One Dae at a Time: Louisville, Thanksgiving, LA, Westin's Birthday!

Sunday, November 25, 2018

Louisville, Thanksgiving, LA, Westin's Birthday!

Last Saturday:

We woke up, finished packing for Thanksgiving, and drove down to LA. Bennett played with a handful of Duplos the entire drive and Westin looked at books. Plus a constant supply of bran muffins. Then we played at Shelley's beautifully remodeled house (she did such a good job!) for a little bit before heading to the airport. We flew LA to Denver, then from there to Louisville. Our layover was really short and our first flight left late, so they had to wait for us to run to the plane. We landed around 11pm Eastern time, so 8pm for the boys, and they were tired but did really well. Then after a midnight snack we headed to bed!

Sunday - Wednesday:

The boys slept in until 9, which is really 6 their time but it's fun when the clock says 9. We went to church at 11:00 and Sally played with Bennett in nursery. Westin went to sunbeams without looking back even though he didn't know anybody. Then we all took naps and explored the woods behind Grandma and Grandpa's house. The next day we walked across the bridge to find some donuts and a playground, always a good plan! Then after naps we went swimming at the YMCA and the boys loved it. On Tuesday my friends Ami and Jess from Indy drove down to Louisville and it was so fun to see them! I miss Indianapolis, but I know if I ever went back I wouldn't quite find what I was looking for. I'd find people I love and all my favorite spots, but I'd just miss a time of life that is passed. Those four years were really impactful to me. On Wednesday grandpa made a fire, and between that and his huge pile of leaves, the boys were happy for hours. I made a chocolate pie in the same time that Sally made an apple, blueberry, and two pumpkin pies. Plus she made my pie's crust. Haha she whips up delicious food quicker than anybody I know! That night Ed took Westin on a date to Dairy Queen, and Sally and I took Bennett on a date to get Chinese food and explore Cabela's. He loves the animals there so much! Michael wasn't feeling good that night so he missed out on our dates, but luckily he felt better the next day.

Thanksgiving!

Diana's family drove to Louisville late Wednesday night so we woke up to cousins! We haven't seen them in a while and it was so fun to catch up for a day. We ate lots of food, played outside, and had fun being together. We played games that night after the kids went to bed and I just really love being around my in laws. Michael grew up in such a wonderful family.

Friday - Sunday:

On Friday we woke the boys up at 4:30 to make our early flight out of Louisville. We had a longer layover that day so it wasn't as stressful. I got new coloring books for each of the flying days and that kept them entertained really well. I forgot to make sure Netflix was working while we had internet before leaving, so we didn't have any movies on our flights home or one flight out, which was a rookie mistake. But it was ok in the end. Traveling is stressful, but your'e going to get there and it's going to be ok. :)

We landed in LA, headed to Shelley's, and all took naps while everyone was at the beach. Then we had fun hanging out together. On Saturday we went for a walk and Westin's favorite part is crossing the overpass bridge and getting trucks to honk. He's so happy doing that. Then we walked by the fire station and some firefighters talked to us about their last few weeks fighting the crazy California fires. They showed the kids the jaws of life and some other parts of the fire trucks, and gave them all stickers. Firefighters are incredible. Later that day we played a game of kickball and played on the playground at the Cannon's elementary school. That night we left the little cousins with the older cousins and Shelley and Tony, Pam and Gary, and Michael and I went to get dumplings at Mama's Lu. It was one of the most delicious meals I've had in a long time, and it was fun to be out together. Shelley and Tony always know where delicious food is. We came home and had birthday cake with all the kids for Westin's 4th birthday! And he opened his presents and was thrilled to finally have a trumpet that he's been asking and asking for. I was thrilled that it sounds like a muted harmonica.

On Sunday we went to Sacrament meeting all together, then the Walkers headed back to Phoenix and Michael and I headed to the LA Opera to see our niece Ella sing in Hansel and Gretel. She was so fun to watch! I love that she is performing in that, and we were happy that our time down there overlapped with one of her performances. Tony and Shelley were so nice to keep our boys through church and that afternoon. Tony works magic with Bennett, who has had a clingy streak ever since we left him for our Hawaii week. #worthit

After the opera we packed up and left LA around 6:00. Traffic was rough, and Google maps routed us through the most random, random neighborhoods for so long to keep us off the crowded 5. It took us 4.5 hours to get home, which is just an hour longer than normal, but it seemed longer because Bennett cried way more than I expected. Westin slept door to door, but Bennett could never connect a sleep cycle without crying. But we made it! And slowly but surely we will unpack and get ready for our Christmas season.

***

Happy birthday, sweet Westin! You are four! We can hardly believe it. You love music, and you’ve asked for a trumpet for your birthday for months. You love going to preschool and your teachers say you are super thoughtful and respectful. You remember everything, SO well. You make us laugh every day. Growing up is hard and you can get pretty frustrated sometimes, but we love you and we are so grateful you are ours. We love watching you grow!

Ready for the flight! Bennett only ever has a binky in his bed, so you can tell we were pulling out all the stops here.

Headed to find some donuts!

Bennett was so happy to ride this little pig he walked by.

Then they found a chocolate version and had to ride that too.

Jess and Ami! We caught up and went out to Red Robin, then had chocolate cake and caught up some more.
I'm happy Westin got to hear Ami's awesome book-reading skills firsthand, she even pulled out her New York accent to read "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" that she brought for the boys.