The Last Part of our Trip

For the last little bit in Idaho we went to lunch and celebrate Great Gram's birthday (Chris great grandma). She turned 99! And she still lives by herself, impressive. The boys found some superman capes that grandma had made for Chris and Ty when they were little. They loved them, especially Spencer. Then our last evening there grandpa suggested a picnic. Jared was Soooo excited. He helped grandma pack the car and they thought of everything: toys, juice, blankets, treats and more. We got chicken but Jared didn't want it so while we were waiting at the drive thru grandpa jumped out and went to a hamburger place close by, these kids are loved!
Spencer LOVED the corn on the cob.
And Jared enjoyed the hamburger grandpa got him.

While at the park, (candy cane park where Chris went often as a little boy) the boys had a blast and uncle Jo entertained them till the end.

We flew from Twin Falls to Salt Lake where I failed to get any pictures. But while there for the short stay we got to meet Camille's fiance. Yes she's engaged! Crazy my little sister is getting married. They are getting married July 18th in Twin Falls. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to go I'll be 33 weeks and my doctor doesn't see any problem with me going. Below is a picture of Mike's sister, Mike and Camille (got it off her facebook).Then we headed back to Chicago. The plane rides went fairly well I was just busy the whole time entertaining. When we arrived in Chicago I promised Jared he could play on the airplane in the airport since he didn't get to when we left. Chris picked us up maybe 1 1/2 to 2 hours after we landed so the boys could play.

Then the boys fell asleep in the car on the way home and we enjoyed a great evening together after 2 weeks apart.

Last Minute Trip

Chris has been really busy with work and suggested I take the boys to visit family. Since it was a quick decision we called my brother-in-law Moe and got buddy pass tickets and decided to give it a try (this was last Thursday the 26th). We weren't able to make it on the first flight and the second flight we almost did but someone came running around the corner just as we were walking down the runway to the airplane. I must admit I shed a few tears after I turned the corner away from the airline workers. I felt bad. I kept telling Jared we were going we just didn't know which plane would take us.

The boys were wonderful. We got to the airport at 8:30 and I let them run around and they wrestled, raced, and ate. They were good entertainment as well for other travelers. After missing the second flight it was after 12:00 and I decided to broaden my chances. I was only trying with United and called Moe and asked him to also get me buddy passes for Delta (twice as expensive so I was hopping to catch a United flight but at this point I just wanted to make a flight). The first Delta flight we tried (just after 1:00) we got on! Yay! The only problem was when walking between terminals we passed the "playground" and Jared really wanted to play. He was torn between the playground and going to see grandma but grandma eventually won out thank goodness!

We got seats right behind first class. Again the boys were great. Sure there was a little crying, squirming and complaining but I've traveled with Chris when the boys were much more difficult so I felt extremely lucky. I just feel bad for the guy in front of Jared, Spencer and Jared would occasionally kick his seat, but in reality he doesn't know how lucky he was because that was nothing to what they are capable of doing:)

It worked out perfectly for my parents who got off from their mission work and came straight to pick us up. The boys were both excited to be there. That evening after getting Spencer to sleep my mom took Jared swimming and I later joined them. After that he was being good but needed to go to bed. He wanted a sucker and I said no. He then suggested we cut his hair so he could have a sucker. Deal! So I went to town with the trimmers working on the sides and was working on the sides with the scissors when Jared decided he had enough. Tired 3-year-old and tired mom don't mix, I don't know what I was thinking! I proceeded. He had a few jerky movements and one in which I cut my knuckle good. I tried to continue but eventually gave up because I didn't like how I was acting and Jared wasn't getting better, oh and he woke up Spencer with one of his screams.

In the morning I finished the job (I was already done with the clippers) in the bathtub. While I was at it I decided to cut Spencer's hair too. Both turned out great but I miss Spencer's curls. I can't wait till they grow out again.

After Spencer woke up from his morning nap we went down to see grandma and grandpa at their mission and eat lunch with them. We went through the church history museum and then to the north visitors center on Temple Square to wait for gradma and grandpa's shift to end. Jared loved the videos of the 2,000 stripling warriors. I tried to gravitate him towards Nephi and building a ship or hunting animals but he wanted the killing one. He's really into killing and dying. Doesn't get the concept and not sure how to approach that one but we are working on it.

(My mom dressed the boys up at the Church History Museum as a shepherd and angel)

Lucky for us we hit the weekend when my nephew David was getting baptised and nephew Jacob getting the priesthood. My parents took us up to Idaho (they got permission) where we spent a wonderful weekend with family. Sunday night all of my sisters got together and played games and talked until we knew we'd be paying for it the next day.

(my sister Heidi and her family. From left to right

Back row: Paul, Emily, Heidi, Jacob

Front row: David, Mikey, Kimball and Katie)

(Cherie and Spencer, I think Spencer looks a lot like Chris' mom)
(Playing with cousins at my parents house)

Now I'm enjoying having help from family. I got to go to the temple with my mother-in-law while my sister watched my kids. Jared can't get enough of cousins and grandma (Chris' mom lives in same hometown). Cherie has been so great! One day Jared wouldn't go down for a nap, which is fine but I wanted him to stay in the room for awhile at least looking at books. So Cherie ended up going in with him and reading to him. What a great grandma! Those boys are so lucky:)

(Jared and Spencer have also enjoyed the cats at Grandma's house. I think the cats are a little less estatic)

Since being here I was able to meet up with my cousin Christy and her daughter Liberty for the first time since she was born. What a cutie! Love her blue eyes and dark hair and Christy has her done up soo cute too. It was fun talking and catching up a little.

To further show what a saint Cherie is she graciously accepted my idea to watch my two sister's youngest kids at her house Friday morning (7 kids including my own). I didn't expect or want her to feel obligated to watch the kids with me but she was there the whole time when she could have showered or done other things and she enjoyed it! The kids were really good and well behaved, the only thing I'm not as used to is the noise level :)

(For your enjoyment I'm including Jared with his cousins playing the Wii. Check out Mikey's, the red head, moves)

Not sure when we'll be coming home. I want to come home before Easter but you never know with stand-by when you'll catch a flight. I miss Chris and feel horrible that he's working so hard while we get to enjoy good company. I really can't wait to get back and see him. Miss you!

Fun Weekend :)

Our weekend started early Thursday when we got to watch our friend Andrea's baby Paisley. They're from Idaho and were up for women's conference. She was an absolute doll while here. She napped well, smiled lots, and ate well. My boys loved her company (although Jared at first took everything away from her like toys and her bottle and would say, "No, that's Spencer's!") Then in the afternoon Grandma Meservy came down early for Andy's graduation. What a good way to start an early weekend off!

Then Friday morning we went to south Salt Lake to get my hair cut by my cousin Marcy. She is AmAzInG!!! I always leave loving my cut. It's been awhile since she's cut my hair and I've had a couple good cuts I've liked okay but not loved. I don't know why I haven't made the effort to go up to her long before now. I tell her what I want, my concerns, and question her the whole time she's styling my hair so I can try and do it as good as she does. Without fail I can never do it as well but the techniques and hints she gives really do help!

For the cut I went short and got bangs. I haven't had bangs forever more short wisps and a couple stylists told me I shouldn't have bangs when I asked for them. The bangs are the one thing that is taking me awhile to adjust to. Sometimes I like them and other times I catch myself off guard when looking in the mirror. It'll just take time...

After my cut our little family went to Andy's graduation (Ashley's husband). Congrats Andy!!! The convocation was a little long especially for a two year old (3 hours), so we spent a lot of the time in the hall (but most the time he wanted grandma). After graduation we went out for lunch and then headed up to Wyoming. My brother and his wife had their little girl last month and blessed her this past Sunday. They live on a ranch by Mardy's family and it really is beautiful. When we got there Jared made himself right at home and Spencer was just thrilled to be out of the car. Jared had a ball while we were up there. He got to ride the four wheeler and tractor, climb in trucks and old tractors, play with dogs, throw rocks and dried poo (he had a hard time telling rocks apart from droppings), play with cousins and more! While there I noticed he was getting several slivers in his little hands but he didn't and still isn't complaining. I've only gotten one sliver out but I guess it hurts more to get them out then to just leave them in. It was fun for me to see my brother and his wife and their beautiful little girl. She's got Mardy's nose and it's so cute! It's so fun to watch your big brother hold his baby. They love her so much and really does show. Clairee really is lucky! Siblings:) Me, Heidi, Valerie, and Trent

Megan, Valerie, Mardy, Clairee, Me, Spencer, Heidi, and Emily. We all had baby's about within a year of each other. Angela not pictured also had Micah within that time frame too! If you ever want a good host/hostess head on up to Wyoming. We were fed well, laughed lots, and enjoyed the scenery and breath of fresh air! The only down side to our trip was the ride home. Spencer was being really fussy so I ended up sitting squeezed between Jared and Spencer's car seats. It kept Spencer happy but was not that comfortable for me. Oh what we'll do to save our ears!

Mardy's brother Gus giving Jared a ride:)

All in all it was a wonderful fun-filled weekend and I'm so glad we made the trip to Wyoming!