Back to the desert we trekked.

Well, we have been back in Vegas for a little over a week and have experienced all that summers in Vegas have to offer--actually, we might have even had some weather treats.  The first 5 days we were back, it was never under 105 at the hottest part of the day and apparently we even had some of the hottest days at around 113.  Needless to say, we stayed inside during those times.  As you will see in photos below, though, KJ seeemed to enjoy the heat.  We have also had some nice "cool" weather hovering around the mid-90s and if there are clouds, it's quite enjoyable.
Oops, I digress a little.  First off, our trek to reach home.  We checked out of our rental on July 2nd and spent the 3rd and the 4th in Niceville with the Senechals (they have been wonderful at opening up their home to our entire brood and for that we are eternally thankful).  We were extra lucky to be able to catch the Smiths as they were down visiting family at Santa Rosa Beach so we stopped by for a few hours of fun with them on the way to Niceville.  Our 4th was a bit a rainy during the day and then a bit uneventful as we were getting on the road the next morning.  Weston won't remember that he saw his first fireworks on the tv so we aren't too heartbroken over it and hopefully it won't cause him a complex later in life.
We drove from Niceville to Shreveport, LA, on the 5th and made great time.  We were feeling so naively good about our travels that we decided to push a little further than planned on the next day and went from Shreveport to Albuquerque, NM--that makes for close to 13 hours of traveling.  Thankfully, our friends, the Kirks, let us hang in their house for about an hour in Wichita Falls, TX, and we all got to stretch and even run around the yard with KJ.  That was a long day, but made arriving home on the 6th at 3 in the afternoon so worth it.  It was nice to only have a 9 hour day on Saturday to make it home during daylight.  Weston did awesome on the trip and, as you will see in photos, was entertained plenty. KJ did just as great and made sure to let us know that the captain's chair behind the driver was hers.  No, seriously, she and I had some battles when I had to climb back there to feed Weston or entertain him.
We can't express how wonderful it was to spend time in Florida but it has been glorious to be back in our home.  Andrew has already gotten back to a busy work schedule but that's okay because Weston and I doing pretty good with this stay-at-home-mom gig.  I was finally able to join the gym and put him in the gym's childcare (we weren't really allowed to do that before we left due to his preemie status and other kids) and he has done wonderfully.  Each time I pick him up, the ladies are saying how happy he was and he is all smiles when I see him.
Enjoy the photos of our travels as well as some happy faces back home in our house.

Kristy and I have been friends since the 1st day of 7th grade when she was the new kid and I learned her WHOLE life story in just one lap of the PE field.  Love her dearly and am so happy that we have little ones at the same time and that we got to spend time together.  

Sweet Emme and her gorgeous smile!

A little baby switching but more love with the Smith family!

Weston celebrating a little Independence Day with his red face and white and blue outfit!  

Chilling and watching the fireworks on tv! Happy 4th of July with volume control!

On the road again.....

If you saw our posts about KJ's weird traveling positions to FL you won't be surprised by this position!

Weston playing a game that he has recently shaken (thank goodness) where he fills his mouth with milk and then sprays it all over the place--fun times.  After a few weeks, Andrew and I finally gained the skill to not laugh at this, but it's still pretty tough to not at least smile.  

Mmm, can I fit a book and a teething ring in my mouth?  I will try!

Road trips ARE awesome--especially when you are in Northern Arizona about to reach Nevada!  

A lovely pact was made where they slept and stayed awake at the same times--buddies already!

Just a little montage of KJ's weird sleeping positions.

Happy to be in a new toy!  

Yes! We have a pool in our backyard now--Weston's still figuring out this water thing but so fun to be able to introduce this to him whenever we want.

This is what I woke up to on Sunday morning--I think KJ was happy to be home too.

Oh and she likes the pool too.

Happy to be back with ALL of our books for dad to read to Weston.

Just a little moment of giggling while we were grilling out one day last week.

PS--Did you know that as we were traveling we were fostering an almost 6 month old baby?  Yep, he's now 6 months old.  That post is coming soon too!