Trip back East...and 11 months

so, we're back. it's good to be home. for over two weeks now...we were traveling...had company brother kane and sweet nannie...then we were off to upstate NY. we had so much fun. we began our trip mid-morning on June 30th...from SLC...we arrived around 11pm in NY...having traveled all day. Whit was awarded gold stars for travel...he did so well.

he did a lot of snoozing..talking..entertaining...reading...snacking...singing...bottle drinking...and anything we could think of to keep him entertained and happy. we actually didn't have to work too hard.
in between flights...chicago airport..we found a nice little nook where we could spread a blanket out on the floor and do some people watching....however whit does some "vroom-vroom" watching...he is loving things with wheels.
first day in NY...we hit up the CHEfs....picture this...spaghetti parm...baked with delicious cheeses melted on top and topped with a meatball..and the famous CHEFS sauce to dip. it was soooo yum. whitty enjoyed his too. but i believe he liked the fish tank that we sat by too.
BBQ-ing...at the Stevensons...Whit had his first jump on a trampoline. he loved it...we did little baby bounces mom...no worries...otherwise, i would've given him whiplash.

whilst jumping...i heard an oh so familiar sound....uh-huh..the ice-cream man cruised in the hood and we got a 3.oo ice-cream from him...i don't remember it being that much. *look at whit's eyes. he is focused on the treat.
meeting thing 1...VAN...so cute and snuggly and a solid little guy. Here he is being loved on by mommy.
whit meeting thing 2. ella...such a soft, sweet and sneaky little critter. they were the best babies ever...wende and trevor are doing an oh so fab job of keeping a schedule and routine..i was super impressed. so was whit.
visiting the ccb (country club buffalo)..Jordy's dad was a member..so we are still able to go when we are in town..which is nice in the summer because they have a little baby pool...yep, the good ole pee pool...i spent some quality time in there. whit loves the water...splashing...sipping...slurping....kicking...he's into it.
big smiles when swimming.
back at wendy's house (jordy's stepmom)...we dined outside..the weather was beautiful before the heat wave hit....
whit was attacking his corn. he loves it..and don't dare take it away or you'll hear about it.
doing damage to all of wendy's napkins...
the weekend of the 4th...we headed towards rochester, ny to where jordy's friends live. we met up at PF changs for lunch..which whit showed out a bit....being tired...teethy and crabby....he fell asleep on the way to Lake Canandaigua...where we were headed for a boat ride with the Reeds...Whit had never been on a boat ride..so it was super exciting..but i was a little nervous how he was going to be...he loved it...he was wrapped up in my arms and taking it all in.
he even did some snuggling with Matt (Bill and Bev's son)...Matt was crazy about Whit...and the feeling was mutual.
Whit even got to drive the boat with Bill. Apparently all the grandkids get to do it...and since Jordy is like a son to them...Whit is like a grandson...go whit! 10 and 2 buddy...
All was well...until the boat started going soooo fast...whit was miserable for about 30 seconds..and then he surrendered to nappy land. night night whitty.
watching my little sleeper.
back home at the reeds...Bill picked up some steaks...check out these puppies...wow. they are huge. i ATE all of mine. i can't believe it. my tummy hurt afterwards.
waiting on the bbq...we did some outdoor time...playing..snuggles...tickles...laughs.
And some swinging. Bev got this swing for mother's day...i think i want one too. HINT...HINT.
Just a swinging with my NY nana.
doing some patty cakes...and other fun songs...

after eating..putting baby to sleep and talking and catching up...we watched a little ON GOLDEN POND>...if you haven't seen this movie..then you should right away..it's great. we didn't finish it because everyone was tired from STEAKS and fresh air...so off to bed we went.
only to wake to blueberry pancakes on JULY the 4th...and a starbucks vanilla latte...WHAT? Bill has been going to starbucks on sunday to get his wife a vanilla latte for like 15 or something years...as there little tradition...*SWEET right...well, he got me one too...it's my favorite so i was beyond thrilled...and wanting this very tradition in my house too....HINT...HINT. way to go bill....set the bar!
whit loved bill like he loves my dad...he would snuggle in close...and play with the buttons and pockets....

THANKS Reeds for a great visit and being such gracious hosts...we appreciated lunch, the boat ride, your BED...jeees, breakfasts...apple pie with icecream....too much. too much. please come and visit us so we can spoil you!!!!

We drove on back to Buffalo after breakfast...and met up with the Stevensons at the CCB again...
did some swimming. look who's in the big pool.
did some redneck stroller riding at the country club (notice whit is shirtless)...you can take the girl out of alabama...but NO taking the alabama out of the girl. heheheh.
the boys did some water balloon launching and some high-5ing.
there was a white table-cloth bbq. hmmmm, clearly we aren't in alabama here either....no one puts a white table-cloth down PRE-bbq....right?

we didn't stay for food...we headed back to wendy's house to eat with family and to meet wendy's 92 year old mom.
trevor drove whit up to the bar...is this kosher?

sleepy time on the 4th.back at the house...in wendy's arms.

doing some walking.

eating 4th of july bbq...whit enjoyed some watermelon...burger...and annie's mac.
And the next day...we headed over to Bruce's house....*wendy's brother...we did some swimming...whit got a gator ride....they lived right next to a golf course and had a beautiful old home...i think it was build in 1923....i think. it was so cool.
whit got some more love.
jordy took us to a cute little town called lewiston, ny....artsy...we did a little hike up by ARTpark..where they have free music in the summer....
sweating our butts off...did i mention that whit sweats just LIKE ME??...upper lip and under his eyes...so cute....on him. not me.
we got some fudge...and did some
tree pose.
ate some icecream.
shared it with the whittles.
got home again..and went to the stevenson's for a bbq....and jordy held his god-daughter...fed her too.
feeding baby ella.
burping.
whit got bored and did some downward-dog.
next day or so...just whit and i did some adventuring...to the pool..he slept..i soaked up the rays for about 30 minutes..and he woke.
we went for a little walk up near a waterfall with the twins and whitty
we watched some ducks....and I think whit even got naked after this..because it was so hot...the EAST is in a heatwave...whew!

Then we headed back towards the mountains...in route...here in denver...whit is 11 months today. he is eating everything, transitioning to one nap...has 8 teeth..and i think he is cutting molars...crawls..pulls up...signs...blows kisses...waves hello and goodbye...talks and sings..and dancing...and does some funny things with his hands...loves music...loves people..esp. kids.....is a good little guy.
denver.
You are almost there whit...up since 5am..east coast time...traveled all day...3 planes...ny-chicago...chicago-denver...denver-salt lake....then WE drove 4.5 hours home to Victor Idaho...and Whitty was a gold-star traveler....we even got some:

"Wow, what a good baby"...."Your little boy is a good traveler"...etc. on some flights....as opposed to April...when we flew to Florida..it was rough...so, this was very exciting. Way to go Whit!!!!
Back home...tonight..eating dinner outside....daddy put a snap pea on my head...jees.
Good to be home.