The Bus Adventure

My dad usually finds a way to be mostly, if not completely, absent during our trips to Utah. He takes a bussing job or something and is just...gone. Well, not this time. He showed up to every event (and was the only one at Julie's to welcome us after our long drive--huge treat to have Grampy all to ourselves like that for an entire evening!).

On Friday he pulled up to Charlotte's house ready to take everybody for a bus ride. I've posted before about how much Maggie loves buses. This was heaven for her (and for me, really).

There was a lot of laughing and talking. Everyone was just in such a good mood. Grampy would take corners fast and try to hit all the bumps to show us the full bus ride effect.

Ellen was at work but the rest of the sisters were present. Me, Julie, Charlotte. We left Randy back at Chars house to surf the internet since we can't get him plus wheelchair on the bus (not handicapped accessible). I know he would have liked to join us.

We took a nice drive down to Utah Lake. I hadn't been since high school so it was interesting to see it and all the improvements that have been made. It was really pretty!

Grammy actually came and enjoyed it all. Grammy!!

A newly purchased toilet seat was on hand for Grampy to make jokes. Maggie got the strangest look on her face when he did this.

On our way home from the lake. Isn't this a pretty picture of the mountains from a distance?? I like Colorado but it doesn't compare in my mind.

There was a couple of bulls hanging out in a field. Grampy quickly pulled right up next to one on the road and opened the bus door a few feet from it! So funny. Maggie got a big kick out of staring at it with huge eyes.

Trip to Utah--Review

We spent this last weekend in Utah with my family. We had a GREAT time! Normally trips to Utah are over scheduled and over stressed. Not this time (huge surprise!). Maggie was spoiled beyond belief with all of the attention payed to her--the whole entire family just fawns over her. It's giving her a big head to say the least.

Thur was all travel.

Friday was spent in Provo visiting with Randy, enjoying a family lunch at Charlotte's house, and a super duper cool bus ride from Grampy--OH BOY, WAS THIS THE COOLEST!!

Julie sent me a bunch of pics she took of the bus trip so I'll have to do a complete post just on that little adventure!

We spent a few minutes visiting Brian's headstone. It was my first time seeing it. Perfect for Bri. (When preparing for our trip to Utah I was listing off all the people Maggie would see/"play with" and after finishing she added, "and Bri-Bri?")

My dad said we better not put a bus on his headstone. Patrick responded by saying, "I think that ship has already sailed".

I've included the one of Ellen pulling a face because this is the first time EVER she's done that. I was shocked when I saw it!

I included to two previous pics to show how totally cute Ellen and her daughter Courtney are!

On our way home from Provo we stopped a one of those jumpy thingy places to meet my oldest friend Karla and her daughter Natalie for some fun time. We did our best to catch pics of them together but soon gave up.

(I had two options for pics of Karla and I--and resisted the urge to put the best one of me up. Instead I picked the best of the kids). And here's one Julie took:

Saturday Julie hosted an extended family brunch while Patrick hit the stamp show (his excuse to come to Utah although he claims it was for me to see my family). He did come back in time to enjoy some good food and show off his stamp purchases.

After a relaxing day of chatting with relatives we went to Art Market run by Julie's good friend. Lots of fun. Money was spent.

Sunday was church and dinner in Provo at Charlotte's house again. Maggie had the cutest outfit on and I didn't take a single pic all day. She was funnier than ever at church. She kept asking where Max was (loudly) while he was blessing the sacrament. Then when we sang hymns and her daddy didn't sing she demanded he sing--and he DID! She then tried to sing along. She was very obedient and folded her arms and bowed her head for every single prayer. She's never done any of that before. She was sick so we didn't let her go to nursery (Patrick stayed home with her for that) and after sacrament meeting she kept walking around asking to go play with her friends (nursery). I felt bad.

Weekend In Granby

Last weekend we were invited by the Siggs to a weekend at their cabin in Granby. We had a really great time!

Maggie was both terrified and in love with Buster the dog. He was a very hyper little thing and she got nervous about that but once he got bored with us (no longer exciting and new) she followed him around demanding things of him, "Buster, follow me!", "Buster, sit!", "Buster, lick my toes!".

We Made a "Hat"

One thing that Grammy insisted we make while at Discovery Days (with a scrap of paper she found at one of the tables) was a "hat" with Maggie's name on it. She really loves this thing.

Fall Fun

One joy of the seasons changing is the beautiful, colorful leaf changes. We don't actually have a tree in our backyard but our neighbors do so we get a handful of leaves in our grass. I gave Maggie a small sand bucket and she collected them all.

I should never have let her bring them indoors because they ended up crushed and all over the floor.

Just a Sweet One

She's Figured It Out

It took her a while but she's finally realized that she has the ability and the freedom to get OUT of her big girl bed as she pleases. She only does it when she wakes up. When we put her down at night she's pretty good at just playing in bed until she drifts off (even if that's 2 HOURS of play).

This is what she did one morning while waiting for Daddy to come and get her: She got into her wipes (we buy in bulk at Costco) and lined them all up. Several packages were actually opened (you'll notice the little sealing stickers peeled off on the floor). The pile of white on the foot rest is about 2 inches of wipes that she carefully removed from one or more of the packages she opened and then carefully stacked them there.

This last picture shows how she rearranged them just during the time I took the pictures. She was so proud.

Only a Few Terrific Twos Classes Left

Time With Grammy

We had such a great time with Grammy in town. We didn't really do much running around but spent lots of time chatting, playing at home, relaxing, and eating out!

This is how we spent way too much time--sitting on the couch.

Eating pasta.

She tries so hard to twirl the pasta around her fork like her dad.

Fondue goodness.

We did hit our regular Discovery Days at the museum.

Grammy actually sat at Maggie's little table and colored!

Maggie has missed her plenty--asking regularly to see her.

Bibs

My mom had her kids in bibs well past the appropriate age to be wearing them. I clearly remember wearing an old, ratty apron of hers around my neck at the dinner table. I guess I picked up on the bib thing because I always try to keep Maggie covered when food is present (I don't buy pricey clothes just to be ruined by food stains).


Here's Maggie wearing ALL of hers:

Owen and Maggie Sittin' in a Tree

They get along SO well!

The band-aids on each of Maggie's cheeks are purely decorative. They're easy for her to get into and play with while I put my makeup on.

I Know It's Been a While

It seems like one thing after another has prevented me from posting lately. My mom came town, we've had illness, weekend getaways, and two days of Internet blackouts. Not fun. I'll try to get a post up every week day for a while (here's hoping).