Viva Las Vegas!

We were told that flying standby for a weekend in Vegas was a bit tricky . . . and so it was!  We had a hotel deal we bought months ago, but when the flights to Vegas on Friday were booked, they were kind enough to move our reservations to the next day.  The 9:30 am flight for Saturday morning looked good.  When we got up and checked the flights the 9:30 flight was way over-booked (I still don't understand how things change so quickly) but 8:30 flight looked better, so we rushed around finishing things up and headed to the airport. This was by far, the MOST stuff we had on the trip.  Since we were in a hotel, renting a car, we had to bring everything!!  2 carseats, 2 carry-ons, a pack and play, a double stroller, a backpack and a laptop bag (oh yes, we had 2 kids in tow as well - so 10 items total).  I love the double stroller for many reason, but it was difficult to push with one hand and the other on a carry-on, so I still haven't found the solution to my troubles of traveling alone with 2 kids.

The flight was short and Dave took the kids.  Jackson was excited and thus, was being a pill, and I forgot the much loved itouch, so it was a tough flight.

Since 7:30 we had moved the 10 items into the car, to the shuttle bus, through security, onto the plane, off the plane, onto another shuttle bus and into the rental compact car.  We were in Vegas by 10 am seeing the sights.  It has been a while since we've seen it so it was fun to remember and see all the new things as well.

Since we travel so much, we do it differently than most people.  Most people use their vacation to spend money and do as much as possible.  We know that every cent we spend is one less trip we can take, so we try and spend as little as possible so we can go to more places while we still have these benefits.  Thus, we spent our time doing anything free we could.  We saw a movie at M &M world, we walked the strip, rode a tram, eat at a buffet, saw the Bellagio fountains and gardens, saw the shows and games at Circus Circus.

Our first attempt to use our child as our photographer . . .he didn't cut our heads off!

This was the first time we have had kids in a hotel room.   Going to sleep was easy because both kids were exhausted and fell asleep in the stroller and car before we even made it back to the hotel.  Hallie had been awake since 7 am with only a 20 minute stroller nap and was still so pleasant, happy and smiley.  She is incredibly resilient and willing to be put through the ringer for no benefit to herself.  Jackson woke up at 1 am and couldn't get back to sleep in a strange place for 1 hour.  It was very annoying that we were so tired and he was loud and kicking us, etc, but finally he went back to sleep.

Sunday we found a church near the temple.  We walked in late and immediately Jackson was loud and annoying and Hallie started screaming.  It was totally embarrassing in a very quiet and reverent ward.  Jackson was taken out a mere 1 minute later.  And then the miracle happened.  For the first time in 3 years (yes, since he was 6 months old) HE FELL ASLEEP on Dave's lap.   I am still in shock to this moment.  Not only did he fall asleep, but he slept on the church couch for TWO HOURS!!  not waking up to talking, Hallie playing with him, singing or anything.  He must have been exhausted!

We visited the temple after church.  The temple grounds were beautiful as always.  

We were planning on leaving Monday morning early, but when a late Sunday flight looked open, we decided to head home and get a good nights rest.  There were 20 seats open and 10 stand-by passengers.  We packed up and then checked the flight again . . .now there were only 18 seats and 30 standby . . .REALLY? in only 30 minutes, it changed dramatically.  We were a bit late and were super stressed about getting to the airport and through security, but we ended up being just fine.  Dave and I sat 2 rows apart with a kid each.  Both kids were really perfect on the flight home, despite it being 2 hours past bedtime.  Jackson finally crashed on the car ride home, but Hallie held out and didn't fall asleep until she was snug in her jammies and bed at 10:45 pm.   I was so glad to sleep in my bed and wake up in my house to start the week.

Overall thoughts of the trip:  It was fun to see the amazing sights and lights and splendor!  We enjoyed being together and having a family trip.  Hotels are hard with kids.  Sundays are hard on vacation.  Vegas is stressful for flying stand-by.  I'd love to go back with just Dave and watch a show and do a CSI experience (I really love crime solving shows).  Any takers for watching our kids?

 This is Jackson watching the Trapeze artists.  Mesmorized!

Life's joy

A few snippets of activities that make me smile.

The other day we were headed to a park.  Jackson ran ahead while I chatted with my visiting teachers.  I see him frantically pull off his shoes, nearly toppling over as he tugged off his socks, then to my alarm, he pulled his shorts down, stopped for a second and then, just as quickly, pulled them back up, yelled "oops!  I forgot!" and ran off to play.  I hate when I forget when I should pull my pants down :)

Hiking a 'mountain' near our place in Arizona

When in conversation, anytime there is laughing going on, Hallie loves to join.  It is so precious that we can get her to laugh and giggle, just by laughing ourselves.

Lately, when we 'discipline' Jackson asking him to go to time-out or to his room, he yells, "NEVER!!!"  It used to be, "Don't ever say that again!!"  It is hard not to laugh at these slightly inappropriate uses of the phrases, but then I think about our future of dealing with Jackson as a teenager . . . . I'm scared!

Hallie loves to put bows in her hair and get dressed and pick out her clothes.  If her bows ever fall out, she will pick it up and bring it to me (definitely a bow-saver at the park).  She will also bring her shoes to me if they fall off.  She understands where everything should go on the body and 'tries' to put it on.

Jackson is such a fun, silly boy, but he is getting in trouble in Primary.  It breaks my heart because he is a good boy at heart.  He is smart and funny.  He is the only one who can said a full prayer unassisted, but then he gets silly with friends (falling off chairs, touching people, screaming the songs, etc) and won't listen to and/or respond to authority or rules, etc.  I don't know how to help him.  Any advice?

Hallie has been talking up a storm.  We can't understand a single word, but the babblings are fun to listen to.  I love that her expressions are just like we are engaged in a seriously/funny/dramatic conversation, but we have no idea what she is saying.

Who on earth decided it was ok to teach 3 year olds about AGENCY?!?!  Seriously, there are a million other principles of the gospel that should be mastered before that!!  Since a freedom of choice lesson, Jackson keeps saying he wants to make his own choices and gets mad at us if we don't let him. Tonight for FHE we are learning about consequences LINKED to choices.  Let's hope it helps.

Hallie signs milk, all done and please.  She can fold her arms, wash her hair, 'wipe her bum' (in updog pose) and clap.  One day she found a package of candy on the floor (it was Vday . . .we normally don't store candy on the floor) and she brought it to me and with perfect form and intense control she signed, 'more' it was the only time I've ever seen her sign it.  She must have really wanted it! (she didn't get it)

We started a 'chore chart' for Jackson (he has done chores before this, but I wanted a more specific motivating and fun chart).  He has file cards with photos of the chores on it.  I pick one of 4 rewards (candy, money, computer time, TV time) and 5 chore cards for him.

(p.s.  I LOVE that we have a small 'Jackson-size' vacuum.  I think I will always have a small one, just so the little ones can help.  In our dining room there is carpet so we vacuum 3 times a day.  Jackson is REALLY good at it!)
 Jackson picks which 3 chores (of the 5 I choose) he wants to do and then puts each card in the card holder until he reaches the reward (found these old library card envelopes at a garage sale ).

It took me a long time to come up with something that would work for Jackson because he is only motivated by immediate rewards (saving up for something is very difficult for him, but I am hoping the money reward will help him see the harvest of his labors) and he gets bored easily of common motivators.  So the choices really help to make the reward his, the pictures help him say on task, he LOVES putting the card into the envelope when he is finished, and then loves dancing with the reward popcycle stick once he earns it.   Everyday we have 2-3 times where he does 3 chores to earn the reward.

  Also, this keeps him working at the same time I am.  I started a new 'chore' system for myself and it is seriously awesome (and difficult) but awesome because my house stays so much cleaner and I still have time for me and kids too!!  If you are interested I'll share my new found system.   (only for those who are not naturally clean on their own - Alissa- I'm talking to you!)



Dave and I had a bubble blowing contest the other day.  I'm pretty sure it is the first time I've beat him at anything physical (bubble blowing is definitely physical right?) Gotta brag a little :)

My foot is getting a fever!!

Today Jackson started panicking about his foot getting a fever and that I needed to feel it.  He ripped his sock off and I felt an ice cold foot . . .hmmm. . . I am thinking, WHAT is he so concerned about?   When the concern didn't go away as I tried to distract him, I investigated further.  I finally realized (with his amazing communication ability) that he was having the 'pins & needles' sensation when your foot falls asleep.  Wow!  What a great way to try and tell me what is going on.  Jackson has an amazing way of communicating enough to get me to understand (usually).  I am always amazed at how children have to learn "line upon line".  I can't remember the time I first felt pins and needles and had to have it explained so it didn't freak me out, but I'm sure it happened.   So much too learn.  Good things they are great at absorbing so much so quickly!

So this is winter? (Utah)

At Christmas time there was NO snow in Utah, so we thought we would try again to get a taste of the snow and cold and such (Dave misses it and we don't wan't Jackson to have a warped view of 'winter' or a lack of experience with snow)  but apparently it is STILL not winter in Utah and we didn't really get what we wanted. 

I flew up Friday morning.  Right when we got to the airport I realized that I forgot Hallie's bottle of milk!  I haven't really forgotten many things, let alone something as critical as MILK!  I had no other bottle and she won't drink milk from a sippy.  No store in the airport sells bottles either.  I was panicked.  She usually drinks a bottle at 8:30 and the flight took off right then.  I locked her in on take off and she was SO good I never even took her out of the carseat!  I lengthened out every opportunity to play with a toy or split a string cheese into 75 different bites.  Jackson was awesome too!  I guess I should fly in the morning.  Hallie pooped out right on the descent (which means I can't change her for 20-30 mins), so when I finally got to the bathroom I just threw the onsie away and went straight for a new outfit. 

 We got to spend time with my cute sister Carly, my cousin Dixie and her kids and Dayton and Afton.  MaryAnn came in the evening and we got to go to a baby shower for my other cousin.  I love how many people we get to see when we go to one place.  I love that people are somewhat surprised to see me (I still feel like I live there usually).  

Dave joined us Friday evening and then on Saturday we took advantage of Quikstart in Park City (Show an out of state ID and a boarding pass and ski free).  We had breakfast with Dave's sister before heading up to  Deer Valley.  This was my second time skiing ever (my first time I only made 2 runs) and I was TERRIBLE!  Dave was patient and kind, but I fell a lot and was terrified even more.  I hate feeling out of control and so down hill speed without really knowing how to stop myself is terrifying.  I improved so much and made the last 2 runs without falling down once!  Thanks Mom and Dad (and Marcie and grandma Marie) for watching the kids so we could enjoy a day on the slopes.

We spent the evening with Doug &Carly, Mom &Dad, Ryan & MaryAnn (they live in Utah sometimes too!) and Marcie & Melinda (yep, they are considered a couple in our family).  We watched some home videos and reminisced, played games and hot tubbed.

Sunday we went to church with Tom and Bethany.  I always forget to bring quiet church activities on vacation, so it makes for a difficult Sacrament Meeting (are they ever easy?)  but we made it with Hallie running all over the foyer and waving to everyone she met.  We ate a delicious meal with Tom and Bethany's family.

Although the flight left after bedtime (8:40) the kids both put up a fight to falling alseep.  Finally, we (meaning Dave) did get them both asleep, but they woke up after landing and were just a crying pain in the rear end (well, one of them was).  It was a rough night getting back to the car and picking up the luggage and crying kids.  We were glad to crash in our own beds at 11:00.  

Beautiful Everyday moments

This afternoon I was sitting in gorgeous 80 degree weather in our backyard.  Jackson was playing a game he invented and Hallie was toddling all over.  Jackson decided to call me on the 'phone' as I sat in our hammock chair.  With our hands up to our ears, we talked all about what he was doing.  Hallie walked over and stared at his hand for quite a while (I assume she was looking for a phone to try and take away).  When she realized we were pretending, she proceeded to hold her hand up to her ear for the next 5-10 minutes while toddling around.  It brought a smile to my face.  I love these kids!  They light up my life.  I love watching them learn and grow and discover life.  It is fascinating!

How couldn't you love this mug?

What do you want?!?

Oh!  The camera is on?  We'll I can be silly!

We were able to go to the Phoenix Children't museum yesterday.  It was amazing!  Of course, Jackson was most smitten with the pizza kitchen/restaurant.  I keep thinking he'll grow out of the phase of loving the kitchen, but he is still enjoying pretending to cook.

Hallie was cautious and a bit more nervous about the new situation, but she still enjoyed so much of the museum.  We will definitely be visiting again!

so grown up!

 The grocery store . . . all the food was real packages.

 Hallie is imitating and mimicking our every move lately.  She is learning signs and words so quickly! (Jackson took these shots!)

 Love that pointer!

 Her hair is a little out of control, I'm not really sure how to deal with girls hair . . . just wait out the 'awkward stage'?  Her 'bangs' start at the back of her head!