Living It Up 2014

Part way through the year I somehow decided to modify my 2014 yearly "intention" to "Live It Up." It's basically the same idea of "Living up to my potential," it's just fell into place and seemed to fit the feel of this year. It's now that time of year where I find myself needing to clean the nooks and crannies of the house and car. All I can focus on is the need to deep clean the stroller, jogger, and diaper bags. The energy that pulsates through the air at the beginning of a new academic year is tangeable. August always brings a sense of relief as our lives begin to find rhythm and structure after a fun summer of spontaneity has whirled around us. I absolutely adore the pace that summer brings to our home, late nights, slumbering children until late in the morning, chaotic trips to fun places, days filled with vitamin D and kids looking like ragamuffins. Summer is so fun. We've lived it up to the max this summer and it's mostly due to the age of the kids allowing us to be more flexible and less stressed.

We started the summer in Disneyland... and it was MAGICAL

There were ballet recitals

I completed a 30 day "Clean Eating Challenge" lost 18 lbs and started my second Challenge yesterday. 

 Learned how to take life a little less seriously and laugh at myself. Not all trunks will fit a large human inside. But it was worth a try... and I almost peed myself laughing so hard. 

Many trips to the grocery store... and thank heavens for these "minivan carts" 

A lot of hiking... almost to the point of not needing to pack the boys anymore! 

Annual Camping trip at Jackson Lake

Girls trip to California to soak up the sun and laugh ourselves silly

I remodeled Kday's office in our basement as a surprise while he was at a 4 day High Adventure camp.

7 hours of work to frame his team jerseys (3 more not pictured) and 5 minutes before he arrived one of the frames fell off the wall and knocked 3 more down and shattered - not so awesome. 

So. many. park days. So. Many

A few bike races were thrown in there and I re-learned how to haul 4 kids up a mountain solo. 

We discovered food allergies were the culprit to this little mans poor bowel issues. He hasn't stopped smiling since. 

Every morning consisted of diapered boys in the sandbox while I tried feverishly to catch up on laundry

Mornings sleeping in and watching cartoons are a summer staple

Layla turned 5 and Elsa came to celebrate. 

Zoo trips

And more zoo trips

And somewhere in the middle of it all this kid potty trained himself. Literally, I give myself 0% credit. He decided to use the potty and in 24 hours he was accident and diaper free. 

And now we're tired... and strollers, car seats, and diaper bags need to be washed and prepared for the next season--- school and a few more trips.