When Grandma Lor comes to town, there is a lot of eating out and presents and love. Jenna has her {and everyone else for that matter} wrapped around her little finger.
We went shopping and picked out Jenna's halloween costume, she's going to be a snow queen. We tried the dress on so we could see if it fit. It's a tiny bit too long, but otherwise fits well. She would not let me take it off her. She kept twirling and spinning. She finally looks at me and says, "It's just so magical." Happiness abounds!
Grandma Lor bought Jenna a new Lightning McQueen battery operated four wheeler. Jenna LOVES it. Round and round she goes in our backyard in total heaven.
Then Grandma Lor and Uncle Matthew to the splash pad. What a good time they had together!
My brother in law babysat Jenna for us and took her out to Tuacahn where they spent the morning. She was quite enamored with the giant poster for Aladdin. She got the change to play on the large stage and...wait for it...ride a camel! She had a complete blast. They're pretty cute together, Jenna and her Uncle Matthew.
One of the members of the Sinful Six, Chris Hatch, and his family were in Ogden from Texas and asked us to come up so we could all get together. Before we left, I put together a little backpack for Jenna that is for use on the airplane only. It has a dry erase board, a coloring book and crayons, 2 sets of Disney flashcards; colors and numbers, shoelaces and Cherrios to make necklaces, and 3 books. It was a huge hit and she didn't even use the iPad either direction. Ms. Independent is adamant that she carry her own backpack and suitcase. Which beside being the cutest thing ever, is actually incredibly helpful! There are silver linings to her getting so old!
We had a great time at dinner with the Sinful Six. 5 of the 6 members and their wives (and a few of the kids) were able to make it. And it was so much fun! The kids all got along great as the boys. They have such a funny banter and way of giving each other a hard time. It was funny watching how they almost went around the table and took turns teasing each member in turn. I really have the best time when I am with them. Their intelligent sense of humors make for endless laughter!
Sinful Six Generation 2
SS: Joe Dallimore, Jason Langeveld, Mike Crowton, Casey, and Chris Hatch
That night we went down and spent the night at Grandma Lor's and then spent the day Sunday with her. On our way to Grandma's I was able to catch Jenna's maniacal version of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star...enjoy!
She and Jenna are so cute together. Casey left for Baltimore for the week on Sunday afternoon and Jenna and I headed up to my mom's for a couple of days.
I figured might as well hang with my Motherhead for a couple days then sit around the house missing Casey. Unfortunately, Jenna got really is Monday morning and spent the morning vomiting. It has to be one of the worst feelings not to be able to help your kid with they are in pain. I think is the third time Jenna has ever been sick and she just doesn't understand what's happening. She kept crying that she wanted to take the "wairpwane" to Jenna's house. I would have considered it if I hadn't been so worried about her throwing up all over the plane. Gratefully it didn't last long and after she took a long nap that afternoon, she woke up feeling and acting much better. So we finished out the trip helping my Mom with some of her house projects; painting, glazing, and installing baseboards, hanging curtains, arranging furniture, cleaning, listing, and selling her old dining room table, and getting her a little more settled. I know the transition from San Diego isn't going to be easy for her, especially adjusting to being single again. But all I want is for her to be happy and anything I can do to get her there quicker I'll do. I was a good trip overall and it I am reminded once again how grateful I am for Casey's flight benefits that allow us these opportunity.
Sick girl just waking up.
On our way home.
She loved the Cherrios necklace making. We had to work hard on not eating them immediately after stringing them though.
With the holiday falling on a weekday this year, I agreed to stay home for the fourth with the caveat that we actually do something. Not just sit around the house which is what we (understandably) do when we we are actually in town. We ended up having an amazing day! We started out at the park where the city had set up carnival rides, booths, games, karaoke, and all sorts of fun-ness.
Jenna's first ride of the day was on the swings and she was in absolute heaven!
Then she wanted to ride the "train". {which is essentially opened up 50 gallon water barrels with wheels being pulled by a ATV} She was all for it until she realized we wouldn't be riding with her and may be out of her line of site. Check out the series of naughty looks we got until she starts to get the hang of it.
And finally we got a smile!
I totally had a Pollyanna moment loading Jenna up with corn on the cob and watermelon. I was on the hunt for a giant piece of cake like they had in the movie...no such luck.
And because we were so close, and because she's obsessed with it, we stopped so Jenna could ride the carousal. Once again, pure joy.
Then we headed home for nap time. We had sufficiently worn Jenna out that she actually took a nap! WAHOO! That evening we headed over to the SkyWest sponsored concert and firework show. It was an absolute blast. We got a great dinner, fun company, and really a fun night all the way around. Casey's brother, Matt, joined us for day. Jenna has so much fun with him.
During the concert all of the kids started to gather in front of the stage for dancing and flag waving and Jenna was all over it!
She found an older girl who took to Jenna and the next thing I know Jenna is getting a piggy back ride for like 20 minutes from this cute little gal. Jenna was thrilled.
The "firewoks" had to have been one of Jenna's favorite things. She is in no way frightened by them or the noise. They just seem to make her happy.
For the record, anything having to do with fire is called fireworks. So if she tells you that your house has firewoks, it means your house is burning to the ground and I suggest you call 911.
Bottom line, I would call this a holiday well spent...
A few months ago my friend, Nancye Rahn asked if I wanted to see the US Women's Soccer team play a game against Canada. It was their last game before they head off to the Olympics and they were playing in SL Reals stadium in Sandy. Um, duh, of course! The game was this last weekend, and like we always do, we made a weekend out of it.
Jenna and I started with a BBQ with the local wives/kids of Sinful Six family. The Crowtons hosted us at their new home and it was such a good time. Annie Crowton is the absolute cutest and totally took Jenna under her wing. What a fabulous little mother she is going to be.
Annie & PK & Phoebe Dallimore
Rafe Crowton and Skyler Langeveld. I swear they could be brothers. And check out Annie taking aim! Fantastic.
Wendy Dallimore & Emily Crowton. Wish we had grabbed a shot before Jamie had to leave.
The obligatory shot of the cutest daddy and daughter ever!
Let the games begin!
What an incredibly fun game. It was my first live soccer game and I had the best time. Of course, US won {as it should be} 2-1. And I now have a crush on Megan Rapinoe. She was so incredible to watch and I loved her exuberance and joy out there on the field. I cannot wait to see them play again and am so glad the Olympics are just around though corner. Though, now that I've seen them live it's going to be hard to go back to TV.
On Sunday, the Caziers and Klunkers came over to Lorrie's house for a little lunch and swimming. Lorrie bought J this giant pool toy and she loved!
Bayliegh and J Rose
For a few weeks now, off and on Jenna has been talking about Baby Karen. A lot. I could not figure out who she was talking about and I was beginning to think she had an imaginary friend. And then we the Klunkers get there Jenna ran up to Cameron and said "Hi, baby Karen" and everything fell into place! Baby Karen = Baby Cameron. Clarity! Though I think he will be known as Karen from now on.
Jenna and I stayed through yesterday and we went down to my Aunt Janice's house to try and finalize our plans for the decorations for the Malan Family Reunion coming up in a few weeks. We did get the posters done. And decided on the centerpieces. Janice had to run an errand while we were there and so Jenna and I went and played in her backyard for a minute. Thought you would like a glimpse at the energy of a two year old.
So on Monday, April 16th I went to a luncheon for local democrats. The President of the Washington County Democratic Party happened to mention during the lunch that they still had spots open in our district to be a delegate for the Utah Democratic Party. So after the luncheon I approached her and said I would be interested in helping out and the next thing you now I'm at the Utah Democratic Party State Convention to place my votes in the primaries to which candidates we were going to send out into the world to run for various positions. It was a bit overwhelming, and I was very grateful that I had Casey's mom and aunt there to kind of lean on. They have both been delegate for a few years now and were a huge help in getting situated with the process and knowing which caucus to attend and the roles of the caucus'. I chose to attend the women's caucus and the stonewall caucus. They were both very interesting and it was interesting to see how they each had their own way of deliberating if and who to endorse. The whole day was such a great learning experience and I was really proud to be a part of it.
My mother-in-law, Lorrie and me
Below is my MiL's dog. (His name is Boo Radley, in case you were wondering) They, Lorrie and Boo, have a very co-dependent relationship, that I don't fully understand. Which is okay, I didn't understand a lot of parents until I became one myself. So, all that being said, throughout the entire morning of the state convention she was obsessed with me checking in with Casey on how Boo was doing. Asking me to text him asking to remind him to speak kindly to Book, wanting to make sure that he had defecated, that he had been out for a walk, to remind Casey that Boo was her precious baby boy. All of these being separate texts. I finally told her I was not going to discuss this topic again. Casey in response sent me the proof of life picture for his mom. {As well as proof of taking a s@%t, but I will spare you that picture.}
We spent Sunday enjoying the park and having a BBQ at Aunt Val and Uncle Larry's. Jenna got to try hitting a ball off the tee and she was phenomenal! Casey nearly exploded with pride, especially since she was batting lefty. Funny the things men find fabulous.
And yesterday we continued our tradition of hitting up the tulip festival at Thanksgiving Point. Jenna was fabulous until we tried to take a group picture. She was bound and determined to swim in the fountain and as that was not an option, this was the consequence of being told no. Good times.
As we were wrapping up Jenna starts quoting Russell from Disney's "Up". As he and Carl are dragging the house through the wilderness, his whine begins, "I'm tired. My knee hurts..." Only Jenna changed up the words just a bit. So for the 30 minutes, in the sing song voice, Jenna crooned, "I'm NOT tired." It was hysterical! Wish I had a video, not just the pictures.
