We left on Mother's Day to make the drive from California to Utah. My brother and his family and my sister and her family live up there, so we thought it was about time we went there to visit them and so that Kaia could meet her aunts, uncles and cousins. The drive went pretty well with a 6 month old, we can't really complain. She fussed twice on the way there, but she was sitting in a dirty diaper so who wouldn't fuss over that?! But, there wasn't anything Mickey Mouse Clubhouse couldn't fix! I would squish myself in the backseat next to her and hold out my phone so she could watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and it worked like a charm. As soon as it was on, she stopped fussing and started smiling and laughing. I think Trevor finally believed me when I've been trying to tell him she seems to really be into that show.
We got to my sister's about 10 at night and my two oldest nephews stayed up to see us. Kaia was pretty tired and did not like my sister at all, but she loved my 10 year old nephew and turns out he is so in love with her. If he lived here, we would be asking him to babysit all the time. He would have friends over and would brush them off just to spend time with Kaia. it was so sweet. My sister has 5 kids and they all loved Kaia. Each day, they would take turn feeding her meals, giving her bottles and trying to get her to stop fussing. My 6 year old niece (the only girl too) loved picking out her outfits everyday. She was not the same Kaia in Utah though as she is at home. Everyone knows she is the sweetest, calmest little thing, but she was cranky the entire trip. We thought it was her lack of good naps and slight teething, but we felt like they couldn't believe us when we would say "she really doesn't fuss this much". Turns out, she was teething big time! As soon as we got home, her two front bottom teeth broke through. Aside from that, she did so good.
We picked the best week to go! Two of my nephews have a birthday a week apart, so we got to party with them, my oldest nephew was Merlin in his 6th grade play, and my niece had her dance recital/preschool graduation. We got to see my brother and his family, which always makes me happy. My little nephew who has never ever come to me, came to me every time I held my arms out. I LOVED it! My niece planned a day with us and it turned out to be such a fun day. She is the biggest personality in the family and we love her so much! And due to unfortunate circumstances, my oldest brother and his family who live in Oregon made the drive down to Utah. We didn't get a ton of time with them, which is completely understandable, but we cherished the time we did get to see them. They have the 3 sweetest kids and they hold a very special place in my heart (as do all my nieces and nephews). It was such a fun trip and so great to see my siblings who I never get to see. And I'm so glad that Kaia got to see the rest of her family too.
This was my Mother's Day gift. It was on my seat when we got in the car to start our trip. He knows me well.
Helping daddy drive. We're almost there!
Right after we got there. Brendan and Kaia loved each other!
Brendan and Jaden loved reading her bedtime stories.
This kid has zero insulation. Look at those lips!
Fell asleep with Auntie Candice at the pool.
After Kennedee's dance recital.
With the star of the play! He was an awesome Merlin!
Rowan trying on her dance costume she got while we were there. We got to watch her in class, she is such a good dancer.
We got the boys Nerf guns, but I think Trevor had more fun with them...and I'm sure this makes him a proud daddy.
I love cuddling this big baby!
Jaden and Teagan, the birthday boys!
Meeting her cousin Lexi!
And her cousin Ari!
I'm so glad we got to see these people even for a short amount of time. We really need to make a trip to Oregon!
Kyler is almost as tall as me and he's 10!
She's a very special girl.
We got to go to all the kids soccer games. It was all their last game of the season. Here's Rowan with her team.
She's so girly, she kept doing kart wheels and dancing on the way to get the ball.
Brendan and Teagan play on the same team and their dad is their coach.They are quite the athletes!
And Jaden at his game.
Kennedee planned for us to go eat at McDonald's, then walk to the duck pond. They have this natural spring water there and it's so refreshing!
Kenn and her chicken.
She kept putting these flowers in my hair and taking pictures, so naturally I though I'd pose like her.
We decided to make the drive back in 2 days. She must have been exhausted!
