The Trek East

Once the packing was done, the truck was loaded, and we were on the road, I really started to enjoy myself. Our long drive felt more like a mini-vacation than what I'd been dreading it might be. Maybe it was because Gavin was in the big truck with his daddy. Thank you, Craig!!! I had the most peaceful week! Of course the down side was that it was actually quiet enough for me to get sleepy, so I spent a lot of time on the phone (we had to purchase 3-100 minute packages of extra minutes so our bill wouldn't be a million dollars), but I felt the pros WAY outweighed the cons!

This first photo pretty much sums up everything I saw for the first day going through Wyoming...let's just say there wasn't much with regards to scenery. We stayed at a Little America the first night. We made a little bed for Gavin in the closet. Yeah, I know it sounds bad, but everyone slept so much better that way. It was pretty cute because we ended up shutting the doors to block out some of the light while he got to sleep, and in the morning, instead of just pushing them open and walking out, we woke up to "Daddy, get out." He didn't come out until we went and opened the doors. If only that were the case these days...
On day 2, we got to stop and see Kyle, Charise and Damon in Lincoln, Nebraska. It was so fun! Reese has the cutest little pregnant belly - I'm so glad I got to see it! Too bad the camera got left in the car so we don't have a picture.

Then we pushed on to Kansas City and stayed the night at Bret and Vicki's. It was so nice to be able to stop and see family along the way. It really was a treat. We left before the kids got home from school, but were able to visit with Vicki for a little while. Gavin was smitten!

Especially when Aunt Vicki helped him build a "gyaet, big tower" pictured in the bottom left. He's been talking about it ever since.

The boys did phenomenal! Aside from the pit-stops every three hours so I could nurse Mace, we could change daipers, and load up on snacks and water, we just cruised. Gavin did appreciate getting out to run around a bit...and drink his juice box.

Mace also felt better after a snack.

Yummy hand!

The scenery once we hit Kansas City was just gorgeous!

In Birmingham, we stayed with one of the families Garrett taught on his mission. They recently were sealed in the temple - such a great family! G liked their dog...

even gave Sister Stanley a big hug

and showed her his muscles!

Let's just say he got spoiled while we were there.

It was so green!

We also got to meet Garrett's mission president and his wife, the Tate's, while in town. Gavin made himself right at home - played with their toys, ate their food, threw a couple tantrums. The usual.

This one's for Gar.

Then it was back on the road. It's kind of a strange feeling to know that you're carting everything you own in one little caravan. I'm very glad we're not still living out of our cars.

Coming soon: pictures of our apartment. We officially unpacked the last box a couple Wednesdays ago!

Utah State Fair

Before Craig made his first drive out to Florida, Brad and Valarie invited us to go to the State Fair. It'd been a long time since I'd been to the fair, and I've never really gone for longer than to play in the Talent Find and leave. So it was a new and exciting thing to do. I'm starting to feel bad that every picture I've posted of Mason is in the stroller - he does actually get held - but when you're chasing a Gavin... let's just say you need your hands free!

He's such a happy little guy! And oh, so cute!
Gavin loved seeing all the animals with Grandma and Grandpa

This bull was HUGE!

This is the butter sculpture. I guess they make one every year and just recycle the butter from the year before. Wow!

Gavin took a horsey ride on Grandma while we stopped so I could feed Mason. Here he's telling me "No" as I try to coax a smile out of him. What a funny kid!

Cruisin'!!

My parents took us on a cruise in September. It was so fun! They wanted to squeeze a family trip in between Garrett getting home from his mission and Ashton leaving, so we could all go together. Gavin stayed with Grandma Valarie and Grandpa Brad for most of the time we were gone, then with Uncle Alan and Aunt Teresa for the rest. When we got home, he looked so grown up. He had learned so many different things while we were gone, and still to this day asks to be sung "Ay-die-bice" (trans. Eidelweiss) and "Sunshine" (aka You are My Sunshine) at bedtime. We had initially planned on taking Mason with us, but found out that the cruise ship didn't allow babies under 6 months onboard. As he was only 4 1/2 months, we had to leave him with Grandma Teresa and Grandpa Deareld. I missed my boys like crazy (especially Mason as I was thinking about him so often, pumping every three hours), but was so grateful to know that they were in such capable, loving hands. Miraculously, Mason took me right back after over two weeks of being bottle fed. I love my baby!

We embarked from Philadelphia. Craig and I had gone out a day early to check in on one of the franchises out there, then the fam followed so we could get on the ship together.

Waiting for the cabs at the hotel - my mom's gonna love this one! Me and my sweetie (oh, and Ashton...:)
Our ship was a smaller one called the Majesty We cruised up the New England/New Brunswick coast, and it was beautiful. Some days were a little chilly, so the only thing the trip lacked was hot, sunny days for laying out. I would have liked to have gotten a tan...

Our first stop was St. John/Bay of Fundy.

We took a wild ride in a jet boat! It was crazy - we all got soaked!

The crew - love Garrett's face in this one. Ashton and Tan's are pretty good too.

The architecture was definitely a highlight for me. There were so many cool homes and buildings.

So surreal...

After the jet boat ride, we headed out for some shopping. The guys and even Sara humored my mom and I while we had a blast looking for some finds!

The food was awesome!!! What's not to like about all-you-can-eat, none-you-have-to-cook cuisine? I was in heaven...

In Sydney, we were able to take it easy and just walk around the town. We stopped at a church where Mom gave everyone (especially Craig) a good laugh by reading this headstone aloud, "Here heth the body... Heth the body? Hmmm, I wonder if that's something they say around here." !!!! Close, Mom... he he

Garrett following his post-mission motto, Flirt to Convert.

The boys had fun being boys... Their escapades included leap frog, climbing very tall trees, and trying various feats of strength.

Another stop was Charlottetown, PEI where we visited the Lucy Maude Montgomery historic site which included the house that inspired Green Gables (as in Anne of Green Gables). Here's "Anne's room"

I don't have any pictures from our other two stops Peggy's Cove and Portland, Maine because my camera died. :(

I loved feeling so pampered on the ship. Not only did we not have to make our bed, we didn't have to turn down our own covers at night. Along with the turn-down service came lots of fun creatures...

Thanks for a great trip, Dad and Mom!

August Rush

For us, August is a busy month. Half of our special days so far occur in August. First is Gavin's birthday on the 10th. I can't believe another year came and went so FAST! He is such a fun guy, very smart and very BUSY. He definitely keeps me on my toes! This year, he was much more into the presents thing. He got an awesome John Deere truck, tractor and trailor from Grandma Valarie and Grandpa Brad.

On his actual birthday, we went to the Splash Pad in Ogden with Aunt Chelsea, Avery, Uncle Dave, Aunt Angi and Brighton. He had a really great time. On the way home, we were passing an Arctic Circle so I decided I'd spoil him and get him a cone (and of course I couldn't pass up getting myself one as well since they're so cheap; plus, the flavor of the day was blackberry...need I say more?). Well, I discovered that Gavin is allergic to ice cream - he broke out in hives. They weren't too severe, though, they seemed to have cleared up by the time his nap was over.

Then we just did presents at home with my brothers and parents. I didn't get any after shots, but these bags held a tool belt with tools (like paba) and a few church books to help him be reverent (wishful thinking on my part).

His big gift was his bike. The official name is a TOUGH trike...appropriate.

My parents gave him a stylin' new outfit complete with bomber jacket and new shoes! You can barely see it in the background...

Daddy showed him how it all worked.

Then he discovered the compartment under the seat/his own private junk drawer.

I think he liked it!

Mace was a happy camper in his bouncer.

He loved watching Gavin open his presents. He'd get all excited and his little hands would quiver with anticipation!

Then my sweetie turned 26 on the 17th! I surprised him by taking him to dinner at a yummy BBQ place, then we came home for CHOCOLATE cake and ice cream!

How'd I score such a HOTTIE?!

Our anniversary was on the 23rd. It's been a full three years!!! Who knew that life could be so great? I'm so grateful for Craig. He's such a good man. He takes such good care of us and makes it possible for me to be a stay-at-home mom. I've ALWAYS wanted that; now I can live the dream! We actually celebrated the day by going to the Oquirrh Mountain temple dedication. We were down at Brad and Valarie's and they watched our boys so we could go. It was a great meeting and a great visit down south (as always).