Seeing everyone in S's family
Having a separate bedroom from the kids!
HGTV, all five seasons of Alias, Netflix and 3 different History channels. Suddenly Hulu.com doesn't seem so entertaining. We definitely got spoiled.
Another Christmas!
I think by the end of it all, N finally had the present unwrapping idea down.
My SIL and her family gave us some pretty slick aprons. N's and mine match and apparently are called "flirty"!
And another birthday... Baby N is suddenly no longer a baby. She has taken on toddler hood with full force and is determined to keep up with her older brother. What she lacks in sleeping, she makes up for in dancing, laughing, and running around wreaking havoc wherever she goes. I'm enchanted with her, unless it's past her bedtime. She's a total doll.
A delicious birthday cake that I didn't have to make! This cake was really good, thanks to Aunt Chand, and N seemed to agree.
Despite the lack of food coloring, N got pretty messy so a bath was in order when she was done. N's favorite activity is bath time. Every time she hears the water running in the bathroom, she's right there, which makes privacy when showering near impossible without doing it during nap time. Sometimes I've even found her in the tub when there's no water in it.
After bath time, we opened more presents for N's birthday. I can't decide if this is a good or bad thing. S and I got pretty burnt out on all the new presents this trip if my face doesn't already tell you that in this next picture. The kids were in heaven though.
We ate well on this trip! Despite this, I think I only made dinner twice out of two weeks- thanks to those who provided excellent food for us to eat! I came home refreshed and ready to work on my goal of having consistent meal plans.
When Chandra left, the kids turned her bed into a trampoline. It was a good way to get them to expend their energy!
Making s'mores in the wood stove. If we ever buy a house, I really hope there's a wood stove in it. So nice!
Reaping the rewards...
Other good things- Watching Avatar and Sherlock Holmes, going bowling with Grandpa, and eating yummy Mexican food.
The Bad
Driving to Idaho from Utah on your seventh anniversary. Not exactly romantic.
Spreading aforementioned flu to S's family.
Baby N's ear infections and sinus infection that made for some sleepless nights.
Having your husband spend a lot of the vacation prepping for a conference in Tampa Bay, Florida and then having him leave for 5 days while you stay in freezing Idaho with a sick baby. Thank goodness for grandparents!
The Funny
You may be surprised to hear that Burley, Idaho is not the most happening place in the world. S and I tend to appreciate this because it means we can relax, which is what a vacation is all about, right? Sometimes the kids need a little more stimulation though, and Aunt Krystal remedied this by coming up with some fun activities for the kids. First she constructed a drive-in movie theater where the kids made cars and drove them downstairs to watch #1's new favorite movie "Bolt". There was even a ticket collector and a concession stand where the kids got to spend their money on snacks. It was pretty cool and #1 was really into it.
#1 waiting for the movie to start- his vehicle was a truck.
Enjoying some licorice with his cousin Isabelle
Then they set up a tarp with shaving cream on it in the living room and let the kids slip around. Grandma and Grandpa were pretty brave to let this one take place.
Baby N LOVED Grandma's kitchen cupboards because they were not locked and full of things to chuck around. We would often hear her rummaging around and having a good time destroying the kitchen. Her favorite were the cookie cutters.
Some of us went to the Chipmunk movie... Identities have not been disclosed to maintain dignity. Prior to that event, #1 and I went to McDonalds and acquired a Happy Meal chipmunk toy that had an annoying high-pitched laugh that you could repeat over and over and over... That toy never made it to Illinois, even though baby N found it hilarious- thanks Grandpa.
When the kids found themselves without some of these fun activities, they seemed to congregate at the front door ready to escape.
We distracted them with Dora the Explorer here. I'm wondering what was happening on the screen to incite concern, humor, and boredom all in the same moment.
I wonder if I have a similar expression when I watch TV... They are totally zoned in right now.
At the bowling alley #1 grabbed Grandpa upon spying a glow-in-the-dark ball vending machine and said "Grandpa, come here! Did you bring your wallet?" He knows a sucker when he sees one.
I'm sad I never got video of Grandpa bucking #1 like a horse. It was one of my favorite moments of our trip.
Speaking of favorites, here is N's favorite toy at Grandma and Grandpa's.
She liked to play while her brother got down.
Just in case you remember S's moves from back in the day and wonder if he's kept them up...
In our last hotel visit of the trip, N found these luggage carts and fell in love. I think Grandpa took her on a trip with one at one point.
Conclusion
I'm sad I didn't get more pictures of actual family members. Just as we were about to leave, I managed to get this one picture with the kids and their grandparents. We had a wonderful time and truly appreciate all the time, effort, and money that was spent to have us visit them over the holidays. Our family is the best! Next year we will be staying home, but everyone is welcome to come see us. We love and miss all of you!
