I'm back! Catch-up post #1

After a 2 month hiatus from my blog, I'm back and ready to start playing catch up. 3 weeks into June, we packed up our car and drove up to Utah to visit Wesley's family.  It was a particularly stressful packing experience for me, because I wasn't just planning ahead for a weeklong trip.  Wesley drove back home after that week in Utah, but I took the kids for 5 weeks of additional vacationing!! I'll super-summarize, in list form, and then over the next couple months I'll be doing several posts including all the fun pictures and stories that go along with my summer.

So, here's the vacation timeline:

June 23-July 2:  Drive to Utah, see Wesley's family, along with other great friends

July 2-9:  Fly to Virginia with the kids, spend the week at my parents house

July 9-26: Fly to Germany with sisters, kids, and mom ... !!!!!!!!!!!!

July 25-August 4 :  Spent the remainder of the trip at mom's house, recovering from all the flights/chaos/jet lag.  We had way too much fun ;)

In 6 weeks, we took a 12 hour road trip, changed time zones 5 times, and flew on 4 planes.  It was an amazing experience--some of the days were more fun than others, but it was mostly awesome, and I feel lucky to have been able to spend my summer this way.

Since I came home, the excitement has continued--Jake started preschool, Wesley is starting grad school next week, and Mia is now tall enough to open the doors in my house...  at the moment, I can't decide which of the milestones is going to cause the most upheaval in my life! ;)

Expect lot's of pictures, lots of stories, lots of blog posts the next couple months--it's been a memorable summer, and I intend to record as much of it as I can make time for!

For today, I want to post up a few of the pictures from our week in Utah.  I always love staying with the Hursts.  I've found that there are a few things I can always count on when we are together.  Lot's of quality time to build stuff out of legos, enjoy the sweet theater they have in the basement (along with a massive DVD collection), and of course, the fantastic food.  (Having a chinese mother-in-law comes with perks) :)

Jake and Mia had a great time too, between playing in the G.I. Joe room, running around the backyard, and going on lots of nature walks. And of course, the legos.  My father-in-law is a lego enthusiast, and has just about every set you could possibly want to build.  (my favorites are the Harry Potter sets!!)

I know my father-in-law took lots of pictures too, but I don't have those.  Here are a few that I did take, mostly just from my i-phone.

One morning we went to Kneaders for breakfast (Provo favorite!!!!), and then spent the day shopping at the mall.  The kids were great sports, cooperating as we dragged them from one store to another.  They got rewarded with a trip to Toys-R-Us afterwards. Thanks grandma and grandpa!

Grandpa has been working hard on his backyard, and it's really coming along! the kids loved being back there on the new grass :)

When it's finished this yard is going to be totally awesome.  Mia was OBSESSED with the little bridges.

Exploring!

They loved this thing.

I love it when my kids get to spend time with cousins!

 Wes and his momma :)

On Friday of that week, Wesley headed back to Arizona.  Saturday morning, I was picked up by my friend Cheronne, so I could spend a couple days with her before flying to Virginia.  Our kids all love each other so much, and it was really nice to see her, even though it was short!

 Saturday night, I went to my good friend Sarah's wedding reception. I was so glad that we were able to coordinate and make it possible for me to attend.  I was actually her maid of honor, and had to give a toast and everything.  I was pretty nervous to do it, but the memory is a special one :)

Congratulations Sarah, love you!!!!!!

 Sunday I was still at Cheronne's, and we spent the afternoon enjoying the breezy sunshine :)

Love this picture.

Roasting smores--yum!

Monday morning, I loaded up my bags, and went to the airport.  The flight was fine, but I did learn a few things that day that proved to be consistent for the rest of my flights:

1. My kids SUCK at sleeping on planes.

2.  I still get super nauseated when airplanes are landing. (I'm one of the lucky people who've had to use those little white bags on the plane in my time)

3.  Flying with kids is one of my least favorite things to do.

But, it's all worth it when that plane takes me to people and places that I love.  Check back soon for updates! :)  

Jake's Birthday weekend

This post is about 6 weeks late in being written, but in my defense, we've had 2 flu bugs go through our family in that time frame.  But I couldn't skip this post because it's about a very special weekend.  Jake's Birthday!  A few weeks before Jake turned 4, my dad told us that he would be in town for a business trip, and had sprung for an extra ticket for my mom.  So just like that, we planned for an unexpected little visit :) Jake's cousin Sawyer also had a birthday that weekend, so it was double the fun too!  They came on Jake's actual birthday (a Thursday) and then stayed through Tuesday morning.  I pulled together a bunch of photos from the weekend to help illustrate some of the fun we had :) enjoy!

Jake opening some presents from mom & dad, and Omi & Opi. 

On Friday we went to the Zoo!  (Wesley had to work, so that was sad, but we had a great time)

sleepy girl. :)

she's such a little pip squeak.

Thank goodness for splash pads at the zoo!

My parents took the kids to pet the sting rays at the end--lucky boys!  (jess and I are usually too lazy & cheap to take them when we go on our own) 

On Saturday morning we had a double birthday party for the boys--at the train park! :)

Jake's cake!! (It was a joint effort creating it with my parents and Wes the night before.  lots of laughs that night)  He was so excited to see it!

I love my 4 year old!!!!!!!

Also love my 1 year old ;)

Jake ate SOO much cake.  Funfetti cake mix, vanilla buttercream, covered in oreos.. of course he loved it! (...and so did I)

 proud Grandma holding her big girls!

My mom was such a trooper.  The train has this little covered caboose with a door that closes.  I've never ridden inside there with Jake--preferring the open air seats (claustrophobia big time.)  But my momma climbed in and rode with her grandsons!

 Luckily Mia enjoys the cool breeze from riding up top :)

Saturday afternoon, we layed all the kids down at my house for naps, and then went out to the pool in the early evening to swim and grill dinner.  It was a relaxing end to the day!

Sunday was kind of a bust.  Jake woke up around 7 throwing up, and after a phone call, I found out that Jess and Sawyer had been doing much the same all night long.  After that, we all passed around that 24 hour flu like a wicked little hot potato.  Fortunately, no one got sick on Monday, and I didn't start feeling it til right before my parents left.  Blech--I hate the flu.

Once Jake started feeling better Sunday night, we decided to buzz his head.  I'd been meaning to do it for weeks, thinking he would love it in the 100+ heat.

Tried a mohawk first--why not?

p.s.  He hated his buzz cut.. I think I traumatized him.  He kept asking where the top of his hair went, and wouldn't look in the mirror.. also kept asking for hats.  Needless to say, we are growing it out again. ;)

Monday morning my dad had his meetings, so we took it easy and went to the pool.

These pictures crack me up.  Jake wanted to chill out in his rocket.

Good thing Arizona mommas always have sunglasses on their heads, can't tell you how often Jake steals them :)

cute girls!

That night Wesley grilled dinner out in the courtyard.  We took some nice pictures while we were out there.

Mia and Violet are starting to play together a little more which is fun!

I love these next ones--they just really show Mia's enthusiasm.  She kept throwing her arms in the air, and flopping down onto the ground)

I know--most of these are of Mia--but she was having a very cooperative picture night.  So many cute ones :)

She sure does love her Opi.

I am obsessed with her giant mouse teeth.

p.s. Sawyer ended up jumping/falling into the fountains by the end.  ;)

Last thing we did was a quick trip to the Quarter.

Thanks for making the trip out mom and dad.  I'm so grateful for all the effort you guys put in to seeing us and seeing the kids, even though we live so far apart.  love you!!!!

In case this ends up being my last post for awhile, just wanted to say that we are less than 5 days from the greatest vacation ever.

Week 1.  Driving to Utah and spend a week with Wesley's family!

Week 2. Fly to Virginia from Utah with the kids (and say goodbye to Wesley for a month.. thats the sucky part)

Week 3 and 4--Fly to Germany to visit my moms family!!! woohoo!!!!!!

Week 5 and part of 6.  Back to Virginia to recover from jet lag before we head back to Phoenix.

It's going to be a crazy summer!!!!