. 
5Th and 3rd.
I LOVE my nieces and nephews. One of the best things about being an Aunt is getting to spend time with those cuties. On this particular evening, the two youngest of the clan were especially loving and adorable and I couldn't resist taking some pics.
This summer both the kids learned to jump off the diving boards at the pool. Alex kicked it up a notch and decided he has no fear of heights! He proceeded to jump off the high dive, the first platform and finally the second platform at Cottonwood Heights all in the same afternoon! The kid is CRAZY! 
Mom turned 60 this weekend and what a week/weekend it has been! We started off the "surprises" with a visit from Nanny and Poppa. They flew in all the way from New York to be here for their daughter's big day. I picked them up from the airport with a little surprise for them....all their great-grand kids there to welcome them to Utah (including the two babies they hadn't met yet!) We took them home to mom's house for lunch. Sieauna played a couple of tunes on the cello and it was wonderful to just sit and chat and catch up before mom got home from work. 
Mom was totally surprised to come home and find her parents waiting there for her. She was a little confused and emotional and it was wonderful to see her so happy! Later that night, we all gathered together again at mom's to talk and have dinner with the surprise guests whom we've missed so much!
Up to the cabin they went for surprise number two: Dad had a hot tub installed at the cabin! Mom was so excited! Saturday was the big party and 34 of her friends and family came up to the cabin to celebrate with her. Her long-time friends, Day and Rich flew in from Phoenix and her "other sister" Judy came in from Colorado. Along with all the family and other great friends, it was a party to remember. Her talented and adorable grand daughters preformed a dance for her (sooooo cute!) and she even got a rendition of the Phineas and Ferb "I Love you Mom" from me (haha-not impressive trust me!)
A fun week and weekend for sure. We love you mom. Hope your birthday was all you imagined. You are beautiful and definitely DO NOT look 60!!!!!
