Fun Times

We made a trip to Idaho Falls a couple of weeks ago.....wahoo! After an insane week of anniversary celebrating, Moppet Togs (consignment sale) shopping, my dad being in town, mutual activity, student duet rehearsals, group lessons, doctor appointments, and the usual day to day stuff, Ashlyn and I took off Thursday night with my dad to head over. We left Boise at about 7:00..... with our $1 subs from Jimmy John's since it was $1 sub day! Thanks to Dad who scored those for us. Anyway, I had to take a picture of this sign because it just bugged me SO much!

It's fettuccine people. FETTUCCINE! 

So, after a late-night arrival the next day we did this and that. I took Jodee to lunch, I made some awesome Rolo-stuffed chocolate cookies, and most importantly, we went to the Emotion Bowl! ha ha. My high school, Idaho Falls, vs. their arch-rival, Skyline. It has been a rivalry for I don't know how long. It's even in this "American High School Rivalry Series" or something..... I don't really know much about that but I guess it's a recognized decent rivalry! Anyway, I have only been back to one Emotion Bowl since I graduated in 2002, before this one. I hope that means I'm not too much of an Uncle Rico. :)  Actually, my only Uncle Rico moment would be getting sentimental as the Tigerettes perform, and since there is no such thing as Tigerettes at all any more (*a moment of silence, please*), there goes that. 

 Somehow I got roped into going super early with these yahoos to save a spot for all 10 of us! We had a good time! (I put this pic in just for you, Andrea. You're welcome.)

 Yeah! Tiger Pride!

 Collin and the rest of the crew arrived right when the game started. I was wearing like 5 layers and also covered in a quilt! But there were so many people packed in I stayed pretty warm! IF won by a lot....although I can't remember how much. But that was fun! And we got to mock all the students as they rushed the field and spray-painted the goal posts orange, which is also always fun.

 The next morning we were treated to breakfast by Grandma and Charles, who had flown in from Denver for the weekend! I am really beginning to like this tradition again now that Ashlyn will actually sit and eat some breakfast. She downed a ginormous cinnamon roll and was happy as a clam.

 This is an example of the type of reaction she typically gives Cory and all his craziness. She absolutely loves him and Paul--who I would consider the 2 weirdest guys in the family! (I hope you show them that I said that, Tara and Hayley! ha ha.)



Sunday was the reason we all actually came..... little sister Jodee's mission farewell! She is off to San Antonio Texas for the next 18 months. She is the "nice" sister if I had to pick one.... (come on you guys know it's true), and I am really going to miss her a lot! Her talk was so great. Ashlyn sat with my parents during it, so I don't know how much they heard but I got to listen to the whole thing! :)


After the big family lunch after church (which I actually slept through because I was so sick I could only have clear liquids and I felt like crap.....but that is another story for a whiny blog post), we attempted a picture of the 3 little Whittier grandkids!

 This was by far the best one! There was a crowd of like 8 people behind me all cooing at them, no wonder they were acting like total deer in the headlights. It was so, so funny. Grace is 16 months, Ashlyn 2.5 years, and Adalyn is 5 months. I am so excited for these 3 to be buddies as they get older.

And for your enjoyment, here are a few of my favorite outtakes:

 (if you can't tell, the only thing keeping Ashlyn on the couch is that ginormous cookie she is stuffing into her mouth. I think she sat so well because she was afraid someone was going to take it away before she could eat it all.)

 And here we are just about to say goodbye to Sister Whittier. I wish she could read this so she could see me saying, " I MISS YOU ALREADYYYYY!!!" But she's way too obedient to sneak blog reading, so I don't think she'll see it. Anyways, we're excited for her and proud of her. It was a fun weekend to be together.