Happy Birthday Pappy!

This past weekend was a lot of fun. My sister and nephew, Devonna and Reagan, came to visit. It is so much fun to see how much he has grown and awesome to get to spend time with both of them. Luckily I'm on spring break, so I had extra time I was able to give them. They came on Thursday, and it was supposed to be a surprise for my dad's birthday (everyone knew except for my dad). He came home for lunch though and noticed that Joe's BMW wasn't parked in front of the house anymore. So he knew :)
He was still thrilled though. Devonna and Reagan got home shortly after he did from work (when he revealed that he knew they were here through a bag of Cuties he picked up for Reagan).

Reagan is able to count now, although he seems to always forget 5. He's talking in sentences and learning to ask politely for what he wants ("Down please"). He's also learned that if he wants sweets, he should ask Mimi, cause she'll almost always say yes.

The first morning, I watched Reagan while Devonna went to work. There's construction on a nearby road so we went to go see the trucks in action. Trucks are his favorite, although it's either a tie or a close second to trains. (He wore a Thomas the Train shirt everyday he was here I believe).

He also knew very well that it was Pappy's birthday. Devonna had tried to get him to say Happy Birthday when my dad first opened the door for them. Then the next day I asked him if he knew whose birthday it was on Saturday. He said, "Hoppy Birfday Poppy" (phonetics added). Cutest thing ever. When we had my dad's birthday dinner he kept saying "Pappy's birthday!" and "Happy Birthday Pappy!" On the last day before he left he was outside and went up to the picnic table and said, "table!" I told him that was where we celebrated his 2nd birthday. He promptly said, "Happy Birthday Pappy!" Haha

Doug also taught him to play hide and seek, although Doug only did the hiding and Reagan only did the seeking (it's still a concept just beyond Reagan's grasp). Reagan would look at me and ask, "Where's Doug?" and he'd point down the hall and say, "That way?" and then point the other direction and go, "That way?" Doug also had to learn that he had to hide in pretty obvious places otherwise Reagan got frustrated.

Reagan was looking at our family photos and was naming everyone in them (this story is from my mom, but is just too cute not to share). He named Mimi, Pappy, Mommy, and Chelle. Then he asked, "Where's Doug?" My mom told him that we hadn't met yet. Then he asked, "Where's Reagan?" She told him that he hadn't been born yet. He asked a few more times though. That's a hard concept for kids too.

Otherwise we had fun at the park discovering dandelions and ladybugs. He also learned the word "grass" since the ground is still covered in snow in Colorado. We went to the beach where he kissed the sand and knocked over Pappy's castles. We saw big trucks twice and he informed us they were really loud. He watched the dinosaur scene in Fantasia at least ten times. We ate pie and ice cream. He had lots of peanut butter and graham crackers, and peanut M&Ms. We saw the St. Patrick's Parade and he got a bunch of hand outs. He took anything they gave him. Magnets, stickers, coupons, candy. He loved it. He saw three fire trucks in the parade and lots of cars.

Yesterday they went home. I got to see them off as they went to the airport before I had to go to work. Luckily, I found Reagan's moose that he always goes to sleep with. It was hiding in the water bed.

Today my Aunt Barb came into town to get some work done on her teeth by my dad. We got to visit with her after youth group for a bit and just talk. It's been so long since we've talked, it was so much fun sharing stories. Hopefully I get to spend some more time before going to work tomorrow night.

We also got to see Doug's mom this morning. She was traveling up north and stopped by for about an hour. It was really nice to get to catch up a bit. We don't see her enough, so any time we get we really enjoy.

Thursday Doug and I are going to Big Bear Mountain for a quick getaway. We've both been so busy. Luckily we've both made "us" a priority and make time to hang out, we do our marriage classes, and really do stay connected during the day or if we're unable to chat during the day, we talk for a really long time. I'm thankful that we aren't drifting, but we haven't been able to getaway or have a vacation with just us since our honeymoon. Doug's been feeling burnt out lately and I was getting there (luckily I hit Spring Break). My parents were really generous and told us that if we were able to get work off, they'd fund a trip to Big Bear to us. We were ecstatic (once we knew we'd be able to. I didn't want to get my hopes up if we weren't able to clear two days). So we get to go up on Thursday and ski/snowboard at Snow Summit and then stay in a suite with a wood burning fireplace and a jacuzzi in the room. I'm so excited for it!

Tomorrow is my mostly rest day. I do have a closing shift, but I'm gonna take the day off and just rest. Although I do need to pack and make sure everything is ready to go. Make sure the camera is charged. And that I have enough warm clothes. Which is why it's a "mostly" rest day.

So this has been a really good Spring Break. Thank you God!

Me and the little guy watching the trucks



He was just as happy about playing the sticks and rocks as he was about watching the trucks



He still looooves slides! But not so thrilled about swings.



And he really liked walking on the castle-like wall. Practicing his balancing.



He fell asleep during lunch.



Watching the parade. We stayed for an hour and a half. He got bored by then, and so did we.



Showing us the flower that he got



He runs with open arms when he sees someone he loves. He likes giving hugs. And kisses. I got a milky one right before he left.



Happy Birthday Pappy!



The strawberry rhubarb pie that Devonna and I made. And the ice cream to go with it.



Playing with Reagan. I barely fit on his car so he'd push me. He was grunting from the effort. Then he stopped and said, "You're too big." Hahaha he was right.