Road Tripping Again

Enough time had passed since our last road trip to dull our memories of how long it actually takes a family of four, including one potty trainee, to complete what should be a 10 hour drive. Apparently, we have short-term memories. And so we packed up our little family two weeks ago and hit the open road bound for two stops and three family events.

Stop #1: Lake Powell via Bullfrog
Stop #2: Farmington, Utah
Event #1: Todd & Allison's Wedding
Event #2: Quality Cousin and Grammy Time
Event #3: Brian (my baby brother) and Shawna's Wedding
We had plenty of sweet lollipop moments like Crewe's below and also a few sour moments that we will laugh about in the future. More on those in upcoming posts.
It's great to be home again.

San Diego Adventures

It seemed like a good idea to spontaneously pack up the kids and escape from the 115 degree weather by driving 5 short hours to beautiful San Diego for the weekend. Cal could run around outside to his little heart's content and we would get to relax a bit and enjoy a change of scenery.

Cooler weather, yes. Beautiful scenery, yes. Relaxing, no. Quiet, no. A test of my patience, you bet.

Calahan was in meltdown mode for nearly the entire trip. On Saturday morning after multiple screaming escapes from the breakfast table, my motherly intuition led me to think that a trip to Sea World would make his day. Boy was I wrong. After just a couple of hours at the park we had to carry him out because he was screaming and pretending like he couldn't walk.

Waiting in line for a ride that lasts two minutes and then having to get off is just not a concept this two-year old grasps. And, he was more interested in the equipment required to see the animals than in the animals. Who wouldn't want to play on the moving walkway when their are rare and cool-looking penguins from the arctic to see?

After we left Sea World, we headed to the hotel so that the Calamonster could take a nap, often the best medicine for a meltdown. He refused to go to sleep. Even for a minute.

Thankfully, we had planned to get together on Saturday night with my BIL Chad and SIL Dorene who were visiting in the area also. Seeing family on Saturday night was the highlight of our trip. In fact, it ended up being a family reunion of sorts with Bobby, Courtnee and TJ all popping in also. Cal was relieved to see Dallin and he took a break from meltdown mode to play with one of his favorite cousins.

Sunday was slightly better. Walking around the temple grounds was the best part. Calahan was calm and loved all of the grass (an exotic luxury for those who live in AZ). It's nice to be home now.

Our hotel was right on the marina.
What do you mean I have to get off? I just got here!
More Zebra Elmo, More ZEBRA ELMO, MORE ZEBRA ELMO
His usual happy and accommodating self. He gets his patience from Chris.
Don't you love how the baby is sunning on top of his mommy?

Dallin knows how to make his cousin smile! That makes us smile.

Where's Crewe? Somebody had to take the photo and it was his turn. Just kidding... he was in the car sleeping. Whenever we get in the car now Cal asks to go "bye-bye to the temple."

Morning at the Museum

On Wednesdsay Nana joined Anne Marie, me, and our kids for a trip to the Treehouse Museum in Ogden. This is seriously one of the coolest places I've ever seen for kids. I loved it because they had things that toddlers would enjoy too -- lots of dressing up and activity options for their height and level.

We learned something about Cal's personality at the museum that day -- that he doesn't back down from a fight...even when he's the smaller guy. It all started when we filed into the elevator to go to the ground floor. William (almost five) was afraid Cal was going to press the elevator buttons (which Cal was planning to do) and to prevent him for doing so, he grabbed Cal's shirt and began to keep Cal from moving. Without hesitation, Cal grabbed Will's shirt and started to make all of Will's moves back to him... until Aunt Anner broke it up. Not a big deal -- just fun to learn about your kids personalities.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day was a beautiful day. We started out in Park City enjoying a yummy breakfast with the Holmes' and then headed to the Red Iguana for a quick lunch before Chris had to fly back to Philadelphia for his 7th straight week (sniff, sniff). Even before Chris and I were married, we made it a tradition to eat there at least once every trip to Utah. Cal ordered "guac" for his lunch and could not have been happier.

After we dropped Chris off, several members of the Holmes clan met at the Farmington Cemetery to visit the graves of Grandpa Dee and Benjamin Barfuss. This was my first visit to the this cemetery since my grandpa passed away and it was really meaningful to be there with so many members of the family.

It was a gorgeous day so afterwords we headed to a nearby park to play to play with some of the cousins. Cal especially loved hanging with my cousins Whitney and Matthew that afternoon. Cal followed Matt everywhere. In fact, he followed Matt so closely that if Matt stopped for second, Cal would run into the back of him!

Liz & Duncan's Wedding

The occasion bringing the family together for the weekend was my cousin Liz's wedding in the Salt Lake Temple to her 6'5" groom, Duncan. Liz (5'2") became a legend at our house last summer when she came to help out our family for a month shortly after Crewe was born. We seriously would not have survived without her. Duncan, you scored BIG time!
I like this one because Duncan is just standing and admiring his beautiful bride.
Liz with Crewe at the wedding luncheon. The baby boy who rarely makes loud noises made noises all throughout the blessing on the food! Father of the bride with the youngest wedding guest, my niece KatieJane (Aunt) Camille Klepko.
The flowers were gorgeous at the reception. I can't believe I didn't take more photos. Here's a tree with some of the floral "kissing balls" that I loved.
After Liz and Duncan drove off into the sunset, the boys tried to do some driving of their own in Uncle Doug's Polaris. I'm sure there are some great word bubbles we can insert above each of these little guys!

Park City Fun

We spent Memorial Day weekend together at the beautiful Barfi/Holmes cabin in Park City (thanks Barfi and Holmes families!). Everyone in the family made it except for my youngest brother, Brian, who is working in Baltimore for the summer (thanks Brian for sending your better half/girlfriend, Shawna... loved her!) and my SIL Laura, who is expecting twins in a couple of months. It was great just hanging out together and catching up. My mom was amazing... she had everything prepared when all of us arrived and gave us the royal treatment all weekend.

On Saturday Grammy took all of the cousins to the Thomas the Train event at the Heber Creeper. The kids loved the train ride, but the other activities were cut short when it started to pour rain.
Uncle Donald and Cal share a love for books. At least he's reading a kid book here to Cal... you should have heard the book he was reading to Will (age 4) about being on the hedonistic treadmill.
Nana came up on Saturday and the kids loved listening to her read books to them.Grammy with all of her grand daughters before Church on Sunday.
This was meant to be a photo with Uncle Jeff and all of his nephews, but we had some reluctant participants (not, Dallin, he was his charming self)! Seriously, Cal purposely looks away from the camera almost everytime I take a picture (argh).
So we learned that Crewe LOVES pineapple...
Grammy brought fun crafts to do with the grandkids. Here they are customizing sun visors.

At least two more vacation posts to come...

Nurse Dore to the Rescue

My SIL Dorene ROCKS! When she heard that Chris would be traveling to Philly last week and that I'd be trying to shuffle lots of Crewe appointments with Calahan in tow, she thoughtfully volunteered to fly in from Denver and help me out. And a huge help she was. Uncle Sam especially thanks her because our taxes probably wouldn't have gotten done without her taking care of the kiddos.

We affectionately refer to Dorene as Nurse Dore since she spent so much time at the NICU with me after Crewe was born. She's official with real operating room scrubs from Phoenix Children's. These scrubs weren't purchased; they were earned! She earned them one morning when Crewe wet all over her. Crewe soaked her pretty well for such a little guy and his nurse, Patty, tracked down a pair of scrubs for Dorene to change into.

Nurse Dore is also famous for her chocolate mousse and left us a whole bowl full. Thanks, Dorene! I can't believe I didn't get a photo of her in her scrubs this trip. Here she is with Crewe at Chris's b-day bash.

Easter

Easter was a beautiful day. The feeling of new life was in the air. It was so fitting that we got to go to church as a complete family for the first time since Crewe was born. The Sants, Ross, Justin, and Mom & Dad Calvert joined us for church.

Later on we all got together again for a delicious Easter dinner on the patio. We decided to take a break from the traditional ham and do prime rib. Donn was a fantastic chef and masterminded the yummiest cut of beef I've ever had. Thanks, Donn for daring to be different.

More Fun Visitors

When spring hits Arizona, it usually brings sun-starved family. (We love spring for this reason!) Earlier this week we got to see Sherrie, Mindy and Marne. So fun! We loved catching up and feel privileged that we actually got to see Marne this time... shh... don't tell the Glousers!

Mindy was kind enough to give Calahan a much overdue haircut. She has got the touch. Seriously, how does she do it? Calahan doesn't let either me or Chris get near him with the clippers and it takes both of us to hold him down at Great Clips. Cal and Mindy must have really bonded when she gave him his first haircut last year.