Utah Vacation = A Busy Day!

Our first full day in Utah was exactly that - FULL!  Max did okay sleeping in a borrowed pack-n-play.  He got up every couple hours (apologies to Taylor, who says he heard Max crying).  But after the last time, when I let him stay in bed with us, he slept in while Dad went on a morning run (Way to go Peter - working out even while we are on vacation!)

This is how he sleeps now, one arm spread out

Before they headed off to school, Maren and Preston came to say hello. Max woke up in time to play with them a little.

After we got ready and made Max some food for the day (and had a friendly, competitive match of air hockey), we headed out to West Valley to spend some time with Peter's family.  Max got to meet a lot of family!

Peter, Maxwell, and Peter's Grandma Jean

Hi Gram!

Happy boy

Video - Max and his Great Grandma Jean

Yeah!  Grandma Donna!

Max telling Grandma a story.

Grandma and Max (he was so happy!)

Video - Grandma and Maxwell

Then we headed up to Sandy for lunch.  One of my friends from High School and BYU - Jeff had started a pizza business, Surefire Pizza, with his wife.  Not just any pizza business though, a wood fired, traditional pizza like it is made in Naples, Italy.  I have wanted to try it for a long time and it was just by pure luck that they had an event while we were in town.  (Oh how I wish I lived in Utah in the summer when they are doing stuff all the time.  I would be their best customer - I LOVE LOVE LOVE that type of pizza ever since our cruise last year.)  Check out their site and don't pass up a chance to try their food if you get a chance.  It was a thoroughly enjoyable lunch that fed my belly and my soul.

Melissa, Jeff, and Max

The fantastic pizza and bruschetta.  My mouth waters just looking at it.  This is the way pizza was born!

After lunch we headed to visit my Grandma Nelson.  I was excited for her to meet Max.  She's got two dogs - Gizmo (who has been my buddy since I lived there while in college) and Sybil, a more recent addition.  Gizmo was excited to see me and to meet Max.  Sybil was not happy to meet Max and wanted him to know it.  Max loved both the dogs!  He wasn't scared and smiled and laughed at them.

Sybil investigating Max.  He loved it as she came closer and closer.

Gizmo licking Max.  I thought he would cry or scream but nope!  He laughed!  He would hold his hand out to Gizmo, who would lick it, and then Max would laugh and smile.  So sweet.  I guess my son likes dogs, not like his momma at all!  (Although I do love a few, Gizmo included.)

Video - Max playing with Gizmo who was making circles around Max.

Video - Max is trying to break through Sybil's rough exterior but she's having none of it.  She wants him to know she's tough and doesn't like him.

Max telling his Great Grandma Nelson a story. (I think she liked it.)

Playing with Grandma.

I absolutely LOVE this picture.

Sybil did like Max being on Grandma's lap so she had to be up there too.

After Grandma Nelson's we headed back to my Aunt Tammy's house.  My Uncle Nathan (and eventually Tammy) was going to watch Max for us while we went to Peter's nieces' play.

Buddies...For now... 

It was all downhill from here.  I left toys and food and lots of tips on how to make Max happy.  When I got back home that night, I learned that Max had cried basically the entire time.  He went on a walk, and cried.  He went on a ride in the car, and cried.  He watched Baby Einstein, and cried.  I felt so bad...not that he was upset, but that they had to deal with a crying baby all night.  As a parent, I hope that he will be a happy, easy going baby with everyone.  I certainly don't want him to be so attached to his parents that he can't be happy away from us.

So while Tammy and Nathan were dealing with an unhappy Max, Peter and I had a great evening!  We took my cousins Taylor, Ethan, and Maryn with us to see our nieces, Morgan and Madison, in their school musical - Suessical the Musical.  Almost all of Peter's immediate family was there too (missing - Jaxton, Tawny, and Mark).  It was a lot of fun both during the ride to/from the musical.  We got to revive "party car" from the trip we took to Sequoia National Park with their family a few years ago. 

The musical was great.  The girls both did a great job!  I was really glad this was happening while we were there so we could go and support them.  I hate missing things like this because we live so far away. 

Lola, Peter, Ethan, Taylor, and Maryn

Alex

Payton and Harleigh

Korben, Aja, (Ken), Felicia, Mariah, and Donna

Lola and Morgan - Thing 2!

Felicia, Mariah, and Madison - A Who!

We got home pretty late.  It was a full day from start to finish with not a moment that was wasted.  It was nice to get back to Max.  He immediately perked up and started smiling once he saw us.  Melts my heart.  If you noticed, the one thing I didn't mention today was...naps.  Poor Max didn't get a formal nap but he did get some good sleeping in the car.  That's good considering he doesn't usually fall asleep in the car.