Cottonwood and Sarah's 3rd Birthday!

This year we spent Sarah's 3rd birthday at Cottonwood, my heaven on earth. What a lucky girl to be able to spend her birthday in the one place everyone feels so at peace at. We arrived at Cottonwood early Thursday afternoon with Nana. We managed, Jordan, Sarah, Nana, and I, to squeeze into the truck and bus together since Dad wasn't leaving for Cottonwood until Friday night. Once we arrived we quickly unpacked and Sarah went down for a nap (poor girl didn't get much time before she had to take her nap). When she woke up Liz, Mike, Abby, and Aiden had arrived.

Thursday was rainy and cold, but last year was certainly worse weather. By the time dinner came around it had stopped raining, but hadn't warmed back up again since the sun was setting. That evening after dinner Becca and Adam arrived.

Friday morning was a beautiful day, just breezy. But it kept the flies down, so no complaints here. We were able to go for a boat ride together and get some fishing in as well. Sarah made sure everyone on the boat was safe and wearing their lifejaket, even Uncle Adam was told he had to wear his lifejacket.

Even though it was really hard for me to get in and out of a boat, being 8 months pregnant, I did it for the sake of fishing. Jordan was wonderful and was always ready to help me so I wouldn't trip of fall into the water. I'm not a fan of the pontoon boat, aka tooney boat, but I got in it and went with the flow (just as long as NO ONE MOVED!). I wasn't about to become a frozen pregnant popcicle at the bottom of Cottonwood Lake. When I caught a fish, Sarah was nice enough to help me reel it in. She's such a helper!

Becca, Abby, and Sarah spent some time on the boat together, and with my camera, so they caught some cute pictures while Jordan and I were fishing.

On Friday we also went for a treasure hunt adventure. Abby had waited a long time for her treasure hunt and was very patient. Everyone joined and watched as the kids went on search for their treasure. Jordan helped Sarah walk around the cabin area and through the meadow just to make sure she wouldn't slip and fall. With as many tree roots there are as pine needles, someone was bound to trip and fall. Luckily on the treasure hunt no one did.

The boys played rounds and rounds of horeshoes and Jordan even won a game against Mike. Jordan also won Settlers of Catan against Mike so he has the bragging rights for the year now! Jordan isn't one to boast, but he will stand by his winnings. One game of horseshoes and one game of Settlers. He's pretty proud right now.

On Saturday we had the best weather of the trip. It was nice and sunny and not even breezy. To me it was hot, but to everyone else it was perfect. We fed the squirrel, went fishing, played more horseshoe games and also had a birthday party for Sarah (since it was that very day indeed). Sarah wanted a princess party, so I made sure to give her just want she asked for. She was so excited to see Ariel on her cake and also on her tablecloth. She made sure to tell everyone who Ariel was as well.

Sarah recived a large art eisle from Auntie Becca, Uncle Adam, Auntie Liz, Uncle Mike, Abby, and Aiden. She was so excited! She wanted to open it right then, but I told her she'd have to wait so we wouldn't lose any peices.

Sarah received a Bitty Baby from Nana and Grandpa who she named Rosie. She loves her little baby doll. She even told me when she was hungry and when it was time for little Rosie to take her nap. Sarah's very nurturing. She had a wonderful party with her cousins and Aunties and Uncles.

On Sunday it was time to go home. We stopped in Logan for lunch, and for a driving break, before heading back into Salt Lake. It was a grumbling 4 1/2 hour trip back home. But, we did it! It was worth the traffic and the grumbling just to be able to go to Cottonwood. I'm grateful we're able to go there every year. I hope to make it there at least twice next year!