Candy Mountain Cabin

Sunday morning, we all packed up and headed our separate ways. I took the three oldest kids and drove to Utah to spend a couple of days at the Marchant's cabin in Sevier. Travis headed home with Tanner since Shelley was kind enough to watch him for the three days I'd be gone while Travis was at work. He's at such a hard age and there is a river right outside the cabin that I knew would be dangerous. I'd have to follow him around and keep a constant eye on him. So grateful for Shelley!!!

It was a 6 hour drive that I was not looking forward to. And admittedly, I'm a bit of a race car driver on highways during long road trips. Which got me into a pickle when I was pulled over just a couple hours from Sevier. Dag-nab-it!! And on my BIRTHDAY. But I wasn't going to say so. Luckily, he had barely approached the window when Olive desperately shouted out, "BUT IT'S HER BIRTHDAY!!!" Embarrassing.

He probably thought I put her up to it. I remember the first time I was ever pulled over was in Buffalo and I was a nervous wreck, all jittery and shaking. Those days are long gone. Now, I just get annoyed. I tried to be polite, but it was definitely forced. I deserved the ticket. Just give it to me, cut the chit chat and let me get on with it! He actually asked me, "So why were you speeding?" 

I paused, thinking of a sarcastic remark.

Was he looking for something other than, "To flippin' get there faster?"

No, I wasn't in labor. No medical emergencies. Didn't have to poop.

I sighed and placidly said, "No reason." 

I'll give the guy some credit. He was being very nice. Not a jerky cop at all. But while he's making small talk I'm subconsciously aware of all the slow pokes driving by that I took so much effort in passing! Just desserts, I guess.

He went back to his car and knitted a scarf or something for how long it took to return. But he handed me my papers and said, "So it really IS your birthday." And he let me off with a warning. Bless you, you kind, long winded police man. 

Rachel and Crescent were already there when we pulled up and Megan was just an hour or so later. It was such a happy reunion! Getting a tour of the mansion *ahem* cabin was incredible. They just built it and it's truly amazing. Three levels, something like 14 bedrooms and even more bathrooms. And all decorated beautifully. Crescent outdid herself! I couldn't believe my eyes.

We collaborated on meals for the duration and that night was taco salad. Afterward, us moms were visiting on the porch when Rachel burst through the doors and grabbed me saying to come quick, Weston was hurt and bleeding badly. She looked so panicked and with Weston being my accident prone child, my adrenaline went through the roof. Every horrible scenario raced through my mind as I hopped up to run to him. I believed her 100%. Just as I run into the house, all the kids popped up from behind the kitchen island and shouted Happy Birthday and started singing to me. I couldn't even process it. I wanted to collapse on the floor from relief and start bawling. Seeing the kids' happy faces I had to check my emotions and put on a smile, but oh my gosh, I was shaking so badly and could barely walk over to the cake. It was like I had been shoved from a traumatic situation into the happiest of ones and my body couldn't handle it. So, so sweet of Rach to bring a yummy Nothing Bundt cake for me though and orchestrate the surprise. After the tremors stopped, I felt very loved, haha. Megan brought an elaborate gift even more elaborately wrapped. A beautiful, round cutting board her dad had made, with a knife set and pretty charcuterie book to go with it. And Rach got me a cute necklace that I love! I have the sweetest friends.

The kids spent lots of time in the river, then one day we did a mini hike up to an abandoned mining shaft and another day we drove 20 min. up the road to play at a lake. The kids all played really well together. Us girls stayed up late every night indulging in the good chocolate and dishing on our lives. I believe that's called therapy. And it's my favorite kind.We were sad, Tiffany couldn't make it.

We laughed at their very similar pajamas!

All different license plates!

The little town had a party for Pioneer Day that we went to. Some dancing and fireworks to round out the evening!

It seemed to be over as soon as it started!

We cleaned up and left Wednesday morning, knowing we'd need 9 hours of daylight before we got home. Oy. Driving... yeah, not my favorite. Thank the heavens we didn't have Tanner! Olive kept complaining that her stomach hurt so I'd review with her the symptoms of car sickness and remind her to look out the windshield. This happened many times over the course of several hours. Then she started really complaining and I gave her a barf bag. Then she barfed. And zero of it got in the bag. Like, really. None of it. That was right before Flagstaff. So we pulled over and used a container of baby wipes trying to clean her up. I'm grateful for audio books, Brene Brown and people who know to stay in the right lane unless you're passing. 

And this view...