We planned for today to be our day to go out and about, and do some shopping. Moving some car seats around made it possible for Caity and Stefan to join us in the van, and we all drove into the city together.

On our way to the mall, we stopped at IKEA where I learned that Brady was buying me another BEAUTIFUL white drawer unit for my makeup/jewelry/hair stuff! I’m so thrilled to be able to spread out a bit in my first one 🙂 Great gift, Brady! Sanks!

Once we finished up there, though, we hit up Polo Park Mall. This mall is better than any of our malls for several reasons.

Better stores. We don’t have Forever21, H&M, or any kind of pretzel place. No Second Cup or Aldo Accessories either. No Disney Store, or Anthropologie, which is probably best actually, since I could absolutely not justify the $50 measuring cups I wanted so badly. But seriously, all big wins. I love those stores.

Better company. Today, this mall included my husband, my kids, my siblings, a doting auntie and uncle for my kids, AND some of our dearest friends, Cody and Jessica, who we hadn’t seen in a solid year. They sort of dropped everything and came when we called, which we hate asking for, but so appreciate when people are willing once in a while! Thanks, friends.

The nine of us moseyed through the mall together and got in some good shopping. I ended up with a few shirts, some leggings, a teeny tiny bit of makeup stuff, and part of Laela’s birthday present, even though thats still a ways off. Jessica even bought me some of my things as a birthday gift <3 I felt very spoiled and loved.

The kids were at the end of their ropes in the late afternoon so we parted ways with Cody and Jessica and headed home with Caity and Stef. We had hot dogs for supper, and ate out on the deck. It was a lovely evening, but the kids were pretty destroyed and actually went to bed early. Considering that we’re actually an hour different than they’re accustomed to, they went to bed VERY early, and Dekker is having trouble staying asleep, so this could be an interesting night for us. But the evening has been lovely, filled with treats and a photo walk thru of the trip that my siblings just went on. What an experience, and SO many fabulous pictures!! I’m sure not complaining about my birthday lipstick straight out of the Chanel in Paris either 😀 LOOOVE that!!! After a couple of episodes of Community, we were all ready for bed.

Well, most of us. If someone could tell Dekker and Rowan, that’d be cool. K thanks.