Happy 17th Birthday to the G.O.A.T.! (Greatest of all time) 🎉💙
We celebrated by skipping school for the day, grabbing breakfast together, and then heading to his new favorite place for dinner. Of course, we had to finish the night with cheesecake for dessert!
There are certain birthdays that just feel a little bigger, and Tanner turning 14 is definitely one of them.
This year has been so fun to watch because Tanner set a goal for himself and truly followed through. For a long time, he’s had his eye on an e-bike, and instead of just wishing for it, he got to work. He saved up his own money and ended up paying for half of it himself. Watching him stay focused and committed like that has made me incredibly proud. It’s such a great reminder of the kind of determination and responsibility he’s building as he grows up.
Of course, we had to celebrate him in a way that felt special. We went out for a delicious Italian dinner, spent time together, and just enjoyed being with him—laughing, talking, and soaking in the moment. Those simple celebrations always end up meaning the most.
Tanner, you are such a joy to our family. You’re kind, driven, and becoming more independent every day, and it’s so exciting to see who you’re turning into. I love you so much and feel so lucky to be your mom.
Happy 14th birthday!
Brad and I snuck out early this morning while the boys kept snoozing. We wanted to get the Birdseye view of Horseshoe Bend before hitting the road—and honestly, it was the perfect way to wrap up that leg of the trip. The overlook wasn’t too crowded yet, and the sky still carried some of yesterday’s moodiness, with clouds hanging low and a light sprinkle in the air. We were especially glad we weren’t headed to the lake in that weather.
Standing there, looking down at the bend, it felt surreal to think we actually kayaked that. Ten miles of paddling through those winding cliffs—definitely one for the books.
We packed up and started the drive to Grandma and Grandpa’s, but made a quick pit stop in Kanab for gas… and got a call from Brent saying the trailer tire had popped. Classic road trip twist. We doubled back to help, got it sorted fast, then hit the road again, racing the clock to make it to the movies.
Before heading out on our Utah trip, we got to celebrate Logan’s birthday with a few of his close friends—and it was such a blast! He picked a super fun place called Slick City, which is basically a kid’s dream: tons of giant slides and open play spaces. The kids ran, slid, and laughed nonstop for two hours straight. It was so fun to watch them having the best time together! We loved being able to squeeze in this celebration before our travels and make some great birthday memories with Logan and his buddies.
Brad scored some amazing tickets through work to the Astros game, and it turned into such a fun night! We had incredible seats, and after the game we got to go down on the field to watch the fireworks show. Being on the field was surreal — and we happened to be standing right by the visiting team dugout when out walked Maldonado, the Astros’ former catcher. It was so cool to see him up close, even though it was a little bittersweet since he was traded.
We made it an overnight and stayed downtown, and Brad totally surprised me. He told the hotel we were celebrating my birthday, and they sent up a bottle of champagne and a cupcake — such a sweet touch to end a great night!
By our third day in Sedona, I already didn’t want the trip to end. The morning kicked off with something I was looking forward to our whole trip—sunrise yoga on a red rock cliff, overlooking the stunning valley below. It was the most perfect morning as we flowed through poses, and I couldn’t help but wish this was my regular yoga studio. It was peaceful, grounding, and such a beautiful way to start the day. I only wish our instructor had taken some more dynamic photos of us—because let’s be honest, we were doing some pretty cool stuff up there!
After breakfast, we headed out to Boynton Canyon Trail, and I have to say, it was my favorite hike of the trip. The trail winds through beautiful, lush canyon terrain, and the final stretch at the end—where the crowds drop off and the canyon walls rise dramatically—is just breathtaking. It felt like a little pocket of stillness tucked away from the busier spots.
On the way back down, we did make the detour to the Subway Cave, one of Sedona’s famous vortex spots. It’s a really unique rock formation and worth seeing, but it was packed. The narrow trail and crowds made it a little stressful, so I didn’t linger long. Brad, on the other hand, ventured around and explored the other side of the cave while I made my way back. Different paces, same appreciation for the beauty around us.
To top off an already magical day, we indulged in a couples massage—which felt amazing after all the hiking—and then treated ourselves to a fancy dinner at The Hudson. Delicious food, great atmosphere, and the perfect way to celebrate the final night of our trip.
On our last morning, we were determined to squeeze in one more hike—Cathedral Rock. We’d tried before and couldn’t find parking, so we figured an early Monday morning would be our golden ticket. Turns out… nope. Still no parking. Since I’ve hiked it before, I told Brad to go for it and dropped him off at the trailhead while I grabbed some coffee and enjoyed one last quiet morning soaking in the views.
Brad said the hike was incredible—steep, rugged, and unforgettable. He even witnessed a wedding up there! Not a bad way to end a Sedona adventure.
Then it was back to reality. We’d left the kids home on their own for the first time, and they did great! It’s such a good feeling to know they’re at the age where we can take a quick getaway and trust they’ll be okay.
This trip was everything I hoped it would be: adventure, beauty, time with Brad, and a little space to breathe and reflect. Sedona never disappoints—and it was the perfect way to celebrate a new decade.
