{Utah Trip - Part 2}

"We have so much time and so little to do.  Strike that.  Reverse it." - Roald Dahl

This quote comes from one of my favorite authors from childhood.  Although written in a fictitious work, it's application is quite literal.  Time is a funny thing - it seems to stretch on in the most painful moments but flies by so quickly when things are good.   Fortunately this past week has been filled with the latter, and has gone by so SO fast.  

Here are some of the highlights:

• Going to see Mockingjay with Dan & Krystal.  It was easily the best Hunger Games film yet, and it was nice to have a night out!  Krystal & I went to the mall before the show and got Sees chocolates to sneak into the film... those are the BEST and made for a very happy Dan & Mike. 
• Catching up with Marianne and Jim and hearing about their Europe travels.  Calvin wasn't sure how he felt about his Italian Gondalier hat though...

• A day of sewing with Julie trying to get Calvin's blessing pants ready.  Although it was a bit of a fiasco, Julie was able to finish them and they look SO good!  I can't wait for him to wear them! 
• Thanksgiving was such a wonderful day this year!  We enjoyed visits from the family, delicious food, games & Thanksgiving cuddles with a newborn (who could ask for more?)

Here are some Reynolds men waiting for some delicious food.

I made this caramel sauce from scratch and it was fantastic!  I will NEVER buy it from the store again.  Mom & I enjoyed a day before Thanksgiving getting food prepared and I'd say all in all we had a pretty gourmet meal this year!

Baby & I getting ready for the Thanksgiving feast!

The table was pretty all set up and it was even better with the sugar cookies Mom made in the shape of a turkey with everyone's name on them.

Vinny gave some smiles for his Grandpa Mike.

Vinny and Grandparents

Love those blue eyes!

Dad sported the chef's hat Marianne & Jim brought back from Italy.

Here is Mom getting things ready for all the festivities.

Anyone bringing pie is always welcome in this house.

Erik opens a gift from Marianne that was brought back from Spain!

Molly patiently waiting for her food.

Vinny spending quality time with his Uncle Erik.

Jana brought sweet potatoes this year and they were soooo good!

We played all sorts of games this year... the first captured is the marshmallow eating contest between Quincy & Collin.

Jana was a great videographer.

There was also a jumping contest... It was hard to tell who won but the photographic evidence we have would point to Greg. 

Next up we had the star burst unwrapping-in-your-mouth contest between Greg & Collin.  Greg won pretty handily and was finished before Collin had even started to unwrap his!

Then there was the stare contest between Aunt Jana & Molly.  As you can see, there was some intense preparation involved in this!

Greg and Mike challenged each other in the bubble blowing contest, and Mike's bubble was just sad. 

Grandma joined in and in a shocking upset beat all the grandkids in balancing on one foot for the longest.

Greg won the contest of falling asleep first...

...with Dad coming in a close second.

Marianne and Jim came to visit.  I love this picture because you can tell Molly just loves Marianne and has so many important things to say to her!

Julie, Jana & I went Black Friday shopping at Old Navy and Target ... Julie clearly did her research!

Calvin loved getting time in with his Grandpa Jim - hopefully he will recognize him without his surgical mask!

I think I lucked out pretty good in the in-law department!

Calvin gave me the sweetest smile...  

• The day after Thanksgiving we got to go visit Virginia, a friend of my mother-in-law's who has been so sweet to us and introduce her to Calvin.  It was really fun to catch up with her and see her new apartment.  We also had a nice lunch with the Reynolds at Prairie Schooner, which Mike and I have claimed as "our" restaurant.  That afternoon Mike & I went on a date to see 'Interstellar' which was a thought provoking and well-made movie!  We really enjoyed our date time. 
• Friday night we went out to Temple square with Dan & Krystal, as well as Krystal's mother.  Seeing the lights on temple square at Christmas time is probably my favorite part of Christmas.  We had a good time strolling around, and Krystal was hoping all that walking would induce labor! :D 

Krystal and Mike were both "carrying" babies, so to speak. 

• Last but not least we were able to enjoy the Iron Bowl (Alabama vs Auburn) with these sweet boys!  They loved seeing Calvin and they were so cute with him.

As you can see it has been a very eventful trip with lots of memories made!  This year I was so thankful to be able to spend Thanksgiving with family. 

{Utah Trip - Part One}

We are so lucky because Mike's squadron is headquartered in Utah- that means for the annual we get to come home for an extended family visit!  

So we squeezed Calvin in the car filled with strollers and bottles and diapers and wipes and started our road trip up here!  Cal did great in the car... although in Beaver when I put him back in his car seat after a little break this was the face he gave me - 

He is so expressive and it's pretty easy to tell how he is feeling even though the can't talk.

Quincy and Collin were eager to meet their new cousin, so that evening after unpacking we went up to Jana's house.  They loved seeing Cal...  I will never forget Collin feeling Cal's hands and describing them as "puppy-ish."  I don't even know what that means, but they sure were cute with him!

Saturday was the Mississippi St. vs Alabama football game, which Mike was rather excited for!  We decided to watch the game with my nephews and Greg so we headed up to the Christopherson's once more.  We enjoyed cheering the Crimson Tide on to victory and stuffed crust pizza!

Those eyes though!

That evening we were able to enjoy a yummy dinner with Dan & Krystal at Black Bear Diner in Sandy.  It was so fun to visit them - Krystal is so cute and so pregnant - can't wait until we get to meet Saffron sometime around Thanksgiving!

Calvin passed his two month mark on November 16th!  We celebrated by bringing out Daddy's baby blanket from 1982 and taking some fun pictures.  He is so responsive now - he will make eye contact with you, and if you impress him enough he will give you the sweetest smile in the world!  

Here is some special after church love he was giving us.  This boy takes cuteness to a Hole 'Nutha Level!

Sunday afternoon we had a fun visit with the Colvin's to watch some football!  Calvin enjoyed being doted on by his cousins, of course!

Monday was time for Mike to get to work and start doing his annual training at Hill Air Force Base.  That night was a special awards dinner that spouses were invited to attend. 

It was our first date night leaving the baby behind!  

They had these pink cups set up on the table because the commander has breast cancer.  She came in (after a chemo treatment) to give a little speech - it was really cool.

The F flight (Mike's flight) won a lot of awards!  Mike wasn't up for any this year since he is new, but it will be fun to see what happens next year.  

Tuesday afternoon I had the awesome opportunity to go to the temple and watch my sweet cousin Michelle receive her endowments!  It was awesome to go through the new Ogden Temple - it is so beautiful.  I was able to take a name on my Dad's side and do family work, which made it even more special.  This is my new favorite temple.

Uncle Bob & Aunt Leota after the session.

Wednesday I got to catch up with Emilie!  We went to Kneaders (probably the best place to eat during a cold winter day... or any day actually).  She was enjoying holding Calvin when he had the most massive blowout and poo went everywhere.  I was wearing a white shirt so I was football carrying him to the bathroom and he was loudly expressing his discomfort as we went in there with everyone curiously staring.  He screamed as if I was torturing him as I attempted to wipe down every crevice of his body that had poop in it - I am sure the whole restaurant thought I was beating him.  It was quite the ordeal, thank heavens I had a spare outfit and lots of wipes!  The entire time as he was screaming I just couldn't help but laugh at the situation... which is good, considering this probably won't be the only inconvenient blowout I'll have to deal with.  Emilie was a good sport, but he really pushed the limits when I handed him back to her after he was all clean and he immediately spit up on her.  That. kid.  

Friday night we went out for a special dinner with Mom & Dad at Ruby River.  Afterwards we met up with the Colvin's to go bowling - simple times spent with family are just the best!

Calvin enjoyed Grandma even though the bowling ally was a little too loud for him!

Saturday morning we went and saw Carter (who turns into "Cart-man" when he wrestles) compete at a wrestling competition at Weber High.  He was such a good sport and it was fun to watch him get into the games!

Isaac and I hung out while we waited for Carter's matches... that kid is getting so big!

Saturday afternoon I was spoiled by Emilie doing my hair - we went to Jana's house and had a girl's day - it was just what I needed!  So fun to catch up with the girls.  That night Emilie & Landon joined us in the adventure of taking Cal to his first movie - 'Big Hero 6.'  We loved it & Calvin slept through the entire thing which was fantastic!

Sunday evening we went down to Midvale and Calvin met his Reynolds grandparents for the first time!  At first he was overwhelmed, but Grandpa Jim quickly won him over!  

He enjoyed having conversations with Grandma & Grandpa & loved them very much!!

 It has been wonderful to stay with Mom & Dad and we have been enjoying home cooked meals (particularly home made bread).  We love our sweet boy and we are so grateful to spend Thanksgiving with family this year!