California!

There were a lot of firsts this past weekend.  

First plane ride for Lincoln:

He didn't sleep on the plane even though I tried to keep him awake beforehand.  A very kind couple from Luxembourg carried my backpack while I carried my 25 pound sleeping toddler through bag claim and security.  He woke up each time before boarding the plane. This lovely woman read to my son and let him sit on her lap to gaze out the window.  Lincoln was loud and full of energy, but thankfully we avoided tantrums and explosive diapers during both 1 hr and 10 minute flights. I don't know how parents fly with multiple children on longer trips!



My mom and brother Evan drove to Sacramento as well, so that we could all meet up with my grandparents and my aunts.  It's the first time in 9 years that they were all together again, and also the first time for Lincoln to meet my Aunt Sue, cousin Nico and Grandpa Brown.

                                                                                         Aunt Sue is my mom's older sister.  Aunt Sheila is the youngest, which of course leaves my mother as the middle child.

Lincoln was pretty cool chilling with all these new relatives!  And my Grandpa got a kick out of the little guy.

We went swimming at our hotel to escape the heat.  There was a marked difference between us Utahns and the Californians.  I have a horrifying farmers tan.  And my baby brother and baby son are both angelically pale.  Ha ha!

My grandma, meanwhile, was not at all concerned about perfecting her own tan.  In fact she made every effort to find any square inch of shade available!  

We took our turns posing with Linc...

  

... and had a couple bathtub races, refereed by my Mom.  I bragged that I had won before we even began.  Big mistake.  Pride does indeed come before a fall!

Aunt Sheila was the uncontested winner, and Aunt Sue was a decided second.

Evan and I gave up in the face of obvious defeat!  For shame.  Maybe it was the hairy legs that put me at a disadvantage?

 

Yeah... that's it.  I really should have shaved. He he!

My cousin Nico has a son now, and I got to meet the 3-week old for the first time.  Nathaniel looks just like his father!  Lincoln was a little confused by this younger child who stole the limelight, but then he took a closer look and saw what all the fuss was about.  CUTE!

Here are some pictures of everyone at our picnic:

Aunt Sheila, her baby grandson Nathaniel, Nico and Laura.  This young family is so cute and friendly!  I wanted to hang out with them more, but I'm lucky to have met them.

Reaching for... some patience?  Lincoln got tired and slightly fussy toward the end of this thing.  

Nico, you're a great dad!  I love your little family!  Isn't it great to be three?

Speaking of threes, it was cool to hang out with my mom and brother a lot, since I don't live at home anymore and even though we see each other often, it's different being on a trip together.  My mom was a great example to me to go with the flow and enjoy things.  And Evan made me laugh a lot.  One time Lincoln shut his fingers in the hotel dresser drawer, and instead of me, he reached out to Evan for comfort!  

I took a picture of Evan taking a picture.  :-)

Here is me with my son and grandparents, the morning of our flight back home.  Tired but happy.

This trip was also the longest Lincoln and I have ever spent away from Tyler.  I missed him very much, not only because I just like his company, but also because I depend on him quite a bit for help with Lincoln.  I tried to rein myself in sometimes and let other people (mom) take care of him at times during this trip, but really I knew he was my son so therefore my responsibility.  Which is why I have no problem handing the little guy off to his father when I need a break, because it's HIS kid, too.  :-)  And I'm lucky enough to have a husband that takes his fatherhood seriously, so he never complains.  It was a huge relief to see my man standing near bag claim in SLC airport, a bouquet of roses in hand and his signature, warm smile lighting up his face.  I love my family, both immediate and extended!  And I'm glad to be home.