Utah/Oregon/California Summer Trip

With Jeremy living in Pinehurst and not getting to see him much anyway, my parents offered to bring me and Leila out west for a couple weeks. This trip couldn't have come at a better time! It was awesome to see so much family and friends!

Leila was so great on the plane ride! I was so thankful since she is a lot more active than the last time we flew together. The cup of apple juice with a straw was our saving grace.

Our first stop was Salt Lake so that we could attend new baby Porter's blessing. Leila was a little afraid of Uncle Bobby but who wouldn't be with that scary beard?! But he learned that the way to Leila's heart is through her stomach and started to win her over. Corn on the cob was really a hit!

Leila also got to meet Uncle Dave who was in town from Southern California. Another bearded uncle that Leila eyed very cautiously. 

Uncle Spencer was another story. I think seeing her two girl cousins with him made him seem like a safe bet and she snuggled right up to him!

One of Leila's favorite people was Matthew. They really hit it off!

While we were in Utah we got to see our Evans cousins too! We spent the day with Joanali and the kids, then met up with Michelle and the kids, and ended the day with Nancy and crew. Unfortunately Micheal and Anna were out of town so we missed them. :(

I was so happy that Leila got to see her Aunt Michelle as well! Our visits are few and far between and we always have too much catching up to do!

Leila's favorite part of Uncle Bobby's house was the steps. She mastered them pretty quickly and nearly gave me several heart attacks!

At the very end of our short stay in Utah we enjoyed Porter's blessing. 

The next day we headed to Oregon for a very brief visit with our family there. (We drove with mom and dad, Roxy, and Bobby's dog...I don't know how we all fit!) The visit was too short but they always are!

Papa followed Uncle Bobby's example and won Leila over with some ice cream. 

We got to see Grandma and Grandpa Rudd, Uncle Harold, Aunt Nancy, Aunt Judy and Uncle Terry, and Uncle Gary and Aunt Susie. I don't know how we fill it all in but it was a whirlwind. 

After our stay in Oregon we started the next long drive to Brentwood. This whole trip Leila had been a complete angle especially with dealing with all the travel. She finally melted down when we hit Sacramento but I think we were all feeling the same way! Needless to say we crashed when we got home!

This was hysterical. Leila was sleeping in Gram's office and I guess I put the pack-n-play too close to her desk because the first night Leila pulled a few things into her bed with her. Maybe she just needed some light reading to help her fall asleep!

Grandma and Grandpa Evans were anxious to see us so that was the first thing on our list of things to do. We had a fun dinner out to celebrate my parents' summer birthdays. 

One other priority: peach picking. I was so happy that we would be in Brentwood during peach season...my favorite time of the year!

Leila was pretty stoked about peach season too! 

Honestly Leila was pretty stoked about everything at Gram and Papa's house. Everyday there was something new to play with and a new adventure to have. 

One thing that I really wanted to do while we were in California was go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. My parents have been members for years so I've been quite a few times and I'm always in awe with everything there. I couldn't wait to watch Leila experience this for the first time!

Within minutes of getting in the car she was out! But was awoken by the smell of sea food. Mom and Dad took us to a yummy fish market and of course I got clam chowder in a bread bowl...what I always crave when I'm near the sea.

Another fun thing we got to do was attend the Antioch Stake 24th of July Celebration. It was so fun seeing friends and Leila was so excited about all the farm animals. 

Leila and Ellie are just a few months apart and it was so fun for them to finally meet! They were pretty funny together. 

Leila's first pony ride. She was so content and didn't want to get off!

She loved chasing around all the animals and getting to pet the ones she caught!

And of course no summer celebration is complete without getting all hopped up on sugar. She was pretty into the cotton candy.

In-N-Out is always on my list when we go home and getting to have Aunt Kaite join us for lunch made it that much better. Leila is lucky to have such great Aunties!

Leila continued to get spoiled by Grandma and Grandpa Evans and Grandma and Grandpa Passey while we were there. She was one happy girl to have so much attention on her all the time!

Even though we already saw the Jenkins while we were in Utah, my sweet sister made the drive up North to spend some more time with us. I was so grateful!! I sure miss my siblings being so far away and I love seeing Leila with all her cousins. 

Leila and Elle in particular are kindred spirits. Elle is so patient with Leila and Leila loves playing with her. They were pretty inseparable. 

Girl cousins are so much fun!! 

But Leila loved her Cousin Cal too! 

***Diaper Bum :)***

After a fun filled week, goodbyes are too hard.

We were sad to say goodbye to California...

But it was good to be home. :)

And to finish off this ridiculously long post, my sweet friends who took care of Alfred while we were gone. Couldn't have done it without you!