Flying Solo

Al had a work tripped planned and was supposed to be gone for a week. I got up the courage to book a flight for me and the boys to visit Utah.  Al's trip got cancelled the day I booked the ticket, but I decided to go anyway since I knew he would be working a lot.  I was more nervous about maneuvering my way around the airport than I was flying on the plane with 2 kids.

My first mistake was buying Alex a bottle of apple juice and letting him drink the entire thing.  Whoops

Alex got his very own window seat which he loved.

I gave him a wipe and he cleaned every inch of his tv and tray table.  Yes that's another cup of Apple juice I gave him.

Our first day there I met a couple of my friends at the Children's Museum at Gateway.  Alex loved every inch of it.

Unfortunately we arrived when there was 2 or 3 field trips so there was a lot of kids.  When Ashley got there I went over to say hi and I couldn't find Alex for about 4 minutes.  My heart dropped thinking did he get on the elevator, did he go in the other room. I finally looked up the stairs where he tried to go when we first got there and sure enough he was almost to the top of the stairs, thank goodness.  

We decided to go get lunch and come back later when the crowds died down.  We wanted to eat at our  Happy Sumo.  Tonya and I used to got there at least once or twice a week when I lived there, but we weren't really sure how they would accommodate 6 kids.  

After lunch there was hardly anyone at the museum which was so nice.  We could sit down, watch our kids and actually catch up with each other.  Alex was in heaven with the kitchen.  Hopefully he continues to like it and I will teach him how to cook.

I remember doing this same thing at the old children's museum when I was little, so fun.

He had an obsession with licking his fingers after they got wet in the water area, yummy.

and his favorite thing was the helicopter.  This picture makes me laugh and is one of my favorite Alex expressions.

After the Children's Museum we walked around Gateway.  What was once such a fun place to shop and hang out is kind of depressing now.  Over 1/2 of the stores are closed and it's just not the same.  Alex fell asleep in his stroller which is so rare.  He barely even takes naps anymore.  I misplaced my parking ticket and was freaking out about how much it would be to get out of the garage. I must have forgot I was in Utah because it was only $7.  I pay that just to park in the garage at Alex and Coles Dr appts for an hour, ha. I miss how cheap everything is in Utah!!

That night we had dinner at Lonestar with Grandma and Uncle Ryan.  My mom always thinks Alex won't remember her, but he does every time.

Grandma and Cole.  

SLC Fun

A few more random things we did while we were in Utah. Al took Alex sledding for his first time.  Alex doesn't own any winter clothes so we bought him a coat and he's wearing sweats over his jeans, California boy.

Alex loved it

until the snow plowed into their faces.

I think he was a little surprised.

and then he was mad and really cold, so we left.  It was a fun 15 minutes.

Thank goodness no one else got the flu.  It was so awful and proves that flu shots are a scam, but maybe not since Al, Alex, and Cole had them and didn't get it??

My mom and I went to the new Harmons across from City Creek and had some of their complimentary waters with pebble ice and my favorite chocolate covered cinnamon bears.

It's the one of the nicest grocery stores I've ever seen.

The last night we were there we took Alex to see the lights at Temple Square while my mom watched Cole for us.

We finally convinced Alex to wear a hat so he didn't freeze to death.  It turned out to be a blizzard which makes Temple Square even more beautiful.

We went into the Joseph Smith building and lost Alex for about 30 seconds which almost gave me a heart attack and then we ran into our friends that used to live by us in LA.  It's a small Mormon world we live in.

Our annual Temple Square picture minus Cole.

I don't really understand why someone would cut off the top of the temple when taking our picture especially when it's obvious we want that in our picture?  

It was a successful trip to Utah and good news we fit everything in our bags minus the kitchen and jeep, but hopefully we will get them soon.  We flew 2 days after Christmas and the airport and flight were empty which was awesome.  Alex ended up getting his own seat next to Al.  He drank juice with his wings, ate cookies, and watched cartoons.  It was a perfect ending to our trip and so nice to be back home in our own beds.  Thank you to everyone for all their help and gifts.  We miss you all.