We didn't spend much time outside because it was so hot, and we were worried about our very fair skinned little boy getting sunburned or heat exhaustion. I'm a cool weather girl myself, and don't handle the heat very well. But we did manage to go outside a bit and enjoy Layne and Kris' yard and all of their lovely grass.
One evening, we took Connor outside when the sun wasn't so intense and it had cooled off a bit. Brian and I sat on the grass and put Connor down as well. He immediately decided that grass wasn't for him and burst into tears. We tried laying him down, sitting him up, holding him while he stood on the lawn with his bare feet, but he was having none of that. He hated it so much, that each time he touched it, he would start to cry.
He was only happy when Brian was holding him, away from any contact with the lawn. He would slowly reach down occasionally to touch it, but as soon as his fingers made contact, he'd start to cry again. It was pretty funny. I guess I need to start taking him outside more.
Once we moved over to the concrete patio, Connor became his usual happy self again. He relaxed and became excited about being outside. It was hilarious.
Connor didn't have any trouble making himself at home inside though. He loved standing next to the fireplace, and we had to watch him closely when he was there so that he didn't fall and injure himself on the granite step. He wanted so badly to climb up on that ledge, and tried his hardest each time he stood there. On one such, try he pulled himself up so that his legs were off the floor and just hung there for a bit. He has such strong little arms and legs. Also, every time he caught sight of Grandpa's collection of cobblestones he made a bee line for them, so we had to be ready to intervene so he couldn't reach them.
Another favorite activity was to climb up the back of grandma and grandpa's couches. The leather provided nice traction for his little toes and he was able to climb right up the back. Connor would have just kept climbing right up and over the back if we weren't there to stop him. He loved being able to get up high enough to look over the cushions and see grandma working in the kitchen.
Most of our outdoor time occurred in the late afternoon or evenings, but we went out a couple times in the middle of the afternoon when it was really hot and the sun was intense. We slathered every inch of Connor with sunscreen and he got to wear his hat. This was the first time we put the hat on him, and he wasn't quite sure what to make of it. We all instantly decided that it was the cutest thing ever.
This time outside, we spread a blanket on the grass to sit on so that Connor would enjoy being outside on the lawn without having to touch it. At first, he could still feel the crunchy texture of the grass underneath the blanket and didn't like it very much. He whined a little, but there were no tears. He didn't like it when he reached the edge of the blanket and accidentally put a hand in the grass. After a little while though, he forgot about the grass, and crawled off the blanket and over to grandpa who was sitting on the lawn. You could tell it still wasn't his favorite thing, but he handled it much better.
We didn't bring our booster seat/high chair for Connor so we had to tag team feeding him baby food. He is so wiggly and it's hard to get him to sit still, so baby food ended up all over the person holding him as well as the table. It was an adventure for sure, and now we know to not forget his little seat next time we come.
We had a lot of fun just hanging out during the days, visiting with each other and playing with Connor. It was really nice to have some time away from life to relax. We did a few little projects while we were there--Layne and Brian moved a very heavy boulder to a better place in the yard, and they were quite proud of their work. For the most part though we took it easy. And as always, Kris spoiled us by making some amazing food.
Connor loved Grandma and Grandpa Westover. We love that we live close enough to visit so often. It's really important to us that our kids know their grandparents. Connor would get the biggest smile every time Grandpa would clap and talk to him. It was great.
Every evening once the sun wasn't so intense and the air started to cool a bit we went on a walk. I absolutely love summer evenings in Idaho. Oh, and the sunsets were amazing.
We had tentative plans to go to a parade in the morning on the 4th, but we didn't make it. By the time we were ready, and Connor was fed, the parade was almost over so we decided to skip it. That's okay though, because we had a great morning together and a yummy breakfast of blueberry pancakes.
This was Connor's first 4th of July so we had to document it with pictures. The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays, and it was so fun to celebrate it together with our little guy. I know he's only seven months and won't remember it, but that's okay. Now that I'm a mother, I'm even more grateful for the country that we live in and all of the blessings, freedoms, and opportunities that we enjoy and that my son will enjoy because we are American.
When we first arrived on Saturday, Connor didn't much like Archy trying to lick him. It scared him a bit, and he just wasn't sure about the whole thing. By the 4th, he'd warmed up considerably and started playing with Archy. It was hilarious.
Connor would crawl over and grab Archy's blanket. Archy would then tug the blanket away, and Connor thought that it was the funniest thing. I've never heard him laugh so hard for so long. They did this over and over for quite awhile, and Connor never got tired of it, although I think Archy eventually did. Archy was so patient and good while playing with Connor.
The whole thing was so great, that we just had to record it.
How cute is our little man wearing his Dad's hat?! This picture kills me, it's so adorable.
Layne and Kris hosted a delicious barbecue lunch on the 4th. Uncle Kim and Aunt Pam came, and also our friend Rachel Ovard, with her husband and kids. We hadn't seen Rachel in quite a while and we don't get to see Kim and Pam that often either, so it was nice to see them all and get to catch up. Layne and Kris grilled some jerk chicken that was so good. We all ate our fill of the yummy chicken, fresh corn on the cob and watermelon among other things. For dessert we had rhubarb crisp and blackberry dump cake. The food was great and the company even better.
Later that day, once everyone had gone and we enjoyed a good nap, we took a moment to take more pictures. We got a family picture on our first 4th as a family of three.
We had to get a photo of Connor with his grandparents for his baby book.
And one with Dad included as well.
Three generations of Westover men.
After a lovely walk, we spread blankets on the front lawn and got ready to view the big Melaleuca fireworks show down in the valley. We had a great view, and the fireworks were a pretty decent size for being so far away. The weather was so nice-- we enjoyed a clear sky and a warm breeze. It was the perfect end to a wonderful day.
On Wednesday we packed up and said goodbye to Layne, Kris, and Archy, then headed to my parents house to visit for a few hours. It was great to get to visit with everyone for a bit. We put Connor on a rocking horse for the first time, and he immediately took to it. Although he was really wobbly and couldn't stay on by himself, he liked it and even started trying to rock it back and forth by himself. It was really cute.
Grandma loves her grandkids and just can't get enough of all the new little ones that joined the family this year. She's just in heaven with her arms full of babies....literally. Haha!
Later that day we met at the gardens on the BYU-Idaho campus for family pictures. When we came back from New York, Brian and I couldn't believe how much Rexburg had changed and how it had grown. We think that every time we go back. The campus has changed a lot too. While we were waiting for everyone to arrive for pictures, Kiley and I walked through the Benson building...my old stomping grounds while I was there. It has changed a lot since I was there, but it was fun to walk through the parts that hadn't. Boy did that bring me back. I can't believe it's been twelve years since I graduated college!
We had fun walking around the gardens, getting our pictures taken. I think they're going to turn out great. I snapped a picture of Grandpa and Grandma with all the grandkids while they were getting into place. It's such a cute picture, and I can't wait to see them.
After pictures, we said goodbye and started the drive for home. We got back late, but happy because we had such a wonderful time with family.
I wish it could have been more days together. It was great! The Miller photos are wonderful. All those cute babies!
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