Saying Goodbye

The worst part about any trip is the time when it comes to say good-bye.

Uncle Patt and James

 

 

 

 

Driving up to Salt Lake with Kristen and Emily. We flew out of Salt Lake because all the flight out of Las Vegas were with one or two stops in crazy places. It would have taken us hours and hours to get home, and with two kids by myself I liked the options out of the Salt Lake airport better.

 

 We didn't have a lot of time, but we did get to see Aunt Ruthann and Kristy....

 

...visit with my friend Lisa and her girls...

 

...meet Aunt Brenda...

 

...and hurry to the airport so we didn't miss our flight. We got there just before it was time to board and then they announced that it was delayed coming out of Denver, so we had plenty of time. While we waited for our delayed plane at the airport I realized that 10 years ago today I was at this very same airport on my way to Portugal, I can't believe how fast the time has flown by. I don't think I could have guessed that I would be living in Oregon 10 years later. So fun!

Zion's Canyon

A trip home wouldn't be complete without a trip to Zions. We went on an exciting hike to Weeping Rock. It's been years since I've been to Weeping Rock and I don't think I have ever been in the winter. If you've never been it's a huge rock that is constantly dripping water and is a nice short walk for little kids. This time we went it was quite cold and everything was covered in ice from the dripping rock. It was really pretty. Hailee had such a good time and while I was in the car feeding James, Grandpa spoiled Hailee by getting her a 'dark-eyed junco' bird that makes the dark-eyed junco bird call. We're still enjoying that present at our house. :)

James loved being carried by Aunt Kristen.

 

 On the way up the trail, Grandpa was showing her the water coming out of the rock. She didn't know if she should believe him that the water was coming out of the rock.

 

 

 

 

  

We also saw so many deer and wild turkey. Hailee loves to eat turkey so she was especially pleased to find the turkeys.

Birthday Party

My dad's birthday was Friday so we had a party for him with family. It was fun to see my aunts and uncles as well as my cousin and her three little kids. Hailee loved playing with everyone and it was great catching up.

I was terrible at getting pictures with everyone, I was too busy talking and having a good time. I did manage to get a few of the kids playing and Grandma playing with James.

The other fun surprise was Kristen and Emily came home to surprise my dad for his birthday and to see us (I use the term "us" very loosely, they really came to see the kids).

First day of First Grade

Thursday we went and ate lunch with Deneille at her classroom. She is teaching 1st grade. While  visiting she had the idea to have Hailee come with her to school on Friday. Hailee was totally excited about the idea. Deneille cleared it with her principal and Hailee was off the next morning to her first day of first grade.

 

She had so much fun. I wasn't worried about her at all because I knew she could hang out with Aunt Deneille during lunch and recess.  Deneille said once she got there she made best little friends with the kids in her class and she was off playing with them. She LOVED first grade and is still asking me if she can go back to Aunt Deneille's class.

Trip Home

It had been a year and a half since I had last been in St. George. Since we were going to AZ for Christmas we decided the best time to make a quick trip home would be my dad's birthday. Hailee had a few days off school and we found tickets for a fairly good price. It was so much fun. It was a quick trip, but we tried to pack in as much as we could. It was so great to see family.

It was the first airplane ride that Hailee could remember. She was so excited to sit by the window and watch everything. I was a little nervous about taking two kids by myself on the airplane, but it worked out pretty good. The kids were great and had such a great time on the plane. James even slept for a little while.

 

James also got to meet his great-grandparents. Right now he as six great-grandparents that are alive.

 

The kids had so much fun playing and spending time with great-grandparents. Hailee didn't miss a beat and remembered exactly where grandpa and grandma keep the toys. They are the same toys I played with as a kid and I'm pretty sure the same toys my dad played with as a kid. It is so fun to see my kids with their great-grandparents. It's so hard to be far away, but no matter where we lived we'd be far from someone.

We also had time for Hailee and I to get a haircut from Heidi. She is my favorite hair dresser and I've been going to her since I was 15 years-old. She did my hair while I lived in St. George and even while I lived in Provo. She was the first person I wanted to see when I got home from my mission and she did my hair for my wedding. Needless to say I was excite to have her to my hair again. Hailee also got her first "official" hair cut. Up to this point we've just been cutting it ourselves. She was a little nervous to get her hair washed, but after that she was thrilled to be getting her hair cut and sat so still.

 

We had so much fun!

So not ready

Mom: Panic

James: Cried for about 10 seconds then was more interested in the ice. 30 seconds later he was climbing where he had just fallen.

Luckily dad was home to calm mom down, James sure didn't need any calming down.

I am so not ready for boys. You think he would learn after his goose egg. It's a good thing I know the warning signs of a concussion now.