Can you tell that I'm trying to get the most out of this "under 2 is free" on airlines thing? haha. I am absolutely dreading May 9th, 2011. Brycen becomes an "adult" according to airlines and enters the terrible 2s....oh, joy.
Anywho, yup, went to Utah again and had a blast. However, getting there was quite the different story. You see, all summer, we were notified that we would be getting new windows BUT you wouldn't know until 24 hours in advance that they are doing your apartment. "Any day but Tuesday, Any day BUT Tuesday!" is what I said for weeks before our trip (we leave 3:30am Wednesday morning). WELL, Tuesday it is. Of course. What does that mean? Well...all items have to be away at least 5 feet from all windows...windows make up 2 full walls of our 4 wall-ed, 500 square feet apartment...and on top of that, the maintenance crews, feel like they can demand the need for paths to get to and from the windows. SO instead of cleaning and packing for the trip like I planned on doing Monday and Tuesday of that week, I was instead, forming mountains. Since all our stuff barely fits using up every inch of our apartment...going up was the only solution. Oh and did I mention? We are required to be out of the apartment the day of installation from 8am-5pm.
Well, I have a very good friend that welcomed us into her home for the entire day and it really was lovely to have a place to go to for naps and meals and such. However, the rest of the evening was insane. First putting together the beds so that we had somewhere to sleep, and then trying to pack and finding out that the things I needed were at the base of every single mountain (yes, yes I was too stressed and short on time to really plan ahead). We ended up going to bed...rather a nap at 2am and starting our new day at 3:30am. Bryce not only then had to drive 1.5 hours each way to the airport, but had orientation straight until 11pm that night. Poor guy (that's partially the reason why Brycen and I decided to do this trip, orientation goes from 7am to 11pm all week...not fun for anyone). Good news though! We love our new windows! I think we will keep them. We have officially entered into the whelm of double paned windows in our 1940s apartment. We are proud.
Brycen did wonderfully on the planes, as long as he was entertained-like usual. Which was extra hard since we were both so tired, but he did eventually crash and so did I! I was out! And that says a lot since I never can sleep on planes. Oh! We did encounter our first anti-kid airplane crew though....actually more like anti-kid plane (all business people fly in the morning...beware). Maybe it was just because it was so early but I could almost see the stewardess roll her eyes as Brycen and I entered the plane. I think I also made her super ticked during the "safety procedure"routine ( I didn't know this at the time, it later occurred to me). The same grumpy stewardess was in charge of doing the routine for our section of the plane and must've been watching me, not watching her. haha. After flying so much (I think this is Brycen's 20 something flight, it sounds like we fly more than we do, but every one way flight is 2, since we always have a lay over somewhere), I know the safety procedure by heart and always listen and (usually watch) but that morning, Brycen was in great need of being entertained anyway possible and so we were looking out the window, me pointing to all the other planes. So when she came by to do the "secure your mask first, then the child's" it came out as "If you were paying attention miss, you would know that you need to secure your mask first then the child's" and then she added a "in case of emergency, you're dead" glare. Heart warming indeed.
Who could be anti-kid after seeing this precious face?
When we arrived in Utah, I called my mom and she told me to wait inside until she pulls up because it's so hot. Hot--my mom and I have two very different definitions :) 100 degrees plus 120% humidity (:)) == hot...91 degrees plus very low, if any humidity==ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!! The dry heat is one of the many things I miss about Utah.
Fun/Weird Facts about this Utah trip:
1) I ran every day with either my cousins or sister! In that altitude and given my attitude about running...quite the accomplishment indeed.
And was able to attend a friend's baby blessing and a former co-worker's wedding reception..gotta love Utah!
2) It's cold in the mountains, no matter the season.
We dressed for Summer...
And got this...
Rainy/ windy/ very cold day
Apparently I'm funny looking...
Pretty cool mine though. Very big! It can be seen from space!
3) Brycen was born a wonderful pianist (especially when he pushes certain buttons).
He played the piano every chance he got!
4) Grandparents are amazing.
So my dad made the mistake of giving Brycen a taste of his drink...
And...Brycen finished (half that big glass!) the rest of it. Absolutely loved it...what was it might you ask? Cherry Dr. Pepper. He's definitely my son (Dr. Pepper is my favorite!) but I purposely don't buy it for this reason..
"Grandpa is my new favorite!"
For the rest of the stay, Brycen had to look inside every cup Grandpa ever held (Grandpa was smart to not bring soda around Brycen anymore). One day, without thinking, I grabbed a big, blue cup and filled it with water. Brycen was very disappointed when he looked into my cup and found that it wasn't dark liquid; wouldn't even sip it. To this day...he's still looking...one day, we had chocolate milk and he was so excited...until he tried it. What kid doesn't like chocolate milk? One that knows better tasting dark liquid is out there (Mommy definitely agrees).
We also visited Great Grandpa Shields in the hospital after his heart surgery.
Brycen was so proud of Grandpa, he gave him a high five!
5) Green is a popular color.
Summer is not complete without watermelon! (This is Brycen with three of MY first cousins).
We only brought one pair of church clothes....and it worked out better than planned. Apparently, without even thinking, I usually have Brycen and I dress alike.
These are the only two grandkids on my mom's side.
6) Family reunions are fun.
With one of Daddy's cousins, Kassie. Gotta love Brycen's double chin.
Aunts come in handy..
Right-handed he is. Whoever invented sidewalk chalk=genius.
7) Uncles were purely invented for Brycen's enjoyment.
Brycen knows how to get his way. He goes, collects the uncles, and personally escorts them back to his toys.
...and then tugs until they sit down( the very method Brycen continues to use daily, hourly with Mommy at home).
8) We had fun but we sure missed Daddy.
Daddy's a keeper, indeed.
