Attempts to Escape Winter

The last week of February, we got invited down to Bountiful to watch an old neighbor's teenage daughter and house while they went on a little getaway to California. We happily obliged, seeing as we love this family and their daughter and it gave us a reason to go play in Bountiful for a week! We were not disappointed. We had a blast! Sarah, the daughter, gave us a false idea of what it will be like to have teenagers because she is so good and sweet. Seriously. She is just wonderful. She entertained us with her many artistic talents including pancake art, etch-a-sketch creations, self-composed piano pieces and drawings she had for homework. See? She's amazing.

One evening there was a huge thunderstorm that rolled through. The thunder made Luke a little nervous which led to him telling us that we need to stay inside when the thunder rumbles so that we don't get turned to stone. I don't know where he got this from, but he was set on the fact that thunder would turn us to stone. Sarah was completely fascinated with the storm, which made Luke even more nervous because he is seriously in love with Sarah. He was eating his bedtime snack, tentatively watching Sarah at the door yelling, "Don't turn to stone, Sarah!" and "Just come inside, please, Sarah." It was the cutest thing. Once the storm started getting further away, he decided it was safe to take a peek and would hold onto Sarah while he watched the storm while commenting, "Wow. That's pretty awesome."


We also got to play with the Evans quite a bit which meant to little boys were in seventh heaven! Funny story about them, we got to go to our ward the Sunday we were there which meant Parker and Luke got to be in Sunbeams together. During singing time, they played the game stop and go singing to which Luke would crack up when the stop sign came up, which caused Parker to start laughing, which caused Kayla (Parker's mom and the singing chorister) to start laughing which then caused the entire primary to bust up. Leave it to Luke. He came home that day saying he LOVED primary.

Caleb got to go to Physical Therapy at Shriner's while were there. We enjoy the fun atmosphere there and his Physical Therapist thinks he will be walking majority of the time within a month. Are we ready for another walker?!?!

After Bountiful, we continued South to Arizona to try to get some natural vitamin D. We met my dad in Williams, just outside the Grand Canyon on Route 66. Luke was over the moon to be on THE Route 66 and would be sure to let us know we were there every time he saw a sign. We convinced him Lightening McQueen lived there and that was the favorite part of the trip.

We stayed a night in Williams, then ventured to the Grand Canyon. Neither Dallin nor I had ever been to the Grand Canyon! My family and I attempted once when I was younger for a spring break trip, but it was closed because of snow. We just barely missed the snow this time around. It sure was cold, but at least we got to experience on the wonders of the world. We even got to drive up and around the rim that is closed off to public traffic from March to November, so I call that a win!

After the Grand Canyon, we got some lunch in Flagstaff at a place called Satchmo's. Little hole in the wall restaurant, but oh so yummy! Cajun and creole food done right, for sure.

We then made the journey down to Phoenix where we were greeted with my dad's 2 massive baskets of golf balls. The boys were in heaven and the bouncing of golf balls on hardwood floors were our soundtrack for the weekend. I'm sure my dad will be finding golf balls in little nooks and crannies for months. Do not send any in any packages, please...

Sunday, we went for a little hike and then explored all the areas of Phoenix, got some sun (it was the only day above 60 and no rain) and play at a park. It was perfect.

We also go to meet up with our good friend, Dave from SLO, who now lives in Phoenix and works for the hockey team, the Coyotes. He was nice enough to get us tickets to the game that night. This was a first NHL game for all of us! The boys had a blast getting all revved up with the crowd, even though the Coyotes were losing. We left after the second period because it was late and Luke was on the edge of meltdown city due to exhaustion. The Coyotes were down by 3, but after we left, they made an amazing comeback and won the game! I think we were a distraction.

Monday, I got to spend the day with my old roommate and dear friend, Katelyn, along with her two littles. This was the first time I was able to meet her 2-year-old and her second was just born in January, so I got to love on him a little. It was so fun to get to catch up a little and just be with her. I sure do miss those girls.

On our way out on Tuesday, we stopped by Dave's to visit with his wife and son, who also happens to have Down Syndrome. They were the first people we called when we found out about Caleb because they had always been so positive about their experience with Down Syndrome. It was, quite possible, the best thing we could have done. As soon as we called him, Dave greeted us with excitement and congratulations and so much joy. It really set the mood for our journey with Caleb and we've never looked back, since. Anyway, getting to play with their Jed was such a blast and we are so grateful for their friendship. Now, to just figure out a way to get Dallin a job in Arizona....

Our return to Utah and Idaho was greeted with cold weather and snow. Seriously. Any job leads for Dallin in Arizona, let us know!

And now, a hodgpodge of our favorite pictures from the past two weeks:

Dallin and his siblings used to put tape on Erban's glasses when he would fall asleep in church. Dallin is passing the tradition on to Luke...

 Caleb is getting SO good at using utensils. He is still pretty messy, but can get majority in his mouth all by himself. So proud of my little bug!

A family here in Idaho had a little Valentine's party, which I forgot about and was at Costco when I got the reminder. Even though we missed the party, they were nice enough to still bring by a party favor bag. Luke loved all the goodies inside!

 For Christmas, Luke got some Magformers and they have quickly become the favorite toy of the household. We play with them at least once a day and have so much fun every time.

Here's hoping spring is here and that all are doing well! Much love and warm thoughts.