Trip to Colorado

Okay, so I promised pictures...and I would post them, but I just scanned through them and realized the ones I got are pretty lame. Thankfully Angie took some cute pictures of the kids. She also went into great detail on her blog about the adventures while we were there (losing our boys).

The drive to and from was great. Each child had one melt-down right about the time they were ready to go down for a nap, but they (the melt-downs) didn't last more than five minutes.
Very doable. The DVD player was wonderful, and wouldn't you know it, Connor never watched the same show twice! I guess he needs variety on the road, but when he's home he prefers to watch the same shows over and over.

Once we were on the straight and narrow (I-80) I decided to pick up that last Harry Potter book and start reading, two pages into it I got car sick and had to put it down! I haven't picked it back up. I would read it now, but I find that when I get into a book like that, I tend to delve so deeply into the book that I neglect everything and everybody around me. Maybe I will have a long labor, like I did with Connor (NOT wishing it) and I can read while I enjoy an epidural. If it is anything like Abi's delivery, no chance of reading a single page.

Back to the fun trip. I did not expect to be entertained or need to be. We've been to Denver a few other times and have seen all the great things that city has to offer. This time around I just wanted Connor to play hard with someone his own age and give the in-laws a break (and wear out our welcome at Adam & Angie's...which I don't think we did).

A few of the highlights of the trip:
1) Losing Connor and Tyson for what seemed like the longest ten minutes of my life
2) Abi's First Birthday (you can read about it on her blog)
3) Getting a pedicure
4) Angie's Baby Shower (she has some good friends)
5) Making File Folder Games (not too quiet....we tried it out in church this week and made a lot of noise. I guess my velcro pieces were too big)
6) Taking a long hot bath after having an emotional breakdown (note to self...wait until youngest child can walk before carrying another one in-utero..the weight of the two is overwhelming)
7) Watching Connor and Tyson laugh and laugh and laugh and share a little bit
8) Receiving a HUGE box of the cutest girl clothes EVER from Lori (thanks forever Lori!)
9) The company of Adam, Angie & Tyson

If you ever do get a chance to go to Denver, there are a few things you should do (although we didn't do these things this time, we have done them in the past):
The Denver Aquarium (totally cool!!!)
Colorado Rockies Game
Natural History Museum
Red Rock Amphitheater
Garden of the Gods

Goin' On A Road Trip

Now, mind you, this will be NOTHING like the road trip we took last year about this time. We're loading up our new van (that Todd has spent the entire day cleaning with a toothbrush) and taking our two little munchkins to Colorado to spend some time with Adam, Angie & Tyson.

I am anxious for Connor to have a playmate his age (not that the dog and other cousins are enough). Tyson and Connor are just a few months apart and they talk to each other on the phone, so I hope he understands who it is that he is seeing once we get there. I have had my concerns about Connor's playing habits recently (I'll post the story on his blog).

Abi needs to be around kids that walk. This carrying thing is getting old. She'll be one on Wednesday, so it's not like she HAS to be walking, but it would be fantastic if she could get around without scuffing up her cute pants on the floor. The sound of them scraping on the pavement is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me!

Todd will use some of the time to do "schoolwork" ha ha ha. When he and Adam get together it is a 24 hour jab-fest. I guess he'll squeeze in an interview somewhere in there. It's okay though, Todd accomplished so much while he was in Hawaii, he deserves a little break.

I am packing up the most recent Harry Potter book and plan on reading it while we drive. I do not plan on drinking any beverages, unless I get absolutely thirsty. At this point, I am having to wake up a couple of times in the night to use the restroom. Our kids aren't potty trained, so I won't be able to blame them for all of the pit stops we will most likely be making.

Todd and Connor went to Wal-Mart the other day and picked up a dual-screen portable DVD player, so that will make the drive bearable for my favorite kids...they could watch movies all day, if I would let them.

So, when we return, I hope to have pictures (finally!) and other great adventures to tell you about!

First Few Weeks

We are surviving brilliantly here in our new lifestlyle. Surrounded by the gorgeous mountains, waking up and going to sleep to very comfortable temperatures...life couldn't be better.

Todd had to return to Hawaii today to meet with his dissertation board. He'll just be there a few days, but it will be much easier having him gone with as much family we have around. The help has been incredible. I almost feel like we are taking advantage of the family being so close (our parents are 4 doors apart from one another).

I have never seen Connor so happy in all my life. He is running and jumping and yelling and exploring and watching less and less tv. I had good intentions of starting preschool today, but it didn't happen. We'll try again on Thursday. I got too busy running errands this morning (a Dr.'s apt and some grocery shopping) that when the time to to start preschool, he was ready for a nap.

Abi is going through a clilngy/whiny phase. Any ideas when it will end? Did your little ones go through something like this? I suppose it can only be expected with all of the new people in her life. Too bad she doesn't understand how much they love her and want to cuddle her...and that in the end they will ALWAYS return her to me.

So, what have I loved so much about Utah since we have arrived?
1) Family
2) The mountains...I love driving east on 5400 South and seeing those incredible mountains
3) Fry Sauce
4) Connor and Abi sleeping in their own beds
5) Abundance of Scrapbooking stores
6) Affordable EVERYTHING