Flu Problems

I always hate when our trips in Utah come to an end.  There is always someone I didn't see and something we didn't get to do.  My friend Hillary and I exchanged services.  I took her maternity pictures and she gave me Botox!!   This was my first time and probably not my last after I've seen the results.  The best part was she dropped the needle and it landed in my thigh, hahah.  She's lucky it happened to me and not one of her patients, hahaha.

Al and I went on a long run that afternoon in the amazing 60 degree weather.  We ran on Highland Drive, up Walker Lane and past Mitt Romney's new house he built, so pretty.  

That was our last long run (8 miles) before the Dallas half.

That night we went to dinner and saw the lights at Temple Square.  It was the first night of lights so it was packed, but still fun.  I always loved going on a week night when there was snow and no crowds, but there was no time to be picky.  Alex and Cole thought it was really cool to walk up to the doors and knock on them.  

One of the most beautiful places.  

Our group at the lights!!

Alex and Uncle Ryan.

Our yearly picture on the pedestal.

Al's mom was sweet enough to come pick us up at 4:30am to make our 6am flight.  When I woke up I kept getting queasy and just kept thinking not now, not now!!   When I was getting out of the car I told Shelly I'm totally getting the flu and swear I'm going to throw up.  Sure enough we went through security and my dang stroller set the security off again.  I had to get a pat down again, but thank goodness they didn't insist on going through every bag!!  The lady asked if I was ok and I said no I think I'm getting the flu and right after that I was in the bathroom throwing up, good times.   I'm so grateful Al was on that flight with me and that he let me sleep most of the flight.  Luckily I didn't have to throw up on the plane and it didn't hit me hard until we got home, phew.   When we landed in Dallas Al had to take a cab to get our car.  We had 4 suitcases, 2 car seats, stroller, purse, and bag of toys and treats.  It's not easy to travel with kids and I'm really hoping we don't get the flu again for a long time.

After a few days in Utah Cole asked me everyday if we could go home to Texas so he was really excited to be home and take a bath in the big tub!!   

Coby & Mallory Get Married

The main reason we went to Utah over Thanksgiving was for Coby and Mallory's wedding.  The wedding was really pretty and so much food and decor was made by family and friends.  I don't know what we would do without Pinterest.  In fact I want a wedding redo since Pinterest wasn't around 6 years ago.  

We were supposed to be there at 6 for pictures, but when we walked in and saw Coby walk by in his sweats we knew that wasn't happening, haha.  Shelly made all those curtains strung from the ceiling, so amazing.

Alex and cousin Kynlie, just a couple weeks apart in age.

Since Hadley just barely got home from the hospital Lexi stayed at home with her and Chad Facetimed her which is what Al did for me at Lexi's wedding.

 The ring bearer was yours truly Cole Cameron.  I knew it would go one of two ways which was good or bad, hahah.   We did a quick practice with Coby while Mal was getting ready and Cole did it perfect.  There wasn't a ceremony rehearsal so we were never told when Cole was going down the aisle.  Al had him in the back letting him watch Mickey Mouse on his phone and I kept thinking what is he doing, he is going to freak when he takes that away.  Al thought he went at the very end when they exchange rings, but Coby and Mal wanted him to come after the flower girl which is what I thought too.   The flower girl went and then everyone looked back at Cole, Al took the phone away and then Al walked him down the aisle and Cole proceeded to throw the pillow.....lol

Al trying to catch the pillow

 and then I told Alex to go get the pillow from Cole and give it to Coby, so big brother Alex saved the day.

 and just like that Coby was given the ring.   I was seriously dying, so embarrassing, but funny at the same time.  Coby and Mallory didn't seem to care which is all that matters :)    We have all of that on video and I submitted it to Funniest Home Videos so we will see if it's as funny as everyone says.

The most amazing thing about this wedding was all the food and desserts.  There were 2 dessert tables like this, a smores bar, popcorn bar, hot chocolate bar, and 2 food tables with soups, sides, and a chocolate fountain.  Makes our reception with just a chocolate fountain look kind of lame, haha.  

Alex probably had 1 too many sweets.  My mom came for the ceremony and then took Cole and Alex back to Liz's and put them to bed.

The amazing scores bar that Al's Uncle Brian built.  

Cutting the cake which turned out to be stressful because my Valentino heel got stuck in a heating vent.   It literally happened the second they cut the cake and I wanted to start crying because they are my most expensive pair of shoes.  Al looked at me like are you serious, haha, but yes I was serious.  

The Cameron Family

Me and my cute boys

Love this picture of the both of them!!  

 One of the 4 of us which I'm not sure how we got.  

and one with all the cousins!!  It was a great wedding and so much fun to see everyone.  Congrats Coby and Mallory.

Ohhhhh Utah

I think we saw Al maybe a couple days in a two week span, so it was great that we finally all got to be together for a week straight!!  On Saturday night we went to dinner and a Jazz game with Al's old mission companion Mike and his new wife McKenna.  Crazy to think we met at the Jazz 10 years ago.

It snowed on Saturday night and Sunday morning so we went on a hike in Millcreek Canyon with Sarah.  Luckily she had enough gear for all of us!!

I was dumb and wore my Hunter boots to hike.  They keep your feet dry, but not warm.  I don't think my feet have ever been so cold.  By the time we got to the top I was ready to be done...haha

On our way down we used Sarah's zipfy sleds.  The snow wasn't really packed enough to let us go all the way down without stopping, but it was still fun and so beautiful.

A yummy lunch with Grandma Ranes at Zao Asian Cafe. I also want to open one of these in Frisco.

That night was Coby's wedding and Poor Alex woke up at about 2am with the flu which always makes me immediately think why on vacation and who is next??   The next day we just hung at Liz's and cancelled all our plans which was pictures, lunch dates, and all sorts of fun stuff :(   Alex laid on the couch the entire day and watched tv while I clorox wiped everything!!  The next day he seemed much better so I reschedule our Santa pictures and this year Al got to dress up!!

Cute coloring room while we waited.

Seriously love these $30 pictures, best deal ever.

I was supposed to take Lexi's baby pictures the morning of Thanksgiving, but Cole got the flu that night and we thought it would be better if I wasn't there with my germs :(   I was also supposed to take my friend Daisy's newborns, but same thing.   At least I got to take Al's cousin Kylee's Senior picture which turned out so great.

I took care of Alex when he had the flu, so Al took care of poor Cole.  They laid by the fire like this all night while he threw up, so sad.  How do you explain to a 2 year old what the flu is.   All he wanted was Al and Alex wanted me so it worked out :)

My mom brought me a huge breakfast burrito and Diet Coke for Thanksgiving breakfast, yum.

Luckily the throw up stopped after his 2 hour nap that morning.  

He laid in bed like this for most of the afternoon and just watched his iPad.

Thanksgiving dinner was amazing and so great to be able to spend with our families.

Al played Basketball with Elisha's team that morning at SLCC.

Cole felt a little better that night and had some noodles.  He loves Uncle Ryan and Ryan thought it would be funny to teach them to say nasty.  I have a video on my phone and they still watch it and laugh.

Al and I hit Black Friday Thanksgiving hard.  We went to Kmart and Wal Mart which is across the street.  We got a good deal on a lego set at Kmart and some books, movies, and a sweet Beats speaker set that should have been sold out at 6pm, but a worker found a pink one tucked on a shelf and gave it to us, score!! On

TSA Trouble

One of the main things I wanted to do while I was in LA was get a picture with our favorite Santa at Americana.  On Friday we went back to Americana just for a picture and when we walked up I looked at Ash and said that's not him.  We got a picture anyway and then they were having trouble with their printer and told us to come back later.   We parked at the Galleria which is another huge mall across the street with another Santa.  We walked by the huge display put on Dreamworks and decided to go see it since it looked amazing and there was no line.  We had to make an appointment and wait for about 15 minutes, but it ended up being worth it.   They had an entire house with different interactive rooms everyone got to walk through including a virtual sleigh ride with Shrek which was amazing.  When we got to the room with Santa I looked up and it was our favorite Santa.  He probably thought I was crazy because I kept staring at him thinking we found you, hahah.   But really how perfect of a Santa is he and Cole obviously loved him.  I think I have a picture of Alex at that exact same age doing the exact same thing.

That afternoon we let the kids nap and then I took Ashlees family pictures that afternoon.  That night we took the kids to Jump N Jammin which is where we spent many of our afternoons.  I want to open one in Frisco, seriously awesome.

Alex hung out in the toddler area building castles and everything he could think of with the huge padded blocks.  He is obsessed with Lego's and blocks right now.

Laura, Ash, and I took turns running to Cotton On Kids to get some sale stuff.  They always have the best deals and I'm sad there isn't one in Texas.

Saying our goodbyes to Ashlee, Cole was obsessed.  1 month later and he is still talking about her.

We spent that night at Laura's and then she took us to the airport the next morning.   We had a little bump in the road with TSA.  My stroller and sweater kept testing for something and I was with TSA for at least 40 minutes.  The ended up taking every item out of my purse and carry on and tested it while Cole and Alex ran around screaming.  At first I was like is this a joke and then the longer it went the more worried I got about making our flight.  I was almost in tears and thought I was going to TSA prison, haha.  The stroller also tested for the same thing on the way home to Dallas, worst ever.

On our way to SLC, excited to see Al!!