On the Road Again...

Kylie and I went for a long needed trip to Washington a few weeks ago and also had the chance to spend a few days in Oregon with Ryan, Kristin and the family. We decided on a Sunday night around 6:45 that we were going to leave... that night. I was frantically trying to get everything together so that we could drive to Ogden and sleep there before the LONG drive the next day. Anyway, to make a long story short, we spent 12.5 hours in the car on Monday and then turned around on Tuesday and drove about 8 hours to Redmond Oregon with my mom. Way too much driving for 48 hours. To my great amazement, Kylie did absolutely wonderful in the car. She would just sit in her carseat and play with her toys or even just sit there. She was only cranky for maybe 2 or 3 hours total... for the entire drive.

Drivin, drivin, drivin...


In Oregon, we just got to hang out with my brother and his family. They recently had a new baby and it was so much fun to get to see them! They have a great family! Kylie loved sitting on the table watching all the kids run around her and play peek-a-boo with her. =) She loved being around the kids!! And, luckily, she even slept really well on the whole trip too. =)

Girl Cousins

Yes, that is butter... =)

Kylie attacking Eva...

Eva attacking Kylie... best friends already =)

Kylie looks like a monster...

Hanging with auntie Kristin...


We saw some cool things on the drive to Oregon. There was a MASSIVE tree farm along the side of the freeway. I think it was around 8 miles or so just of trees that all were exactly the same but there were different sections that were different sizes. I know it sounds kinda lame, but it was actually kinda cool to see. =)



In Washington, we were able to go to the Greenbluff Apple Festival. Always something that I miss while living in Utah. Kylie got to suck on an apple and was loving it! She also got to play with a ton of pumpkins. Yes, most of them were much bigger than her. =) She is just small. =) It was so much fun to get to go with my mom and dad. I so SO wish Dave could have come with us... dang school!! =( Next time... =)

Grammy and Grandpa...

Checking out the animals...

Apples...

My size pumpkins...

Riding on the tractor with Grandpa G...

Chowing down...

Mom, these pumpkins are huge!

Entertaining the Parents... always demanding my time.

So each day I wake up and within minutes am face to face with either mom or dad. They don't even let me do my own thing, though I can't quite watch cartoons by myself yet and don't fully understand that cereal thing... guess I will stick to the milk for a while still. After breakfast I always request a new diaper... they really don't seem to remember how uncomfortable these things can become. I am then faced with the task of entertaining them. The day continues like this... sleep, eat, diaper change, entertain, sleep, etc. so by the time night comes you can only imagine how exhausted I am. They finally give me a break and let me sleep for the night.



I have almost had to call my grandparents to get a break from this routine, but can't quite figure out the way those toys work and they don't taste that great. I started rolling over and moving around on the floor more just to give them some new entertainment hoping I would get more "me time", boy was that a mistake. Now instead of more "me time" I get more "do it again time". They put me on my tummy then on my back then on my tummy then on my back... you get the picture. If it wasn't for gravity I would not know which direction is up or down.



Luckily after I am done entertaining I let gravity do its thing and fall face first into the floor, doesn't take too long before they pick me up and let me do something else. Parents are so easily trained.


Could you get that for me? I was trying to escape this chair to reach my toys but can't quite make it....


Do you see what I see? They are still watching me aren't they.


Well I think I am done at about this point... only one thing left to do.


Guess how long it took them to pick me up... works like a charm, little did they know I was breathing fine and comfortable as could be.

Sometimes I like to time them... they lay me down for a nap and then when they leave I pull my blanket up into my face and then when the moment is right I cry just to see how long til they come check on me. I also like to change it up too, instead of pulling the blanket up I like to kick off the blankets and play with my feet waiting until they come ensure I am asleep... when they see me still awake and I am supposed to be asleep their faces are priceless. I was eating the other day when I decided that dad was not putting the bottle where I wanted it so I took it from him to show him just where it should be... he still didn't get it, instead he grabbed the camera. I decided I will just have to do it myself.


Just trying to get comfortable for my nap.


Ahh, that's the good stuff.


Napping with grandpa, dad keeps telling me I look like a frog when I nap... what a weirdo.

Earlier today mom asked me to read her a story so I was about to read my favorite book, but she insisted that I read her book. So I spent the next bit reading to her.



To recap some earlier times this summer. I spent time with my cousin Lexi and grandma Young. I saw grandpa and grammy Wilkinson. I went to a family reunion in Spokane. I went to a 4th of July parade in Perry, Utah. Below are some pictures of my adventures.


I had no idea the drive to Spokane was going to be that long... I think mom and dad left that part out when we discussed the trip.


Checking out the Freedom Festival in Provo.


Watching the fireworks with mom... I tried talking to the fireworks, but they didn't respond.



Playing with my cousin Lexi at grandma's.



Chilling at the Perry Parade.

The week of fun...

So the week of July 19th to 24th was a new experience for Kristen and me. I had the opportunity to travel to Minnesota for research work while Kristen spent the week working and playing with her mom and Kylie. I left early Monday morning and spent 4 of the 6 days driving in a van pulling a trailer full of testing equipment. Kristen, mom, and Kylie went and saw the new Twilight movie and spent time with family and friends. They also spent the week decorating Kylie's room... it looks great doesn't it?





While they were busy I was relaxing at a hotel... just kidding, we were busy and efficient with our time until Thursday afternoon when we finished our bridge deck testing. Some of us went to see Inception at the local theater in Hinckley, Minnesota. Here are some photos of the the bridge. I saw one of the coolest storms in my life on our drive to Minnesota.







Stopped for gas and had to take some pictures, never thought we would stop in Minden, Iowa. Photo courtesy of Shar Montgomery, friend and fellow research assistant.



Photo taken by David Wilson on the trip to Minnesota.



Our crew eating at Culver's in Nebraska.

Kylie is now rolling over... well, when she decides she wants to. She has informed us that she will not perform on command, 4 months old and already understanding that she is boss. Sounds, like things might get interesting later on.

My long day... just exhausting.

So I want to tell you about my day... here we go....



So I was rudely awoken this morning by my parents. I guess they don't like to sleep in... little do they know I will wake them up from their sleep soon enough. I had to eat and then try to be entertained by my parents. My dad seems to think that dancing to Pandora radio is my favorite thing... I do it to make him feel good, though he really doesn't have a clue. My mom loves snuggle time and having girl talks... I am not sure if she realizes that I really can't talk yet, but she has fun.

I was then forced to go shopping with mom and taken on a 4 mile walk in this stroller. I had to sit in a lounged position and sleep for the majority of the walk while mom pushed me. I was so tired of trying to tell her where to go I decided sleep was the best option for both of us.

When I woke up dad was there and looked like a lobster... guess running for a few hours will do that, the dude forgot to where sunscreen, what did he honestly expect? I was then fed, sat outside on the lawn, and bathed before winding down for the night. I love bath time with mommy.



Have you ever had two things you wanted to eat at the same time? I could not decide...



So I tried to eat both hands at once... for some reason I saw things going differently in my mind.

While we were outside I was able to talk to grammy though, I tried to tell her that my parents need help...



but she didn't hear me.



I don't know about you, but that was an exhausting day.



So guys, what do you think...?

New friends, books, and how does this work...?

Well Kylie has been investigating everything around her the last week. She is a little Kylie Holmes you could say, though I don't think she will challenging anyone to a fight anytime soon. She has met a few new friends shown below, though one of her friends, Mr. Frog, was so intriguing that while Kylie was sitting on the couch with Mr. Frog in front of her she reached out and grabbed him with both hands. It seemed like she had not thought too far ahead though, because when Mr. Frog ended up near her face after she brought her arms back she decided he was invading her space and had a frantic look on her face before the quick short breaths led to a scream. Mr. Frog understood and dad moved him away. Don't you think it can be pretty dramatic when your friend gets a little closer than they are supposed to and then won't move? Even with friends and family there are boundaries... Kylie is defining hers.


Hi guys... what's your name? I am Kylie....


Kylie also met her fuzzy friends in which she had a long conversation with in her crib. She either liked her noisy bug friends or she was freaked out by their big eyes... either way she would stare at them for a while.


What are you? You look funny and make funny sounds...

What happens if I grab your head?


Her favorite new find though has been her feet. She loves to stare at them and watch them move, especially when they are covered in ducks.... Kylie has a few books in her library and has read all of them with us so far, though her favorite is definitely "I Love You, Stinky Face."


This book is so great... I love this picture.

How does this page turning thing work?


We have been reading it about once a day this week. She even reads it herself... though the english is still coming along, we like to think she speaks her own language like I used to when I was young. Though my trouble with speaking lasted a little longer than I think hers will.


What is this dad? How does this work? You guys use it a lot, but I don't get it...

What happens if I do this...?