Bumping Up and Down In My Little Red Wagon

From vacation in Vegas, we didn't just go straight back home.  We extended it and spent Memorial Day weekend up at my family's cabin.

It was wonderful.  The only thing that put a bummer on it was the weather.  When I had looked at the temperatures for it and Vegas it was 65 and 95 respectively.  So that just means pants, but pretty much nothing too drastic in wardrobe.  This was a week and a half in advance though...turns out when we got there it was super windy.  Then the temperature held around 40, and even had snow flurries come down a couple of times. It was sad because this meant not as much play time outside.

On the last day it was finally warm enough.  And we took advantage.

I found the little red Radio Flyer under the cabin.  Dusted it off and stuck Dexter in it.  He loved being pulled around.  I worried he might not sit still well or not hold on.  But he did excellent in both, and was saying some version of "weeeeee" while we pulled it up and down the roads and hills.

I did some hair experimentation to pass time.
Lots of card and board games were played.
Dexter loved having access to the house.  Up and down the stairs, all day if he could have.  However, he was teething.  So happy one minute, screaming the next.

Dak was happy when i was grabbing my camera, and then...not so much.

He (and we) had some rough nights sleep.  A playpen was not his favorite form of bed for 1.5+ weeks.  Then he got a fever and sick.  However, one of the days.  He suddenly started giving me kisses, cooing, playing all by himself, and other happy things.  I checked...and yep.  A molar finally broke.  Just 3 more (and canines eventually).  I'm sorry that its a common topic, but can you tell that I hate teething.  He becomes such a bi-polar seeming child.  Good natured, then suddenly super grumpy for who knows how long.  Does teething ever stop?!

My family and proof that they do get to see Dexter.  Since I always forget to bring out the camera.

When we got home Dexter was so sick.  Fever, boogers, and a slight cough.  He knocked out on Kyle, so Kyle took a nap too.  He was tired from all the driving.  It was such a cute sight.

100 Years (- 10)

Grandma Hansen turned 90!  To celebrate there was a mini-reunion and birthday party down in Vegas, and we got to go.  

4 Generations

We tried the whole drive at night thing.  Started in the evening and slept in St. George.  It went...okay.  Dexter was pretty angry and upset for half the trip, then threw up and slept the 2nd half.  

Friday we got to Vegas early in the day.  Everyone was at work, but when they got home Dex got smothered.  Since most of Kyle's aunts, uncles and cousins were already in town there was a large bbq in the backyard.  It was fun to meet some of his cousins I hadn't met yet, with their kids and families of course.

Bringing out the Nerf Guns and weapons

Caleb - he was so cute and reminded me of vikings or the characters in Brave

Always got held

We partied late, and stayed up even later making the decorations for the party.  Lots of pom pom and banner makin'.  

 

Grandma getting her hair done for the party.

Saturday was the big day.  We went early to set up.  At the party there was awesome food.  Ping Pong.  Picture taking.  Beach ball question game.  Jeopardy all about Grandma.  Lots of effort went into it, and I thought it was great.  Thanks to all who were there and helped put it together.

Boys and their ping pong

Beach ball question game

Grandma, Darlene (her friend), SD Hansens, and Pop Pop

Dipping (probably double or quadruple dippin') his chips

The birthday cake

Eating...and notice the decorations.

Playing Verlie Hansen Jeopardy

Dexter ran a muck.  For the most part behaved himself well.  He keeps being happy, then sad, then laughing, then mad.  He's a hard one to figure out right now with teething, and then lack of sleep isn't helping.

We got to extend our trip and it was fun.  We swam, ate out at our favorite places.  Kyle and I got to go on 2 dates without Dex.  2 DATES!!!  It feels like forever that Kyle and I have gone out without the little guy.  We went to the temple (that had been a year since we went together!) and the other time we saw the Avengers.

We swam and enjoyed the summer nights.

He was okay with the water

Sitting around and chatting

We visited with our friends and met little McPherson Clarke (Katy and Chris' baby).

Dexter staring down Pherce

Kyle's cousins came over other times.

 Dak loved having other little kids around.  Which reminds me of something.  WE HAVE A WALKER!!!!  He started doing it a couple days before the trip, but then having all these little kids around pushed him so that he prefers walking to crawling.  Dak also gets into lots of trouble this way, but it's exciting.

Nerf gun war again, in the hallway

There was a bunch of other things we fit into that small time period.  It was all fun and awesome.  Also very tiring.  Staying up til 1, waking up at 6.  I feel like I need a few days of quietness to recover.

Playing with leftover balloon decorations

Aunt Melynn giving him a bath.

He would fall asleep in people's arms this time around...and they loved it!

Doing his "bark" and laughing at the doggies

We did get asked a bunch if we miss Vegas.  The answer.  Yes, very much.  Will we move back?  More than likely not, although if an amazing offer came then in less than a heartbeat I'd love to move back.  Utah is becoming a home, but it's been a HUGE adjustment.  Two years there and still not used to they way things or people are.  Utah has a lot to offer, and Vegas has mainly only one.  A big one, but just one so far.  Family.  I am lucky that they are only 7 hours away, it could be further.  Plus, the heat I felt while in Vegas reminded me of how great Utah summers are.

South of the Border

It was a pretty relaxing week.  Kyle did take me on a date to go get some Coldstone Ice Cream.  He actually planned on it.  Mainly cause he really wanted to make his own creation.  The line was super long, but it was worth it.

We also convinced Caryn to take family pictures for us.  Dexter was super cranky.  Teething molars and 2 hours past naptime didn't help.  But we did get some great ones.

 Check out more at: http://whphotos.blogspot.com/2012/05/1-year-and-family-pictures.html

Mother's day was nice.  Kyle got me a present.  The only stipulation was not being a bag of Dove chocolate.  I mean I love Dove chocolate.  But I also got it for the past 2 valentine's and mother's day, and for my birthday.  I even know it'll be my present before he even thinks of it.
So do you want to guess what it was?  If you guessed Meat Tenderizer you were right.  That's right.  I think I probably laughed a bit when I opened it, but it is practical.  He said he was inspired by me pulling out the hammers and rubber mallets to smash meat.

I also tried to let Kyle take over most of the diaper changing.  Such little things bring joy.
We also got to talk to Elder Jacob Hansen!  Kyle's brother who's serving a mission in Mexico.  We had this elaborate set up so we could conference call with him.  I actually got to talk with him first.  Which was exciting!  I was a little occupied with calling his cell then the land-line, but that didn't work.  Then cell, then conference calling the Hansens (with Kacey) and the Provo Hansens (with Garrett).  It was a little confusing having 11 people all on, but it was also so awesome.  

Talking to Uncle Jake!!!

At The Zoo

Dexter at home starts getting super excited when he sees animals on tv.  Usually dogs, or the randomest creatures.  Well, Dex at the zoo means he's almost hyperventilating.  We took him to the Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City.

First animal, the elephants!

Reaching out to the birds

As tall as the giraffes.

 He was so excited for the first 1.5 hours.  Then cause of missed naps he kind of just got tired and didn't even care when we walked by.

See their tired faces?

We continued onto the second part of the trip.  I got to go to Ikea!  Woohoo!  I had two items I wanted to get.  A desk for me, and some toy storage containers.

But not in pink.

Pics from Ikea.com

We put them together, and I love them so far.  Dexter's toys have a spot, instead of storage boxes that he destroyed by him.  Anyways, by the time we finished shopping at Ikea he was a very cranky kid, and finally fell asleep right as we started turning onto our street.

Knocked out.

Friday we did quite a bit of shopping.  Dexter got a new carseat.  He outgrew the little baby bucket thing.  Then I got to go update my wardrobe a bit.  Found a few pairs of pants, shirts and other things.

We had a visitor stop by for a short time.  Dexter followed him all around.

Kyle did start up work again.  He was a little sad that he couldn't sleep in anymore, but I'm happy that he comes home around 5 every day.  It's been a good week so far.

Breaktime

Well Friday was a long day, especially cause Kyle was gone until 10:30.  It was also because lately Dex has been whiney, and this day had been the worst thus far.  At first we thought it would end when his 8th tooth would pop through.  But that came on Wednesday, but the whining has continued.  It's not constant...just when sometimes when he doesn't get his way, or for no particular reason.

Playing Nintendo with Dad.

The weekend though Kyle spent it with us!  Entirely.  No homework.  He was pretty burnt-out from staying up to at least midnight the whole week working on stuff.

Crazy bath hair kid.  Look how long it is.

Kyle helped watch Dexter.  We ate out at a local burger place.  Really good, with homemade buns.  We were stuffed.  And pretty much just lazed around.

Loves playing outside and banging on screen door.

Monday and Tuesday Kyle went back to his schoolwork.  He just had one last project, but at least no final exams.  Tuesday night though it got finished.  So starting today (Wednesday) I have him until he goes back to work on Monday.  That's 5 whole days!

Playing outside as a family.

Today we started it off with haircuts!  Dexter's locks are gone.  Sniff.  It was hard to pull myself to do it.  But he definitely looks like a boy now, so there should be no ambiguity to other people.  Kyle just got a trim.
We have fun things planned for these next few days.  Zoo and Ikea.  And...I get a mini-shopping spree.

Super excited to go outside in just his diaper

He did not like the haircut process.  Do you see the tears and boogers?  (Also...Kyle's in his swimsuit)

I'm pretty excited for that.  Remember all those shirts I thought I'd refashion.  Yep never got around to them, and won't anytime soon.  All of my clothing purchases in the past have been from my fun fund.  So Kyle has granted me to spend a little bit on myself.  Yay!  Just trying to figure out what I need to get since the list of things needing updating is extensive.  Pants, shorts, shirts, blouses, undershirts, and misc.  Hopefully I can say goodbye to my dingy, ill-fitting, old (freshman in college) clothes soon.  I'm looking on Pinterest and online for ideas.  There are so many cute clothes out there.  I still want that personal shopper one day.

He loves laying on pillows and blankets, and then says "Ahhhhh"

Well Dexter was making great progress on his walking.  While waiting for our burgers at the Burger Bar.  He even was venturing away from things and walking.  It was awesome!  Then he took a spill, and roughed up his chin.  Since then anytime we let his hands go or he stops holding onto a chair, down his bottom goes.  He will not walk now.

And even without walking he's always getting bumps and bruises.  Today he took a little face dive while crawling on our patio, and scraped his chin.  He was crying a lot, but Dad gave him a popsicle.  And with Mom snuggling him, he felt better.