Couldn't stay away

At the beginning of this month, the kids and I took a rather spontaneous trip back to Utah for lots of reasons.   One was that Aunt Di-Di, as Morgan calls her, was going to be driving up, and she was crazy enough to think that we would be good traveling companions.  Ha.  We showed her.

Here we are in Mesquite, eating breakfast at the buffet.  We pulled in at 1 AM, after driving over someone's bumper, and Morgan bounced on the bed til 2.  The poor gamblers could hear Morgan singing and Sam shrieking for food in every corner of that restaurant.

Another reason was to celebrate Far-Far's birthday - the big 6-0.  And to see all the family that would be in attendance.

Like Aunt Lor-Lor, the baby whisperer.

Sam decided to cut his first tooth right after we got there.  I didn't even know until I put my finger in his mouth.

And these darling cousins all the way from New York.  Who make my kid look pasty white.

Morgan and Zoe became instant friends pretty much the second we walked in the door.  It was heartening to watch, since I've been worrying about Morgan's social skills or lack thereof.

Morgan also needed a Nana fix.  They really are the best of friends.

Part of the attraction is Nana's clip-on earrings, which Morgan immediately confiscates.

While there, we went to a cancer fundraiser with musical and comedy performers.  I think that's the first time I've ever laughed out loud at a comedian.  Morgan was mostly bored and stayed up way past her bedtime, but that's what you do on vacation, right?

And since Morgan has been saying "It's a nice day - we should go boating" ever since we moved to AZ, we spent a little time on the boat.  This was Sam's first outing, and he handled it in typical Sam style; didn't approve of the life jacket, but was calm and resigned.

The happy crew

And on a day when the grandparents were both occupied, we visited "our real home," as Morgan calls it, to see our dear friends in SLC.  Of course I didn't think to take any pictures of that, but we did go to the Church History Museum with them so Morgan could dance the flamenco again.

The flight home could have been disastrous, with just me and 2 little kids, but thankfully they let Nana come through security with me, Sam slept the whole flight, and Morgan made friends with the BYU co-ed next to us.  Even more important, Morgan's bladder cooperated and we didn't have to visit the bathroom until after Erik picked us up - can you just imagine all 3 of us in the little lavatory?  Best of all, we missed a whole week of Erik working the night shift, and he was able to sleep during the day.  Who wants to host us at the end of October for two weeks?

So...July came and went

Morgan had her first hands on experience with fireworks.  Being a Merkley, I think she's fated to love them. I enjoyed the fact that my family bought fireworks but then let Erik light them all.

Sam and I watched safely from the car.

Morgan completed her potty training course with flying colors.  Golden.  Only had one partial accident on a 12 hour road trip but gamely held most of it in.  And then my pride had to be punished, because now, more than a month after mastering her waste, she's leaving wet spots on the carpet.  Pretty deliberate actions, although I'm not sure yet what she's reacting to.  Could be the reduction in candy and stickers, or maybe she's responding to all the travel we've been doing.  Who knows.  But my pride is humbled and my ire is aroused, because I do.not.like.cleaning.urine.  I would rather go back to diapers than clean urine (or worse, feces...shudder) out of the carpet everyday.

Ah, the good old days of joyful potty runs

Sam is Sam.  Very laid back little guy.

Morgan is not laid back.  She's been taking her aggression to the local splash pad.

I should note, this was a serendipitous photo where Morgan is splashing as a little girl ran by.  No children were harmed in the taking of this picture.

Ever my girly girl, Morgan has developed a deep and abiding love for heels.  After discovering damage to one pair of mine, I may have to break her little heart and declare them off limits.

While Sam steadfastly remains too lazy to master sitting, rolling over, or anything else on his milestone chart, he has learned to move by pushing his feet while laying on his back.  I watched him traverse the length of our couch, and turn and scoot under the armchair.  This is him emerging on the other side of the chair.

These two are still friends, although for Sam it's pure adoration and for Morgan sometimes mere toleration.

Sam has finally overcome his overwhelming sucking reflex and learned to swallow food.  He's making up for lost time by moving straight from a tentative first feeding to demanding baby food by the bucket load.  Yet another strong Merkley trait shining through.  I'm starting to wonder if my genes have anything to do with it.

Too tired to think of a clever ending.  

THE END