Mexico

It's been a week since I've been back from my vacation and a few things have happened keeping me away from blogging the trip.  Lets start with those first.  I got back early Sat morning and just chilled with Roux Sat and Sun.  Monday I went to work and started feeling a bit sick.  For the next 3 days the Lou and I didn't get along and I'm sure she was tired of looking at my back side (although I'm not sure why, I think it's quite nice).  Started feeling better so went to Heidi's Thurs and hung out there for a while (it was fun).  Fri I had told Roux's sitter I would do her hair for a trade that week and to just bring him by at 5 and we could do it then.  Well, first her hair turned orange (which for some reason I've been having that problem this week), I blame the weather.  We fixed that and just as we were finishing up Roux was sitting in a booster seat on the floor and fell backward knocking his head on a screw and cutting it open.  Naturally, my first instinct was to take him to the ER but once I calmed down and slowed the bleeding there was more of a bump than cut (don't worry, my stories always get better).  Today I worked for a few hours and got to the house with Roux asleep on Poppa.  Mom came in and said he was playing and fell, again, and scraped his chin and his bottom teeth went through his bottom lip.  It is all swollen and there are 2 little cuts.  Poor kid.  He is now asleep and I have finally had time to sit and type this novel.  We are both okay now, I'm still getting over this stomach virus and Roux is doped up on Motrin.  

Now, about Mexico.  It was awesome.  The beaches and water are so amazing and it is so clean.  Heidi said it smelled, which it did in some places but I just didn't go there.  I went skydiving over the ocean and jumped out of plane at 10,000 feet which I would do again in a heart beat.  This event confirmed my wanting to learn to fly small planes and maybe a helicopter.  I just feel so free while in the air.  Had some pictures taken by the crew but they have to be developed so I'll get those on later.

This is one of my favorite flowers because it just reminds me of warm, humid weather, salty sea breezes and the ocean (one of my favorite places).

This is an alligator with a golf ball stuck to the mud on its back.  Was pretty funny.  Remind you of Chubbs from Happy Gilmore.  Ha ha
This is the same alligator.  He was on the small patch on dirt in a pond or lagoon or something.  Never seen a wild one so thought it was pretty cool.  Wanted to eat some gator but didn't get a chance.
Took a ferry to the Isla de Majuras (Island of the Women or something like that) and rented scooter for the day.  The whole island is only about one kilometer so didn't take long to get around but was really pretty.  This is taken from the south looking north.  On the North there was supposed to be one of the longest beaches in mexico but the last 2 hurricanes have washed it away.  The water goes all the way up to the buildings and trees, it was so crazy.  Amazing how mother nature works and how something that takes years to build can be gone in minutes and seconds.  
This was just a cool picture.  The economy had been good to the islanders until this last year.  There were huge homes being built by these little scrap houses but everyone seemed to be happy.  Makes you stop and think what kind of life you have or want.  Is the simple life or the "sweet life" better?  Its all in how you look at it.  
Every day when I woke I would think of how I could definitely live in a place like that.  The people were so friendly and it was so gorgeous all the time.  I wanted to stay and have mom overnight Roux to me.  I decided that 7 days is too long to be away from him.  Five is okay but after that I just miss him too much and it was nice to snuggle with him again.  

Next trip...China!

Halloween

Usually for Halloween some friends in AZ have a huge costume party and dinner then we'll go to a dance party afterwards but this year since I'm in Utah (boo) I was pretty bummed and didn't want to do anything.  In fact, I didn't even get Roux a costume.  Then Heidi said we should go over to the trunk or treat at her in laws.  So we did.  Roux has some pajamas with skeleton outline on them so he just wore that, but it was too cold so he had sweater over and can't even see them.  Plus I forgot my camera so this is the only pic I have that Heidi sent.  I think Julie took one so hopefully Heidi can email it to me.

There was a bonfire and pot luck and pumpkin launcher thing that Roux thought was pretty cool.  But he was a little afraid of the costumes.  The whole way home he wanted to hold my hand, not sure if he was still scared or what.  It was pretty fun.  Hopefully next year though we'll be around for the costume party again though, miss it.

Something funny to add to my wonderful luck I have.  Went out to the city Thursday to pick up some product and meet DK for the day and got in an accident, of course.  I had just got off the exit to the Park City outlet malls and was stopped at the light when I leaned back to give Roux his juice and my foot slipped off the break and on the the gas and plowed into the back of a Prius.  She called the highway patrol and we exchanged info and my car is still drivable.  Just heard a hissing sound so think the radiator could be cracked.  Was just thinking on the drive out that is was about time to get a new vehicle.  This is the fifth accident it's been in and this is the only one that was my fault.  I just have bad luck, I'm telling you, it's crazy how bad it is.  Well that is my story.  I'm sure there will be more to follow, I'm going to Mexico in a week so there are bound to be some things happen there.  Good times.

Denver

Heidi and I took the kids to Denver for a couple days to go winter shopping, and because we've never been there.  There wasn't really an agenda except to shop (thats all the agenda I need).  The drive there went really quick and the kids were so good we promised we'd get them a toy when we got there.  

We had no idea anything of Denver, it was an adventure trip.  The first exit we got off on just happened to have everything we needed.  Super Target (which was where we got just bout everything anyway), Macaroni Grill (with the best salmon EVER) and our hotel complete with indoor pool, ping pong and golf (which we didn't play just swam).

This was how happy they were in the car.  Roux's toy was a guitar that plays songs and noises.  He loves it and Deegan played rock star on the beds.  They fell asleep by 9.  It was awesome!

We walked down the 16th st Mall which is a mile long street with shops and fun stuff.  At the end of the mall there was a park (which we thought was going to have play stuff but was just grassy) and an Obama rally going on that Heidi was so mad about, it was pretty funny.  We played tag and just as we were leaving the park spotted some squirrels (as Roux is pointing out).  They chased them around and tried catching them and would get mad when they ran up the trees and wouldn't come down.  We then took the mall bus back up to the other end and Heidi said it was her first time on one, not too exciting are they.  But very fun to people watch.  Used to take the bus a lot in Hawaii and met some very interesting people.  And we would hitch hike, that was always fun too.  Good times.
There was this huge 40' blue bear at the convention center that peaks inside that is pretty cool.  This is taken from the inside on the second floor and didn't turn out very well.  Someone told me that the biggest ball of yarn was in Denver but after doing some extensive research found out it was a big fat lie.  Which was good to know because I'm sure Heidi and I would have tried to look for it, we were pretty excited.  He said it started in Cleveland  and it got to Denver and they had to stop.  
On the way back it took a bit longer since the kids were tired of being in the car.  We stopped at some outlets that seemed pretty cool if I was shopping for myself, but wasn't.  And I'm just to glad I don't live in Veil, there was already snow!  Deegan and Roux played in the melted stuff for a minute.  Then we stopped at this park that was like a mini one for small people.  Roux was able to do it all by himself where usually I have to help him.  

Let me tell you the best part though.  I bought some lunchables for Roux since they are easy to eat in the car.  I opened one for him and he didn't want it so I ate it.  Well about four Sunday morning I woke up feeling really really sick.  I had a mild case of food poisoning from the meat in it.  Good thing it was me and not Roux.  I was puking for a few hours and my stomach still isn't 100% but doing much better.  While I was hunched over the pot I thought of the line from "The Devil Wears Prada", "I'm just a stomach flu away from my goal weight".  I think I exceeded that.  

DK

DK was in Salt Lake visiting his kids for the weekend so Roux and I came out to see him for a day as well.  First we went to the Children's Museum at the Gateway and played with the "Beehive" (the pictures uploaded backwards).  He loves to push things and found this little stroller with a baby and was pushing it all over the place.  There was a fake horse and I went to put him in it and he got scared.  He's even afraid of the plastic animals!

We went to Sugarhouse park and played with the ducks and geese.  We had this pretty gross freeze dried veggies I thought Roux would like (and he did) and fed them to the birds.  Roux would grab a handful and throw it then chase the birds away.  He finally got tired of throwing handfuls and (after we put the lid on) grabbed the container and threw it at the birds.  He'd pick it up then throw it again.  Was pretty funny.  Then DK took him to chase the geese and make them fly into the pond.  He loved it and was laughing really hard, until he fell in a mud hole.  He was so tired we went for a ride to get Roux to sleep then met Lars and Lauren for dinner at Market Street Broiler where Roux rained us all with rice.  Thanks for the fun day!

AZ Trip

We went to Arizona for a week and got back Thursday.  Had a great time!  Went swimming and shopping with DK, shopping with Sunni, to Alissa's baby shower (where Roux showed off and entertained everyone), Family Home Evening with Papa, and played Rock band with Cody.  Roux was so worn out every night that he slept really well and by the time we got back he was so exhausted.  He's still pretty tired and trying to play catch up.  

Roux loved being outside again and in the pool.  DK has an awesome pool with a little rock waterfall and cave that Roux loved to play in.  He had tons of fun over there.  

We went over to Papa's for FHE and played a game and colored a picture.  And Diego scared him so bad it made him jump and scream.  Was pretty funny.  The little guy in the bouncy seat Roux's uncle Johan.  
Cody taught Roux how to play the drums and guitar.  Roux thought it was so much fun.  Took a video on my phone but didn't turn out very well and not sure how to put them on the blog.  Was fun hanging out with the Paredes'.  
Part of the reason I went down was for a make up class that ended up being really sweet.  Had some really good ideas for when I start doing my own photo shoots and salon.  Have some pix but forgot to post them, I will later. 

Sure do miss it down there but it's nice being around family (even though Roosevelt doesn't agree with me).  It's looking like we'll be headed back there in a few short months.  

For Oma

Oma wrote her favorite memory of Sven about him sleeping in her suitcase when visiting mom before I was born.  The suitcase is out for me to use this weekend and the first thing Roux did was tip it over and sit in it.  It was pretty cute so decided to take picture.  Oma, you should email me the pics of Sven. 

This was last week when Heidi and I went to the park with some gals in her ward and Roux was running and having so much fun when he ate dirt, literally.  Biffed it right in a patch of soft loose dirt and it went up his nose and in his mouth.  This is the best picture we got of it

India

For dinner tonight we had chicken, couscous, and broccoli.  I decided I don't know how people in India and middle eastern countries teach their children how to eat with their hands because Roux sure made a huge mess of it all.  He loved the food and eating with his hands and especially playing in the food and throwing it on the floor.  Fun.