Quick Weekend in Cali

Here are some pictures that we took at the beach during our super fast trip to California. We ended up only taking pictures at the beach (aside from two that I took in the hotel room) but the reason we went was for my uncle John's baptism. The trip was so fun and totally worth the 10 hours that it took to get there. Alex was a champ in the car, we only had to stop once so that I could feed him, other than that he was happy with bottles and rice cereal.

Highlights of the trip were:

• The Nestle Toll House Cafe that my mom spotted where she got us each a huge ice cream sandwich


• Learning how to accidently call Onstar


• The nice man who stands outside my aunt and uncle's gated community telling people the code


• The beach!!!!


• Alex only waking up once in the night in the hotel room


• Purposely calling Onstar when we got lost and were late for the baptism


• The wonderful baptism


• Getting to spend the weekend with my wonderful parents and two aunts and one uncle!

I sure love these guys!!

This was after Alex face-planted in the sand.

I love the beach! Every time I go to California I am reminded of that, the weather was so great and I just love the flowers and the ocean and the beach and the palm trees. I can totally see myself as a beach bum.

I love this picture!! My mom was nice enough to let me talk her into coming to the beach with us so she could take pictures, then she sat with Alex on the beach so Andrew and I could play in the waves! I know they both loved it, later she thanked me for having her come saying "How often do you get to sit on the beach with your grandson?"

Spring 2011

Some of the things going on lately....

Lots of people tell me Alex looks like Andrew. Does he??? I just think he looks like a cute baby.

Alex and I get to hang out all day, I love it! Well until Dad gets home, then I will gladly take a little me time.

Saturdays are for family time since Andrew is so busy during the week. Andrew took us to Moroni's Writings.

I was concentrating very hard on my lunch.
Alex has started eating solid foods, he caught right on the first time he tried it. After that it took a little time for him to remember, now he eats like a champ. I do have to ask what it is about having a mouthful of food that makes Alex sneeze?? Do they make bibs for mommy?

He makes me smile!

On this particular day I was instant messaging Andrew and we were discussing the sleepless nights we are now experiencing because Alex's sleeping habits are going downhill rather than improving. I was wondering what I could do to get this kid to sleep better and I turned around to see my little cutie playing in his exer-saucer and just being nice. He totally melts my heart and I can honestly say he is totally worth the sleepless nights and messy diapers and the spit up. I love him so so so much and I can't imagine life without him. (but if you have any helpful ideas on how to get him to sleep better at night I would love to hear them).

My wonderful husband, and son vacuuming while I sat on the couch taking pictures. Andrew loves our little guy too, he is so so cute with him. While they were vacuuming together I overheard Andrew telling Alex about life, this particular time it was about basketball. Andrew loves to talk to Alex and show him new things, when we went hiking one time Andrew kept leaving the trail so he could show Alex lizards and plants and streams and trees. He takes him around the house and lets him feel things like the glass in the window and skins of fruit. Andrew can almost always make Alex laugh too, I love seeing the two of them together. He is such a wonderful dad!

Us

Lindsay took some fun family pictures for us! Alex got tired at the end because his napping was totally thrown off, although Carson's favorites were the ones of him yawning. I sure feel lucky to have these two cuties in my life!

Campin

On Memorial Day we went on the first camping trip of the year! Alex did so great, he slept in the tent as well as he does at home (meaning waking up about 3 times so not great but oh well). I think he was warmer than me, especially when I would feed him. We got to go on a fun hike and play games and eat yummy hobo dinners and smores. It was a super fast trip though and I decided next time we go I am not packing alone because that was a ton of work for not even 24 hours. But we did have fun and I love when Andrew gets to go camping because he loves it so so much!

For Aunt Stacy and Uncle Jeremy!

The following video is of Alex's second introduction to Rex. If you need a pick me up for the day this could totally be it!

Cruisin!!

This is our, mother's day, father's day and anniversary present!! I was so excited to get it!! The sun has only come out 4 of the days since getting the jogging stroller. I used it 2 of those days, the other two we were out of town. The wind and chilliness of Cedar City are somewhat frustrating but I am determined to run the entire Canyon Trail this summer. Alex loves the stroller, the first time we went out he was looking at everything, he loves being outside so I wasn't surprised, the other time we went out he slept the entire time. Thanks for letting me get the stroller Andrew!!!

Stuff

Alex and I got to spend the week in Moab while Andrew stayed home completing his finals. It was great hanging with my family and Alex was so good the whole time, he slept way better during the night there than he ever has at home. We got to come back and celebrate Lindsay's graduation, good job Lindsay. We can also celebrate Andrew passing all of his classes, no summer school, good job babe you are awesome!

Payton and Alex reading with Grandpa
Mom's birthday present and birthday cake, I had a hand in making both.
Cute Alex being so so so good at Grandma's house.
Yay Lindsay!!!

Lil Cowboy

Thanks for the cute jammies aunt Stacy!!!!!!

Easter 2011

We had a wonderful Easter, complete with dyeing eggs, decorating and eating sugar cookies and an Easter basket full of goodies. I love going to church on Easter and getting the chance to reflect on the atonement and Resurrection.

Its so great having Lindsay and Carson so close so we could have a yummy Easter dinner together and we get to enjoy all the festivities together.



I love my Easter village!!! If you want one I can tell you how to get one.

Snowboarding fun!!!

Since Lindsay worked in the day care at Brianhead she got free lift tickets that she let us use and she got to drop Alex off at the day care for free, yay!!! This was my first time snowboarding, Andrew kept telling me that I was really good, especially since it was my first time. I'm pretty sure he just said that so I will keep going with him. I fell a lot, and it hurt a lot both that day and the next two but it was a lot of fun and it was great getting to share in an activity that Andrew loves so much. Thanks for letting us go Lindsay!!

Alex's Big Weekend!!

So it's been a while but I had to clear the camera because it was full so Megan couldn't get to the pictures to post so I get to do it now. The weekend Alex was blessed the Alton and Holyoak clans united for a barbecue and joined Megan and I in our annual Christmas tree burning ceremony.

March 13 was the day Alex was blessed by his dad. Here is our little guy posing for the picture in his cute outfit made by his Grandma Holyoak (thanks Grandma!!).

We loved having so many family members around to take part in this special weekend! There were some long drives but thanks to everyone's help there was some tasty food all weekend! Here's Brian and Alex's beautiful, wonderful, sweet, kind, loving mother!

Let's end with our sweet baby. I'm sure everyone would agree it was worth every minute of driving to be here. Thanks for showing how much you care by coming!