Mainland Trip - McCall, Idaho

After our California stay, we flew out to Salt Lake and then drove 8 hours up to McCall, Idaho. First things first, we need to thank Courtney and Anna for planning all the details of this trip. Christian and I knew we would be fed well and we were not let down. The meals and desserts were delish! We had a really fun time in McCall. Sorry for the picture overload. We tend to take a lot of pictures and it's hard to narrow it down.

First stop in Salt Lake, Nana and Papa's house for some pizza. This was the best picture we could get with Tristan. He was sleepy and cranky. Aunt Lina and Cousin Lisa came over, as well as my very pregnant girlfriend Steph, and her husband Anthony. It was so good to see all of them.

Our drive up to McCall. I sat in the back with T-bone most of the way.

The cabin.

Down by the lake. Christian and Jim inching their way into the water. They regretted not bringing their wetsuits.

Tristan with Tutu and Grandpa.

This is where Tristan hung out for part of the time, in his car seat on the sand. We were able to catch him being cute.

In love. :)

Bundled up with Dad.

Canoeing with Tucker.

We went Ice Skating on my birthday.

Pulling some cool tricks. Christian ate it big time while we were trying to race each other. He got a nasty bruise on his hip afterward. Poor guy.

Doesn't he look like a newborn in this picture? Or do I just have big hands?

My delicious birthday cake, German Chocolate Cake. Oh so yummy. Tristan was in awe of the candles. Maybe because there were so many of them!

While the crew went rafting, Anna and I stayed back with the little ones.

Fire pit = Smores.

T kicking it with Aunt Whitney.

Back in Salt Lake. My very pregnant friend Steph (noted above) had her baby!!!! 5 weeks early. Sweet little Benjamin Sterling was born on my birthday. He's precious. Amazing timing little man. We are so glad we got to meet you before we headed back to Hawaii.

Me with Baby B. I thought this picture was cute with my boys hanging out in the window.

Our last night in Utah, we headed down to Springville to visit with Christian's grandparents at his Aunts house. It was good to visit with all of them.

We flew home that next morning. I caught some sort of flu bug that last night and had to travel home sick. I think that traveling sick is the worst thing ever. I threw up while going through the security screening, and I had a fever and sore throat the whole 7 hour flight home. I'm so glad Christian was with me to help with T-bone. I couldn't have done that trip home alone. It's good to be home though. Thanks to all of our friends and family for making our mainland trip so fun. We miss you folks already.

1/2 years old

I am blown away at how fast this boy is growing. He reached so many milestones this last month, I can't keep up. We are quickly trying to baby-proof our home because he is into everything! I think because he is so tiny for his age, he is able to wiggle around quicker. Oy! He wears me out by the end of the day. He is crawling now, and his new thing is pulling himself up in his crib. Danger! But we just adore him. He does cute new things each day, like his talking or laughing, or gazing at himself in the mirror. We can't get enough. Happy 6 months Tristan!

Mainland Trip - California

Tristan made his big debut on the mainland. This was really my first time traveling with a baby, aside from our Big Island trip, but it wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. T-bone was a champ. I had so many extra hands to help with Tristan, it was wonderful. The plane ride over to California was somewhat of a nightmare however. T and I went over early while Christian stayed behind for work. It's not easy sitting in a confined space with an infant on your lap wanting to play with everything around him. Thank goodness the woman next to me was wonderful and didn't mind Tristan pulling and sucking on her colorful blouse, or when T shredded up her magazine, or when I poured my whole glass of orange juice on her lap. She was a trooper.

We had so much fun with my family in California. I managed to squeeze in a lot during my stay. It's a 3 hour time difference so I think I was sleep deprived the whole trip because I tried to adjust too quickly. I was going to bed around 1 am and waking up at 6 am (3 am HI time). Which is why I got sick for part of the trip. :( We took a million pictures while we were there. Here are a few highlights;

Swimming Lessons

We went and cheered on cousins Von and Addi during their swimming lessons one day. Addi can free-style swim! What?? We were so impressed. And Von kept a cute smile on his face almost the entire time. I found out that first-timers are free, so I signed T-bone up for a lesson the next day. He did so good! He was dunked under the water several times and didn't shed a tear. Just cruisin'. When his instructor handed him back to me he said, "This is unheard of...". (that a baby could be dunked so many times without crying). He may say that to all parents but I was proud.

The next day. T's pumped.

Waiting for his name to be called. He was a little nervous.

Orange County Fair

My Mom, Dad, and the three of us girls went to the Orange County fair one night and we hit up the Huey Lewis show. This was one of the highlights of my visit. We danced our little tushies off. Huey's still got it!

Love getting sick at the fair.

Friends

T met so many new friends while we were there.

My dear friends from Elementary school through High School, Adrienne and Hanna, and Hanna's cute little girl Rylee. Tristan loved auntie Adrienne.

Baby Monroe Sinclair. Shellee's little girl (friend from Jr. High and High School). I think that Tristan fell in love with her. He loved holding her hand.

The old gang got together for a BBQ. It was so cool to see everyone! Tommy gave Tristan a quick lesson on grilling. (friend from Elementary School and up). T-bone was a big hit.

(Left) - All three of these babies are 5 months old in this picture. Babies come in all shapes and sizes. This is Jack and Lucy. I grew up with both of their mommies, Laura and Natalie. (Right) - Kelly DeVilliers. Seeing Kelly is always a must. She's one of my good good childhood friends.

(Left) - T with Tatum. I know Tates through Auntie Whitney and Uncle Jim, who were with us but sadly didn't get any pictures of them :(. (Right) - The Baker Clan came to visit us. Her kids are so cute and crazy. I know Nanci from my college days.

Entertainment

It's always a treat coming to my parent's house. T had plenty of things to do to keep him occupied, as did I.

Shopping

We of course had to hit up Ikea and the bargain stores while we were in town.

Tristan LOVES to shop. He loves sifting through all the clothes, picking out his favorite colors and fabrics. It makes him happy.

Family

Chels and I have birthdays two days apart. Ironically, this year we both got each other aprons for our birthdays. (I made Chelcie's apron :). It was so weird that we both thought of the same gift!

From California, we were off to Salt Lake and then to McCall, Idaho. More pictures to come!