A Trip To Washington & The Dirty Dash

It was a big week for us, Little One. You and I went on our first road trip together without Daddy. It was just you and me in the car for what felt like foreverrrr.

Who needs clothes?

Destination: Miller Manor
Location: Washington State
Purpose: To Visit Mommy's Childhood Best Friend
Expected Drive Time: 5 Hours
Actual Drive Time: 7 1/2 Hours
Screaming: Endless

Several months ago Betsy told me that she would be visiting Washington for a week in July. It had been nearly two years since I had seen my best friend and I jumped at the opportunity to see her.

Monday morning we hit the road, we weren't on the road very long before the screaming started. I tried everything I could to calm you, while driving, but nothing worked. We ended up stopping so I could figure out what was going on. I should have guessed, you had a wet diaper. You fell asleep shortly there after in the car and we made it through the nightmare that is known as Portland traffic- it took us about two hours to drive roughly twenty miles.

We crossed the state line and the screaming started again, we stopped so many times that I can't remember how many times we even stopped. You cried because you were hungry. You cried because you had a wet diaper. You cried because you were tired of being in your car seat. You cried because you were tired of listening to my book on tape. You cried because you wanted to see my face. And then there was the time you cried and nothing I did would console you and almost instantaneously you pooped and puked all over both of us- by all over, I mean all over. I changed your clothes but couldn't do anything about my own. I was a mess by the time we reached Miller Manor.

Poppies.

On the Orting Trail.

A happy bear cub.

We spent the next two days eating delicious food, staying up way too late, dancing, walking on the trail, looking at wild flowers and visiting with Betsy, her family and Mommy's siblings. We had a fabulous time! We wish we could have stayed longer but we knew we needed to get home to Daddy.

The drive home was much like the drive up. I think we were both relieved when we pulled into the driveway and were finally able to get out of the car and stay out of the car.

Napping with Mommy.

Sleeping with your legs in the air is the only way to sleep.

I thought you were going to be ecstatic to see Daddy, but you only wanted me. You acted as though you didn't know who Daddy was- it was sad.

*I'm not sure why all the photos of you are when you're sleeping.
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It had been several months since Daddy and I were able to go on a date- on Saturday we changed that. We dropped you off at Scott's house and Daddy and I headed up north to run The Dirty Dash. Daddy and I ran The Dirty Dash in Utah several years ago, we had so much fun that we thought we would do it again.

I think we had more fun running the race this time than we did the time before. We threw mud at each other, danced in the mud and swam through the mud pits, it was SO MUCH FUN! 

Before.

After.

We are both looking forward to doing this race again in the future. Someday when you are bigger, we will do the run as a family.

Bubba's First 4th Of July

Well Bubba, the big event this week was the 4th of July. We had planned to do the Butte to Butte (5K run) and barbecue and play games with our friends; unfortunately, our friend's father passed away the night before so our plans fell through.

Helping Mommy fold the laundry.

I promise it's not lipstick, it's strawberries!

Instead we went to the ward breakfast, went to a pool party at our friend's house, came home and barbecued and watched the neighbors light off fireworks. We weren't going to let you stay up and watch the fireworks, but they were so noisy you couldn't sleep. You loved watching the fireworks, your eyes got big with excitement. There were no tears from you.

Am I cute?

Mom, I like your bed better.

We look forward to celebrating many more 4th of Julys with you! Someday, well even let you hold a sparkler.

The Library, Swimming, Blue Pool & Cousins

We have been to the library several times since you were born, but this was our first time going to story time. I wasn't sure if you would enjoy it or not, but figured we might as well try going once. You surprised me, Bubba, you absolutely loved it! You screamed with delight as we sang songs, your new favorite is "Wheels on the Bus." You loved taking in all of the other kids around you and listening to the librarian read some stories. You had a blast! We will definitely be going back.

Bubba received a package in the mail from friend Shannon's mom.

The hat and dinosaur are handmade--so sweet!

We also took you swimming for the very time. We went to the Tamarack Pool for "Baby Swim" and you were the only baby there. You absolutely loved the water! We spun in circles and you giggled with delight. We will have to take you swimming again sometime soon!

Blowing up his shark floaty.

Me and Bubba.

Daddy and Bubba.

Family photo.

We planned to hike Blue Pool on Saturday with your baby friends and Mommy's cousins- the key word in that sentence is planned. Last summer there was a fire near Blue Pool and a lot of the trail heads are still closed. When we reached what we thought was supposed to be the trail head we were greeted with a sign that said "closed" and directed us to drive back down the mountain.

Each time we tried to turn into a new area the trail either wasn't there or we were greeted with another "closed" sign. What was supposed to be a fun day turned into an incredibly frustrating ordeal. I cried. We didn't have any cell service and had no way of reaching our friends or family members, I felt we had failed them and I bawled.

Eventually we saw a car pulled off on the side of the road and we pulled up next to them. Daddy got out and spoke with the men in the vehicle. They told us that they had stopped at the ranger station and the gal at the desk told them to pull off where we had and walk across the dam and that it would tie in to the trail. Seeing that we didn't have any other ideas or solutions to our problem that is what we did.

Looking hippy and ready to hike.

On the trail.

We loaded you into the Ergo and started across the highway and dam before linking into the trail that would lead us to the Blue Pool trail head. This first trail was very much a mountain trail with lots of ups and downs. Mommy carried you during this portion of the hike, almost every person we passed said, "Good job Mama!" I think they were surprised to see a Mama out in the woods.

After hiking several miles we eventually reach the Blue Pool trail head and parking lot. I asked Daddy to go look for a Jetta (knowing that is what my cousin drives). As Daddy started walking down the line of cars he found the Jetta with a note stuck to the window for us- we were in luck, Mommy's cousins were still here!

We resumed hiking and soon ran into Mommy's cousins, they were kind enough to go get our car for us and park it in the parking lot so we didn't have to hike an additional 2-3 miles to get back to it.

Then we ran into our baby friends. Everyone was relieved to know we were okay.

We continued on our way and eventually made it to Blue Pool. The water was stunning! Bubba, you enjoyed eating cucumber and watching Daddy feed the chipmunks.

The pool.

The area around the pool was pretty crowded and Justin Bieber music could be heard- in some ways this kind of ruined the experience.

Bubba and I.

Bubba and Daddy.

I don't think we will do this hike again for quite some time, maybe next time though you will be big enough to go swim in the pool with us.

When it was all said and done we hiked 6-8 miles.

Then we headed to Bend to spend time with the family. We enjoyed eating at Bend Burgers, walking along the river and just hanging out. The time went quickly and we were sad to say goodbye. Hopefully we can see everyone again soon.

Cade, Kelsey and Bubba.

Andy and I.

Jessica, Ben, Uncle Todd, Aunt Renee and Rishel.

Jessica, me, Rischel and Aunt Renee.

Andy, Uncle Todd and Ben.

Bubba and Brittany.

Twinners!

Brittany, me and Bubba.

Photo bomb by Jessica.

The Face.

When we got home we walked down the street to say goodbye to Miss Aubri. Miss Aubri is going to be in Brazil for the next year and a half serving a mission for our church. Neither of you liked saying goodbye to each other, we will miss her a lot!

Carrots are good!