Utah Vacation

Mom and dad let the boys and I drive to Utah with them to see family. Gavin and Kaden did awesome in the car. I had made a whole car entertainment box to take and that really helped. We played games, watched movies, read books, slept. They were both champs. 

Of course the first thing we had to do when we drove into Salt Lake City was drive to the City Creek mall and check out Kaden's all time favorite thing, "The Fire and Water." HE has loved this since he was a tiny baby and was so excited to show Gavin now for the first time. And Gavin was not disappointed, he loves it just as much as Kaden. We went almost every night we were in Salt Lake, mom and dad are saints to take us and let Kaden have these favorite moments.

We went to Scheel's in Salt Lake and the boys loved it. So many cool things to see.

Gavin peeking out

We did some shopping and the boys did such a great job we let them play in the dino play place for a while to get some energy out. They loved it.                             

One of my all time favorite pictures from the trip. Kaden sure loves his grandpa, he has a very special place in his heart. 

Only in Utah. They have these giant stuffed scooters that mom and I took the boys on. You just ride them around the mall, both boys thought it was pretty cool. Mom and I were glad we didn't see anyone we know.                                              It was very fun to get to see all our family in Salt Lake. I met grandpa Jensen's new wife, Adelia, for the first time and she was such a sweet lady, it was so nice to finally get to meet her. We had a very fun family dinner with lots of cousins and aunts and uncles. Kaden had a great time playing with all the kids.

After Salt Lake we headed to Vernal to see the big green and pink dinosaurs (not to mention our family we love) This is Kaden's other very favorite thing to see in the whole world. He has always loved the big green dinosaur and this time he decided he also loves the big pink dinosaur, Dinah. We saw them every day and night, another saintly act by mom and dad. Gavin also loved the dinos, just like brother.   

We spent lots of time seeing grandma Lois and all the Vernal cousins. Kaden loves to visit grandma LaRae and grandpa Boom. Grandpa Boom introduced Kaden to some smell good this time, the traditional, BRUTE, that he's been wearing for my whole life. When I was little I loved to climb up in his lap and just smell his neck after he had showered and put on some brute. So this time Kaden would put some "blute" on too and let me smell him all night long.

Gavin had the greatest time just being able to have so much space outside to run and play. He loved Sparky the cat and Roxy the dog, much to my dismay, and chased them all over giggling and trying to love them. Thanks Mom and Dad for taking us with you on your Utah Trip, that is Kaden's favorite place to be, with his favorite people. A dream come true!

Crazy story on the way home:

We were on our way home, about an hour outside of Dinosaur, I was sitting in the front with dad at the time. I was looking out the window when I saw something that looked like a dead guy out the window. I turned around to try and see and then asked dad if he had seen that. I told him I thought I'd seen a body lying on the side of the road and he confessed he thought he'd seen some jeans also. We turned around, hoping we were just seeing things. But sure enough as we got closer it was a body lying on the side of the road. We pulled over and I called 911, we were so sure he was dead, looked like someone had killed him and thrown him from the car, leaving him how he landed. As I talked to 911 dad got out to investigate, he walked up to the guy and just asked if he was alright. All the sudden the guy bolts up and looks around, startling all of us. He tells dad he had just laid down to nap and was just walking. Said he could use a ride the way we were going, lucky for us our seats were full haha. Then he stood up and just started walking into the middle of nowhere again. It was the strangest thing that has ever happened to me. I told 911 he actually wasn't dead and they said they'd send a trooper to check things out. Then we headed on our way again, but I kept an eye out for anymore bodies lying around on the side of the road :)

Kaden is 4!!!

HaPpY 4th BiRtHdAy Kaden!!!!!
I can't believe I have a 4 year old! Kaden has been so excited to turn 4 and we partied the day away. He helped me make cupcakes the night before so he could take them to preschool to share with his friends. Then when I picked him up we went to a special birthday lunch at Red Robin with daddy (Kaden LOVES Red Robin.)
That night we had a partay at our house. We ate noodles, had birthday cake,  presents, and all of our family to help us out. Grandma and Grandpa, Grandma Jean, Grandma Max, Jill, Alec, Allen, Randi and kids were all there to help us make it an awesome celebration. I think it's safe to say Kaden was spoiled rotten but how could he not be when he's so cute and good?!

This year Kaden had a new "big boy" snuggle blanket made for him, by Aunt Randi of course. He LOVED it. He now has 4 of these special snuggle blankets and he sleeps with every one of them every night. Thanks grandma and grandpa and Randi for making this blankie loving boys dreams come true.

Gavin also had a great time hanging out during the party. He and Rylee were stripe buddies and hung on the stairs together for a long time just being together.

Another thing Kaden had really wanted this year was a dragon that has secret pockets all over to hide all your secret treasures :) He also sleeps with snuggle dragon every night.

Kaden we love you so much and we are so proud of the sweet boy you are. You are the best big brother to Gavin, always sharing and playing with him and teaching him new things. You always watch out for him and take such good care of him. You are so thoughtful and caring, always wanting everyone to be happy and together. You are my best buddy and I'm grateful to be your mom and get to spend everyday with you. You make my heart so full of joy! Thanks for the 4 years we've had together I'm so grateful we are an eternal family. Happy Birthday my 4 year old Big Boy!!!

Kaden's info:
favorite colors: all, changes daily
favorite food: mac & cheese, cheeseburger, fries, nuggets, candy, cookies, fruit snacks
favorite drink: simply orange with mango juice, G2, milk & lala
Loves: his brother and family, ella, running fast, being bugzilla, dancing, sleepovers (at both grandma's house) talking about things at night before bed, laying with mom and dad to go to sleep.
He's in sunbeams at church now, which he does so well in, he looks so big sitting in primary all by himself. He is such an old soul in a little body.

Garth Brooks Concert

 Stuart, Mom, and I went to Garth Brooks!! It was amazing! I never thought I'd get the chance to go to a concert of his but it happened. And it was spectacular!!
We started the night out by going to dinner at the Mercantile (Stu's restaurant) and then walked over to the Pepsi Center after for the big show. He had so much energy and was such an amazing performer. His wife Trisha Yearwood also made an appearance. It was fun to do something with just Stu and Mom, we don't get to do that too often. Definitely one I would go to again if given the chance.

The Denver Museum

Both boys in forward facing, big boy carseats! Gavin loves it!

Gavin loved the water tornado

We decided to take the boys to the Denver Museum of Natural History today and invited Jean to go with us. I hadn't gone for a long time, and it was fun! They just redid the kid place and we're talking major improvements! 

This is where we spent most of our time

Very fun day out with the fam!