Sunny 9 for 2007 July 16 (entry 0)

(1) Mon Jul 16 2007 13:54 Zion and everything after: We have been back for over a week from our Summer vacation. It seems like I am so far behind in blogging that I keep putting it off causing me to put it off even further because I know the next time I sit down it will require more than a few minutes. But I will try and keep the rundown brief so I don't end up with a page and a half of text.

First we flew into Phoenix and stayed with Aaron's sister Melanie and Joe and the kids Collin, Kate, Logan, and Seth. It was the first time in 9 months that I got to see the twins in person (both sets for that matter. Lucky and Laney were so adorable and always dressed in the cutest outfits.), and they had just moved into their new house so I loved getting to see that. I can't wait to see it after all the decor and painting projects are done too. Gunnar played very well with Logan and Seth. Lily adored her cousins...all of them. She and Kate probably played the most in AZ since they are closest in age, but at Zion's she got to see Caden and Lily coupled with Caden and Ethan were the new rat pack. Kate introduced Lily into the world of make believe and pretend and followed suite making the princess fall in love with Prince Eric.

In fact after we got home I heard Lily playing with her dolls saying "Let's get naked. hehe Yay, we're naked." Not quite sure what to think about that. It's probably harmless though since we chase her after the bath and say "naked baby". And I guess it is nothing new since almost every time Lily and Caden played together they would eventually end up naked or just in their diapers. One time I heard Lily in her room with Caden saying, "Come on Caden, let's get naked." But seriously, I know Lily had a fabulous time everyday. I bet she was having the time of her life because she just loves people and she loves playing with her cousins and she throughly enjoyed all the activities that went on everyday.

At Zion National Park we had a great time going to the river, doing the activities after dinner with the group, seeing the beautiful red rock scenery, and catching up with all the cousins. I lucked out because Aaron has such an awesome family/extended family. I feel like all his cousins are my cousins. We got in some solid Werewolf game time. I am not sure I could ever get sick of this game. And yes, we did repeat the tradition of last year by playing into the wee hours of the morning.

On the way home from the family reunion we stopped at the Grand Canyon. I had been once before as a child but it is nice to redo things in your life like this and see it as an adult since I barely remembered it. Gunnar pretty much hated being in his car seat the entire way there and home. It was not a pretty sight. The poor boy has not been healthy since his 6 month shots which gave him a cold and fever, then teething which brought on another cold and fevers, then a week and a half later just about after the first trauma was over, he got a second tooth and right before we got home he was spiking hot hot fevers come to find out he had an ear infection in each ear. Other than that Gunnar did well on the trip. Sleeping wasn't too bad. He got really good at sitting up on his own for long periods of time and without having the help of his arms supporting himself. He scooted around pretty good. He has been eating all kinds of baby food like crazy. He has begun to stare and Lily and just crack up from watching her silliness. He developed stranger anxiety on the trip but I think it is mainly because he was ill most the time. He was very clingy with me. Someone would be holding him and he would see me walk by and he would start fussing. It took me by surprise, Lily never really did that. Gunnar is a mama's boy though so it figures. He has always been really good about letting strangers hold him. I just forgot how bad teething is. They get so fussy and so clingy.

Onto the 4th of July, we had a BBQ at Aaron's parents house. We went home (Mel and Joe's) afterward and didn't stay up to watch fireworks because we were so beat after traveling till 1:00 in the morning the night before. The kids were done for too. We did make it to church at the Springdale ward at the chapel at Zion's that Sunday, which was nice because it seems like I missed church the year before and I love singing the patriotic songs. It's one of the best parts about the 4th.

Aaron had to leave early to go back home and study for the boards that he is taking this week. In case you don't know, it's a big deal test. We missed him and I survived the plane trip home with Gunnar and Lily by myself but not before I wrapped up my vacation with a trip to Cafe Rio. Gotta love their chicken salads...the best!

It is great to be back home. We have lots of work to do around the house. I can't believe the summer is almost over. Aaron has school starting up again next Monday. The year is halfway over too and it feels like we just barely got into 2007. I am already looking into Christmas travel plans. Strange.

A side note about my pictures post. Some of them are blurred, mainly the ones we took at the Grand Canyon. I am so bummed and I can't believe how dense I was seeing the LCD screen and thinking it was some malfunction and not thinking to wipe the smudge that was on the lens. Duh! At least most of them turned out.

Comments:

Posted by Jenni at Tue Jul 17 2007 23:46

Ahh--good summer vacations are the best!!! Sorry Gunnar was a bit under the weather though--no fun! Glad we could see you guys!!!