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!

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.

Sleeping with Grampie

So we lit some fountains...

And some more fountains...


And did I mention that we lit some fountains?

Don't worry we broke up the monotony with some sparklers!
Daniel was not so sure about the sparklers...

But his Aunt Nelly was sure excited for the sparklers!
Until next year baby!

1st Baseball Game

Thursday, July 2, 2009
Dear Max,
It has been a whirlwind week. After celebrating your sealing and blessing last weekend, we were back to work on Monday, preparing to leave town again on Friday to go up to Salt Lake for the 4th of July and Natalie's blessing. But before we could leave on Friday we first had to kick off the festivities by attending a 51's baseball game tonight. We went with your Aunt Andrea and 17 others from daddy's work. We decided to go late, cause they were doing fireworks after the game and we were truly more interested in the fireworks than the game and we were not sure how you would "hold up" I really think we should give you more credit - cause as usual - you loved it! As soon as we showed up to the game everyone wanted to hold you. You were passed around and given lot's of love. The 51's won, which I guess is unusual for them, so maybe we were their good luck charms. After the game, the lights went out and the fireworks began. I was concerned on how you would handle the fireworks, but you loved them. You just layed back in your dads arms and watch the show. I was super sad - cause we carried the camera all the way to the game and then realized that we had a dead battery. So unfortunately we do not have any pictures to document this occasion. After the fireworks we started to walk back to our car. Your aunt Andrea had this "great" idea to go around the back part of the stadium to avoid the crowds. Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time, until we realized that the parking lot that we wanted to cut through was closed and we would need to walk outside the park on the street. Now, the stadium is not in the best neighborhood. And by the time we were out of the fenced area we were surrounded by what is known as "tent city". This is an area of town that the homeless live in and pitch their tents to sleep at night. None of us talked, we just kept walking. You in your stroller, I was pushing your stroller, with your daddy on one side of you and your aunt Andrea on the other. I had a constant prayer in my heart, as I'm sure your Daddy and Aunt Andrea did too. We just all focused on getting out as fast as we could. It's hard to explain, cause I was scared, but I felt safe at the same time. I must say that I feel protected when I'm around you. I'm not ignorant to the fact that you can be hurt and must be kept in safety, but I have such a strong belief that you are here for a reason and that you fought so hard to be here today that I feel protected with you. We made it through "tent city" and only when we were in the safety of our vehicle did the teasing commence. Like we said... It seemed like a good idea at the time.