Back in Florida

So after three weeks of fun we finally made it back to our home in Florida. We didn't get home until midnight which wasn't as bad as it sounds considering it was only 9 pm Arizona time. Abbie and I were up til 1:30 that night and since she'd been sleeping in til 9 am every day in AZ, she slept in til noon. And the best part of it - I slept in with her! I can't remember the last time I slept that late - college maybe? But Jackson slept in til after 9 am and Tyler was able to be home with him and he let me sleep until Abbie woke up. This was quite the change since Jackson had woken up with the sun at 6 am every day of the trip... kills me just remembering those early mornings...

Jackson loves his trains & Abbie (and I) love her swing!

 It definitely took us a while to adjust back to the time difference but after a few days we were back to normal. It also took us a while to adjust back to normal life. I hardly held Abbie at all when I was with my family. I swear she fell asleep in Paige's arms for almost every nap and I never had to rock her to sleep. Jackson had so many toys to play with in Arizona but he got so excited to see all his old familiar toys back home. That first day home he played with every single toy we own. But he also realized that he wasn't with his good buddies anymore. No more "ste" "gammy" "gandad" and "mike" specifically. For three weeks he had so many different people to play with that honestly I don't think he spent more than an hour interacting with Abbie. Since we've been home and its just us, he has been so much more interactive with Abbie. At least he still has her to play with! Now that she is smiling, cooing, and starting to laugh a little, he loves seeing her!

 

Hi Baby!

Kisses for Abigail.

He loves hanging out with her.

He still normally calls her "baby" since abbie and baby sound so similar. But recently I've started calling her Abigail and he's been able to say that easier surprisingly. It kind of sounds like BaGail but it's so cute. She still sleeps in til 9 or later every day and as soon as we hear her waking up Jackson and I both run up the stairs to get her. He is so excited when she wakes up every day!

The first few days after we got home we stayed inside because it was raining constantly. We were feeling the effects of Tropical Storm Debby and it was not the most welcoming weather. But finally when the rain stopped we started getting out and about.

One evening we went to Sea World with Abbie for the first time. She slept in her stroller and baby bjorn the whole night and Jackson had so much fun and especially loved seeing Dolphins, Turtles, Sharks & a Polar Bear.

We also were able to go swimming in our pool again. Jackson is such a good swimmer and loves going "mimming!" with me but especially with daddy.

That first week home we also went to Blizzard Beach water park again with the two kiddos. We realized that some of the biggest tube slides didn't have a height requirement so I took Jackson down one of them. It was so much fun so he and Tyler did it too! We also went down the lazy river together (Abbie included) but the only pictures I got were these of Abbie sleeping.

Here she is not caring that there are tons of crazy kids running around 10 yards away.

It's been a fun first week home with these two kiddos that I am so lucky are mine!

But it was especially great to be reunited with Tyler! He is such a good dad to Jackson and I love seeing him interact with Abbie. She always gets the biggest grin for him and starts cooing and talking every time he holds her.

One minute we were all awake in the bed talking and playing with Abbie and then I look over and they were both sleeping :)

Our Week in Arizona

After a fun 5 days in California we all drove back to Arizona. Well all except Tyler. He had to fly back to Florida from California to be back for school that weekend. He took a red-eye from LA to Orlando and had to drive straight to school from the airport. So that was probably not his favorite morning of his life but we're glad he was able to stay as long as he could in Cali! 

I really missed him waking up with Jackson in the early morning hours for the rest of the trip! Jackson never really adjusted all the way to the time change, especially when the sun rises at 6 am in Arizona - he was up before 6:30 every day... Abbie on the other hand sleeps til 9 every day, love that baby!

Anyways, we spent a couple days in Califoria without Tyler and then drove back on Saturday, just in time for my brother to speak in church the next day for his Homecoming address on Fathers' Day. Yeah another not so ideal part of the trip was that we didn't get to be with Tyler on Fathers' Day. But I hope he realized how much we missed him that day and appreciate all he does!

Abbie and Nana talking before the meeting began.

Michael & Jackson

Papa & Abbie having a good coversation

 

We all went to a D-Backs game on Monday night and it was a lot of fun and a great game! There were lots of hits, home runs, and they won!

Paige held Abbie the whole game and she even fell asleep in her arms.

Jackson sat with my Dad & Michael for most of the game and had so much fun cheering for the "Backs!"

Near the end of the game he got restless so we bought popcorn and all of sudden didn't mind sitting on my lap - say cheese!

The next night we had a baby shower for Paige! I was a little busy with Abbie and helping her with her presents so I didn't get any photos of the event- but it turned out great!

 The rest of the week was a lot of hanging out, swimming, shopping, "Sassying", and spending time with family. I seriously hardly held Abbie at all this week. Paige was like Abbie's second mom this week, Grammy & Grandad held her lots, and even the uncles got in on the action.

Michael with Abbie - nice face ste!

Jackson loved sitting at the bar in the "big chairs" aka barstools

Jackson & Steven in their matching swimsuits, and of course he stole Ste's drink..

He also loved playing the piano this week, a little too loudly at times, so we'd send him to the keyboard instead...

Jackson sat and played with Michael's old trucks and trains for hours

The girls after a temple session, not realizing the boys were waiting for us inside ...

Jackson loves his sister

 Sunday morning we finally had to say goodbye and head back east. There was no way I was about to fly across the country alone with both kids though, so luckily Paige was heading to NY anyways so she flew with us. Honestly I could not have done it alone and was so grateful she was willing to do that with me! She held Abbie the whole flight(s) since we had a layover, and I was able to deal with Jackson.

The siblings all together, we took this right before we left for the airport.

 It was a long and busy three weeks but it was so great to see all our family and introduce Abbie to everyone. Now we're back in Florida and trying to adjust to normal life as a family of four. I love being home too, but I'm really missing all those extra helpers I had :)

California

So after a busy week in Utah / Wyoming we flew down to Arizona on Saturday. My brother Michael had just returned home from a 2 year mission in upstate New York! We weren't able to meet him at the airport but got there just 2 days later!

Michael and Steven at the airport

Dropping him off 2 years ago!

He served a great mission but was excited and ready to come home! When he left Jackson was our two month old, and now we have Abbie our new two month old so it's pretty crazy how much he's missed of Jackson's life.


We didn't take any pictures those first couple days home in Arizona - I honestly enjoyed just hanging out with my family at home and not having to travel for 48 hours.

Because Monday morning we were off to the beach! We had a week where my family could all be together and rather than spend it in 110 degree Arizona we headed to Newport to enjoy the beach and nice 70 degree weather.

Steven and Jackson on the road, and the iPad proving its worth every penny!

 We stayed at the Marriott Newport Coast Villas and it was great! The weather wasn't ideal for the beach most mornings so luckily this place had lots to do -tennis, mini golf, basketball, ping pong, pools, etc. Sadly I never took pictures of the events at the hotel, but we did enjoy a few days at the beach too :)

The view from our room

While most of us relax, Michael plays in the sand with Jackson - he's got to make up for lost time!

Michael (or Mike as Jackson calls him) made a tunnel - Jackson was so impressed!

Abbie was such a good girl at the beach and slept most of the time in the baby bjorn.

Grammy playing with Jackson

Paige teaching Jackson how to play catch with a glove.

The whole family! And no, you wouldn't realize Paige is 5 months pregnant :)

Love these guys!

Proof that Abbie was awake at the beach!

Jackson always wanted to be in the middle

Steven tried to take him in the water but this Florida boy is used to much warmer oceans!

His classic Say CHEESE face..

Steven won* the "name that tune" game at the hotel and got movie passes! *with a little help from his siblings of course

We spent most of our nights at Fashion Island :)

The boys with their fav. penguin store.

Siblings in our stripes - i forgot the memo to wear rainbow sandals I'm just now noticing!

After eating dinner one night he was ready to be out of his high chair and run around!

Abbie turned two months old at the beach and we got these pics of the little beauty that day...