We got to see one of Dallin's brothers and fam that we hadn't seen in years! The kids clicked immediately and had a great time playing. Kaia and Whitney (their only girl out of six kids) spent two whole days playing barbies and we pretty much only saw them when it was time to eat. Talmage loved having a boy his age that he could wrestle with and Andan had so much to see and do that he never had to bug Talmage.
We then went the extra 40 minutes to Dallin's grandparents' farm to spend some time with them. Again, the kids had a blast. What's not to love about playing on swings, slides, merry-go-rounds, trampolines, dirt and 4-wheelers all day? Andan especially loved the dogs. That boy loves the outdoors and animals. We adults had a great time playing games almost all day. I have to say that, for once, I won almost every game I played. Now I know how Dallin always feels- it was great! We also enjoyed some fabulous home cooked meals which included pancakes and eggs cooked outside on a giant brick oven griddle, fresh grown corn and tomatos, real whole milk, and self churned butter! Talmage is always asking for milk at home, but he must have had a hole in one toe because he could not get enough of Grandpa's fresh milk. Although I don't really consider myself a country girl (I need my Target, craft stores, and just general civilization) but I could definitely enjoy a life of relative self sufficiency with a couple of cows, pigs, chickens, and a large garden.
When we finally had to leave we broke up the trip by again stopping in Vegas where we were able to stay at my brother's house. Vegas really does nothing for me and I don't even really like to visit the Strip anymore so I thoroughly enjoyed hanging out at my brother's place and enjoying his pool and having nothing to do. I may have even convinced Dallin that a pool may be more of a necessity than a luxury (or at least it's a luxury that is worth indulging in!)
Unfortunately though, that too had to end and we had to return home exhausted but grateful for the great time that we had!
Time has just kept ticking with my mom and sister coming three days after we got back home (I barely had time to do the laundry). We celebrated my mom's birthday then she was off to her trip in Europe.
Then we have spent much of this week celebrating Dallin's birthday.
It has been a great month, but I think I need another vacation!
It is so hard to get back into blogging because so much has happened that I hardly even know where to start- so I'll start where my camera ends: with the three cutest (albeit crazy, hyper, dramatic, funny, into everything, can't leave their siblings alone, happiest, helpiest-that's a word right?-, smartest, most adorable...) kiddos ever!
And isn't my little gir... I mean... boy so adorable!?! (Hair styling compliments of his sister. Don't worry, he has gotten a haircut since then.)
For the longest time Andan just had two teeth on top and two teeth on the bottom in the front. Then he got four molars. He is finally (at nearly 16 months) getting the other four of his front teeth. Oh well, it hasn't stopped him from chowing down on all kinds of "real"food. This boy is a social eater. Even if he just ate, he insists on having whatever you are having. He insisted early on to feed himself (which I know many moms love but it makes me cringe- really, a nine-month old in full control of a spoon and soupy whatever-it-is?) but he is actually very careful with his spoon (he just loves to practice his pitching arm or the see-how-long-it-takes-mom-to-notice-my-stealthy-drop-it-over-the-edge-method with whatever food might be left when he is done). It is cute to watch him eat his cereal like a big boy (in a bowl with milk) including drinking the milk from the bowl!
