Why is there so much stress to chose a title for a blog post? This title sounds so boring, yet it's exactly what this post is all about. Although, I must confess... You will only see smiles and the fun times. The middle 3 weeks of our "vacation" was not as much fun. We all had a stint with throwing up (it encompassed a full week) and then there were the colds with the climate change. And let's not forget when I thought I'd need to go to the ER to stop pre-term labor! Ryan gave me a blessing and I began to rest and take care of myself so that whole problem resolved itself (luckily!)
As for the rest of the trip, I figure "a picture is worth a thousand words" so I've just included a TON of them! So enjoy the ride as I take you through the THREE weddings that we were a part of in our time on the mainland.
I wanted to start with a family picture even though this was one of the very last pictures taken on the trip. This was at Skyler (Ryan's brother) and Tori's wedding reception up at Snow Basin. A perfect little photo op for our family- and amazingly we are all smiling and looking in the right direction! I know that none of you young parents have troubles like that with your kids, right? =)
Here is half of our clan on the red eye from Honolulu to San Francisco. Hunter was asleep next to me. We arrived (in S.F.) at 4:30 am (which is 1:30 am for our bodies.) Whew! Talk about being tired. Then we hopped a flight to Boise where the first wedding was to take place.
What's funny about this pic is right afterwards a snotty flight attendant (one that was from a different part of the plane) walked by and freaked out when she saw Kolea sleeping like that. "This is UNACCEPTABLE!" she started in on ME. "She HAS to be held!" the lady continued and then walked away. Oh I'm sorry! I didn't realize Koela wasn't being held. She's just hanging out in the middle of the floor ya know? (Read: *Sarcasm*) It was insane. No, that lady was insane. I should've offered for HER to hold Kolea if she had such a problem with it!
Gabriella's self portrait. I love this pic of her!
At tio David's (Ryan's brother) wedding and looking oh so cute!
Cutie #2
Cutie #3!
Aren't they precious?
We think so. =)
And the vehicle. Of course.
The wedding took place on Saturday, May 22nd. The next morning we drove to Utah. My mom drove up and picked up the kids and I (thanks mom!) while Ryan flew back to Hawaii. He had to finish the term and then he'd fly BACK to Colorado.
We took a trip to Kangaroo Zoo in Woods Cross, a fun bounce place.
In action!
Loving the slide!
Another day we went with friends to the Discovery Museum in SLC. The kids LOVED this place.
Another night we had a girls' night with two of my four sisters! In fact it was for Tamara's birthday on May 26th. So much fun to get together w/o any children. Tam's husband, Jared watched my kids as well as theirs! Well, they were in bed the whole time so I guess it wasn't THAT big of a deal. =)
Yes, we are awesome like that and purposefully dressed alike. See that fatty in the middle? Yes I'm getting very pregnant!
Another day we went to the Aquarium in Sandy. Hunter loved watching and petting the sting rays.
And then it was time to drive to Colorado. Another road trip.
Having a big dinner at G'ma K and G'pa Lynn's house. Kolea is all about the dessert- not dinner. Can ya blame her? Look at that cheesecake!
Here's the day we walked to tia Camille's neighborhood pool and played for a bit. Kolea was rocking the sunglasses.
And another fun day at the zoo with cousins, Zac and Josh!
Trying out G'ma Ginger and G'pa Steve's new bathtub! An important ritual at this house!! =)
And Hunter lost his second tooth!! The tooth fairy evidently was on "vacay budget" b/c he got $5 for this one! Sheesh!
Cousin time at G'ma K and G'pa Lynn's house! Josh is about 9 months older than Hunter and Hunter is about 9 months older than Ethan.
This is how Gabriella does the slip 'n slide...
And this is how Hunter does the slip 'n slide!
My brother, Adam had his reception the night before he got married. The morning of the reception we took a little family trip up to Estes Park. We love this little mountain town. From here you can go through Rocky Mountain National Forrest. Although, that day we ran out of time and couldn't drive or hike through it. =(
We grabbed lunch at one of the mom and pop spots in town.
And Kolea showed us the new trick she'd learned! She can pucker!!
This is how Kolea felt about wearing a dress in 90 degree weather. Heeheehee!
Here are the soon-to-be bride and groom!
My beautiful girls. =)
Adam, posing with all of the little flower girls. My mom made half of those dresses!
Funny enough that other baby is also named Kalea. We spell ours, Kolea.
Getting a push from daddy on the big swing.
Cutting the cake!
Hay ride #1- and yes, this is at the reception!
Hay ride #2 that night! It was lots of fun!
And the next day at the temple =)
After the ceremony we went to Olive Garden for the wedding luncheon. It was seriously the BEST luncheon ever! Who doesn't like Olive Garden and the fact that we were served and could just relax! It was great!
Here is daddio and his mamma. =)
Mi familia.
The Ottesons: Paul, Emily and the twins, Issac and Isabel (not pictured- obviously)
And yes, he's holding a rootbeer. =)
The Parkers: Ryan and Camille
The Jacques: Brett, Lorayne, Zac, & Josh
After those fun times in Colorado we headed BACK to Utah again for the last wedding. We were getting really great at this road tripping!
We were in Ogden the night before wedding #3 with Skyler and Tori. We went to a fun zone type place and the kids did the bumper cars. This is how well Gabriella like it (it was ONLY she and Hunter too) Ha!
This is how well Hunter liked it. Oh crap- I got the blurry photo. Oh well, there is no mistaking that smile!
They stopped the ride for Gabriella and Ryan to change places. The boys really went at it!
This is the next morning at the Bountiful temple. The groomsmen are putting on their ties, using their reflections in the temple windows as mirrors. =)
Kolea is just chillin' as she does.
Here they are waiting for the bride and groom to emerge.
Gabriella got to hold the train for Tori. She was so cute!
Hunter and Kolea followed along behind.
I'm making my kids pose with me. Hee hee.
Charming, yes?
And now so angelic.
Now, not so much. What is a wedding w/o tears?
The flower girls and ring barer with the bride and groom. I love this pic!
Ryan (with his pencil stash that he and bro David grew for the wedding) standing next to the groom, Skyler. This is the ring ceremony that they had since the bride's father and sister are not LDS. Skyler and Ryan are watching Hunter and Gabriella as they walk down the aisle.
Gabriella was tossing the flowers as she walked, although she was not very enthusiastic about it. She doesn't perform well in front of "strangers." I'm just glad she walked at all!!
I LOVE this photo as she's peeking around Tori (the bride.)
Kolea was busy with her own dance as the bride and groom had their first dance as husband and wife on the dance floor.
Oh so sad. Having a "Hitz Fit" melt down.
We should always skip to the end of a wedding. It's always the most fun and it would cut costs dramatically! =)
Once again, the vehicle. Well done, lads.
And there you have it. We come to the end of our journey. We were pretty homesick at this point for Hawaii. We left on an 8:30 am flight out of SLC the next morning. We'd left Hawaii on May 20th and returned on June 26th. WOW!
I remember a week prior to this picture we were driving back to Ryan's parents house to put the kids to bed. Gabriella was crying and said, "I just want to go home to Hawaii!" Ryan and I w/o missing a beat replied the next moment in unison "WE KNOW!" It was comical at the time, but very telling. We were all tired of being away from home for so long, even though we'd had a fun (for the most part) ride along the way.
This is her "big girl" bed. She has been moved out of the crib (in plenty of time before the new arrival.) And I needed her to WANT to go right to sleep, regardless of WHERE it was. 
Luckily she was VERY excited about her new, "big girl" bed and was more than happy to pose for me. =)
And here she is folks! It took only two threats, telling her (and showing her) that she would HAVE to sleep in the crib if she didn't stay in bed and go to sleep. 
Awww my sleeping princesses! Next up... decorating their bedroom!
So is this where I get all sappy and sad and say "oh my baby is growing up!?!" I could, but it's not my style. I try to enjoy the different stages of my children and know that there are fun things that come along with each stage as they DO get older. Of course, it may be easier at this point knowing that I have one more child I'll be doing this with. Perhaps when it's down to this last child- transferring him into a "big boy" bed I'll be all blubbery. But not now. I am proud of Kolea's simple accomplishment and grateful that she's made it so easy on Ryan and I!! Love you Kolea! 
Awww my sleeping princesses! Next up... decorating their bedroom!
So is this where I get all sappy and sad and say "oh my baby is growing up!?!" I could, but it's not my style. I try to enjoy the different stages of my children and know that there are fun things that come along with each stage as they DO get older. Of course, it may be easier at this point knowing that I have one more child I'll be doing this with. Perhaps when it's down to this last child- transferring him into a "big boy" bed I'll be all blubbery. But not now. I am proud of Kolea's simple accomplishment and grateful that she's made it so easy on Ryan and I!! Love you Kolea! 
