Jonah's Trip to Arizona: A Photo Essay

Jonah had fun in Arizona. He got to spend some time with his grandparents, aunts and uncles. 

Hyrum and Micah called going shirtless going "Jonah style" since he was only in a diaper.

On Sunday I took our bags downstairs and was going to take another trip to go get Jonah. When I came back upstairs my first thought was "Where's Jonah?" Then I saw his little feet. Silly boy.

When Sam and the kids picked us up from the airport I expected Ellie and Nathan to be excited to see us, but I didn't anticipate how excited Jonah would be to see his big brother and sister. He was all smiles and giggles.

Ellie insisted that she had to hold him right then.

So of course Nathan insisted on holding him too.

(He really was happy... I promise.)

We had a great trip, but it is always good to be home.

While Daddy's Away: Day 21

Ellie came in around 5 this morning. She didn't say a word - she just plopped down next to me in bed and fell asleep.

I definitely didn't mind that.

And once Jonah got up, she insisted on holding him. He's almost too big and wiggly for her to hold, but not quite.

And Ben went home this afternoon. He's awesome. I was sad to see him go.

While Daddy's Away: Day 20

We made it home to Rexburg safe and sound. I am so glad to be home! We left this morning at 4:30 (Arizona time), and got home just before 9 (Idaho time). We made pretty good time, I think!

The kids were so good considering how long we were in the car. I really can't believe how well-behaved they were for such a long drive. It was definitely a tender mercy for me since I was really stressed out about the trip.

Some things we did to help the time pass by were movies for the kids (I am an unashamed advocate of letting the kids watch movies in the car on long trips. I can't read very many books to them before I get carsick, so if it keeps them entertained and keeps them from fighting, it's alright with me. I'm sure my opinion will change a little when they get older and can do more things for themselves, but for now it works.) I also bought a few dollar store toys/books and put them in paper bags, then every once in awhile when the kids got restless I would let them open a surprise. (It was my mom's idea, and it was absolutely worth it.)

One surprise was a coloring book with stickers and crayons. The stickers didn't actually end up in the book though. :)

The biggest hits were the slinkies. They played with them for quite awhile. We won't mention what they looked like by the time we got home though... Let's just say they can't be untangled.

We found that if we let the kids out for about two minutes each time we got gas - enough time for a potty break but not enough time to get used to being out of the car - they were refreshed and ok with getting back into their car seats. Nathan just wanted to be held when we let him out, and I definitely didn't mind snuggling him.

One of the biggest helps was that my brother Ben drove with me. I really couldn't have done it without him. He took half of the driving and helped the kids while I drove.

We stopped in Tremonton so I could feed Jonah and Ben played with the kids. 

I didn't get any good pictures, but they were in heaven. I'm so grateful for that brother of mine. (And my three other brothers too, of course :))

Jonah hardly made a peep the entire time. He cried a little when he got hungry, but other than that he slept and just looked around. He is such a pleasant baby.

And of course there was a fair amount of crying from the older two, but that is to be expected on a long road trip with three tiny kiddos! We are all grateful to be out of the car and in our beds tonight!