Family Vacation....finally!

So - I know that I have been a complete slacker in getting anything posted! There are a lot of pictures to post from our vacation and just have not had time to put them up. So sorry! Plus that - for those of you that haven't heard yet, I have had a lot of morning sickness (or shall I say...all day sickness), so that has also been my excuse for not posting. Baby number 4 will be showing up around Feb. 21st. We are excited! Chris and Zach think it's a boy and totally want another boy! Chloe always says it is a girl. With as sick as I have felt - I think it's a boy! Who else can make you so miserable!!! (kidding, kidding!!) So anyway, I will start, but may have to do it in multiple posts....we'll see.

At the end of July, we headed out on a cross-country drive from Indiana to Utah for the Clay family reunion! LONG drive! The kids were such troopers and did a good job keeping themselves entertained and happy. We stopped in Omaha, NE for a couple hours to load up my sister, Julianne, her husband Ryan and their 5 month old baby, Sam. The van was quite packed, but we had a good time hanging out. Even baby Sam did a great job!

Just hangin' out trying not to be too bored!

At one of our pitstops, Zach found a toad jumping in the grass. This little guy kept the kids entertained for a bit. I remember when I was younger I would catch toads that looked just like this and tie a string around it's neck (if it has a neck!). Then I would take it for a walk down the sidewalk. Ahh, memories!

We made it to Colorado and spent the night at Chris's parents house. That was a lot of fun to see them, even if it was only for a couple hours. Grandma Stimpson made us a wonderful pancake breakfast that next morning and helped us pack a lunch for the days drive to UT.

We did get to stop by and see Chris's Grandparents for a few minutes on our way out, but missed seeing Chris's sister Stephanie and her family. We miss living close to everyone. I sure wish we would have had time to stop by and see all of our fabulous friends out there too, but there just wasn't time.

One of our most important stops along the way was in CO just before we headed out to UT. We stopped by the Johnstown cemetary where our sweet Karleigh is buried. We were flattered that Chris's parents had cleaned up her headstone and put some flowers there, knowing that we would be coming. That was special to us. I wish we lived close so that we could visit more often and keep it clean. But we are very thankful to our family and friends that so lovingly help take care of it for us. It comes with a lot of mixed emotions for everyone everytime we are there. Last summer I had a lot of tears. This time, I felt a lot more peace - still sad - but more at peace.













Chloe really enjoyed playing with Karleigh's "leegabub" (ladybug) and putting her face right up to Karleigh's picture. I know she knows her big sister and can't wait for the day that I can see them together again.













We finally made it to UT!! My wonderful Grandma Brammer was so kind in letting us invade her cute little home. Although, it wasn't just my family and Julianne's family! My parents, my brother Brian and sister Joy, and eventually my other sister, Marci and her 2 kids all crowded in the same house. Let's just say....crowded! But it was still fun, none the less. Chloe loved the shirts that Grandma would wear. The first one (not the one pictured below) was her favorite. If you ask her what is on Grandma's shirt, she will still tell you, "um, leegabub's and flowers!"


















Monday, we went up to Syracuse to see Chris's Grandpa and Grandma Stimpson. They are just wonderful! Grandma made us a fresh homemade rubarb pie - one of Grandpa and Chris's favorite. We are grateful we got to be with them, especially Grandpa. He is suffering from Parkinson's and has been having a hard time lately. Grandma is caring for him so lovingly, but is also getting pretty worn out. Caring for someone who is sick is not an easy thing, and I think it is even more amazing when you are elderly and doing it!











One the way home, we decided to stop by Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City. I absolutely LOVE to look at the flowers there. It just makes me want to come home and redo all my flower beds!














Here are just some of my favorite pictures of our outing at the Temple Square!

I love watching these three play! Chloe was chasing Zach so that she could put grass in his hair! For those of you who know about my grass game....yes, my kids are learning all the tricks....a bit at a time. Maybe someday I will reveal the entire game! My siblings used to LOVE that game - right guys!!!

Not a fabulous picture of myself, but hey - I finally have a picture with my husband! So, I had to include it - yucky or not! Thanks, Zach, for being our photographer!

More to come in another post.....for now.....bedtime!

PS - With fingers crossed.....potty training is a success!!! YEAH for Chloe!