Recruiting once again

 We made a very quick road trip out to Utah to take Stacey home, and so  Nate could get one more recruiting trip in to Utah State before baby comes. I don't know that we will be able to go home as often once there are two kids, so I was desperate enough to make the 12 hour drive at 32/33 weeks pregnant, to see my mountains one more time :) Stacey made for THE BEST traveling buddy for Evan. This was the easiest trip we have ever done.

 We got to spend about a day and a half at Grandma Susan's, which was just enough time for Evan to do some homework with Trayson, and for Trayson to teach Evan how to draw the number 4. (????)

Evan loves telling people about The Pirates of the Carribbean ride at Disneyland (even though he acts very scared the whole time he is on the ride), and sing "Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me!" This encouraged Grandma Susan...and from here, Evan and Grandpa turned the couch into a barge and started attacking "the bad guys". It's so fun watching his imagination flourish! And I was so gratetful we could stop and visit for a short while.

 We headed up to glorious Logan, and Evan was so good to be in the car again. 45 minutes feels like nothing, compared to hours and hours and hours!!

 He got even more excited when we told him we were going to a hotel, and going to where the Aggies are!!

 We went shopping for new glasses for Daddy, and caught a glimpse into Evan's future, which I'm sure is not too far! (Sorry your parents have such terrible eyesight, son)

Grandma and Grandpa Fuller came down to Logan one night to meet up with us for dinner, and of course, we had to hit up Sam's Club afterward. This is what happens when Grandma is in charge at the store :)

 After a successful recruiting time at the career fair with the Aggies, an AWESOME snow storm (hooray! we hadn't seen snow all winter!!), and hitting up some of our favorite restaurants and stores, we got to go up to Preston for about another day and a half. Nate's sister and her husband, who I think we've only seen once since they were married last spring, came down from Rexburg to hang out with us, and so did Nate's youngest sister. We had so.much.fun playing games and eating treats. Saturday morning, we all headed to the local Fire Station for a donation breakfast put on by the firefighters to help fund a young girl's education, whose parents have passed away. Those firemen sure know how to cook! Evan absolutely loved seeing all the firetrucks in the station. And they gave him a hat! Best day ever!

 My soul was fulfilled leaving Cache Valley, having spent time with family and Aggies, taking in the beautiful, snowy scenery, shopping, and eating lots of my favorite things.

 I never considered my self a country girl before, but after living in the desert, I realize this is truly where my heart belongs. It's breathtaking!

Driving back to Cali was not nearly as much fun for this little guy without his travel buddy. We had to whip out Tangled pretty early on, only to have the dvd player die halfway through the movie. That did not help anyone's situation. Evan is a trooper, and really does so well, for how often we make him do that car ride. I felt most for Nate on this drive, because he had to listen to me and Evan BOTH whining the whole way home :)

 Evan is such a good helper these days, which I'm hoping continues when baby sister comes. He loves picking things up off the floor for me (because he can obviously see how hard it is for me lately!), cleaning up his room, putting dishes away, getting the mail, sweeping up his messes, and taking off his shoes and putting them in his closet. He's very curious about cooking, so lately, I've been trying to let him help me whenever I can. One night, we made rice krispies while Daddy had a meeting, specifically so Evan could do everything himself. He totally loved stirring, pouring, and especially cleaning the spoon! This was a definite moment where I felt so lucky and happy to get to be a mom :)

Every now and then, I catch glimpses of Nate and I in Evan. He makes certain faces that look just like mine (surprise, surprise), but he has so many mannerisms that are totally Nate. We were all watching a basketball game the other night, and I looked to my left and found Nate and Evan sitting the exact same way.

 

They are my favorite :)

Stacey's California Adventure

 Aunt Stacey got to come out for a visit, and we started her right off with a good California burger!

 Evan had been so excited about picking her up from the airport, this is what we got from him as soon as lunch was over.

 Stacey hadn't been to Disneyland for like a decade, so we decided now was as good a time as any! Highlight of her whole magical experience? The 4D showing of Captain EO. Plus, the awesome buttons we got from it, which we sported the rest of our time there.

 Evan FINALLY made it on the Dumbo ride!! We hadn't been on that yet, and everyone always asks him if he's been on it. We can finally check it off our list! It's a good thing, because I don't foresee us going back to Disneyland for quite awhile, what with baby coming and all.

 I want to take all these toys home with me!

 One of the best things at California Adventure is the Disney Jr show. All of Evan's favorite things in this world, show up in that room: Mickey Mouse and friends, Little Einstein's, Handy Manny, and streamers and bubbles coming from the ceiling! It blows his mind every time. I'm so glad my sister caught this picture of Evan's pure joy.

 Coming out of a bathroom break, we happened upon The Incredibles putting on a little show. My nephew was chosen to come be a part of it! There he is in the green shorts behind Mrs Incredible. So cool!

 And he even got to show us his super strength by lifting these super heavy weights, that not even The Incredibles could lift ;)

My sister's hot tub makes for a great mini swimming pool for all of us to play in the middle of the day.

 Landry and Evan having the time of their lives at the Splash Pad, of course!

 How in the world can I get my town to create a Splash Pad?! My little man would be in absolute heaven.

And it wouldn't be a trip to see the cousins without a little dance party! This particular party got to involve capes and wands and such.

 Once back in the Ridge, we took advantage of the MLK holiday and ventured with Stacey to Fossil Falls.

 It's about 20 or so minutes from town, and it's something we have always heard about and hadn't ever seen yet.

 There's plenty of nooks and crannies and holes to climb in and on and around!

 Evan and Stacey were happy to get to play outside in the sunshine!

 And my bearded husband was pretty excited, too.

 Cute little Evan, exploring every hole he could find.

 Fossil Falls was a great adventure for Nate, Stacey and Evan to go exploring. Being the very pregnant lady that I am, I didn't try to fit in any holes or climb down somewhere I wouldn't be able to get back up. So I stayed up on as flat of ground as possible and took plenty of pictures, watching them have fun :)

 Evan was so thrilled to have Aunt Stacey to snuggle and cuddle with every night. They were best buddies.

They were both equally excited the night I put the robot to work mopping the kitchen. They each pulled up a seat and took in the show

 The weather in the Ridge ended up being absolutely perfect for Stacey's stay. We spent a lot of time outside, basking in the wonderfulness of February :) I think of Evan is yelling at some noisy birds here...

 We blew lots and lots and lots of bubbles...

 Watched a Jazz game or two...

 And spent the rest of our time trying to be as cute as possible so as to convince Stacey to come be our live-in nanny.

Everyone loved having her come stay. Nate loved that I had someone to watch girly movies with, I loved having another adult around all day every day, plus someone to entertain Evan while I actually cooked and cleaned and showered. Evan absolutely loved the fun games she came up with :), and I think Stacey loved the sunshine, most of all. She got a bit of a sunburn, so I considered her vacation a success!

My ALL-TIME favorite splash pad video

Stacey trying to get Evan to do a somersault. He does them just like his daddy :)