My birthday and anniversary were sandwiched between two trips to UT. One of them was a quick weekend trip to see the first visible progress on our lot... a hole (happy dance here), and the other was a solo trip for me during Spring Break to visit and break up my apartment-dwelling life haha.
February 26 - 28
When I say a quick trip, it was quick... but we took a good 11 hours to get there haha.
I'll try to be brief as to why. Bill had a lunch appointment for work that day, so our plan was to leave as soon as he could get home. In our efforts to get out the door in one trip, we both had our arms loaded. I had worked much of the day before getting a package ready to drop off to Sister Syddall on our way through Grand Junction, and had put notes and memes on the outside of the box. Bill had filled up his Bubba cup with red soda, and was carrying the box with his cup balanced on top. I told him to be careful because I had spent a lot of time decorating the box, and I didn't want his drink to spill on it. OF COURSE, the drink toppled as Bill was trying to open the gate (I'm grateful for the gates to keep the dogs in, but they have given me lots of grief when I need to go through them with my arms full). I quickly grabbed the drink, and Bill swiped off the spill from the box. He then takes the garbage that I'm carrying, puts the box down, and puts the garbage in the cans.
When we got to the car, Bill says, "Can you drive?" I had anticipated him driving, but I said of course, and we strapped in and headed out. It was a Friday and we were hoping to beat some of the traffic to the mountains a weekend in CO always brings. A little over an hour later, I asked Bill to message Sister Syddall to see if they would like us to bring them dinner. In our thumbs up/thumbs down messages from earlier in the day, we knew that she and her companion didn't have a dinner appointment that evening. I mentioned something about dropping off the box, and Bill paused... and thought for a minute... then said, "I don't think we got the box in the car." WHAT??
So, an hour-and-a-half in, we turned around and found the box exactly where Bill had set it down.
Around 8:45 that evening, we dropped off the package along with some yummy Chick-fil-a, grabbed the bag of stuff Sister Syddall wanted to send home, and waved goodnight through the window to the two Sisters inside.
We got to Britt and Austin's super late that evening - 1 am{ish} - and hit the hay.
The next day we drove over to our lot and did a quick run through the model home to get a few measurements. Britt, Austin, and kids came with us, but it was a frigid day, so once we toured the models, they headed back home.
My parents also met us there to check out the first signs of progress.
Shi, Kody, and CalB came over to Britt and Austin's a little later, and we enjoyed spending the rest of the day together (even if CalB in the pic below does NOT look like he was enjoying it. Those tears, though!).
Britt and Shi had plotted to surprise me with a delicious cake and an early birthday celebration.
The next morning Little Billy got up to have a picnic with Scarlett and Ellis.
Even though our stay was super brief, we always love spending time with these sweet Grands.
On our way out Sunday morning, we drove one more time by our lot,
and dropped by Shi and Kody's new place to check it out (and say goodbye to them and CalB).
March 2
My dear friends (who happen to be sisters) Marci and Lindsey had a tea party to celebrate my birthday. These two ladies are some of the loveliest people I know.
That evening we celebrated at PFChangs with Tay, Nae, V and NoraJane.
(One of my fave desserts... yum!)
Tay and Nae gave me these beautiful flowers, which I admired and enjoyed for more than a week.
It was a lovely day.
This little man also has his birthday on the 2nd. I wish we could have celebrated together!
Love you, Bubby!
March 12
Bill and I celebrated our 33rd Anniversary.
I made reservations at Del Frisco's, a before-we-leave-CO bucket list item.
It was delicious.
**Funny side-note** See that young couple at the next table? They had very colorful (not in a good way) language throughout the evening. They were there when we were seated, and were there when we left. By the time we left, they were arguing. We had to chuckle a little that - OF COURSE - we would be seated by them. If we would have had any idea that the language was going to go on all evening, we would have definitely asked to be seated elsewhere.
We had enough food to take home to keep the celebration going the next day. Bill gave me these beautiful flowers (many of the roses lasted for over two weeks).
March 13
This was Britt's 30th birthday! I can't believe my curly-haired baby girl is 30. She is an amazing daughter, wife, mother, and friend. You make my heart happy, Britt! I love you ♥
Bill and I continued our anniversary celebration by going to see LAMB OF GOD. I had reserved tickets at a theater in CoSprings, and we were a bit worried that a predicted snow storm would spoil our plans, so we headed to an earlier show. The roads weren't bad, and we enjoyed the concert and made it home without a problem.
March 14
Just throwing this day in there because the snow DID show up the next day. The third (or is it fourth) snowiest day in CO history...? Church was canceled, and we all stayed home. Bill spent a good 5+ hours shoveling.
March 16-21
I flew to Salt Lake on the 16th. This was my first time flying for YEARS, and with the huge snow storm delaying and canceling flights in Denver the two days prior, I was glad to have made it... and on time.
March 17
My parents took Matt and me to lunch to celebrate our birthdays (his is on the 13th, too). It was so good to see him and visit for a bit.
I had forgotten that it was St. Patrick's Day, so I had nary a drop of green on. After lunch, I headed to Britt and Austin's. After school Scarlett and Ellis decorated cookies (Ellis particularly enjoyed the sprinkles), and Shi and Kody came over for a yummy Shepherd's Pie dinner.
March 18
Britt, Scarlett, and L came over to Shi and Kody's house, and we went to a park near them that was super fun.
The weather was perfect, and it was such a lovely day. Afterwards we went to get a cool treat from Zeppe's, then we met up with Austin in Provo for dinner.
March 19
Pedicures with the girls. Probably the best pedicure I've ever had (yay!), but Shi and I agreed that Britt has had the least thorough pedi the past two times we've gone together. Hopefully she'll get the best tech next time!
Britt and Austin had an appointment that afternoon... for an ultrasound... so we planned a little family reveal party. My mom offered to provide the meal (she really wanted everyone over for dinner, but due to scheduling issues, she brought the dinner to Britt and Austin's), and I made cupcakes with Scarlett and Ellis.
Britt and Austin came home with a big balloon, and we all headed across the street to an open area for the reveal. (Shilo realized later that evening that it was exactly a year to the day that she and Kody had done their gender reveal for CalB -- same place, too!)
Scarlett had the pin to pop the balloon...
...and it's a girl!!
It was such a fun day, and I was so glad to be there for the gender reveal. We are excited for the Anderson fam!!
March 20
A quick stop to snap a couple pictures of our poured basement (can I get a hallelujah?)
and some wood on our lot. Things are moving. Slow. But moving.
I spent the bulk of the afternoon with my parents working on a puzzle. I love puzzles.
That evening we went to see Lamb of God (yes, my second time... loved it), and then we hit the hay early so we could be up at 3:30am to get to the airport. I'm so grateful for these parents of mine and loved spending some one-on-one time with them ♥
It was good. I'll take a celebration sandwich any day.
