Shepherd annual trip to Utah and ZION NATIONAL PARK

We left Friday for a trip to Utah for our annual Shepherd family trip.

The whole family took a trip to Zion, only about 45 minutes from the condo.

Unfortunately, Jeff still got reception in the Park and had to take a work call. 

No rest for the weary I guess.

Bree enjoyed the ride through the windy roads.

As did Carter.

A view from the top of our 2 mile hike with the family. 

and 4 kids under 4, carrying 30+ lbs some of the way on unsteady ground can be a bit nerve racking, but we made it! and it was worth it.

Camden holds up an billion pound rock, with one arm.

Utah: SUPERBOWL SUNDAY

Sunday, we had a great meeting in St. George, with some wonderful friends and then settled back at the condo for the Big Game.

Pre-game analysis.

Watching the opening of the game, "God Bless America"

Carter later asked me, "Hey Momma, who's MERICAW?"

Jeff sees every big game as the perfect opportunity to raid nfl.com and supply the whole fam with jerseys. My take on it is, if I'm going to have to wear a jersey we better get some family photos out of it. And so we did.

Utah: Cousin's bonding

Carte r has really shown an interest in his younger cousins. he loves to hold Ellie and as soon as Jhett arrived to Utah on friday night he had to get his snuggles in right away.

Watching TOY STORY with Bree.

The boys.

"Ticko ticke ticko Baby Jhett"

Utah: Parks

We left Friday for our annual trip to Utah with the Shepherd family. 

The condo property had several little kid parks we played at. 

Fixin' it

Our great friends, Dave and Elise, spoiled Carter and Cam with the loot of a lifetime at Christmas. They got a huge tool set, with goggles, hard hat, a saw, and of course a drill. 

Carter follows Jeff around the house when there is a project and mimics him.

"Like this Daddy?"

"Here, I will fix my old drill with my new drill"

Of course there is always time for cool dude pictures of Camden.

While Carter and Jeff were assembling our new toy room, Camden was hiding in Carter's bed. 

Beverly Hills . . . that's where I want to be . . . Livin' in Beverly Hills.

A couple weeks ago, Jeff and I went to California for the weekend. We went to Hollywood Blvd, and met a couple interesting people. 

Drove down Rodeo Drive, unfortunately (fortunately) we have a diaper budget to keep, so no shopping for us. 

The street behind Rodeo Drive, is CAMDEN Dr. But we missed the photo.

"Hey, Elvis, aren't you supposed to be in Vegas?"

This rude man stopped us and OFFERED to take a picture. I refused. Then he asked again, I knew he just wanted to make some money, I refused again. The third time I gave him what he asked for, and didn't pay him a dime. He started yelling at us. I can't stand when they solicit you for a picture and THEN demand money. Why would I want a picture of my handsome hubby with an old fat Elvis? I digress.

In front of Kodak theatre.

Jeff size 8 shoe standing Will Smith's much larger shoes, at least a sz 13.

Our penthouse room at the Hyatt, right before the Laker's game.

What I didn't post about 15 months . . .

Camden,

Well I'm way behind since next week you will be 16 months, but I wanted to put these cute things about you down so we don't forget just how much you grew up this month. 

You have such cute expressions. You scrunch your nose when you flirt. You give big puppy dog eyes when you want a treat. You smile wide and say HI! when you are excited.

You can say about 10+ words now. Momma, Daddy, Kitty, Cat, Juice, Eat, Up, Thank you (TEE UUW) Please (PEEZ) Car, Truck, Plane (PANE) Grapes (GAY-PS) 

You are in the 90% for height at 33.5 inches and 50% for weight at 25.16 lbs.

You SCREAM like a tridactyl when you are mad and boy do you know how to throw a tantrum.

You can use a spoon or fork perfectly. You love to eat, so it's no wonder you have mastered this skill.

You like to eat bananas, apple, blueberries and oatmeal, cheerios, peas, teriyaki chicken, steak, mashed potatoes, carrots and ranch and rice. 

You LOVE to bop to music. In the car you bounce your head up and down and clap when any song comes on.

You give hugs and kisses to try to say sorry when you hurt someone . . . i.e Carter.

When you aren't sure about something or someone, you rub your belly.

You are learning more and more sounds. MOO, NEIGH, MEOW, WOOF, VROOM, are your favorites.

We fall more in love with you everyday, you give us the biggest laughs and sweetest cuddles. You have a soft spot for your Daddy, which is new for me since Cubby was so attached to me. But we are finding our little bonds, you now reach for me to take you down the slide at the park. You run to me to kiss your boo boos.  You smile at me when I come home from work and run to me to pick you "uppppieeee" 

I miss you when I'm at work and can't get enough of you when I'm home. 

Love,

Mamma

If I ever won something . . . .

This is the "something" that would really be cool.

A great website http://inevergrewup.net/giveaway-25-bumbleride-indie-stroller/ is giving away a free double stroller. 

Maybe too good to be true, but just in case I followed the instructions to enter.

I seriously love orange and I seriously would love to strap the boys in something cool and walk to my hearts content. 

Plus, after maneuvering through the airport by myself with 2 very cheap single strollers, 2 carry ons and 2 30+ pound kiddos, I realized just how handy this Bumbleride stroller would have been.

Good luck to me, (oh, fine . . . and good luck/congrats to all those who enter too. Happy strolling)

Happy Birthday Auntie Kari!!!

What I missed writing about 29 months . . . .

My little man,

I forgot to post your "29 month" list of things I want to remember about you.  I forgot, or maybe was occupied as we were at Grandma and Grandpas for the week and there was much excitement. Starting with long awaited airplane ride I told you we could take after Santa came to our house. The second presents were opened you asked, "airport time" "We go see Papa in Seattle now!" Not a question, a statement. I assured you we would get to the airport in 6 days but you have no concept of time so I think I answered that statement about 9.5 million times over again in those LONG 6 days until we boarded the plane. I chose to attempt this trip alone this time, fearing the worst of chaos on the plane ride but gleefully surprised by the pandemonium that didn't occur. We walked up the jet way after our flight and you spotted the familiar face of Papa that you had been waiting and wanting for the 3 weeks prior. A scream of "Papa!" and you were off in lightening speed to jump into his waiting arms, the other passengers laughed at the thrill you had. Then there was more present opening. By this 3rd time, you had it down. Expressing giddiness with every tear of paper.  Loving every toy, especially the Tonka truck from Grammy and Papa. Of course, we can't forget the mound o'snow Papa built in anticipation of your arrival. You are one in the same, you count down days to see him, he builds snow mounds 10 feet tell and 20 feet in diameter for you, both ways to pass the time until you meet again. A quick trip to Dick's (marking your 4th trip to Sammish Island - 4weeks, 13 months, 24 months and 29months) and the obvious need for a tractor ride. You EXPECT this is what we do there, and you love it. You have everyone wrapped around your finger and Dick gets out every tractor to please you. Cathy swings you in the new contraption in the barn and you couldn't be happier. When you laugh or smile or talk with joy to someone else, when I catch you driving the tractor or sliding down a snow mound, when I hear your shriek opening a Tonka truck, I feel shivers of pure glee radiate through me. As I type, you are supposed to be napping, Daddy has just gone up to you room to see what all the ruckus is about. You have apparently wiggled both of you arms out of your shirt through the neck hole and are demanding he put your arms back in.  The shirt looked like a skirt pulled around your armpits and this makes you frustrated. Daddy returns to the room to fill me in on your latest and greatest hilarium and we both laugh. You do this to us alot. 

It's Okay . . . .

Scenario: Cam frustrated with his toy, Carter offering support.

"It's okaaayyyy . . . ."