Dear Max: July 2009

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Kisses, Kisses, Kisses

Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Dear Max,
I just got home from picking you up from your babysitters, Jaime's house. I had to come straight in and write to you about what just happened... you have melted my heart once again! We've been working on giving kisses for the last few weeks, I would say, "Max, give momma kisses" and you would turn towards me and lean in for kisses. Well today as I was standing and holding you while talking with Jaime and getting the update about your fun day, when all of a sudden... YOU LEANED IN AND GAVE ME KISSES! Oh my! Is this what Mom's for ages have gotten to feel when you experience that your child truly loves you in return. I mean I always figured that you appreciated the fact that we cloth, shelter, feed and love you... but to experience you on your own giving your momma kisses... this is more excitement than my little heart can handle! Thank you Max! I love that you are here in our lives and I love you with all my heart!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

A Boy and His Dog...

Sunday, July 19, 2009
Dear Max,
I wanted to take some time and tell you about your relationship with your puppy Cooper. You and Cooper are great buddies. It hasn't been the easiest transition for Cooper, and he has had some tricky moments with your arrival into our family, but it's so nice to see the two of you now! You have so much fun playing together and learning from each other. Cooper has taught you how to stick out your tounge, give open mouth kisses, and I think somtimes you bark when Cooper is barking, that could be my imagination, but it does sound like it. The cutest moments are when you and Cooper take naps together. Cooper just loves being by your side no matter what your doing. When we get home at the end of the day, Cooper is always so excited to see you! As soon as I set you down, he runs over and gives you kisses. Your puppy loves you so much! We love you too Max!

Playing with Cooper

Taking a Sunday afternoon nap with Cooper

A Boy and His Dog...

Saturday, July 18, 2009

The Drive - In Movie in July

Saturday, July 18, 2009
Dear Max,
Today we got to spend the day with your Auntie Julie and Jaden. It was so fun to have them visit. That night we went to your first drive-in movie experience! It was... well... not the most pleasant experience. We packed up all we would need, the blankets, foam mattress and treats so we would be comfortable in the back of Daddy's truck. We even went to the late movie, thinking that would help you, just in case you wanted to sleep through the movie. Well, you were wide eyed the entire time, your mommy and Auntie Julie fell asleep and when Jaden started to dose off your daddy said, enough is enough! Why am I sitting in the back of the truck in 100 degree weather to watch a movie all by myself. We left. Maybe next time we should go in October during the early movie?

I got the screen, but can't see you...

Now we can see you... but can't see the screen

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Lions, Tiger's and Mommy's business trip....Oh my!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Dear Max,
Their has been a lot going on in the past two weeks. Two days after getting back from Salt Lake for the 4th of July and Natalie's blessing we were back on the road again. On Wednesday, July 8th I flew up to Salt Lake to begin a business trip. Your daddy, Grammie and you all drove up to Salt Lake on Thursday. While Mommy worked, you guys all went over to wish Aunt Jali a happy 30th Birthday! Uncle Geary and Aunt Jali went out to dinner to Aunt Jali's favorite place, the cheesecake factory.

We all stayed at the Hotel that night and the next morning after mommy left for work, Daddy, Grammie, Geary, Jali, Daniel, Natalie and you all went to Hogle Zoo. Your daddy said that you had such a fun day. Although he did say that you again slept through a large portion of the zoo. Now Max, we are starting to see a pattern here. Not sure if you recall a trip last January to the shark reef, where you slept through the ENTIRE day. Well, I guess you are making "baby steps" cause you did find some moments to be awake this time.

Daddy, Max, Uncle Geary, Daniel, Natalie and Jali

This Zoo is kickn'

Daddy and your big day out!

So happy to be at the zoo!

Wow- That's a big elephant!

Sleeping at the zoo...

Awake at the zoo...

Back to sleep at the zoo!

After the zoo I met you all back up at the house for a surprise party for Aunt Jali. Uncle Geary had invited over a bunch of her friends for a bbq and visiting. It was so thoughtful of him and I think she really enjoyed it!

On Saturday we had some time as I didn't have to be to my conference until 1:00 afternoon. So in celebration of Swendy's birthday, Swendy, Jenny and Becky all came over to the Hotel for breakfast. It was your first time meeting Becky and she was SO excited to meet you. She is so thoughtful, she knew that she was going to be meeting you for the first time and wanted to instantly win you over, so she specifically brought with her a soft scarf that she knew you would love - and she was right! You two hit it off and are bonded through the scarf, your appreciation for a great belly laugh and your matching hair do's! We had the funnest morning, laughing, crying and enjoying each others company. We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends that complete our family.

Meeting Becky for the first time

Becky, Swendy (Birthday Girl), Jenny and Max

Love at first site

They adore each other!

Saturday at 1:00 pm kicked off mommy's crazy conference schedule. From that point forward I had to be out the door by 7:00 am and didn't usually get back to the hotel until 1:30 - 2:00 am. Your daddy had to fly back home on Sunday morning, so you spent the next 3 day's with Grammie. You and Grammie had so many wonderful adventures! On Sunday you went to Primary with Uncle Geary, Daniel and Grammie. Then hung out having a quiet Sunday afternoon. Monday, Aunt Jali, Daniel and Natalie came over to the Hotel to go swimming and hang out. Tuesday, you went to lunch with the girls and then Grammie's friend Sharlene came over to the Hotel with her grand kids to go swimming. And in the between your jam packed social calendar, Grammie taught you to Padttycake!

Even though I was super busy with my conference I so appreciated Grammie and your daddy's sacrifice to let you be at the hotel with me. It was so nice to swoop you up when I came home each night, just to snuggle for a bit and give you a squeeze. I know that it was a long 3 days' for daddy to be without you, but I'm so grateful he let you stay with me. I'm so lucky to do and experience some of things I'm able to do in my line of work, but I would say that Tuesday night by far was one of the funnest nights I have experienced in my career. So many times when I'm out for work, I wish that you and daddy were with me, but this time was the worse. It would have been my most perfect night if you and daddy were there! It was a blanket picnic at the Red Butte Amphitheater at the base of the mountains. Then as if the picnic was not enough - when the sun went down - the Smashmouth Concert began. It was a great night, the weather was perfect - not something I'm use to in July!

Picnic time

Shannon

Sun going down... getting a little chilly

Lauren and Traci

Smashmouth!

On Wednesday, we wished Grampie a happy birthday via telephone as we drove home from Salt Lake! You are a great little traveler and have certainly put up with being in the car for a large portion of this month traveling to and from our destinations. It's good to be home for a couple of weeks. Love you Max!

Monday, July 6, 2009

Natalie's Blessing

Natalie Jali Page

Monday, July 6, 2009
Dear Max,
Yesterday we attended Natalie's Blessing. She was blessed with her cousin Jaron. It was so nice to attend Uncle Geary and Aunt Jali's ward. You were in 7th heaven cause you met my cousin Candy for the first time. She came to Natalie's blessing and held you while you slept all during sacrament. I was so excited that you got to meet Candy. We love her so much and I'm so excited that we get to share one of our favorite people with you. Uncle Geary gave a beautiful blessing, I do have to say one thing... you know Max, your cousin Natalie suffers from Colic, and she is in such pain, and cry's. And you, are such a mellow baby, you hardly ever cry or get too upset. Now, last week during your blessing... you cried. This week during Natalie's blessing... Natalie was as quiet as a church mouse. How does that work?

After church we went back to Uncle Geary and Aunt Jali's for some lunch, friends and visiting. It was a wonderful afternoon, and we only wish we didn't have to make the 7 hour drive home.

Natalie and Jaron

Natalie with Grammie

Natalie and Jaron all tuckered out after their long day!

Mommy with Candy

Our Family

Once we got to St. George we quickly ran over to Auntie Glitz's house cause Uncle Gene and Aunt Sami were in town from San Antonio, Texas. They had not had the chance to meet you yet - so were thrilled to finally meet you. While there you learned to play the piano a bit with Auntie Glitz and we took a picture with the author (Grampie) and illustrator (Aunt Sherlene) of your book.

You with the illustrator and author of your book!
Aunt Sherlene and Grampie

Playing the piano with Auntie Sherlene

Meeting Uncle Gene and Aunt Sami for the 1st time

After our visit with our Auntie's and Uncle's we went over to see your Aunt Kathy and pick up Cooper. She was sweet enough to watch Cooper for us over the weekend. We were so tired by this point we decided to spend the night with Aunt Kathy. We were very unprepared for this - so you and I slept in Grandma's bed and daddy slept on the couch. We woke up early so we could drive back home and get to work by 10:00 in the morning. We pulled into the driveway at 8:45 am - you had fallen asleep on the drive home - so we left the car running and you sleeping while we hurried and unpacked the car. When suddenly - the car died! We couldn't believe it. Daddy tried to re-start it and it wouldn't start. This normally wouldn't be too big of deal - as we would just jump in daddy's truck and continue on till we could get the car fixed... however, Daddy's truck was down at the airport. He had left it there when he flew up! So we were in a bit of a pickle. Both daddy and I ended up calling out of work and what was going to be a normal day ended up a bit different! We got the car fixed and I made it to a customer dinner by 6:00 that evening. An eventful ending to an eventful weekend! Were home for two day's then back in Salt Lake on Wednesday for mommies business trip! Max, I'm so grateful that you are who you are. You fit into our lives so perfectly and I'm so grateful and feel so blessed! We love you Max!

4th of July

Monday, July 6, 2009
Dear Max
What a whirlwind of a weekend. Daddy had to work, so you and I left on Friday morning, and your daddy flew up Saturday night to meet us in Salt Lake. It was so fun to ride up to SLC with Grammie and Grampie. I enjoyed having some alone time with my mommy and daddy, to solve all the worlds problems in one single drive to Salt Lake. Another secret, I drove the entire way! It's strange, I always fall asleep when Daddy's driving, but for some reason I was wide awake the entire trip and it's good to know that I can drive the entire way - but now I know - so no need to do that again!
As soon as we got to Salt Lake, we went to Uncle Geary's and Aunt Jali's. They had spent the day at the this is the place monument park, so they were all worn out, so we decided to order pizza and get cozy with the babies. It was a nice relaxing evening. We did open up our 4th of July gifts - you enjoyed eating your card more than your book or dump trucks. Daniel was excited about his dinosaurs and Natalie is going to look adorable in her new outfit this fall.

Daniel with Grampie

Daniel giving kisses to you

Natalie and her Blessing Book

Your loving the card! Now how about the book?

Yeah for Dinasours!

The next morning we got up early and headed out to Grantsville. To be honest Max, I have no idea where Grantsville is, I have never been there before, and don't know that we will ever be there again...but we went to meet up with Aunt Jali's family for the 4th of July parade and BBQ. It's been a long time since I have been to a home town parade. And when I mean home town, I mean home town. I'm so glad that this was your first Parade experience! Here are some of the highlights!

Your first 4th of July, your first parade... all in Grantsville (where's that? good question!)

The Family enjoying the parade!

Now it's obvious that the parade coordinator (if they had one) definitely has a sense of humor!

That Grandma has been waiting all year to wear her hat in the parade!

This is kinda hard to see... but yup it's a man and his rider lawn mower!

Just him and his mower... no other reason to be in the parade than
to show off his fancy red, white and blue outfit with his rider lawn mower!

By far the coolest moment came in the form of these classic mussel car's.
Look at the peal out smoke that he is creating! Man, that is cool!
I wonder what float is going to follow this?

Oh No - The Local Red Hat Ladies!
Even Jace thinks it's stinky - if these ladies didn't have lung issues before...
they don't stand a chance!

Wow - If a little town like Grantsville has such a machine...
what are we hiding in the great city of Las Vegas?

You might think this is just a normal National Guard Vehicle... but no!

There is a rock band in the back!
I love home town parades!

Daniel is a fan

And I think you are too!
Look at you go to town on that salt water taffy!

After the parade we went over to Phil and Nicole's house (Jali's sister and her family). They live in Stansburry Park. We enjoyed an afternoon BBQ, naps and games. Phil and Nicole have 4 boys so their were lot's of fun toys and boy stuff at their house. It was great a great afternoon!

Hanging with Grampie

What? A life size storm trooper helmet!

And when you push a button and talk you sound like
the storm troopers! "Daniel I am your father!"

We then went to pick up your daddy from the airport. When we got back, the boys had decided to put the sprinklers under the trampoline and jump. I remember doing that all the time as a kid. It was so fun to see this again! And Daniel was so excited to see his Uncle Tony (your daddy). He greeted him with a big wet hug!

Daniel was so excited for his uncle Tony to arrive!

Jumping on the tramp

After dinner we busted out the Wii for some American Idol competition! It was fierce and with several contestants it was hard to select a winner but by far the most entertaining was Daniel singing his all time favorite song from the movie cars "Life is a Highway" which he knows every word to. Let's just say that Daniel was so excited to sing "his" song that it was mentioned later in his bedtime prayers... "And Thank you for American Idol...Life is a Highway"

Natalie makes a great audience member!

Daniel with his back up singers

Life is a Highway...

Wait... did I forget to mention that Uncle Geary sang
"I'm every women!"

After our "talent" show we went out to the street for our firework demonstration. Uncle Geary and Phil did a great job with the presentation of fountain after fountain after fountain. And you enjoyed it all while peacefully asleep in the comfort of your Grampie's arms.