Busy

I feel like we have been on the go the past 2 weeks!  On May 18th we flew to Las Vegas, Nevada with the generous donations from my mom and Grandpa Cowan.  My cousin Sam Hanks was getting married and we wanted to be apart of the celebration, but after Hayden's costly surgery, we did not think we would be able to go.  So thanks again Mom and Grandpa!!! 

We woke up at 4am to make our flight and didn't go to bed until 3 am (Easter time) that night.  Needless to say, we were exhausted.  Hayden did great flying and people kept asking us if she traveled a lot because they were so impressed with what a good traveler she was.  She slept most of the flight which was fabulous! We spent Wednesday through Friday with Paul's brother Trent and his family in St. George.  Grandma Anne also drove from Tooele to see us for a few days.  We had so much fun going to volleyball practice, gymnastics, Creative Minds, swimming, out to eat, shopping, and just hanging out.  Hayden loved being surrounded by her cousins and grandma. 

 Hayden had so much fun grocery shopping at Creative Minds.  I couldn't even get her to look at me the entire time we were there.  She was simply too busy!

 Pushing her cart, she is really into baby dolls lately

 Marly playing dress up

 Morgan playing dress up 

 Hayden loved talking on the phone, although she didn't know why a cord was attached!

These two cute little girls were so great with Hayden and are so great with their baby brother Brooks

 

Friday afternoon we headed out to Cedar City and stayed with my grandpa who is 93 years old!  The past year he has aged a lot and I am even more grateful for the chance I got to visit with him.  Here is our little family at Sam and Heather's wedding.  Sadly, I was too busy with Hayden and failed to take pictures of the beautiful bride and groom.  My cousin was pretty nervous and hilarious to watch as he took deep breaths in and out throughout the ceremony.

 Hayden had a melt down after the wedding.  She does not do well in new situations with tons of people that want to hold her and play with her.  Paul took her away from the wedding and let her melt down and then she was fine!  She was upset to leave because she wanted to stay at that point.  

We debated one of us not going to the luncheon after her little tantrum, but she did great!  They held the luncheon at Rusty's which is a great restaurant located up Cedar canyon.  Paul had never been.  I got the salmon, Paul got ribs, and Hayden had chicken fingers.

 Hayden playing with my cousin Morgan's kids

The reception was held at the same location as the wedding and because it was familiar, Hayden was totally fine and loved eating the desserts offered to her by family members.  One of her current favorite songs to dance to is "Put a ring on it" and during the dancing the song came on.  She was busy picking up rocks and at the first beat, she dropped the rocks and starting jamming.  It was hilarious!  We need to get this on video and soon...

We had such a great time visiting with so many of my family members in Cedar City.  I felt like we got a lot more quality one-on-one time with people.   Hayden loved playing with my cousin Morgan's children and we even got to go to a fun swimming pool with them. 

 Hayden loved swinging from my grandpa's treadmill.  She is so strong and can hold on for quite awhile without touching her feet to the ground! 

 My dear friend Marci Olsen (we've been friends since we were about 12 years old!) drove to Cedar from St. George to spend Monday evening with me and my family.  We went out to Applebee's with my grandpa and had a great time.  Although she did get in trouble with my grandpa for not letting him pay for her dinner!

 I did manage to get a picture of the grooms older brother and his sweet girlfriend.  I even got to talk to him more than I ever have!  

 

 Paul with my grandpa

 Hayden and I with grandpa, she was really warming up to him near the end of our trip.

Me and Grandpa!  I love this man so much and am continually grateful for the key role he played in my life.  He always makes me feel loved, special and important...

We drove to St. George late Monday night and then drove to Las Vegas Tuesday morning to head home.  Again, Hayden slept like a champ on the flight and was happy the rest of the way.  I will never understand why she does great flying and terrible in the grocery store...We got home around midnight and we were wide awake from our travels and the time change.  It's taken some time to get back on track!  We had two days of normalcy and then we had special visitors arrive.  More on this later...