The Labryinth

I was so excited for this weekend.  We went to a corn maze.  It was even cooler because Danielle & Trevor, and Garrett (Danielle's brother) came too.  Even though us girls were the ones to plan it, the guys were the leaders through the maze and argued among themselves  about which way to go and what maze we were in.

Was more interested in [eating] hay and pumpkins then looking at us.

Danielle & Trevor in the patch

Trying for a family picture...thanks Trevor for your shadow.

Dak & Aunt Danielle

On the largest rocking chair

Journey into the maze

Can you find Garrett?

Going down the stairs from a lookout.

 Dexter was carried by Kyle.  He was babbling the whole time we wandered the maze.  If I got a little behind,  I just had to listen to aaaueehhuueehhh to know where they were.

Corn stalk battle.

Trevor leading the way with his corn stalk.  Helped to find where they guys wandered.

Victory!

Hansen family picture.

 We decided to participate in the other activities around after doing the maze twice.  We had to do it twice because there was disagreements about using shortcuts vs. the real paths.

Duck races.  They were awesome.

Trying to get better views of the pig races.

Looking at the camera.

Pedal cart racing.

There were a few other mazes.  Some were just easy ones and others had scary elements.  There was a hay castle maze that we went into.  When walking by towards the end there was a sudden loud blast of air.  This scared Kyle, but more sadly Dexter was terrified.  He made the biggest pout face and proceeded to ball.  It was so sad to see it, but was also cute.  Sometimes when he cries he looks cute, only sometimes though.  For the rest of the more haunted looking things we let the guys go in first and tell us if its okay for us to go.  I'm not a fan of pitch black or things popping out (NOT AT ALL) and also to not terrify Dak again.

Sometimes Kyle would say "Oh, Dexter you need to go through this."  And then proceed to go through the really kid activity.  We all knew it was more for Kyle than Dak though.

We ended with a hayride, and when Dexter was screaming.  It was a super fun evening though. We'll go again in the future.

Sunday, we had a Google Hangout.  It's like video chatting, but with more people.  This means it's way more chaotic.  We had 7 people at one point.

Kyle chatting with all his siblings

It was our last chance to say goodbye to Jake though.  Today he got dropped off at the MTC to start his mission serving in the Mexico City South.  We'll miss you!  Dexter will be so changed when he gets back.  He'll be walking/running and talking.  There could be more members in the Hansen family (ours and the other ones).  Kyle will be done with school.  Two years is a long time.

We did even more fall/Halloween activities.  We finally carved pumpkins.

The Pumpkins Before

We let Dexter help put his together

He liked to shove it around.

The final products.  Dak's is Yoda.  Mine is the surprised/scared one.  And Kyle's are the mini vampires.

Still have to work on costumes, but we're excited for Halloween and the ward party.  Kyle and I are debating if we should take Dexter around the trunks to get candy.  We understand he can't eat it, but we'd love to for him.  Such a sacrifice on our parts.

Chilling in a basket.

Sometimes he looks cute when crying

Leaves changing!!  Love Fall!

Messy squash face.

Mouth open. Check.
Arms thrown backwards.  Check Check.
Leaning as far in as possible.  Check.
This is how he typically goes in for a bite.

He also got his 6 month checkup.
Wt: 15 lbs 11 oz. - 16%

Height: 26 3/4" - 61%

Head: 16 7/8" - 23%

He passed all his developments with flying colors.  Definitely the babble one.  He gurgles and talks all day long.  Got some ointment for his feet that he rubs together non stop.  We've tried various things to stop it.  The only thing was the doctor wants some more chubs on him.  So the amount of solid food will be increasing.  It won't be hard cause Dak loves it.  

I'm So Dizzy

Wow it's been a whirlwind of a week, and my house looks like it also struck there.  It started with our trip to Vegas.  We drove down on Thursday.  Made as little stops as we could so we could get there earlier.  We stopped off to unload at my parents and grab dinner.  Then over to the Hansens.

Eating Squash as his first real food (not rice cereal)

And he loved it.  Ate the whole thing.

Dexter didn't sleep very well for his bedtime while at the Hansens, but would cuddle with me (no one else).  Friday we went over so Nub Nub (Mama Hansen) could spend lots of time with Dak.  He had gotten in a few naps, so he was the cutest and happiest babe for them.  Which I'm glad cause he was CRANKY the night before.  We then went out to dinner with my parents at Macayo's.   MMMmmm.

Being cute for Nub Nub

Pulling Aunt Audrey's hair

Playing with Dak

Getting down to his level

Tickling him and making him laugh

My aunt Georganne had then also invited us over to visit with her family that evening because all her kids were there.  Carleen (with her family) and Mariah had come in because of Viva Bike Vegas.  There were a few cute moments.  Dexter has 2nd cousins that are 6 months older (Eli) and 3.5 months younger (Keller).  When Dak spotted Keller he looked at him and then started "talking" to him.  We guess he was telling his whole life story to him and his wise experiences.  Little Eli was walking everywhere.  He would climb over Dexter a bunch, who didn't mind at all.  Then...Eli went in to give him a kiss.  I didn't let it finish since both babies were a little drooly and had mouths open.  It was a funny moment though.

Well Friday was our only non-travel day, except for driving around Vegas.  Saturday morning we packed up for a day trip to California.  Trevor and Danielle rode with us, while Mama Hansen, Jake, Tyler, and Kacey were in the other car.

Willing to take care of the worn out traveller

After 4 hours we made it to Aunt Suzie's to help set up for Joseph's wedding reception.  So all afternoon we decorated and setup for their reception.I had to take a lot of breaks taking care of Dexter, but it was fun spending time over there.  Then the reception.  I took pictures for them, and then participated in the Just Dance game.  (Reception Pictures)So fun, and so embarrassing.  After cleaning up we finally drove back to Vegas.

The sunflowers in Suzie's yard were so gorgeous

Taking a moment

Jake & Kacey

One of their last pictures before he leaves on the mission.

Uncle Tyler enjoyed taking care of him too

Some resemblance.

All the sisters together

Loved the twilight hue with the lights

Sunflowers are Danielle's state flower

Snuck in a family picture

Sneaking up on the unsuspecting Tyler

Loved the lanterns

A lot of work went into the sunflowers and lights

Kyle playing Just Dance

After only a few hours of sleep we got all ready and headed over to hear Jake's Farewell Talk.  The main reason for the trip.  He did a great job.  Dexter behaved well, but I did have to stand in the back for about 15 minutes.  We also got to sing as the entire family...even Dak came up.  He tried attacking the hymn books, but was shy about the singing.  Afterwards we said some long goodbyes.  We stopped by my parents to finish packing, take a nap, and eat.  Then drove the LONG drive back.

Dex with Grandma and Grandpa Thompson

Another one

Grandma Gayle squeezing in a picture

Cute new bowtie

Grandpa Bruce and Dex loving the camera

Those at Jake's Farewell

The last time we're all together for 2 years

So in the 4 days, 3 were travelling with 8 hours of driving each time.  Dexter was not a happy taveler starting in St. George on the way back.  We all got home happy and relieved.  And slept very well.

Today I feel like I'm finally getting settled down after that trip because the other days I didn't have much time to unwind.  Our ward is having a week long service project helping to fix up someones home.  So Monday Kyle and I got in our grubs and painted for 2 hours.  On Tuesday I went and painted some more for around 5 hours (with Dexter in a playpen in the back).  Then last night went and cleaned the oven with Kyle watching Dex.  It's been keeping me a bit tired.

Kyle enjoyed his break but his teachers assigned a bunch of homework, along with all of them having large final projects, on the first day back.  So he'll be way busy again.  Can't wait for the holidays.  Need to work on costumes though for Halloween.  But way WAY excited for Thanksgiving...such good food that I'm letting myself eat.

Oh..speaking of eating.  Kyle and I have come up with a new diet plan.  We've been motivated before but this time there's an incentive.  Instead of our automatic Fun Fund...we have to earn it.  Each day that we stay within our calorie count a set amount will be added to our accounts.  It's only like a dollar a day, but that can be $30 a month.  Doing it for only 3 days has made me look at my binge snacking that had me gain back the 10 lbs I had lost after Dexter.

Dex also turned 6 months yesterday!