Utah/Idaho

We had a great time in Utah and Idaho but it was nice to get back to the routine of things here in Milwaukee. As most of you know, Gage is notorious for his off and on (mostly off) naps. Combine hit and miss naps with late bedtimes and early mornings, you get an exhausted little guy. Gage usually does great with bedtimes but he really got off schedule while we were back there and night times were rough. So it was good to get back to somewhat of a more normal routine.

In the beginning Gage was a little overwhelmed with all the new faces and being passed around, but that quickly faded and he soon realized that he loved the plethera of attention and all the excitement. Gage stole the show with his big smile, contagious laugh, and chubby cheeks. I loved watching him interact with his aunts, uncle, uncle in-law, grandparents, great grandparents. We did the usually vacation things like going to the movies, eating, playing games, random dance parties and crazy made up games. We threw in some spontaneous things like shooting, taking Clarke up to BYU-I for school, and wedding dress shopping with the bride to be, Kayla. Gage started army crawling while we were out there. Grandpa Hill also taught him how to hold his own bottle. I truly love spending time with family and I am already excited to go out there again for Kayla’s wedding this summer.

Gage and Nonna waiting for Game Night to start

 Uncle Clarke could get the biggest laughs and smiles from Gage

 Uncle Trev helping Gage try on some sweet shades for summer

 Games, Games, Games --- We love em'!

 Trevor and Clarke: We also love made up games. This one consisted of who could eat a cookie the fastest using no hands. Silly? Yes. Tons of Fun? Definately!!

 Gage having one on one time with Great Grandma and Grandpa Hill

 This is Gage at 5:30 am. The only other one up was the lucky one behind the camera.....me!

 Auntie K came in around 8:00 am and took over so I could get a much needed little am nap

 Gage was a BIG fan of Great Grandpa Hirschi's cane

 Great Grandma Hirschi and Gage having a little chat

 Uncle Clarke downloaded a few baby games for his favorite nephew

A traditional stop at Uncle Clarke's work so Gage could spend a few minutes with Donette

 Uncle Clarke made waiting fun while Aunt Kayla shopped

 Clarke would push the cart really fast and then stop. Gage would laugh and laugh! Thus, we found a new way to keep Gage happy while we extended our shopping trips

 Gage and Nonna (Grandma): The green duo

 The simple joys in life: boxes and toys

 Will Gage's feet ever be as big as Uncle Clarke's?

 Great Grandpa Hill pushing Gage in hopes of helping Gage get a must needed nap

We LOVE when Grandpa comes to visit

Grandpa came to visit for a couple days and we LOVED having him here. Not only did Gage have a constant buddy to play with, but while Gage was napping, my dad worked on some long needed house repairs! I am already trying to convince him that he needs another vacation back here! : )  Gage immediately took to Grandpa Hill and you couldn’t find one without the other close by. The two things my dad wanted most was time with Gage and Kopp's---he got both!! I had planned a trip to fly back to Utah with Gage for a few weeks, so on the flight to Utah, my dad flew back with us. It was WONDERFUL having someone to tag team with in regards to Gage. I flew back to Milwaukee solo and Gage made it one LONG airplane trip back. Luckil,y there was an extremely, shall we say, “energetic” two year old in the row across from us that made Gage look like an angel. The two year old took the focus off Gage, but I was still twisting, turning and moving with him. I gave him toy after toy, wagon wheel after wagon wheel; anything to try and appease him. Gage turned most of those activities down for a coveted chance to stand on my lap, grab the chair in front of him and bounce and shake. In his mind that was the esteemed activity. I am pretty sure the person in front of us will think twice before flying again!

 These two pictures were taken immediately after my dad arrived to our house. No posing for the camera, just two happy guys!



 The daily schedule went a little something like this:

Play Time

 Lunch Time

 House Repair Time while Gage napped

 Dinner Time

Play Time Again

 

And of course a ball game just before bed time

 Our flight from Denver to Salt Lake was delayed. My dad walked and walked with Gage while I got to sit and relax. I am trying to convince Rob that we should invest in a constant travel companion!