Our First Long Road Trip

During winter break we spent a few days in Idaho visiting Trav's Aunt Jolene and Uncle Lance. We drove up on the Monday after Christmas and back on Thursday.  It wasn't a long visit, but we squeezed a lot in and had a great time.  Isaiah was a wonderful car traveler.  He was pretty content in the back seat for the most part.  Especially considering on the way there he only slept for 20 minutes!  I had planned ahead and packed a bag of toys that he could play with by himself and that he generally really likes.  Travis called this Mommy's bag of tricks.  Any time he started to get fussy I just found a new toy for him.  I also had several of his favorite snacks packed too, which helped pass the time as well!

On Monday right after we got there Aunt Jolene and Uncle Lance gave Isaiah a Christmas present.  He was so excited to open up this HUGE gift!

On Monday evening Isaiah also learned a new word...GUM!  Uncle Lance was chewing gum and Isaiah went up to him and said ah... as in open your mouth I want to see what you have that I don't.  Lance opened his mouth and showed him the gum and said gum.  Isaiah repeated him and said gum for the rest of the evening it was gum, gum, gum!  What a fun new word even if it isn't very useful yet!
On Tuesday we spent the day in Boise. During the day we went to a couple stores, had lunch at a cute restaurant close to Lydia and Thiago's house, and then went to Lydia and Thiago's house to hang out a little before meeting Andrew and Anaya for dinner.

 Uncle Lance can make lots of great noises that help keep Isaiah in a good mood!

 Showing Aunt Jolene and Mommy his toy.

 Checking out Thiago...

 Giving Thiago a high-five!

 And the decision is YES, I LOVE HIM!  Huge smile!

 Practicing his CHEESE smile...pretty cute!

 Spending time at the mall with Lydia while we wait for Andrew and Anaya.

He LOVED Lydia too!

On Wednesday we ventured out to Bi-Mart (Emmett's big attraction) to do a little shopping!  Isaiah learned how to go down two steps without having to hold on to anything...he was pretty proud of himself.  Everyone in the house (but me) took an afternoon nap.  Instead I blogged and watched a movie.  Aunt Jolene let Isaiah help her make a cake in the Kitchen Aid (his favorite thing!).  And in the evening quiet a few families from the Emmett First Baptist Church family came over to Lance and Jolene's house to visit with us and meet Isaiah.  It was great to catch up with so many people... I can't believe it has already been six years since we lived in Idaho!

 Going down the steps.

 Clapping for himself!

 Making sure Daddy also was clapping for him!

 Proudly and happily sitting next to Daddy!

 Holding the sprinkles that will get to go on the cake.

 Looking at the cooling cake with Mommy.  I don't think he was saying the word cake yet until getting to make this cake with Aunt Jolene...and then it was cake, cake, cake.  He had so much fun!

 Watching the frosting in the mixer.

 Looking up for a brief moment to take a picture...

 And then back to studying the mixer!

 Getting to eat the frosting off the spatula...what a lucky boy, and he knows it!

 Time for the sprinkles.

 Aunt Jolene showing him how to put the sprinkles on the cake.

 Happily looking at HIS cake!

 Yep, a little more frosting!

 Happy boy eating chocolate, and before dinner!

 Travis hanging out with our visitors.

 Isaiah playing with some new toys he got from our amazing visitors!  Thank you for your generosity!

 Wayne reading Isaiah a book.

 Isaiah and I visiting with Salina and Tyler, a great couple!

 Isaiah getting loved on by the Keene family!

On Thursday we loaded up and headed home.  Isaiah still didn't sleep much in the car.  He only took an hour nap, but he looked so cute we couldn't resist a final picture from our trip. 

We had a great visit and we are so thankful for our family and friends in Idaho.  If any of you are ever in the Portland area we would love to see you!