Sunny California vacation.....NOT!

Tyson and I headed to California a few weeks ago to visit my family. I was dying to get out of the snow and since we had to cancel our trip during Christmas I thought why not. Ben had a conference in Florida a few days before and was unable to get more time off on such short notice so he couldn't come. This was Tyson's first ride on an airplane and he did very well! The take off was pretty loud as they always are so he covered his ears and continued to do so for most of the flight. It didn't take him long to fall asleep once we were in the air and yes, his hands were still firmly pressed against his ears.

I was a little disappointed to reach my parents house only to find MORE SNOW! We were even snowed in the following day. Sure, I leave Utah to get OUT of the snow only to vacation in....snow! Oh well, at least I got to spend lots of time with my parents and sisters. Tyson kept himself entertained by chasing the cats. My parents have at least six cats so when Tyson chased one cat away there were several more to terrorize. Most just hid, but there were two in particular that weren't too smart. Tyson thought it was the funniest thing to see how fast they could run.

One of our days was spent shopping with my mom and sisters. We really didn't buy much but enjoyed the time together as well as a nice lunch (thanks April!). Oh, my sister April, by-the-way, got engaged while I was there. I am so excited and happy for her, we all LOVE her fiance and wish them all the happiness in the world!!! Hopefully I will be able to attend the wedding!

All in all Tyson and I had a good time with the family! I got to see everyone but one brother and my niece. I miss them TONS!

Everything on our trip went pretty smooth up until it was time to board the plane to come home. Tyson and I were patiently waiting in line to board when he convienently pooped his pants. At that point it was too late to run to the bathroom to change him but to make matters worse, he proceeds to reach his hand down his pants (this was a first) when I wasn't looking. He then looks up at me reaches his hand up and tells me, "mommy,yucky". Luckily there wasn't much on his had to really notice by surrounding passangers but horrified I grab a napkin out of my pocket, wiped his hand off and then grabbed his wrist and told him not to touch a thing! When boarding I don't think the other passengers could have taken their seats any slower. I was worried about washing his hands and changing his diaper so that the other passengers didn't have to endure an hour and 45 minute flight of putrid smell. Once we reached our seats I pulled out the wipes and cleaned his hands. I knew that I wouldn't be able to change him or wash his hands until we were in the air and the fasten seatbelt sign had been turned off. Which brings me too having to change a diaper in a airplane bathroom. There is not much room for one person to move around in there, and I'm not that big, let alone to try and change a diaper. That was an experience in and of itself, but we managed and finally got to wash Tyson's hands with soap. Once that was taken care of I was able to relax a bit for the rest of the flight.

Wow, just when I thought that traveling alone with a 2 1/2 year old was not that big of a deal the error in my thinking was quickly remedied. Anything can happen at the most inopportune times. All you can do is laugh!

Valentine's Day

My sweet boy (with bed-head) and oh, so cute!


Loves of my life!

We celebrated Valentine's a few days early this year since Tyson and I were in California for the official day. Ben had been away at a conference in Florida for several days prior so the day after he got back and the day before Tyson and I left we decided would be our special Valentine's Day. I spent the few days leading up to it making decorations, cards and a special Valentine's basket for Tyson. Growing up my mom would make up these paper heart baskets for each of us kids. She would ask us what our favorite candy was (for that year) and place it in each one. She and my dad would gather us into one bedroom of the house and one by one place each of our baskets outside the door, knock, then run. (Like we didn't know who the Valentine's fairy was....right!) It was a fun memory and tradition we had, just the anticipation of who would be getting their basket next was exciting. Well, I thought that I would start that tradition for our family. I didn't do the knock and run thing this year, but he thought his basket was pretty cool.
Valentine's basket made of felt.

Ben had some minor surgery that afternoon to remove a few moles, not too fun, but afterwards we had the opportunity to enjoy a yummy dinner at the Cheesecake Factory just the two of us. It's always nice to get away with just my sweetie for a few hours! The rest of the evening was spent together as a family before we were separated again for five days. The best way to spend Valentine's was with the two loves of my life!

Ben's 30th Birthday!!!

I am a bit behind on my posting, but I couldn't neglect to post a few pictures of the fun we had on Ben's birthday. Yes, it was the big 3-0, although he said it just felt like any other day. To start off Tyson and I went and bought some mini gourmet cupcakes from a cupcake shop downtown for Ben's special day. He didn't really want a cake because of the leftovers that would be calling out to us at all hours of the day. So, I thought why not a few cupcakes, that way we have smaller portions and no leftovers. Tyson helped me pick a few different varieties and we even got to sample one in the shop, I have to say that I was a little disappointed. When I think of "gourmet" cupcakes I think mouthwatering, moist, flavorful, decadent cupcakes that I couldn't possibly recreate at home. Well, none of the above. To tell you the truth they were a bit dry and too sweet for my taste, but they looked pretty. Needless to say I can't remember the name of the cupcake shop. Hey, it's the thought that counts, right?

Anyway, as we were leaving I thought that I would call Ben to see if he had time to have a birthday lunch with his two favorite people. Ben suggested a popular deli not too far from his work, and that definitely made up for the disappointing cupcakes, YUM! It was great to spend that time together!

That evening Ben wanted nothing more than to take Tyson to Classic Skating to play on the inflatable toys. Our friends Ryan and Hydee met us there with their family and we all had a great time. I was the official photographer since I couldn't get on the toys. We have taken Tyson there before and he had a great time but this time he was a little scared of the slides and things. There were a lot more people there this time though. There were kids everywhere and he seems to get a bit overwhelmed when there is so much commotion.

We ended the night by having dinner at the Mayan. We had to wait a while for our table but the food was good and the kids LOVED the entertainment. All in all Ben had a great birthday!

Happy 30th, Honey! I love you more each passing day!