Finally Home.... Well, sort of...

We have finally made it back to GG and Papa D's house. When people would ask me in the airport (we had a more than 3hr layover in Denver) if we were headed home, I didn't really know how to answer... Yes and NO!

We spent the last week of our vacation in Utah, and the kids had a blast with cousin Sopha (pronounced "Sofa" by Micah). Actually, the kids pretty much tortured her. I am sure she was glad to see them go... at least until she is big enough to defend herself. We spent our last night in Utah with Shu Shu and Ayi (Shane and Alisha) at their cute LITTLE apartment. Micah said we were "camping" and he had a blast pillow fighting Shu Shu. They took Micah to Build-a-Bear, and literally MADE him make a bear. It's a long story, but it is an experience and none of us will forget and he had better LOVE that dog FOREVER!! Shu Shu and Ayi also took them to a duck pond on BYU campus the morning of the BYU homecoming parade. He was the only kid that remembered bread, so all the other kids watched him enviously as he fed the ducks. We got some super cute pics of their first day on campus... because of course they will be Cougars someday (Uncle Chris, GO COUGARS).

As I said, we had quite the layover in Denver, so Micah figured out a thing or two... I snapped a picture of him walking the wrong way on a moving side walk... He was in heaven!!

We came home to a new pet... Well, Grandpa D's new pet... a baby squirrel! This little guy comes out daily to talk to Grandpa D and lets him hold him and everything. Micah loves his "rabbit". We can't convince him that it isn't a rabbit. I am sure no one will be surprised that he has been naked, outside, driving his tractor since we got back to Joplin.

Vacation was great! but we are glad to be home... well almost home. We do have an Arkansas trip planned in a few day, and then I can feel like we are finally really home. Thanks to everyone who made our trip so great! It really made time go by fast, which is important then daddy is gone. I hope before we know it he will be home, too!!

Buffalo, BIRTHDAY, and Big Pumpkins

The first few pictures of this post are pictures I forgot to put up from our trip to Cheyenne. While we were there, we met up with Nana and Papa Smith (Colleen and Randy)and Micah got to explore the Terry Bison Ranch. We saw lots of cows, horses and camels, but the buffalo were too far off to see... Or so we thought... As Papa Smith and Micah were playing at the park, right before we headed out, they found this buffalo heard REALLY close! Micah was excited.

The next pictures are of Madi's birthday party. My sisters (Shauna and Kira) and neices (Ashlynn and Desi) got to come and I was SOOOO excited to see them. Shane and Alisha came up and all the Harris' were here... and we had some special visitors via SKYPE... DAD, GG and Papa D, and I-Love-You-Aunt Suzie (or to Micah... Granny Suzie). It was a very hi-tech birthday party... She had a blast and I can't believe my baby is one!!

Today we went to a pumpkin patch and explored all the fun activities they had. Micah was in heaven, because he found a wagon first thing and got to pull it around the whole time. Madi was in a HORRIBLE mood, so some of the pics of her aren't so flattering. We are having a great time here with the Harris clan and Madi is especially loving torturing baby Sopha...

Cheyenne, Menan, and Highland

This is a photo update of what we have been up to the past few weeks... After spending a few more days in Cheyenne with Aunt Suzie, and crafting like crazy the last few days (cupcake hat...), we made our way to Menan, Idaho where we ate lots of apples off the apple tree, had craft day at Aunt RaeRae's and Micah got to ride a GREAT BIG TRACTOR with a friend, Dee Raymond. Yesterday, we made our way down to Highland, Utah to spend our last week of vacation with the Harris clan! Baby Sopha doesn't know what to think about Micah, but she is scared to death of Madi!! We have had a BLAST! Madi's birthday is Monday, so if you are in the Utah area and want to attend her party, it's Monday night at 6 at the Harris house!!

Cheyenne Trip

First of all... I know on a previous post I made a goal of posting everyday! HA! I realized, probably the next day, that our days in Missouri are filled with tractor rides and hot tub baths... I can only take so many of the same pictures!!

So instead of posting daily, I will go back to posting when we have new pictures...

The kiddos and I decided to spread our craziness around the country while Mike is away, and our first stop is Cheyenne WY! Aunt Suzie's house has always been one of Mommy's favorite places!! We got to Cheyenne shortly after Cousin Robert got his cow elk, so the first few pics are of the proud hunter and his prize! Robert is also a star football player with a large following (GO Varsity #58 and JV #69)! Fans travel large distances to watch him play, and make up more than half of the fans in the stands!! This was Micah's first football game, and he was so excited that he didn't even care we had to drive 6 hours to get there! Madi wore a super cute tutu to show her school spirit until Crazy Aunt Becky stole it from her (they call her crazy for a reason)!! Crazy Aunt Becky also spent lots of time with Micah teaching him all kinds of new tricks. Micah is now a pro "sunflower seed spitter" and "beer glass spinner"! His Aunts bought him this very own "fancy" drink, but the bottom was too wide for him to effectively spin, so he spun Aunt Becky's while eating the cherries and whip cream off of his!

Tractor Time

Micah and Papa drove their tractors till they were out of gas. LITERALLY! Micah is getting so good at shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, and backing up when he gets stuck (which usually happens because he is turned around watching Papa or to make sure his "after market" wagon is still upright). His new trick was driving under the trampoline, but Mommy didn't like that idea, so he only did it when he thought I wasn't looking... When his tractor finally had given its all, Micah just sat on it and cried. Every once in awhile he would get off and look under the tractor, and then get back on to give it another try. Poor guy! Madi loves riding with papa as much, if not more, than Micah ever did!! She gets on and starts kicking her little legs and waving... as though she thinks she's on parade!

Here's what we've been up to, Daddy!

So, I've made a goal to post lots and lots while Mike is away (like everyday, we'll see how good I do). This is what we've been up to since my last post. Micah and Madi would live in the water! Madi seriously has jumped in twice! Talk about giving mommy a heart attack!! Micah is even jumping in (and going under water) and loving it! The last few pictures are of Micah giving "Snake" a bath. Snake is one of his favorite toys, and after being dragged around EVERYWHERE and getting laid in Dr. Pepper today, Mommy decided it was time "Snake" take a bath.

Parental Supervision Stongly Suggested...

...For two reasons. First, although I picked the most "modest" of these pics, some my still offend. Second, this is what happens with lack of parental supervision! Thanks Papa D!!