Road Travel With A Babe...

After putting in an extreme amount of road hours a few weeks ago,

(see post here)

 I figured I should share some things I now swear by on road trips.

^^^This little man is a dream when it comes to traveling,

but here are a few items that just made it all a tad bit easier

1. Baby Einstein: This was by far the biggest life savor. It helped keep my little man entertained for hrs. My dad pre-loaded videos on my IPad, which was great since data can be sketchy in certain areas. Anyone driving through Nevada knows what I am talking about. 

2. Plum Organics Squeezy Food Pouch: Convenient, resealable, squeezable baby food. It was so nice to be able to feed him while we were on the go without the need of a bowl and utensil. I did purchase the spoon attachments but H wasn't the biggest fan of those. 

3. That's it bars: On our way to San Diego my mom ran into Starbucks to get us some drinks and also came back with these. They were intended to be a snack for us but once I noticed the ingredients I couldn't help but feed it to H. Apples and cherries, Apples and pears, ect. THAT'S REALLY IT! No additives, no other ingredients, just the two fruits. He loved them and couldn't get enough!

4. Brica Day and Night Mirror: Now this is something that we have had since day one. I know there are parents out there that do not approve of these since they can be a hazard in an accident, but I HATE not being able to see my babe when I am driving. (especially when I am alone) It gives me comfort being able to see what he is doing with certain toys, food, sippy, ect. 

Crazy Busy Two Weeks...

These past two weeks have been non-stop, go go go...

(**Remember, all travel was done with my amazing little man)

• Flew from Phoenix-->Vegas [Brookes bachelorette weekend and a dentist appointment]
• Yes I went all the way to Vegas to see my dentist.. That's what you do when it is Dr. Staples!
• Drove--> Veyo, UT  [Rodeo]
• Moms car ended up breaking down on the way back to Vegas so we had to stay in Mesquite for the night and Lauren drove us to Vegas the next morning.
• Drove with Dad -->Phoenix 
• Dad left the day before mom flew in from Chicago.
• Drove with Mom-->San Diego [Brooke Wedding]
• Enjoyed the weekend on the beach (randomly met with childhood friend Kelli), ate seafood, saw the San Diego Temple, and witnessed my best friend marry the love of her life.
• Drove--> Phoenix
• Drove--> Vegas [Dentist round 2]
• Drove--> St. George [Dinner with family for Rykers 6th]
• Dad and I went to St. George to pick up their rental car from Stephen Wade. Turns out moms engine went kaput. We ended up getting the family together for a little dinner. Quickest trip to STG, but definitely worth it!
• Drove--> Vegas
• Drove--> Phoenix 

Needless to say, I AM DONE WITH DRIVING! 

**Side note: I am so amazed at how good Hunter was through all of this.
He traveled like an absolute champ!

{VEGAS}

{VEYO}

{PHOENIX}

{SAN DIEGO: DAY 1}

{SAN DIEGO: DAY 2}

{SAN DIEGO: DAY 3}

 {ST. GEORGE}

A Wedding Weekend...

Nothing is better than a little time away with my boys, 

and lucky for us our little babe is a good traveler. 

 ^^ Dream child^^

^We even made it in time to watch the sun set in Laguna Beach^

Next stop was the Los Angeles Temple  where we witnessed the sealing of Sasha and Stevie

^^Seriously, model couple... GORGEOUS!^^

The reception was held in Bakersfield, CA at the Worthen home. 

Who would have thought that the short summer we spent there for baseball would have brought us such great friends...  (who am I kidding, they're family!) 

^The beautiful decor... plus Rosco, our favorite goat^

^^and the incredible spread^^

^Cherish these people with all my heart^

Congratulations Sasha and Stevie! 

Love you!

We are beyond excited for you and wish you luck on the next chapter of your life together

Adios 2013...

It is so crazy to look back at the beginning of 2013 and see where we were, and how it has all changed in such a short amount of time. 

January--> We started off another great year in North Carolina and Texas with the Howell side// Made it back to Arizona and enjoyed a lot of Saturday explorations in the warm sun (hiked Camelback, hiked "the hole")// Went shooting a lot, and enjoyed the company of family and friends

February--> Celebrated ONE YEAR with the love of my life// Went to Bakersfield to see the beloved Worthens and witness Bo be baptized// Went to LA// Hiked trails in Estrella Mnt// Made Valentines for our sweet sunbeams at church// Learned some intense yoga moves!

March--> Spring Training started so baseball took over our lives again ;) Mom and Dad came for a visit// Took advantage of the wonderful Arizona weather and our pool// Started Flight Attendant school for US Airways (that ended due to a "baby" hiccup)// Spent a beautiful Easter holiday in STG

April--> Announced the growth of our little family// Had a correction on the due date// Had a few dates to the Mesa Arizona Temple// Took a few of the baseball guys shooting

May--> Had our first trimester screening// Surprised Mom in Santa Monica for her fitness competition// Blaine gave some pitching lessons

June--> Had another ultrasound and learned Baby H was a BOY//Took a last minute trip to Bakersfield// Went to girls camp as camp director for our ward

July--> Celebrated the 4th on the Salt River// Reached 24 weeks// Blaine became obsessed with paracord// We spent our summer nights catfishing

August--> Blaine made a few of his first appearances back on the mound// 28 weeks along// Started working at Youngker again// I turned another year older

September-->Blaine had his second Tommy John surgery// Went to Bakersfield for the Todd's reception// My sisters threw Baby H a shower in STG// Had our prego pics taken

October--> Blaine turned the big 25// Blaine went to NC// My belly button "popped"// I quit working at Native// We carved Pumpkins// Went to the Laytons and had a bonfire and tinfoil dinners for Halloween// We also moved when I was 38.5 weeks pregnant... third floor apt to a second floor apt of a different building

November--> My mom came to town// Work (Youngker) threw Baby H a shower// My due date came and went// Blaine started work at Texas Roadhouse// Our babe FINALLY arrived// Laurin, Paige, and Lauren came to town// We all celebrated Thanksgiving in our little apt// Went to the Mesa Temple to see the lights

December--> Attended Glendale Glitters// Hunter was blessed and given a name by his daddy// We got our first REAL Christmas tree// Hunter turned a month old// We drove to Vegas/STG to spend Hunters first Christmas with family (More in another post)// I stayed in Vegas for a few extra days with Hunter to help my parents move into their new house// Hunter flew for the first time// Rang in the new year with my two favorite boys

2014 is going to be full of a lot of firsts... especially for Hunter. 

I cannot wait to watch him grow and experience the world. 

Lets go 2014... show me what you've got.