Road Trip to Utah - Part 3 - Just Pictures

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Home Alone

**When reading this story, keep in mind that Adam is gone in Minnesota**

After an errand that the kids and I went on today, I took my sunglasses off and put them either on the kitchen counter or the clothes washer. Owen was the only kid awake and was suppose to be out in the family room watching "The Upside Down" show. As I was sitting here in our bedroom working on the computer, Owen grabbed my sunglasses, put them on and then entered our bedroom. Usually when Owen comes in our room, he - in one way or another - announces his arrival into our room, by calling for me or Adam, or something. This time, he didn't announce himself.

Instead, he entered quietly and just stood behind me with my sunglasses on and his adorable little smile on his face. Needless to say, when I turned around, I got the CRAP scared out of me. So much so, that I grabbed Owen by the shoulders and did the "Home Alone", Macaulay Culkin scream. It took me about 3 seconds to realize that it was Owen standing in front of me. Once I did realize this, I took the sunglasses off and saw his sweet baby blues welling up with tears. Owen started to cry and looked at me and said, "Mommy, you scared me!" That broke my heart and I started to cry.

I explained to Owen that everything was okay and that I didn't mean to scare him. He continued to sit on my lap and as I stroked his tender cheek I began to get a chuckle out of what just happened. No, it was so funny when it happened, but I am definitely getting a chuckle out of it now.

I don't think Owen will ever come into our room again without announcing himself.

I Will Survive - But Will the Kids?

Adam set out for a business trip to Minnesota this morning. I've joked around that while he's gone I will survive, but the true question is whether or not the kids will survive. I know they are only 2 and 3 years old and need to cut them a lot more slack than what I currently do. Trust me, no one knows this more than me.

Quite often I feel like I'm taking 3 steps forward and 4 steps backwards. But, as I was contemplating this feeling, I was quickly reminded by a good friend of mine that "at least I was still facing forward." I thanked this friend (and thanks again!) for this great reality check and hope to constantly remind myself of this frequently.

Sure, there will be the times when I will get upset and will want to go and hide in my closet for just a few minutes to myself. But, I am hoping that I will survive - and so will the kids.

Road Trip to Utah - Part 2

Tuesday night we went to Historic Wheeler Farm. Owen and Caroline had such a great time seeing all of the different animals. They both were pretty apprehensive about milking a cow - I did it though - and Owen was terrified to even touch the cow. He would sit on my lap by the cow but really didn't want to even touch her. Caroline on the other hand wouldn't milk the cow, but she did pet the cow. Once she pet the cow, she was done and went immediately back to Adam for safety.

Because Adam wasn't feeling really well, Wednesday Adam and I took the kids for a drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon to Alta Ski Resort. It was the first time that the kids had seen snow. They giggled and squealed with joy at the "ice" and loved playing in it. Cari loved eating it - no it wasn't yellow snow, nor was it dirty. Sure enough we had been there for maybe 10 minutes before we heard, "I gotta go potty." Because the resort wasn't open, neither were the bathrooms. Therefore, grateful that it was Owen who said that, Adam took him behind a tree to go potty.

On Thursday, I took Owen and Caroline on Trax to Temple Square. The only thing Owen talked about the whole time we were walking around is the train. He loved the train ride and couldn't wait to get back on the train and ride it home.

We went to the North Visitor's Center, the Church History Museum and the kids walked up the east stairs of the Temple. They had sooooo much fun. Caroline loved looking at all of the brides there on Temple Square. She even said that she wanted to wear her "pretty blue dress" in the Temple. I told her that Mommy and Daddy would buy her a pretty white dress that she could wear in the Temple when she gets married. She thought that was cool and agreed. Sweet! We've got a deal.

In the Church History Museum, the kids loved the "I Am A Child of God" exhibit. They played with the blocks to build a temple, the walked on the straight and narrow path and held to the rod, Owen did a CTR rubbing, and they also liked the Star of David puzzle.

We walked down to my favorite sandwich shop in Downtown SLC, Gandolfo's. We got sandwiches and enjoyed them thoroughly. Before we left the shop, I asked Owen if he needed to use the facilities. He assured me he "was good." We got halfway between the shop and the train platform and then he looked up at me and said, "Mommy, I need to go potty." Seriously!!!! Didn't I just ask him - I should have insisted he go there at the shop. Instead, I beg a gentleman who was working in the lobby of the building where I use to work for a code to the employee bathroom on the main floor. He gave me the code and in we went. After Owen took care of business, we walked out of the building and there was the train. We had to hurry and run to catch the train.

In one foul swoop I grabbed Caroline, took Owen's hand and we took off running. Owen and I bumped into one another and then he crashed and fell. I grabbed him up off the ground and we continued running. We barely got on the train and Owen couldn't have been more thrilled that we "caught the train." That's all he wanted to tell Adam when we were picked up is how we caught the train.

That night, Rebecca, Mike and their kids came over for one last family dinner. Owen and Caroline absolutely loved playing with their kids, Connor and Heather. They had such a great time. Whenever we would see them all of the kids would immediately start looking for each other to play. Finally, they are at the age where they can play together and watch the same types of shows together. Sure, there were the typical squabbles and disagreements over the same toys, or who had what first or who's turn it was, but overall they got along fabulously.

With all of the goodbyes said and hugs given it was time to repack the suitcases and the car and get ready to head out on the long trip home.

Early Friday morning, we packed up the car and headed out back home. The kids did really well in the car and with the exception of Howie screaming for the last 4 hours everything was smooth sailing. We are so grateful for such a wonderful trip, despite having sick kids and getting the rest of the family sick, and for the time we were able to spend with everyone. We'll look forward to the next trip and hope that one goes just as smoothly and this one.

Road Trip to Utah - Part 1

Adam and I haven't had a chance to take a road trip to Utah this year so we decided to do it in the fall. I love the fall in Utah. The leaves changing and all of the different colors on the hills, not to mention to much cooler weather from Arizona.

We left last Friday, early in the morning, and drove on up to have a visit with Adam's family. I drove the first shift and we stopped in Flagstaff for a quick potty break and to get something for Adam and I to eat. Then, it was on to Kanab - yes, I was still driving. The kids did fantastic!!!! I'm sure a lot of it had to to with the fact that we left early in the morning, Owen wasn't feeling well (more on that later) and, therefore, didn't have to stop for many potty breaks because he wasn't eating or drinking very much.

Then, from Kanab to Salt Lake, Adam took over the driving responsibilities. The kids slept some, but not nearly as much as the first leg of the trip. (Note to self: drive the second leg when the kids are awake next time.) We arrived safe and sound at his parents' house.

So, since Owen wasn't feeling well and had the "glassy eye" look all day long, I decided to call my dad to see if an antibiotic was in order. He felt really hot to me even when he woke up that morning, but I really didn't think much of it because he was in long "winter" jammies and under all of the covers! I thought he was just warm from how he was sleeping. Well, when I took his temperature, one ear was 102.7 and the other ear was 103.5. What the crap?! With the fever and him not feeling well and pretty lethargic all day (even though we were in the car), my dad told me it was best to get him started on an antibiotic - fabulous. (Before we left and in my defense, I did warn my mother-in-law that the kids Owen was sick and that I thought I was coming down with it. She told us to come anyway - so we did!)

When I tried to get Owen to take the first dose of his antibiotic (z-max), about 10 minutes later he was sitting in my lap on the carpet and then he threw up all over himself, me and our clothes. We did, however, manage to catch some of it in our hands that inevitably would have landed on the carpet. (Eeeeewwww, gross I know!) This was jus within the first 20 minutes of us being here at the house.

The kids went to bed early that night and - frankly so did I. Only, this backfired on me at about 4 in the morning when Caroline decided that she wanted to be awake for the next hour and a half. That girl, I swear. She finally drifted back to sleep and none of us woke up until 9 in the morning. That was heaven!

Saturday the kids played and played with their cousins, Connor and Heather, and they loved it. Saturday night was rolling around and I noticed Caroline was not sounding so good - she was getting a bad cough. Great! All night long she sounded like she was having trouble breathing - real wheezy and tight- and then the cough got even worse sounding. Sunday afternoon yet another call placed to my dad and, needless to say, Caroline was started on antibiotics.

Monday, we went to the Hogle Zoo with Rebecca and her kids. Once again, the kids had a blast running all around the zoo. The new baby elephant, Zuri, was out and boy was she ever cute. They had a baby crocodile, snow leopards, giraffe, and tigers. We saw the giraffe, crocodile and the baby tigers while they were being fed from mommy tiger. Those babies were sooooo cute!

When we got home from the zoo, Adam said he wasn't feeling well and thought he was getting a cough. What ever comes of that will remain to be seen, but I think I know how it's gonna end - antibiotics.

Today, Tuesday, I went to my old work and saw my friends, bosses and former co-workers. I was good to see them all and although not everyone is still there, it was good to see those that were. I got to go to lunch with my friend, Marilyn, and have a little bit of time to myself this trip. That was a nice little break.

On the train ride home, Howie was fussy and I happen to look down just in time to see what I thought was a tooth. Sure enough I felt around on his bottom gums and he cut his first tooth! The little monkey is only 4 1/2 months old and his first tooth has come through with the second one getting closer to come through as well. Howie hasn't been overly fussy, no fever, no real cold to speak of, and wasn't drooling a whole lot either. He was chewing on lots and lots of stuff, including himself and was drooling just a little bit. I can't believe he has cut his first tooth!

I thought Owen was early at about 5-5 1/2 months in cutting his first tooth; and Caroline at 5 1/2- 6 months in cutting her first tooth. But, seriously - 4 1/2 months is crazy!

All in all, we are having a good time thus far - despite the germs being shared by one and all. I'm sure more adventures await us.

***Pictures will be posted once we get home and I've had a chance to go through them all.