Throwback to a few weeks ago when we took the dogs on a walk and impulsively decided to chop down a tree! We reuse our tree every year and have never cut one down before. When in the WOODS I guess... Nic had fun choosing a tree and I was able to make a wreath, swag and mini tree for our dining table from the tree we cut down. These pictures are from our adventure at Steele Farm in Boxborough.
Happy Thanksgiving Weekend
What a jam packed weekend! We enjoyed an intimate Thanskgiving dinner with Leslie. The meal was amazing and I am proud to say I cooked the entire thing - even had all the dishes ready at the same time. Go Charlet! We had a long Skype phone call with much of our Utah family. It was awesome to catch up.
Chris took me black Friday shopping on Friday morning (nothing was open Thursday in MA). I was worried it would be super crazy shopping here but it was a much milder experience here than in Utah. We found every deal we went looking for and then some. That's a first. It was a bargain and worth the effort.
We switched the Prius rental car for a bigger car for the trek to TN to pick up the puppy. Chris, Abby and Renetta braved the 32 plus hour drive. I opted out at the last minute to hang with Leslie and the kids, do a little work (I am busy right now) and decorate the house for Christmas.
Chris, Abby and Renetta finally made it home this morning around 3 am. They were tired and the three puppies were full of energy. Ben was the only kiddo who stayed up to great them. Lucy was unsure and barked, which scared the puppies. After a bit all seemed to adjust. Nic woke up this morning beyond excited to meet Scout and see the puppies. The 3 dogs quickly overwhelmed him. He has never been around a rambunctious dog before. Lucy is so mellow. After a short time he became more comfortable and has not left Scout alone since. Fast friends.
We have much to be Thankful for! Happy Thanksgiving!
Puppy Pawty! and other fun news
This weekend Nic and I took a short trip up to NH and ME to visit Leslie, stop by a stamp & stack and attend a puppy shower for Abby's new puppy Gracie. Gracie is a litter mate of our new puppy. This shower was so cute and would totally rival any baby shower I have ever attended. They went all out. Puns galore. We were included in the shower as well. Such a surprise and a treat! We left with fabulous gifts for our new puppy, Scout. THANK YOU!
I used the Paw Parade design I created for MDS to make a cute tag for Gracie's present.
Scout you say? Nicholas finally landed on a puppy name that all of us could agree on. We are thinking Scout! ... unless this name makes no sense after we meet him. Lol.
The stamp and stack was a great time and I made a few nice cards. The true joy was visiting with family and friends and catching up with Leslie's demonstrator who I met in 2006 at SU convention. I picked up a few tricks - check out how she lined her ink pads with the label color. Genius!
Nic had an awesome time hanging out with cousins Nina and Billy. Billy is such a pal and basically plays whatever Nic wants. A true friend.
Chris took the older boys into the city to catch a NEU Hockey game and to get haircuts at a super swanky barker. The boys look awesome and had a good time.
Tonight Chris is taking Andrew to see the Patriots! Neither of them have ever seen an NFL game before. They should have a great time but I bet it will be COLD! Chris was gifted the tickets by a nice fellow at work.
Storyland
The summer fun continues ... I took the boys up to New Hampshire and Maine this weekend to visit Leslie (Grammy), Nina and Billy. We needed to pick up Lucy so we decided to make a fun event of it. We started the weekend off with dinner at Delani's Hole in the wall. Leslie, Ben and Billy tried sushi for the first time. They are not fans.
We stayed over at Grammy's house with the cousins where the older kids slept very little. Andrew pulled an all-nighter which contributed to his great mood the next day. The next morning we headed off to Storyland for a full day of Nursery Rhyme fun and rides. Nicholas was totally into it and really enjoying it and the older kids tolerated it until we found the coasters and water rides.
Storyland with Ben, Andrew, Nicholas, Grammy, Nina & Billy 8.7.15
Storyland with Ben, Andrew, Nicholas, Grammy, Nina & Billy 8.7.15
Utah: Bear Lake, Ponies, Cousins & Fun
Here are a few more pictures from our Utah trip that I wanted to post. These were on my phone and I had planned to post last week but couldn't because I left my phone in Utah. Doh. Now that I've been reunited with my gadget I thought I'd post the last few fun filled days in Utah. We had a blast and miss everyone so much already. Until next time!
Bear Lake fun with the Brooks family. 8.1.15
Splash pad fun. Nicholas loves getting wet! 7.31.15
Last few visits with Grandma Great, the cousins, and a spectacular farewell sunset. 8.3.15
Lucky Nicholas got to ride a Pony! 8.1.15
Cathedral Gorge July 2015
Utah Vacay week 1
The Malletts are back in Utah ... for vacation! The boys and I arrived early last week and spent a few days catching up with Ogden family (Grandma Great, Beau & family, Geoff & family, Grandpa Brooks, Mom & Dad). We shopped a bit, saw the Minion movie and stopped by a few favorite local spots. Utah is HOT and we are enjoying the heat and scenery. Side note: the dry air and heat is really improving my poison ivy.
Utah Vacation randomness
Later in the week we drove down to St. George to spend a few days celebrating Grandma's 85th birthday. Friday we visited with family at a BBQ Steve and Kathryn hosted at their amazing new home at Entrada. All of Steve's kids and grandkids were there, along with Shawn & Family, Mike & Karen, Julie and the rest of the Brooks gang from Ogden. It was so great to catch up and enjoy a good meal. We drove out to Eagle Valley for a mini family reunion and picnic with Grandma's brother and family. Along the way there (and back) visited Cathedral Gorge and toured around Pioche.
Highlights: a visit to Grandpas grave, swimming in the pond, feeding the horses, hiking with cousins.
Lowlights: bee sting on Nicholas foot, & scrapped elbows from hiking.
Grandma LaRue's 85th Birthday party
Grandma LaRue's 85th Birthday party
Pioche, Nevada July 2015
Cathedral Gorge July 2015
Millers Point Overlook Cathedral Gorge July 2015
Today we loafed at mom and dad's place in St. George. Much needed. I have a few favorite shopping and dining spots in St. George we were able to hit: Urban Renewal, Swig, Cafe Rio, Vera Pies, and various drive throughs! Lol - remember our new home in Acton/Boxborough has banned the drive-through?! ... so we had to take advantage!
Tomorrow we head to Zion and will spend a couple days there. Then back up to northern Utah. I'll attend the Stampin' Up! annual convention in SLC and Chris will take the boys camping. More posts soon.
Kimball Farm
Yesterdays outing took us to Kimball farm. About 15 minutes away from us in Westward, Kimball farm is a local mini golf, arcade, golf, bumper boat and fabulous ice cream kind of place. I equate it to high end Boondocks with a TON more charm. Very pretty, like walking around a botanical garden. The place was crowded but the boys and I had a nice time together and the ice cream was to die for! Phone died half way through so the only pics to share are from mini golf.
Boys also got nice new haircuts, looking sharp.
Bug bite update — turns out the bug was vegetation in the name of poison ivy. Yes! I have a nasty case of poison ivy, pretty much reeking havoc on my system. Finally got in to see a doctor and they have hooked me up. Hopefully I can better try to avoid the poison ivy in the future. I must of come across it in yard work. Better hire a gardener. LOL.
Happy Father's Day Chris.
Happy Father's Day!
Today is a great day as weak get to celebrate the awesome DADs in our lives. Chris is an amazing and dedicated father who loves his boys more than anything. WE LOVE YOU!
We are unable to hug my DAD in person but are sending virtual hugs and hope your received your father's day wishes. WE LOVE YOU! Ben hopes that you really like your shirt. It was made with lots of thought and care and will provide you with many times to define UKA NUKA FOI. Today it means Happy Father's Day!
Much love and Happy Father's Day!
Father's Day card using Crazy About You & Something For Baby Stamp sets
Father's Day card using Crazy About You & Something For Baby Stamp sets
Preschool Graduation!
Nicholas has graduated from preschool! Today we celebrated him in a closing ceremony at the Acton Coop. He started with this preschool class in January. He loved attending the Frogs class and enjoyed his teachers (Kelly & Emily). In Utah he attended the VIP preschool with Mrs. Bascom for the last 2 years. Thanks to all he is well prepared for kindergarten in the Fall! Yippee.
Kelly created a darling scrapbook for Nic document his last few months at school. I've compiled of few of those pictures from his book into this PL layout. What a great year!
And, of course... here are the end of year teacher gifts for Kelly & Emily. I created the Tag from the Sprinkles of Life RMHC stamp set, Tree Builder punch and some BARC Wood paper. Nicholas signed the back of each tag and gave these gifts shyly to his teachers.
Sprinkles of Life tags - teacher gifts
Sprinkles of Life Apple basket Tag using Tree Builder punch. Stampin' Up!
Soccer Champ!
Winner, Winner... Ben has been playing on the local town soccer team as well as a club team. Lots of soccer games and practices. The schedule is winding down. His new Strikers team just took 2nd place in their division. Pretty cool. Ben's not digging having photos taken lately so I had to resort to stealth selfie paparazzi type photos. Enjoy!
Meet Mr. Vice President for Online Programs at NEU
Say what?! Yep, you read that correctly. Chris has a new gig. He has worked diligently over the last little bit preparing, interviewing, and traveling back and forth to Boston - and he did it. He got the job, Vice President for Online programs at Northeastern University! IN BOSTON. We ALL are so excited. He's pretty much a rock star.
The country is smiling for us.
What does this mean for the family? Where do I start ... it means a move to the east coast. Timing TBD. City TBD. House TBD. Everything TBD. We have decided to have the kids finish out their school year here in Utah. That means the boys and I will continue to live here until Summer 2015. Life as usual. Chris will live on campus and commute back and forth from Boston to SLC for the next 6 months or so, as often as he can. We are so lucky to live in the time of technology, Skype, FaceTime, texts, etc. It will certainly keep us close during the transition. Our new adventure starts November 10th!
We've visited Boston many times and love the city and surrounding areas but are not as familiar as we would like to be regarding LIVING there. Advice WELCOME!
Congratulations to my dear husband and best friend! Hard work pays off. I sure love you and am so very proud of you. This will be an amazing adventure.
BTW - We have kept this very hush, hush. If you are reading the news here you pretty much are the first (ok, maybe the second) to know.