Grandmas, Grandpas, Cousins, Aunts, Uncles

We enjoyed a great trip to Utah a few weeks ago. Bryan's lovely niece Ashley got married and we thought it would be the perfect time to head up and eat some cake before REAL cold weather set in.

AND so, without further ado, here's a gigantic splattering of photos in no particular order (cuz I just spent WAAAY too long editing them and I'm getting sick of staring at the computer) :

The older Webb cousins: Hyrum, Ella, Jack, and Isaac

My sis Amy is so sweet- even though she's due any time now she's always thinking of everyone besides herself.  Here she is helping me out by feeding Delia. 

DD getting a ride on Grandpa Trump's lawnmower.

Delia and Ella

Uncle Golden and DD

Grandpa and DD (the girl gets lots of snuggles)

When we get-together in my family the girls tend to congregate in the kitchen (the men are probably off watching sports or reading the newspaper) 



Two cute little girly-girls, Annie and Ivy



Ivy, Grandma, DD, and Hyrum.

Ivy and Avery.

Ivy, Brookie, and Hyrum

At the wedding

Juliet, Bry, and DD

I couldn't just pick one of the next photo.  Each has such cute little faces in it:  (they're kind of weirdly squished, I don't know why)



Jack, Isaac, Annie, Ivy, Hyrum, James, Junah, Delia, and Ella



Another fun ride.

Gathering leaves at Grandma Trumps

AND last but not least, it's Uncle Zack building an airplane or jet or something with Hyrum!

It was so wonderful to visit with our dear family again.  We will never forget the kind hearts who shared their homes, vehicles, food, time, babysitting talents, hugs, support, and love.  It was so hard to leave them with new babies coming (NOT MINE), Thanksgiving and Christmas fast approaching, lots of birthdays to celebrate, and so many other seemingly inconsequential milestones and memories that we'll miss out on... I guess it's nice that we came back to 80 degree weather in Texas.  It's hard to feel down with warm weather and sunshine!

We're BAAAAK

Well... I've finally decided to tiptoe ashamedly back into the blog world after a LOOOONG blog vacation for several reasons:

1. I've felt horridly guilty every day I haven't updated all the fun stuff going on and cute, ever-changing faces of the kids.
2. I'm not allowed (this is a self-imposed rule) to read anyone else's blog unless I update mine first.  It is an understatement to say I have missed reading many uplifting, funny, and sweet posts written by friends who I can't keep in touch with any other way (and even those I see on a regular basis:).
3. I won't allow myself to read the last book of the Hunger Games trilogy unless I just get it over with and POST ALREADY!

So, a little grudgingly (because the sun is shining, the breeze is softly blowing, and the birds are calling me to come outside, put up my feet, and enjoy a good book while the girls are sleeping) I've decided it's time to write an update.  But, you can probably bet I won't be such a steadfast blogger since the warm weather's finally here...

We had a fun and eventful trip to Utah where my mom threw a super surprising 60th birthday party for my dad (it was SUPER surprising because my dad's birthday isn't until May).   She wanted to involve us out-of-towners and March was the only time it would work.  In true Grandpa Webb fashion, instead of getting teary eyed at the show of love from everyone (some relatives traveled hours for the event), or blubbering about how lucky he was for the honor, he just chuckled grumpily and kept saying, "It just doesn't make sense."  I love my dad- there's no pretense or fuss, there's just him- love him or don't (most choose to love the guy).  I CAN'T forget my mom in all of this- we witnessed first hand how hard that lady worked to pull it off.  Yay Mom!

After the fun party we said goodbye to the kids as they went to stay with their cousins for the next few days.  Bry and I were off early the next morning to Texas to find a house.  It was super stressful locating a great place we could live in for the next three years in just THREE days, but thanks to our awesome realtor we did!  I can't wait to live here!  The people were super friendly everywhere we went and already many ward members have reached out to us, so awesome.

Our new Texas house

When we flew back to Utah it was great to spend time with everyone without the house stress hanging over us.  As always, I DIDN'T TAKE ENOUGH PICTURES!  I never do and I always get so mad at myself.  Between keeping track of all the kids and visiting with everyone, the camera somehow gets forgotten.  Luckily we're heading back in May so hopefully I'll capture more then.  These will just have to do for now:

Hair Admiration

All played-out



Cousin fun



More cousin fun

Rare time with Aunt Kristin from California- she's DELIGHTFUL

Ella and Issac were so sweet to indulge Ivy in her favorite game (ring around the rosies).

When we came home, already missing our Utah families and exhausted from too much travel, it was quite a treat to find our Spring garden waiting for us:

I can't say enough thanks to the Grandparents for opening their doors for us to eat all their food and take over their houses, the families who watched our kids so me and Bry could have an awesome Texas vacation, and everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to catch up with us- even though we're totally boring.  We have such an amazing family, I will never, no NEVER deserve them.

How to Survive Flying Across the Country with a Toddler

1. Don't even think about it.

Change your plans

Go to a water park, or the library- better yet, just stay home and hide under the covers

STEP AWAY FROM THE PLANE TICKET

Okay, okay, if you really must go (are you SURE?) I might have a few suggestions. Just remember I warned you!

• You can never pack enough Goldfish crackers or apple crisps.
• Don't even think about reading your own book, sleeping, or listening to the new song on your ipod.
• Little pick-me-ups actually do wonders: a back scratch, a few seconds of deep breathing, a handful of yummy nuts, and small words of encouragement (instead of the death glare) can get the drained parents through the next few minutes at least.
• Use candy with prudence: once you start the handouts, you can NEVER stop. What if you only packed half an hour worth of treats? What if your little one's mouth is so packed she can't breath, but she's insisting on more, until she starts crying and screaming and sticky goo is flying everywhere? What if you're all so sticky you can't get out of your seat to pee? THINK ABOUT IT.
• Don't take the advice of popular magazines that state: "Let your kids run through the isle to release energy" ... when would this work? During beverage service that takes three hours or during turbulence? My toddler can't walk without falling on her darling face on solid ground! Face it- you're stuck.
• Pray to those tricky airplane gods that the poo will stay inside her body until the plane lands. Have you ever attempted a diaper change in those bathrooms? Talk about horror movie scene...
• Take a four year old along, he'll watch movies, take a nap, color, read, gaze out the window in astonishment at the clouds and little ant people below. He'll remind you of the possibilities.
• Try not to think about how you're driving your neighbors crazy. They're adults, they can deal with it. Hopefully you'll never see them again.
• There comes a time when the songs and books and games and food and treats just stop working. Let it go. Let her cry and scream and kick. This is a prime time for you to cry too. (Maybe the people who turn to glower at you might feel a little more sympathetic.) You're little one might even calm down after a few minutes and actually fall asleep... until the captain declares the weather over the intercom.
• Walk off the plane with pride, you did it! You didn't loose it, you didn't jump out of the escape hatch at one thousand feet. Good for you!

These pictures don't hide our "plane eyes"- exhausted, bored, irritated and ready for a real bed. One day planes will come equipped with a kids play room. Including babysitters wouldn't be hoping for too much, right?

Needless to say our plane trips verged on traumatic experiences. We survived though. It actually made coming back to Virginia more bearable- at least we're not on the plane anymore!!