Impromptu trip for a baptism and birth

I woke up early Thursday morning and started packing backpacks and stuff to leave for Utah. I think Justin forgot our plan since he slept in until 10 am. LOL. We got it all packed, mostly waiting for a load of laundry to finish drying. The kids were sooooooooo excited to go see cousins. We pulled out of Sidney around 2:45 pm. I found a motel to stay in for the night. With all the traffic for Sturgis motorcycle rally finding a hotel was not easy. Justin stopped for dinner in Rawlins at the amazing Thai restaurant. Evelyn decided that eating in a highchair while standing up is the best form for her. Drives me crazy. After dinner the kids ran up and down the block to expend some energy. We arrived in Green River, WY ready for bed at 9 pm. Stink all my luck, since I booked the hotel for Green River, UT. Thankfully, hotels.com refunded the money after waiting on the phone for a long time. Justin found an opening at Little America a couple miles away. By 10 pm we were tucked in for the night with a screaming Evelyn. Everett was tucked into a little corner on the floor, content as a bug in a rug. Once again Evelyn woke us all up at 6:30 with her crying. We were out of there by 7:15 am. Justin wanted to stop at the Old Navy outlet for more shorts and pants. By 1 pm we were in North Salt Lake at Aunt Charity's home. We were greatly surprised to find Bruce there! He snuck in that morning to attend Grant's baptism the next day. Justin left to get some motorcycle boots and new gloves while Evelyn and I napped. I swear that man has more accessories than I do. Amelia and Reagan had a lovely time picking outfits and accessories to wear at Grant's baptism. Top of the list was using Amelia's hair chalk and picking coordinating outfits. Amelia got sand burn on her face when she crashed off the monkey bars at the park.

Grant's baptism was a really special event. I got to play the piano for his program. We enjoyed a lovely warm spirit in the room as Grant was baptized by his daddy. Grandpa gave a wonderful talk on the Gift of the HG. Evelyn decided that she wanted an apple sauce packet (aka baby crack) so threw a fit. I missed half of his talk. I love seeing young 8 year olds right after baptism. No person is ever as cute, pure, and delightful as a new 8 year old child. We converged at Melissa's home afterwards for a luncheon of sandwiches, salads, and dessert. The old folks talked and chatted while the kids disappeared to play outside and in the toy rooms.

We stayed at Charity's for church and stayed until Bruce and Diana came by. Justin and Phillip stayed to attend a family dinner with the Call family down in Draper. Amelia, Everett, Evelyn and I went to Grandma Debbie's for a Lance family dinner. I dropped off Amelia and Everett with veggies and a frozen lasagna, then drove around for an hour while Evelyn napped. She was a cranky monster most of the evening. Jana was at the dinner just hours before she left for her induction at Jordan River Hospital. She looked over done with baby Hannah still in residence. Joe and Kat showed up...Joe with the top of his thumb sliced off. He had a accident with an ax and a branch of hard wood. Court brought a fun blow-up house for the kids to play in. That was a huge hit with the kids. Evelyn caught some sort of bug or ate some past-its-prime apple sauce. She woke me up at 1:30 spewing barf. I cleaned her up and got her in bed with me and a towel. She messed that up as well an hour later. We cleaned up again then rested on the couch. I woke up with her nasty diaper resting on my nose at one point, her fingers gently probing my eyes and nostrils, and soft snufflings. That was a long night.

Monday we all spent on pins and needles as Jana's labor progressed. Mom texted me every so often when something changed. After a much needed nap we left to attend Emmaline's 3rd birthday party with all parties warned of Evelyn's germs. Courtenay of course had a cute party planned out for their neighborhood corner. The theme was a pet adoption party! So cute and easy. The kids picked out a stuffed animal, got some puppy chow, a dog bowl, a ball, ribbon, and made a pet tag. My kids jumped into the kiddy pool in their undies, Evelyn eventually removed her pants and diaper. By 6 pm Jana was at a 10 and 0 or -1...two hours later she was still at a 10 and -1. Oh my heavens, the torture. At least her epidural was working just fine! Baby Hannah finally arrived at 8:10 pm weighing in at 9 lbs 07 oz, 20 inches long. She is a cutie pie with lots of hair and fluffy cheeks.

Tuesday morning I went shopping with mom for trip home treats, movies, and a monkey for baby Hannah. We stopped to visit with Grandma B and my Uncle Dave. Amelia and Evelyn were with us while we visited. Each time I see Grandma I feel grateful since I never know if I will see her again in this life. We drove to visit with Jana, Rudy, and baby Hannah before lunch. I took some newborn photos of Hannah right there in the hospital on her recovery room floor. The kids loved holding their newest cousin. Jana looked great, especially after her long labor. We visited as long as possible before taking the kids in search of food. We met Miekka and kids at Chik-fil-a for lunch. We drove back to Mom's as quickly as possible and packed up the van before Dad arrived home from Saudi Arabia for a month's visit. I am so glad we got to see Dad before we made a mad dash back home. We took a family photo of those present. Dad seemed to enjoy all the kids stuffed into the living room. Justin was delighted when Penny voluntarily sat in his lap. Evelyn showed off her yoga moves and amazing flexibility. Soon we were giving out hugs and on our way home by 3 pm. We drove straight home, arriving back home at 1:30 am. Brutal.

Early Wednesday morning Phillip had his post-op meeting with Dr Massey. His surgery sites are about 90% healed up. After a long wait and another hearing test we learned that his hearing levels are back in the normal range. He still has a "flat" hearing range which means that some tones are hard to hear and easy for him to ignore. We are so glad his hearing loss is only 5% at this time. Wednesday night Amelia had her back to school open house at North Elementary. We got to meet Mrs Plant. She is close to retiring in the next 2 years or so. She seems nice, strict, and eager to teach! Amelia came home Thursday with a headache and complaining that Mrs Plant is not as animated as Mrs Belieu. We certainly lucked out with Mrs Belieu last year. She was the best ever.