The Great Escape

Sometimes, I just need to get away! This desire usually hits me pretty hard when we get the lovely inversion, that makes it unhealthy for anyone to be outside for any length of time. It got so bad this month, that they said being outside all day would be equivalent to smoking two packs of cigarettes a day...gross!! So, we NEEDED to get away! Justin rearranged his call schedule, and we headed to St George and Vegas for the long weekend. We left as soon as Justin finished work on Friday, stopping in Provo to pick up Sarah.

Showing off his curly fries on the drive down

Saturday, we drove around St. George, and stopped to climb up the "Dixie" rock. I must admit I was nervous to be climbing the thing myself, much less watching Justin do it with Austin on his shoulders. It was beautiful, and especially nice to be able to look out over the city and see everything (no smog!!). Austin loved being able to climb on the rocks, and play in the sand.

Later, we stopped at a park to let Austin play some more, then headed to Snow Canyon. We drove through, just enjoying the scenery, then decided to get out and go for a few short, easy hikes before it got dark. We had a lot of fun..and Austin appreciated the break from his car seat.

That evening, I somehow let Justin talk me into going bowling. (He has been trying to get me to go since we started dating.) We had a lot of fun...even if we all majorly stunk at the game.

Now, part of the reason for going to St George was for the good Mexican food at Panama Grill. We weren't hungry until a little before 9. We got there right at 9 and they were closed. What kind of restaurant closes at 9 PM on a Saturday night?!?!? Anyway, I guess we will just have to make another trip down there sometime to eat there.

Sunday, we headed further south. We took a quick detour through Justin's old stomping ground (Logandale), and then a quick trip over to Lake Mead (not to impressive right now!). Then we headed to Las Vegas. We spent the evening with Jacki, Scot, their kids, and Justin's Mom (who had also escaped down there for the weekend). We met back up with them on Monday, and all went out to lunch at good ol' CiCi's Pizza. We hung out there for a while before heading back home!

Although it was a short, spur of the moment trip, it was so nice to be able to spend time with family, and just get away for a little while!

Laying Low

We have just been hanging out around the house lately. Here are a few more random pictures of Austin. Here he is chillin' on the couch in his Houston Rockets jacket Uncle Jambo gave him.

My little chef "helping" me cook...with his own pot and ladle! (And yes, he was still in his pajamas when I was making dinner!)

Random Pics

Here are some more pictures from when my family was here. We had a lot of fun with them while they were here. Austin learned to say all of their names:

Grandma- Cracker

Grandpa- Poo-pa

Shannon- Shanny

James- Jambo

Sarah- Sawah

Erin- Erie

Charles- Chales

Pretty impressive for such a little guy!!

Austin loved all the extra attention. Here he is playing with James before he left (he had to fly home early to get back to work)

Austin loves electronics. Here he is looking at the pictures on the camera with "Cracker and Poo-pa!"

Letting "Poo-pa" clip his fingernails. Do you think he ever sits that still for me?!? Nooo!!!

Snow Fun

We had so much snow around Christmas time, and with company that is not used to being around snow, Austin has some friends to enjoy it with. The week of New Year's, Austin and I both got the flu...fun, I know! So, we hadn't done much playing, especially outside. But, when he and Charles (my step-brother) decided to put on their hats, gloves, and boots to play, how was I supposed to resist?!?

Cute boys...in their jammies and snow gear!

Austin liked holding snow balls this time...and stealing a few bites of it now and then!


Cracker taking Austin for a ride on our makeshift sled

Luckily, I was only sick for about a day. Austin held on to his little bug for a full week (such a perk of motherhood...being thrown up on!) My family left on January 2, to head back to Texas. Unfortunately, our "bug" caught my little sister, who ended up sick on the drive home. Sorry Erin!