Good Ol' Idaho!

Well, I'm back! Lucy and I landed safely in Colorado last night after a fun filled 12 day vacation in Idaho!  I took a million pictures and wish I could post them all, but my collage program isn't working today (of course!) so I guess I'll have to only choose the best of the best to share with you all.  And that will still be a LOT.

Our trip started with Lu and I flying to Boise.  Ninny picked us up from the airport and the first place I wanted to go was Los Betos....Mmmmm....How I miss that place!  Boise was the shorter leg of our trip, but we packed a LOT in in 4 days.  I learned how to Longboard (yes, while pregnant with a worried husband at home- silly Shawn!) and I really did awesome, if I do say so myself! Mom and I got to go to a Zumba class together.  Lucy met Russell (we both did- this was definitley the highlight!!). And she is so in love with him, it's just adorable.  He wasn't sure what to think of her at first, but in the end I think he decided she was pretty cool.  See, she is a hugger and a kisser and poor little Russell didn't seem to understand why this strange toddler was smothering him :)  We had lots of family time, a day at the River, and I was able to go visit some dear old friends who I haven't seen in much too long.

Getting into trouble...

Lucy on the airplane. She did Awesome!

Meeting up with the Knuevens :)

Silly Lucy!

The girl cousins and their Flamingo dresses from Spain!  Ninny and Papa brought them home.  They looked so cute!

 

Bath time was not so fun that first night....

Pregnant and Long boarding! I'm moving in this pic, just can't tell.

We couldn't seem to get a good picture of all of us girls long boarding so this will have to do.  It was so much fun!

The bird bit her after this...she loved it until then ;)

 Papa riding with Lucy on his lawn mower :)

My Mom, Dad, Lucy and me then drove up to Coeur d'Alene, ID.  It was Lucy's first road trip!  She's been on a plane 7 times in her short life, but has now only had 1 good old fashioned road trip.  I have to say, I was impressed.  She watched a couple hours of Elmo, took a couple of naps, and played the rest of the 8 hour trip.  Once up in CDA we had a nice, relaxing 8 days.  Lucy was the happiest she's pretty much ever been, and I was shocked that my fiesty baby actually had a calm demeanor for the majority of our stay!  She cracked everyone up with her "tricks" and showed off a LOT.  She got more attention than she's ever had in her life and now that we're back home alone she is acting attention starved!  She was held and chased and kissed and hugged and rocked and walked, etc. for 12 days straight.  She was this little independent baby that just enjoyed the wonders of my families' houses.  She was exploring every crevice she could find and even discovered how much fun trampolines are :)  My dad and I have already talked about her going to stay in Boise with the Smidt's every Summer for a few weeks by herself while we live far away.  She had the time of her life and didn't cling to her Mommy all day like she usually does! I was allowed to be a negligent Mom while on vacation and sit and watch hours of Kardashian's UNINTERRUPTED! That has NEVER happened before!  I was soaking it up!  It was so cool saying "hey, I'm going on a walk- watch Lucy for me!"  And leaving.  Just like that.  As much as I love being a Mom, being able to have a few days "off" was heavenly and just what I needed!

While in CDA, Lucy got to spend a day at Silverwood!  She was such a big girl and got to ride the carousel, the log ride AND the ferris wheel! Now that she is a "toddler" she was old enough for some of the big kid rides :)  She loved the log ride- even the roller coaster part.  And the ferris wheel had her laughing the WHOLE time while her tummy tickled- this baby has no fear of heights OR speed.  She was having the time of her life!  She even rode a kiddy roller coaster while we were there and just loved every second of it!

Lucy, Ninny and Nana on the Carousel

She really did love the horses going up and down, but wouldn't smile for a pic!

Lucy, Liv and I on the ferris wheel :)

We all loved it! Look at Lu's smile!

Lucy also met her 2nd cousin Maggie.  They are only 2 months apart and Lucy loved her.  It was good to spend some time with Holly and her cute kids while I was there- its been 2 years since I've seen her!  In CDA, we had big family dinners, pool days, a day spent at the lake, a day hiking, a day shopping down town, an afternoon watching the Ironman, and lots of late nights playing cards. Plus, Lucy got another top tooth!  It was so relaxing to just sit or be lazy with my family.  Like I said, that NEVER happens.  I enjoyed every minute.  Spending time with my Nana and Pops was just so wonderful.  It is rare these days, and I really do cherish all the memories that were made.  Plus, to see Lucy reach for her Nana and Pops just melts my heart.  She really loves those people and they really love her!

KJ is one of Lucy's FAVORITE people :)

 

She was allowed to throw a couple of temper tantrums...

Lucy was a little rough with Mags...

Nana saying Bye to Lu :'(

Lucy showing off her top teeth!

Nice nose picking Lu

Another highlight of the trip was me feeling my baby move for the first time.  I felt those first flutters one night while sitting around the kitchen table, and a couple of tiny thumps over the course of the next few days.  It was so special.  That moment when you first feel life inside of you is one to remember and cherish forever.  The baby was probably thanking me for all the wonderful, delicious and rich food I was feeding him/her!  Nana should be featured on the Food Network.  Yes- her cooking really IS that good!

It was hard to say goodbye to my Nana and Pops and Mom and Dad and sisters and niece and nephews, but I was very ready to see my Shawn.  The only thing that could have made my trip better was if he could have been there with us.  I missed him like crazy and Lucy did too.  Thank goodness for Skype!  She skyped with her Daddy a few times and they would play via internet.  It was really cute to watch her "talk" to him and laugh at him and light up when his face filled the screen.  12 days is too long to be without the love of my life!  Next time we need to make sure he can come with us!  But I came home to an emaculate house (SOOO thankful for that!) and was treated to an amazing back massage.  Nothing feels better than a back massage when you're pregnant.  Thanks to my very sweet husband for doting on me the second we touched ground.

I am so thankful for the hours spent with my dear family.  It's hard being so far away from them.  I just love and miss them so much!  But Heavenly Father called us to Colorado and so we know we will be here for awhile.  I hope I can visit my family more often because 6 months (or longer) in between visits is much too long!  Lucy needs her big bear hugs and patty cake games from her Papa and Ninny more often!

Thank you to my sweet family for entertaining us and loving Lucy.  We had a blast! At least I have a reunion in the books for 2014 :)

Until next time....

XOXOXOXOXOXO!