Life and Times of the Hillins Family

Friday, April 8, 2016

Surprise #2

So we have a surprise that has been in the works for a bit but because we have friends that work at Petsmart we had to keep it super hush, hush until it was time to tell his work! First though we took the kids to dinner at one of our favorite kid friendly places - O.H.S.O and asked what they thought about us moving...to Arkansas! Trevor had a few questions more about logistics and if it snowed in Arkansas and if he would be able to come back to AZ to see his friends.

Ashley followed Trevor's lead and as a family we decided that yes this would be a great opportunity for Brian's career and get him back on the product development side that he loves. He is going to be the Sr. Director of Private Brands for Sam's Club in Bentonville, Arkansas home of Walmart. Currently he is the Sr. Director of Services, Grand Openings, Competitive Marketing and Event Marketing at Petsmart. He just got Sr. Director at Petsmart so we are so so proud of him!!

You are looking at future Arkansas peeps!

Truth be told the reason Sara's parents were watching the kids a few weeks ago before Spring break is because Sara and Brian were on a secret mission to Bentonville to see if it would be a good fit. Sara loved it. It's 9 hour drive to her parents, it looks like MN but the weather is a good mix between AZ and MN! We narrowed down the communities we would want to live in and overall could see us being there for a very long time. Y'all we are going to be Southerners!!!

So that night after O.H.S.O she went and told her friend Katie. Many tears were shed but she of course understood. Sara wanted to go to a few friends houses after that to share the news too but she was mentally exhausted so the next night we had a wine night planned at Katie's with Lisa, Becky and Angie so Sara sprung the news there. There was shock and tears and questions but we've got a great support system that will love us whether we are next door or across the US. We are blessed. And ready for this adventure!!! (This is also why Sara's surprise party meant so much to her. Her friends didn't know it but having the memory of everyone together one last time was just what she needed. This surprise is also the reason that Brian could pull off a surprise...Sara was way too busy with move details to even think of anything other than a quick dinner with friends happening!!!)

Monday, April 4, 2016

Ashley's Mother's Day Tea

La Casa had their annual Mother's Day tea and Ashley was ready to sing all the songs she had been practicing!!

So cute!

Of course these 3 knew all the actions to 'Oh a Mother's work is never ever done' :)

After the photo slide show where tissues are a necessity we headed to the courtyard for pics!

XOXO

They have an art walk. Ashley found hers right away!!

And before we headed out she enjoyed a cookie or two :)

Love the traditions at La Casa. They take such good care of our kiddos and put on such fun events for us to see what they have been up to!

Saturday, April 2, 2016

Surprise!

Brian pulled off the surprises of all surprises!!! Sara still can't believe it! How did he do it?!?! As far as Sara knew she was going out to dinner with Katie and Lisa for a quick dinner. We talked about inviting more people but in the end others were busy which was okay because we call it special time when there are just a few of us! On the way to Modern Margarita Sara mentioned to Lisa and Katie that there was a great band playing at the country bar down the street but she looked and tickets were sold out. Well Lisa said 'surprise! I got tickets for us!' Of course she did, that girl has more hook-ups than anyone else we know!! We had a fun dinner and then we headed to the bar. When we checked in they said we had VIP tickets and wanted the birthday girl to wear a glow necklace. Sara didn't think anything of it because again, of course Lisa had VIP tickets and it was her birthday so why not have a special necklace! Well we were walking to our table and Sara was chatting with the waitress about her birthday when she hears a huge roar of 'SURPRISE' - it kinda scared Sara to be honest so she stopped and looked over and saw all of her friends in one place. You go through so many emotions like wait, is this for me? Shock! How did I get surprised?? Oh no! Brian is at home working on house projects!

But then she saw him and she couldn't believe what he had arranged!!

Best husband ever!!!! And Lisa and Katie, sneaky, sneaky!!!!!!!

Seriously there is no way to describe what a special feeling it is when you get surprised like that. Watch the video on Facebook! Sara is laughing and tearing up all in the same second!! After that we had such a fun night! Brian arranged tickets for everyone and a special area of the bar with bottle service so we had no worries except to have fun which we did!!

We even got to meet Brothers Osborne!! Don't know any of their songs but Sara is a country fan so she is happy!

Sara is mingling with friends when she looks over and realizes Brian is on the mechanical bull!

Pretty soon we all take a chance on it!!

Co-conspirator Julie!!! Good work team!

Words can not begin to describe how special this night was to Sara. She will never forget it for as long as she lives. Brian on the other hand may not remember the festivities. LOL!!!!