Grandpa

The last post I did was about a trip we took to Utah. I will be forever grateful that we decided to go to Utah because it was the last time I was able to see my grandpa. My dear grandpa died last week and my heart is broken, but I am so grateful I got to see him just a few weeks ago. 

My grandpa was/is such a wonderful man. To know him was to love him. I don't have many memories with my Grandpa Sam and my Step-Grandpa Vern because they both died when I was young. But I have a million wonderful memories with this grandpa. 

I spent many summers staying in Utah with my grandparents. I have great memories of trips we took together. I will miss playing games with him (I swear I have been playing Hollywood Rummy with him since I could sit up.) I will miss his whistling and his constant teasing. He would always tell me, "If I didn't tease you, no one else would." He was never without a smile. He was so great to my grandma. They celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary this past March. I really can't put into words how much my grandpa meant to me and what an absolutely wonderful man he was. I can't even pick a favorite memory because there are too many. I really couldn't have hand-picked a better grandpa.  

He loved little kids. I actually called my grandpa on Tuesday morning (he died later that day) to check on him because he hadn't been feeling well. After we talked for a while he said, "Give Mylin and Kale a hug and a kiss from Papa and Grammy....But make sure the biggest hug is from Papa!" 

This past Christmas we went sledding and he wanted to take Mylin for a little walk. I thought it was so cute. 

This is the only picture I ever got of Grandpa and Kale. 

This is the last picture I took of Grandpa. We were at my cousin's wedding reception and he was just chatting away with Mylin. 

The bad thing about always being behind the camera is that I don't get in many pictures. Which is fine...except I don't really have a picture of just me and my grandpa. I have a few family shots with grandpa but not one with just me and him. This is the only one I could find and it was almost eight years ago at my wedding.  

I love my grandpa and I miss him but I'm grateful I'll be able to see him again someday. 

Utah

A few weeks ago we went to Utah for my cousin's wedding. We drove to Vegas and stayed the night and then drove to Cedar City and had lunch with Tim's brother and his family. We continued on to Provo and met up with Meredith (a friend from college) and her family. We went to Tucanos for dinner (a Brazilian restaurant which we love and miss!) Afterwards we let Mylin and Hadley (their little girl who is a month older than Mylin) play in the splash pad/fountain thing. They were soaked by the time they were done but they had so much fun!

We stayed at Meredith's house that night. The girls thought it was so neat to brush their teeth together. Mylin really had a great time with Hadley. I don't know if I've ever seen her warm up so quickly to someone as she did with Hadley. Mylin's normally pretty shy but she loved Hadley!

After the girls went to bed, we made Smores on their outdoor fire pit and just talked forever. It was so much fun to spend time with them...it just makes me miss them more though!

The next morning we went to Kneaders for their "All You Can Eat" french toast. (We had to eat at all of our favorite spots while we were there!) My little brother was in town with his girlfriend and we planned on meeting them for breakfast. Someone (Spencer!) can't follow directions very well and got super lost so we ended up waiting forever for them so show up! But the girls found ways to entertain themselves!

After breakfast, we went up to BYU to walk around for a bit. Mylin thought this hat was hilarious. Even now, when she sees this picture, she starts laughing and says "monkey hat!" 

Here are a few pics of the girls on campus. They really didn't want to sit for pictures.

Thanks again Meredith and Steve and Hadley for letting us stay with you! We had so much fun and we can't wait until August when we can return the favor!

After BYU, we drove to Richfield to see my grandparents. I really didn't take as many pictures as I would have liked.

Here we are watching as Tim cut down a huge tree for my grandpa. 

I have a picture of Mylin taking a bath in this exact sink. I think everyone in my family has taken a bath in this sink!---when they were little, of course!

My cousin and his wife and their little girl Dylan came down so we could see them. (My mom and Aunt were also there, but I didn't get one picture of them...oops.)

Mylin loved playing with Dylan. She is 6 months younger than Mylin and super sweet. And a snuggle bug, which I love!

So...the reason for the trip. My cousin's wedding. My cousin is the girl. And this is sadly the only picture I got! 

Anyways...We had a good trip. Sheesh. I really can't make a post short. It's impossible.  

Kale - 4 Months

Kale is now four months old. I cannot even believe how fast that happened. Kale is such a cute little guy. When he's not screaming and fussing and throwing up, he's a pretty happy baby! He is still throwing up like crazy, but the docs just upped his medicine a little bit, so hopefully that will help. When he smiles, he seriously melts my heart. 

Here are his 4 month stats:

Weight: 16 lbs 1 oz - 70%  (Down a little. He has always been in the 90%, but I guess that is what happens when you throw up everything you eat.)

Height: 26 1/2 inches - 75-90%

This month Kale has rolled over many times! Although....not by himself yet. I made the mistake of telling Mylin that Kale was almost rolling over one day (he comes close. He gets on his side then falls back the same way...) and Mylin ran over there and pushed him the rest of the way over. So now anytime he gets close to rolling over, she just finishes it for him! One of these days he will do it by himself!

He sat up by himself for a few seconds. 

He went on a road trip to Utah and did wonderful. 

Well---here are some pictures. He was in such a smiley mood---I took over 30 pictures that were pretty much the same, but he just looked so cute!

(Glasses courtesy of Mylin)

Arizona--

About a month ago we went to Arizona and stayed with my sister for a little bit. There are just a few from the park and the rest are some that we took at the Mesa Temple. We did a lot of stuff, but I have not been very good at taking out my camera lately. 

This picture cracks me up. The box in the bottom right corner fell over and this was Mylin's expression as it fell over. It really surprised her, I guess!

 The girls were eating their snacks under the table and I had to get a picture of their matching hair!

Okay, prepare for picture overload. I can't narrow down my favorites so there are a million!

We were planning on taking pictures of all the grandkids for my mom's Mothers Day gift as a surprise, but she showed up that day and ruined the surprise!

 All the grandkids.

Mia

 Mylin

Koy 

Gavin--- He was killing me with his facial expressions. I have a ton of him.

Uncle Spenc and Kale

 Kale

 Blake

One of my favorite pictures. They were obviously done with me taking pictures. Mia is dancing and I love Koy in the background.  

 Kalli displaying grandkid number 7!

My brothers and sister and mom...My dad had to work and wasn't able to come to Mesa.

Hope you made it through this marathon post.  I'll try to keep it brief next time. Not promising anything though!