Feeling Sentimental

My situation today is one of reflection. I dropped my husband off at the airport today for his longest army commitment since returning from his second overseas deployment in October.  He will be gone on and off for the next two months. Now I know this is only for training but I think I'm having flash backs! He's still on U.S. soil with cell phone service and yet I cried like a baby the whole way home from the airport. I really wish there was a manual for military spouses.  Sometimes I can't believe I actually made it through his deployment. Having to deal with household things, work and children is really stressful when you are going at it alone. Did I mention that I gave birth to a baby while he was gone?? My wonderful mother really saved me through those days. I also had a wonderful friend Allie who I know I couldn't have survived without. I had some dark times and I had some light times. But I did it. I can't even begin to understand how hard it had to have been for my husband. I know he worried about us more than I will ever understand. And since I know my husband likes to stalk my blog...Jake I love you and sometimes it takes you being gone for me to appreciate how much you mean to me. See you soon.  :*

Photos from Jake's Return in October

Perfect Statement: Market Starts Today!

Here's my situation today! I will be at the Millcreek Market from 4pm to dusk. I am so excited to be a part of this and see something grow that we have worked so hard at. Thanks to my amazing friend Megan for all of your hard work, creative ideas and dedication to get it done. Today is the first day of a huge dream. Here's to many more.

Check out the link below and while your there show the blog some love! 

Perfect Statement: Market Starts Today!

Flaming Gorge

My summers are never whole without a trip to the Gorge. Flaming Gorge is located on the border of Wyoming and Utah. This beautiful lake mirrors the look of Lake Powell without the crowds. As long as I can remember we have been coming here as a family. Usually my hubby is off on his summer military commitment and has to miss out on the fun. This year we went early with my parents so we could enjoy the sun with the whole family. Summer just wouldn't be the same without this monumental event taking place. It just doesn't get any better than this. 

1-Caiden's first tube ride. He neither hated it or loved it. 2-Mandi and Jake hitting the wake. 3-Mandi and Jake's face hitting the wake. 3-Grandma and Harlee getting sprayed. 

1-Look I forgot to take my tank top off! 2-Best flag girl on the lake Harlee. 3-Caiden, Jake and Mandi enjoying the warm water.

1-Like father like son. Jake and Caiden skipping rocks. 2-Beautiful pink sunset. 3-Rock skippin in action.

1-Jake wake boarding. 2-Say cheese! Jake, Caiden and Harlee. 3-Caiden forgot to smile. 

Me and beautiful baby girl. 

Thanks Grandpa for dragging us around behind your wonderful boat!

Doughnut Falls

I love hiking, but its hard to do with kids. So after months of searching for a pack for Caiden I came across this awesome Kelty pack at Kid to Kid for $39! That's a savings of around $200!!! Can't get any better than     that. So we decided to try it out one night after work. Here are a few pics of our short, super kid friendly, hike to Doughnut Falls. 

Caiden enjoying his pack.

Big Cottonwood Canyon is so green and pretty right now. 

The Fam below Doughnut Falls

Doughnut Falls is located a short distance from our home in SLC. That's one amazing thing about living here. Its only a 20 minute drive to the wilderness. I strongly recommend this hike to people with kids. It was easy and fun. In fact neither one of my kids complained at all. 

A Recent Obsession

Here's the situation. I have become obsessed, borderline addicted, to editing my photos the past few days. I am in love with this super easy to use website called Pic Monkey. I think I love it so much because I have never looked better! As you can see I am wrinkle free and I have a glowing tan. You can also create some fun collages on it. I used it to create the banner on my blog. Which is freaking awesome of course. Try it out. You won't regret it. 

Here's my before and after picture. Of course I am smoking hot even before I touched up the photo. My hubby doesn't like either pic. And who says only women are critical of themselves?

Here's a fun collage I made. I'm going to see if I can put it on canvas and give it to my mom for her B-day. Lucky for me she's not the social media type.  It will still be a surprise. 

Here's my sister in all her blemish free glory. Looking good Mandi. In a previous blog you can see the original. 

Family Reunion in Hatch, Utah

Here are the pics from The Riggs Family Reunion. Below are some highlight pics of the day. We broke up into teams and played minute to win it. Of course my family left victorious! We even took home a bag of Starbursts as the coveted first place price. Seeing all the family is so much fun. We enjoyed food and crafts. As you can see we all made some extremely fashionable shirts. Look for them to come out soon in our new fall lineup. 

During the afternoon we ventured over to Red Canyon. It's a beautiful drive just outside of Bryce Canyon. We took a short easy hike around the visitors center. Even Caiden joined in on a little walking. Which he did not enjoy what so ever. He preferred the riding part of the hike. I love red canyon. We have been there several times and every time I go I am still in awe at the beauty. 

Road Trippin!

Here's a little preview of our trip to Hatch, Utah (population 10) this weekend! Gotta love the car pics. 

Foster the People

Summer concerts are so much fun. Especially with my sister Mandi! On July 5th we went to The Great Saltair to see Foster the People. They really should re-name it the hot, stuffy, old and out dated Saltair. There's really nothing great about it. Well except the location. Check out this few over the Salt Flats!!! Did I also forget to mention that Foster the People was AMAZING! They were so energetic and put on an outstanding show. I only took a couple of pics that turned out ok. The rest were blurry and all messed up. I'm blaming it on the intense humidity inside the building. So here are the two pics that are viewable. 

Thanks Mandi for the best belated birthday present a big sister could ask for. Love you! Muah! 

Girls Weekend with Fam!

Ok Peeps! I think over the last year I got so addicted to Pinterest I forgot to keep on blogging! I'm just going to start from whats been happening recently! Starting with our fun family Girls Weekend! Well, family girls weekend plus Caiden of course!!! The weekend was a blast. Myself along with my sister mandi, my mom Janet, my cousin BreAnn, my grandma Kathy and my other grandma Marilyn went to the Arts Festival then over to the over the top new mall in downtown Salt Lake. Later that night we hit up the local Cafe Rio for chicken salads. We topped off our amazing day with seeing Brave in 3D. Here a few pics below of our day.

My mom somehow was conned into buying this adorable blue feather hat for Ms. Harlee. 

And A feather headband for my sister Mandi. My mom obviously got letf out somewhere so she decided to sport the hat Harlee made at the crafts booth. 

My cousin BreAnn, my grandma Kathy and Caiden. This is his get me the  hell out of here look. 

Love this pic. <3 my sister!

As always a self pic with me and my little man. And yes we always sport red. Never Blue. 

This is the hour line my mom so willingly stood in to get Harlee's tiger face painted.

Another cute pic of Mandi May.

Taadaaahhh! a tiger wearing a yellow shirt with a little blue hat.