Utah Easter

So, off to Utah and all my mom's family. Going to Utah is very bitter

sweet for me. It's great to see Adam, my younger brother, friends, my mom's sisters and brother, and most of my cousins, but being around all of them reminds me so much of my mom. Her sisters and her all shared similar attributes, varying in each sister. Aunt Lorraine and mom have the same hands, I hear my mom's voice at times when Aunt Yvonne speaks, mom's love for her grandchildren in mirrored by Aunt Karen, and her unceasing laughter is echoed by my Aunt Tammy. I cherish them all so much for who they are to me, and what they have become to my children; placeholders in their lives of where Granma once was. Women to teach them about the woman who holds a special place in their hearts. Angels on earth to fulfill the role of one who cherishes Livi and Aaron's childhood wonder and play. 

We met up with Dad and Gee when we got to Voni's house to have an early celebration of Gee and Adam's 25th birthday. A lot of the cousins were there and ALL 5 sets of aunts and uncles were there! Pretty impressive. It was fun, as always to visit with everyone. And like always, my younger cousins kept the young great grandchildren in heaven. (On the ride up I wasn't sure where we were going to stay that night. I asked the kids if they wanted to stay at Sean and Liz's or at Aunt Voni's. Aaron emphatically shouted, "Aunt Voni, Aunt Voni!" Okay, that was settled.) Livi got to sleep with Gee, which is pretty customary on trips like this, and Aaron bunked with me. 

8 o'clock the next morning, Livi and Gee were coloring Easter eggs. Angie and Dad were

 to drive home Saturday so Angie wanted to get some of the festivities in before she left.  Too bad The two of them were up 'til one in the morning laughing. (Angie blamed it all on Olivia.) Our cousin Chloe came over to watch and Uncle Adam came over to join in the fun as well. Livi found a new art medium... eggs! 

I think she ended up doing 3 dozen, at least, over the course of the day. My younger cousins, Alyssa and Natalie, hid eggs for the younger ones (Chloe, Jacob [both cousins],

Livi and Aaron) and gave out paper bags for an egg hunt. Sean and Liz's little girl Kate (the kids' "cousin" according to Olivia) even joined us for the festivities. All the kids had a blast. It was a great day.

That night we had dinner with the Williams' and spent the night there as well.

Easter morning.

We attended Easter Sunday church with the Williams' in their ward after "opening" Easter baskets. The kids were excited to see their new jump rope (for Livi) and spill proof bubbles (for Aaron) and of course all the candy. For church Livi wanted to wear the same blue Easter dress that Gretchen had given her last year. It fit, and this Easter she actually felt good enough to enjoy it. She also got to wear her special gloves that my mom had given to her for her 3rd birthday. After church we went to Tammy's for a snack and then had  an egg hunt at Yvonne's. 

The Easter bunny told Uncle Randy where the eggs where, so he was able to help. The kids really enjoyed being able to find

some outside in the "warm" 65 degree sunshine. The kids then hid the eggs for Adam to find. Adam was always the last one to find the eggs at home, this year was no different. Aaron grew impatient and started finding them for Adam. Aaron did prove to be quite the little egg finder. He surprised all of us at how aware he was.

Easter dinner was spent at Aunt Karen and Uncle Bill's house. Adam and a girl friend, Erika, joined us for the evening. It was a very nice way to spend the afternoon/evening. We were able to talk a lot and reminisce about my mom. Aunt Karen had little Easter baskets made up for

the kids, and as usual made me cry at how aware she was as to the TLC my kids' need from another Grandma. Uncle Bill even got tears from me when he pulled Olivia onto his lap so she could open her birthday present from them. So special.

 

The meal was fabulous and the company was even better. Their 3 girls were there, Kira, Anna, and 

Andrea, which are always fun to chat with. Anna's 4 beautiful toe-heads kept my kids entertained.  And for dessert, individual bunny cakes for the kids and sherbet angel cake for the grown-ups!

Monday the kids and I played with Liz, Kate and Dylan for a while. The kids enjoyed the sunshine and Livi learned to jump rope! We picked up Adam and took him out to lunch for his actual 25th birthday. We went to Five Guys, a burger joint from the east coast. On the phone, when I told Bill where we had eaten for lunch, he said that he had eaten there the previous night. It's like In and Out with thicker patties, grosser fries and more expensive. The idea of the restaurant is the same. Good burgers though. It's always so much fun for me to be able to talk with my brother, the kids adore him. Aaron refuses to call him anything except "Uncle Adam" which comes out sounding like, "Unka Agam".

Monday night the kids and I had plans to stay with the Lovell's, some friends of ours a bit further north, in Sandy, but things didn't work out and we were able to stay with the Williams an extra night, which the kids responded to with , "YEAHHHH!!!" We made one of my favorites, beef stroganoff, for dinner and I didn't even taste it. I was sick. I never threw up, thank goodness, but I sure wanted to. UGH! I didn't know what I was going to do the next day driving home.

I got a good night's rest, but, I'm never sick. (We always joke that everyone else can get sick, just not mommy.) Wow, did it wipe me out. 1 1/2 hours into our drive I could not stay awake, it's about a 6 hour trip. I didn't know what to do. I did recognize the overwhelming evidence that I was not going to make it so I finally gave in. I pulled off on a non-service exit, parked the car and told the kids mommy needed a nap. They were not to touch the doors or windows no matter what happened. If they saw anyone they were to wake me up right away. I was out in a matter of minutes. I didn't even unbuckle the kids from their seats. They watched their movie and didn't complain once. When I woke up about 30 - 40 minutes later, all they said was, "Mommy, I'm sorry you're sick." They were great. We stopped and ate some lunch, I was feeling a bit better and then finished our trip home. 

The kids make traveling so easy. They were fantastic there and back. It's great to be able to take advantage of distant family living so close. We love when we get to visit everyone there!

Aaron's rounds

(This is so far behind schedule.)

 Things worked out well, Natalie left Thursday night and the kids and I drove to Utah, Provo area, Friday morning. Bill had a trip that he was leaving for on Easter Sunday so he stayed behind. Aside from the fact that Aaron threw up all Thursday night and left me tired for the drive, everything went well. 

Here's the actual post. This is solely for journaling, feel free to read and respond but I am not to be held accountable for queasy stomachs: We don't know why Aaron threw up. He doesn't get sick like that, and nothing came after that night. Bill and I were down stairs trying to pack up for the trip and all of a sudden we hear a very high pitched voice coming from upstairs. Bill runs up and yells down, "Uh Rachel, I think I'm going to need your help with this one!" Aaron sleeps on his back, my guess, he choked on the vomit and created the high pitched noise. After the initial flow we could tell that he wasn't done, he couldn't get comfortable. Bill laid down with him in our bed while I tried to get some more things done for the trip. Soon Aaron was laying on the carpet just outside the bathroom where I was. He got squirmy and I pulled him forward onto the linoleum just in time. Round two. When it was over he grabbed a little square of toilet paper, which is all the strength he could muster, walked over to the mess on the bathroom floor and proceeded to clean it up. I quickly stopped him and smiled sympathetically at his response, "I sorry mommy, I didn't mean to." What a sweetheart. The night was full of "rounds" which soon became dry heaves every hour on the hour. In the morning, a brand new day. Aaron was playing with his sister and asking for breakfast first thing as usual. As for me... well, how is it that the mom never gets to recover?

Early Easter

Grandma Susie... such a blessing in our lives. With Easter 3 days away the kids received

a much welcomed package in the mail. I don't know where she finds them, but her Easter snacks are ALWAYS a hit! The camo underoos and lace socks were also such a treat! Thank you Grandma. We LOVE YOU!

Keep 'em coming

One visitor after another... I love it! A lot of people say, "Oh, we don't want to be a bother." My response, "Are you KIDDING?!" I love when people come see our world. And I've decided, back to back company is actually more easy than it sounds... everything is already clean!

So, the weekend with Papa and Gee finished great. Saturday night we went to an authentic Mexican restaurant, Lindo Michocan. On the menu is a name of a city in Mexico that if properly said on the first try to your waiter you get free churros. I gave it a shot and the waiter said that I got it right on. (I've always felt that I should be fluent... I would love to live where I'd have to use it.) Sunday was nice. We laid low and watched conference, or as much as you can in a warm room with a comfy couch and two boisterous kids!!! Monday Papa and Gee left early and the kids and I went on a bike ride. I pulled the kids behind me in the trailer. It was a tough ride pulling about 100 lbs. for 7.5 miles. Nothing east to west is flat around us so as I was coming west and struggling to keep my rear in the saddle I shouted back at the kids to cheer me on. "Go mommy, Go mommy!!!" (Livi had fallen asleep at this point, Aaron was great.) We got home and barely had time to get ready to pick up Natalie from the airport. Natalie Cabezud is a friend of mine since we were 3 years old. We don't get to talk very often and see eachother even less, but when we get together I always have a great time. This trip didn't disappoint.

 

Originally Bill was going to be in town but then was to be out on assignment, then, he was pushed back so he was in fact home for Natalie's stay. The kids were so excited to have her come. Olivia kept telling Aaron, "You know Natalie. She's mom's really tall friend, taller than Daddy. Her mom is Pat and her dad Frank took you down the lazy river... remember?" (Boy, we'd better remember, 'cause her memory is razor sharp!)

After picking her up we ate lunch back at the house and then attempted the park. Unfortunately we were invaded by about 40 youth from the YMCA due to spring break so we retreated into the library. It was nice having an extra set of eyes and hands to help with the kids. The kids had a blast with Natalie at the grocery store. She ran them up and down the aisles with the shopping cart. At one point I could hear them screaming from the extreme opposite corner of the store! 

Tuesday was great weather so we took advantage of it and headed out to Red Rock Canyon. It has been quite a while since we last went and it was wonderful to be back. I think it was the most perfect weather we have ever had there. It was a bit more crowded than usual, due to spring break once again, but we were able to find our spots and enjoy our explorations and picnic. In true Aaron fashion he lay down every chance he got and of course wanted to be carried. It was great being able to share a special place with a very special friend.

Wednesday, we did the "tourist" thing and went down to the strip. When Natalie and I had come down in October of 2007 I bought some name art for the kids down on the strip and Natalie wanted to get one for her brand new baby nephew. No luck finding the art but we did have an awesome time at the Belagio. This was our first time seeing the conservatory inside the Belagio, having gelato there, and the kids first time seeing the water fountains out front. 

The conservatory was incredible! My mom would have been in heaven... tulips were

EVERYWHERE! I didn't even know that tulips could look the way they did. All kinds of flowers, water art, a butterfly house... so wonderful. We noticed it as soon as we walked through the doors; instead of the normal hotel/casino smell of stale air and smoke, the aroma of pollen almost knocked you over. I could've stayed there all day long.

The kids and I shared a strawberry gelato dessert (the chocolate fountain is real, in case there

was any doubt)  and then we went outside to watch the show. It was fantastic. Natalie and I loved it. The kids loved it. It was great. (The last time I had seen a show was with my mom, and some others, it was a nice memory to play in my mind.)

Wednesday night we were fortunate enough to find a GREAT babysitter last minute and go

out with us adults. Bill took us on a VIP tour of his office. I was very honored and Natalie was thrilled. She loves all the crime/law programs on TV, so this was a great somewhat behind the scenes look as to what it really looks like. It was really neat.

Afterwards we walked from Bill's work to Freemont St. to partake in the "Freemont Street experience". We experienced it... and will now let others know that they don't need to. Natalie asked, "Is it rude to think some people should not reproduce?" Mine and Bill's thoughts exactly.

Thursday, and Natalie's flight home came all too quickly. We relaxed all day and tried to decide which of the 4 color splotches on my living room wall should gain permanent residency. She also took me down to Home Goods to help me get an idea of accessories that could work for the space. Natalie, like her mother, is so good at that sort of thing. Now I just wonder when she's going to come back to put it all together.

I had such a great time with my childhood friend. We had many conversations that only Natalie can make great. She has truly been blessed with outstanding communication skills and I love learning from her charisma. Until next time... we'll be missing you.

Next...

We left off with Aaron riding his bike on Saturday, March 28th, feet taped to the pedals, by Thursday of the following week he was riding freely!!! It is great! Friday was spent with much anticipation waiting for Papa and Gee to get to town. It was fantastic having them here for a short weekend and we tried to take advantage of the time as best as possible. Luckily Bill was

home so the weekend was even that much better. Saturday we took a road trip to Valley of Fire and the Hoover Dam. Two incredible sights, and definitely do-able in one day. 

This was Angie's first experience climbing red rocks. Just wait 'til you get to Red Rock Canyon!
Aaron still loves to slide. This was a rather significant one.

Thanks to Papa for carrying Livi's purse. Every good hiker needs their lip-gloss!

The rock that Bill is "holding" up and I'm next too was incredibly balanced.  The picture below 

does a much better job at seeing the Lord's hand. Although it was conference weekend, gotta love DVR, it was awesome seeing the beauty in the world around us. I have never been able to actually see bees pollenating, and on a cactus flower no less. Very cool.

We even got a rare glimpse of the "Starship Enterprise".

I didn't get any great pictures of it, but lake Mead was beautiful. Who knew that it was sooo

blue?! It was sad to see how low it is but awesome at the same time to see the color variation in the rock. We could even see the fish swimming just under the surface.

The bridge that is being built at the Hoover Dam was amazing. Dad said he thought he remembered seeing something on it on Discovery Channel. I think I could've stared at it all day. I have always been fascinated with bridges; how they are built and how they function. I loved it!

Much to our dismay there wasn't a big line drawn down the road marking Nevada/Arizona like

in the all time greatest movie, "Fools Rush In". We did however find this. We even got "Dam" buttons and "Dam" stickers. For the next several days Olivia liked emphasizing that we went to the "Dam" for no other reason than she heard us joking about it. Clearly a mormon thing!!!

Very cool!

First things first

As much as I very much want to finish documenting our trip to Orlando, it is a very daunting task that I have run out of steam for doing a good job on. So, instead of my whole journal going to pot, I've decided to take a break from the trip and get back to the every day events that make our world go 'round. I will return to the trip at a better time and give it the attention it deserves. As for now...

On Thursday, we had returned home Wednesday, we were able to get in touch with our friends who had come to Vegas for a conference. The Williams, Sean and Liz, brought their little girl Kate and introduced us to their 3 month old Dylan. What a cutie. It was nice to beable to spend time with them and simply visit. We didn't feel like we had to "go and do" just visit was what we did and it was great. Friday, our ward had a Lip Sync competition that Livi and I performed in. So, the Williams were good sports and tagged along. Livi had been invited to participate in a primary lip sync where a few boys mouthed along to Beach Boys "Fun Fun Fun" and the other

primary kids were the beach scene. By watching Olivia's reaction during and after performance one might have thought she was the SHOW! She came off the stage absolutely beaming, and so proud of the job she had done moving her wave back and forth. Performer? I think it's definitely a possibility. The picture of the kids with the two girls are our friends the Woods'. They're in our ward, their dad works with Bill, and the girls, Ashlyn and Ellie are each just a few months younger than Livi and Aaron. 

I decided to show my support for my Young Women's organization, in which I'm the Beehive Advisor (beehive's are the girls in church that are ages 12-13, I teach Sunday lessons and help

with activities once a week.), and joined them in a Lip Sync to "Welcoming the 60's" from the musical "Hairspray". Besides my shoe coming off during a kick and me almost losing my balance and then being surprised by torrential amounts of hairspray being sprayed on us from behind, it was a lot of fun. I'm glad I had the chance to participate. All the acts were so fun to watch. The primary chorister, a man that makes Papa T seem small did "Leader of the Pack" with his girls, and came out on stage with a long wig on riding a little girl's bicycle. HILARIOUS!

Saturday we all splurged and went to Cafe Rio for FREE FOOD! It was "customer appreciation day". Basically, they were trying to increase their sales volume in Vegas to look a little more like Utah's. I don't know if it worked but we all enjoyed it!!!

Sunday, the Williams' departed back for home in Utah and late Tuesday night we were graced with another visit from Uncle Adam and a few of his friends. Zach, Dan, and Mike, accompanied Adam as they made their way down to San Diego for a cruise with their singles ward. They ended up having a great time on their cruise, but I don't think it was as good a time as my kids had with them. Wednesday morning the guys watched the kids while I went on a run... (with this wind lately I felt like I was running in a wind tunnel... the wrong way!) then we went to Chuck E. Cheese's. I didn't know that there was such a thing as a professional Skee Baller, but Dan is one! Wow! The tickets that guy racked up!!! We ordered pizzas and played games and just had fun. I can't believe I didn't take my camera!

With all the wind it's been hard to get outside, so we brought the outside in and set up our TeePee/Tent/Tunnel set from Grandpa and Nana and had a picnic. The kids loved it.

We enjoyed a fun Saturday outside in the sunshine riding bikes. Aaron was finally able to get the idea of pedaling a big boy bike. Granted we taped his feet to the pedals so he didn't have 

much of a choice but he did get it. 2 things: 1. We couldn't get the right pedal screwed on tight enough and so every lap the whole thing would just come off. 2. Don't ever, and I mean EVER leave your kid's side while he's learning to ride a bike and his feet are taped to the pedals! No matter how good they're doing their bound to fall and fall Aaron did. But, because his feet were fastened, he couldn't help himself. Thank goodness Grandma got him a good helmet so he didn't smash his face in. We ran as fast as we could in flip flops and when he was pulled up, bike 'n' all, he said, "Me okay." Such a trooper and a tough little guy!

And, he's very BOY! We all came inside while he stayed outside and through the open front

door we saw naked little bum cheeks! Aaron had pulled his pants down and was PEEING IN THE STREET! He has never seen this before... where on earth did he get this idea? Papa T. would be proud of his grandson conserving water. I raced to grab my camera but unfortunately out of instinct shouted out his name first. He quickly pulled up his drawers and shamed himself into the concrete. Too cute to get mad at. SUCH A BOY!