Maison Ellis

The following is a much sought-after guest post review by none other than the blogger-stalker herself, April D:

This ultra-exclusive, invitation-only resort in the beautiful Heber Valley, just minutes North (East?South? West?) of Park City, Utah, is the ultimate in luxury vacationing. The VERY reasonable all-inclusive rate includes three meals a day, endless activities for children and adults (think electric cars, blow up water slides, painting, 4 wheelers, butterfly chasing), laundry and beautiful accomodations. The guest suites are quaintly named: the Raspberry room - highly recommended, the Pinecone room - also highly recommended, the Princess Room - very nice (shared bathroom), the Dungeon room - not as recommended and the lone upstairs bedroom. I don't know what happened to that one. In any case, days are spent lounging in the warm breezes, drinking your soda of choice out of a wineglass, and taking in the gorgeous vistas from one of the many comfortably furnished look outs. The staff waits on you hand and foot, treats you like royalty and treats you like a life-long friend. I'm telling you, people, if you haven't been here, you need to start working on getting an invite. I recommend starting the conversations with something like "I hear Heber is just BEAUTIFUL this time of year." FOUR STARS

Seriously, though, the kiddies and I have had such a fantastic few days up here. I've had so much fun spending time with Alisa and her 4 perfect children. We hadn't seen each other for almost 5 years, but it just seems like no time at all - 4 children later between the 2 of us and we just picked up where we left off! We've had some great chats reminiscing about the good old days. Like that time she hit me in the face with a baseball bat in 6th grade. I mean, was that funny or WHAT? A broken cheekbone and 9 stitches later and we're still friends. And I don't even CARE that 23 years later there is still a scar on my otherwise unblemished face. Seriously, I don't. Because we're such great friends. I don't even know why I am talking about the time Alisa hit me in the FACE with a BASEBALL BAT because it is really neither here nor there.

Well, it is late and I must retire to the Pinecone Room. Speaking of the Pinecone Room, for those of you reading to whom it is relevant, did you know that Alisa has never spent a night in the Dungeon Room? Not one. Just thought I would throw that out there as food for thought.

Hopefully Alisa will post some cute pics from my visit soon. Courtney and Hayden had some rousing games of dress up that I hope she will document on this site. Let's just say that Hayden makes an extremely handsome princess. (Sorry, Joey, but he does.) My final words: Thank you Ellis' and Alisa for a fantastic end to my vacation. I can't WAIT to come again (hint hint). XOXO

P.S. Good luck to the Montgomery Family on the move!

M

Not her mother's daughter!

I just have to say one thing, I LOVE Nicole in a two piece bathing suit! She has the perfect little figure and ultra brown skin. She looks soooo cute! I have been known to buy about 3 news suits a year, because I love them so much.

After our camping trip to McCall, she realized that she was the ONLY girl in a two piece bathing suit. She started begging me to buy her a suit that covered her belly button. I kept asking her why, WHY? I tried to put her off, but she would ask me every day. Brendon's swim party was last Friday, and she was adamant about getting a new suit before the party. On Wednesday night, I went into her room after she had gone to sleep, and this is what was staring at me.
Translation: Buy a swim suit for me Mom and make sure that it is not going to show my belly button. PS Don't talk on the phone, only for emergencies. (Does she think I talk on the phone too much? :)

So, with tears in my eyes, we went and bought her two new suits. And yes, they do cover her belly button. At the store, I kept showing her some cute tankinis, but she wanted nothing to do with them. I keep telling myself that in a few years she will come back around. At least I hope!


She does look cute in her new suits and is very COMFORTABLE (her words!) now that her belly doesn't show.

I Love Camping!

I have to say, that I LOVE camping! It could be because I didn't have Blake for 4 days, or that I hung out with friends for 4 days, or that I ate good food and treats nonstop for 4 days, or that I didn't have to look at a messy house or do laundry for 4 days, but whatever the reason, we had a great time last weekend!

The kids and I headed up to McCall, Idaho with 60+ friends and camped at scenic Ponderosa State Park. We borrowed an old tent trailer named "Old Green." It doesn't look like much, but this little trailer was perfect. We had electricity, so we had a light, a heater and a small DVD player. All the comforts of home. It got quite cold at night, but we were toasty warm in our trailer.

We went on several bike rides.

We also hiked and played at the beach.











I had the wrong setting on my camera for this picture, which is why it is too bright. This is just a small sampling of children for the weekend.

The kids made their dramatic debut at the Ponderosa Amphitheater. It was right over the hill from our campsite, and they played for HOURS. They created many shows. Brendon directed and stared in "Brendon and the Evil Pine Cone!" It received critical acclaim.






We had a great weekend. I think I could really got into this camping thing. What I wouldn't give for a s'more right now!

So Wrong!

Does anyone see what is wrong with this picture?

Let me clue you in..

It is June 3rd, people. My boys are in hats, coats, socks, shoes and a blanket! No wonder Blake is upset. I would be too. I am soooooooo tired of this weather!

On a cuter note, look, my baby is standing. He didn't actually pull himself up, but he stood there and played for a while. Too cute!

Look Daddy, I am standing!!!

So far, so good....

Because of our current situation, I have tried to do some extra fun things for the kids. Tonight for FHE, we rode our bikes to the park and the kids played for a while. Blake loved the swing and was content to hang there for a while. The kids loved the sand box, which I could do without. They came home with sand from head to foot.

Don't you love summer birthdays? The benefit of a summer birthday is, that you can have a party outside because it is warm, and I don't have to take treats to school and celebrate with 30 kids. Both Brendon and Nicole have summer birthdays and I love it. Brendon came home from school and informed me that they are celebrating his birthday tomorrow, and he needs to bring treats for 30 of his closest pals. Are you kidding me? I get one day notice! Didn't Brendon tell his teacher that his Mom isn't interested in feeding his class treats for his unbirthday? So, I finally resolved to the fact that I wasn't going to get out of this, and told Brendon that I would have a treat for him tomorrow. Guess what? Nicole overheard and was distraught that she wasn't going to celebrate her unbirthday with her 30 best friends. That led to a meltdown, which led to me losing my patience. All over stupid treats for 60 kids. It is now 11pm, and I just took out my last dozen cookies from the oven. The things I do! Just call me supermom! (Although, I am not sure my kids would agree after the above mentioned patience problem.)





Notice the grey section at the bottom of this picture? Just another problem with my new camera. I guess I am going to have to send it back AGAIN!!!!!!

Our Memorial Day

We took advantage of the holiday on Monday by riding bikes along the green belt, and then picnicing at the park. The weather held out, and didn't start to rain until we got into the car to go home. We had a great time with the Sayers.

Look at all those bikes. A lot of work for an hour's worth of riding.
Not sure what she is showing us here.
Hey Mom, look at my big blue eyes.
Assembling trailers and bikes
My baby boys.
Just can't get a good smile out of this kid.
Even though I am wearing a helmet, I will do my best model pose for you.
Eating at the park.
Heading home before the storm.