What I have been doing

So the whole reason for my solo trip to Utah was to meet my brand new niece Layla, so without further ado, here she is.
Isn't she beautiful? She was so incredibly sweet. She is still in the phase where she sleeps a lot, but sometimes she would just lie there taking in everything from the conversations around her. Thanks for letting me hold her so much Michele, I loved every minute of it!

Oliver did surprisingly well while I was gone. I left Saturday morning and returned late Tuesday evening. He had known for weeks that I was going, so on the morning I left I told him we needed to hurry and get dressed so we could go to the airport. Once again, he told me that he wanted to come too, and added in my fave "that be a good idea?". He then said that he wanted to bring his suitcase like Mommy. I agreed without knowing quite what he was talking about. He ended up bringing back a car suitcase he got for his birthday last year that has a handle and rolls, just like mine. We let him bring it to the airport and I think it made him feel big. I don't think he grasped the longevity of the situation as he said goodbye to me so easily. He did surprisingly well for those four days; by the second day he was asking where I was and wishing I was there, but aside from a few meltdowns, Clayton and Oliver genuinely enjoyed each others company. He was incredibly excited to pick me up at the airport, Clayton said he was shaking when he got him out of the car seat. It was such a sweet reunion. I missed my guys so much!

Even though I missed my guys like crazy, I had a great time. It was wonderful to get to spend time with my sister and her sweet family. For those of you who don't know, Michele's little Avery is only 7 weeks younger than my Oliver. I wouldn't have thought it possible, but it actually helped having her there. She was very receptive to all my loves and has some of the same mannerisms as Oliver, and the cutest little girl version of Oliver's toddler voice that just melted my heart. Madi & Emily were also dolls to be around. They definitely kept me going and helped make up for my lack of exercise while I was there with all the games and rough housing they like to do.

Thanks so much for being such fantastic hosts and making my time there very enjoyable! Prepare now for picture overload.

Emily, Aunt Pamela & Layla

Madi, Michele, Avery, Layla, Aunt Pamela & Emily


Mom's don't get their picture taken very often, so we took these of Michele the day I arrived. I thought these turned out so cute; I love them!

Madi told me she didn't want any pictures taken, here she is trying to block her face. Please don't start that yet Madi, you are not old enough! :)

Such cute sisters and best friends: Madelyn & Emily

Madi, Aunt Pamela & Avery

Emily wearing Aunt Pamela's bracelet

Madi wearing my necklace

Layla early in the morning, holding her Binky in her mouth

These girls love, love, love their baby sister. I agree with my sister, Madi would like to be the Mom! :)

Travis with his sweet new baby!

Look at how teeny Layla looks in her bouncy seat!

The Layla baby burrito

Madi ready for school on the "hats off to her teacher day"

My Mom, my sister April, Me and my sister Michele (just missing Debbie)

trying to be silly!

Avery, Madelyn & Emily at the Thanksgiving Point Dinosaur Museum

The girls playing it the water area

Here is a video of Avery digging in the sand/water

Digging in the sand

Avery was more interested in burying herself, than unburying the bones!

Michele & Travis

Layla along for the ride in a front carrier

Gramps holding Layla

Emily making a PB & J all by herself the day I left. I was so impressed that she wanted to make her own snack and I thought these pictures turned out too cute!

Unfortunately, I didn't get to see my brother this trip, nor several of my nieces and nephews. I did however get to see Debbie and Preston briefly and the way to the airport and had a nice quick visit, too bad I packed my camera and didn't get any pictures! Hopefully we will be returning to Salt Lake in May and will have more time to visit everyone then.