A Great Vacation

I guess all good things must come to an end. Tomorrow we head back to Hawaii. We have spent the past 5 weeks with family and friends. We have had tons of fun, and we miss Deven a lot but find it hard to believe how fast this trip went. Dylan has gotten so big and I am sure Deven will not even recognize him. We did so many fun things while we were here, some of the pictures are out of order but I am not sure how to fix it so I will just explain as we go. We visited Grandma and Grandpa Sorensen in Gunnison. Sharon, her family in Perry and Shirece in St George. We took a trip down to Arizona to see Lisa and most of the family came down there too. We had fun in the pool and of course shopping. We got to see Nana and Grandpa, Deena, and Derek in Provo and spend time with them. We also got to see old friends and cousins. Gracie has had so much fun with everyone and I have enjoyed all the help and even got to sleep in till 10a.m. a couple of times. (something I have not done in years). We just wanted to share some of the highlights of our trip. There are so many pictures I didn't have room to post them all. Camping out in Grandpa Sorensen's backyard with Shirece and all the Fairbourn cousins. Gracie and Sarah thought this was so cool and they were going to stay in the tent all day long... or so they thought.

Gracie, Nana, Dylan, and I went to Veteran's Memorial Pool in Provo. Gracie has been asking to go here since we arrived. We almost didn't get her to leave.

Gracie, Sarah, and Brittney (under the blankets) waking up after spending the night in the tent.

Of course shopping at the Gateway. We told the kids if they were really good, they could play in the splash pad afterwards. They got soaked, but had a great time.

Gracie and Sarah got to go to build a bear for Sarah's birthday. They picked matching puppy dogs. (I hope her dog is good for us on the way home)

We went hiking in Zions. We met up with the Fairbourns and spent a day hiking in Zions. This is Gracie and Shirece coming back down from the emerald pools. I wasn't planning on doing a lot of hiking so you have to love Gracies thrown together outfit. Luckily Sharon had given Gracie high shcool musical shoes and we borrowed some socks from Sarah and she was ready to go.

Dylan was trooper as well. I didn't have the warmest clothes for him but we managed. This is Dylan and I at weeping rock.

Dylan and I outside of the cabin we stayed in.

I ran into an old friend at Lisa's graduation. It was so fun to Marcie and her family again. Lael, her husband, graduated at the same time as Lisa. She had a baby about the same time we did so it was fun to see the kido's and do some quick catching up.

Nothing like spending time with sisters. We were just waiting for Lisa to make her way into the auditorium.

Nana, took Gracie to Liberty park. It is a little theme park on the way to Salt Lake. Gracie had fun riding in the cars, jumping in jumpy castles, and riding on trains.

Gracie and I in the water boat. Gracie was never quite sure of this one and couldn't wait to get off. Thanks to everyone for a great vacation. We will miss everyone and can't wait till we get to come back again.

Fun on the Mainland

Well we have spent the last couple of days at Lisa's and she let me use her computer to update our stay here.  Deven is missing us so I told him I would try to post some pictures.  Gracie has been having a great time in the pool.  She wakes up in the morning and would stay out there all day long if we would let her.  This is from Lisa's graduation party.  The kids had so much fun in the pool.
Dylan and  I spent most of the time observing from the edge of the pool  There was so much going on Dylan was so alert the whole party.  He didn't want to miss anything.  

We went to the science museum with all the cousins.  This was a mock airplane.  It was fun to go inside.  It felt like you were really flying and then it taught you about how airplanes work.  
Gracie and the cousins in a tug of war at the science museum.  They all had so much fun there was so much to learn and see.  
Well Lisa did it!!! She graduated.  It seems like just yesterday Deven and I convinced her to move to Arizona and attend Midwestern.   Who knew at the time she would get married and make AZ her home.  It was so fun to come back and see the campus and how much it has changed in just one year.  Graduation was awesome and Lisa way to go.  
Dylan fell asleep during the ceremony.  What a trooper.  
After graduation.  The weather was so nice for AZ at this time of year.  It wasn't too hot.  I ran into and old friend Marcie after graduation.  I got pictures with my camera, but I am using Lisa's computer and her pictures so hopefully I can post some other pictures later when I get home.  It was so fun to see old friends.  It brought back so many memories.  
More fun in the pool.  
Opening presents.  We celebrated 4 birthdays while we were down there.  Sharon's, Sarah's, Lisa's and Joe's (Shirece's boyfriend) but Sharon was nice enough to get Gracie a gift as well.  She got high school musical shoes.  She was pretty excited.  
Also Sharon and Lisa made me this awesome quilt for Dylan.  I hope you can see how cute it is.  It was a fun week.  

My Mom Came and I am Going to the Mainland

Well it has been a crazy couple of weeks. My mom got here on Mothers Day and it was really nice to have her since Deven was in Texas doing some training that week. We had tons of fun so as promised to all the sisters here are some of our adventures. We are now getting ready to head to the airport because I am flying home with my mom for a few weeks to visit the rest of my family. I am excited it has been a year since we have been home so I might not be able to post for a while, I will do my best. But I will still check in from time to time to see what everyone is up to. This is my mom, Gracie, Dylan and I at the Polynesian Cultural Center. We enjoyed the villages, dinner and of course the show.
Gracie learned how to weave as we went throughout the villages. She also found herself a crown and felt like a princess.
Grandma and Gracie on the boat ride through the villages.
Dylan and I got to spend lots of time in the shade, so here he is kicking around for a bit.
My mom and Gracie took a submarine ride down at Waikiki they saw a shipwreck, airplane wreck and sting rays.
We took Grandma to the Temple and saw an art show that was on exhibit.
We took a trip to the North Shore and of course had to get a famous shaved ice.
We took Grandma to our favorite beach 3 Tables, Grandmas was not planning on getting very wet so she didn't wear her suit. Gracie had other ideas and before you knew it she had Grandmas out there boogie boarding. Gracie was great teacher.
My mom enjoying the water at 3 table. It was fun to have you come mom and we are exited to travel home with you for more adventures. We are on our way to the airport so we will report when we can

We Blessed Dylan

We blessed Dylan on Sunday May 3, 2009. He was only 3 weeks old and it was hard to find an outfit to fit him, but we wanted to bless him while we had some family here. Here we are after church. It was a little bit different than Gracie's, because we only had Deven's mom here, but it was still really nice.
Gracie, Nana, and Dylan
Well Nana finally left and today is my first day all by myself. So how am I doing. Well I got out of the shower before noon, so I feel pretty proud of myself. We spent a lot of time at the beach while Nana was here. Deven had to show off his surfing skills and we taught Nana how to play one of Gracie's favorite games. Her and Deven call it "beach slapped"
Here is how it works, you sit at the edge of the ocean and wait for the waves to come. They pull you all over and you try to stay on the sand and not get swept out into the ocean. This game is guaranteed to get sand in places you don't want it.
Gracie and Nana getting swept out.

Of course Deven has to play as well. We had a lot of fun with Nana. Thank you for all your help I am sure you will need a couple of weeks to recoup. I forgot how much work a baby is.

Fun with Nana and baby

Well it is hard to believe our little guy is 2 weeks old. It has been a fun two weeks and in some ways it feels like he has been with us forever. We have been getting out more and even took Dylan on his first hike up to Wiamea Valley Falls. He did great, and we had to try out his new sun hat, of course it was way to big but it kept him protected.

Deven and his mom swimming out to the waterfall. It was a fun waterfall to hike to. It was a short walk and then you could go swimming. The water was freezing and Gracie only lasted a little bit, but they said it was refreshing to get in. Dylan and I found a shade tree and enjoyed the scenery.
We made it the water fall was just around the bend.
Gracie and Nana after enjoying an afternoon down at Waikiki Beach.
Dylan and Nana enjoying the shade down at the beach. We had to take Nana down to Waikiki because if you come to Hawaii you have to have the experience. It turned out to be a beautiful day and everyone was able to enjoy some sun and some shade. Dylan just enjoyed the shade of course.
Deven, Gracie and Nana swimming at the beach. Waikiki is nice just because it has a built in breaker so it is great for kids it keeps the big waves out. Gracie practiced her swimming and played in the sand.
We took Nana to the international Market down in Waikiki. It is a lot like the swap meet but fun to look at the shops and of course we had to take a trolley ride and get some pineapple ice cream at the end.
Deven, Dylan, and Gracie on the trolley ride.
Our little munchkin. He is so snugly and I am afraid growing up way to fast. We are loving him.
Sure it takes us twice as long to get out of the house, and we are tired, but Nana has been a big help so I have been able to get a little extra sleep and Gracie is really enjoying all the attention Nana gives her.

He Came

We welcomed Dylan Dell Cox into our family on Saturday April 11, at 10:38 a.m. He was 7lbs 2 oz and was 20 inches long. He came a little sooner than we anticipated. We were scheduled for a repeat C-section on the 15th, but Saturday morning I woke up not feeling well and was having contractions. I thought I was in labor but was not sure, Deven and I decided we should just head down to the hospital and find out what we needed to do. Devens parents were here on vacation and they were suppose to go dive in the shark cage that morning so when they arrived we told them change of plans we are going to the hospital and they were left with Gracie (thank goodness we had family here). When we got to the hospital it wasn't the contractions that made them want to take the baby early, but my blood pressure was in the critical range. They said I could stay in the hospital and be monitored for 24 hours or they could just take the baby right then. Deven and I talked it over with the doctors and each other and decided that if I was going to have to stay at the hospital then we might as well just have the baby, it was just a few days earlier than planned. The doctors thought that was smart since my blood pressure was so high. So it all happened so fast, they got us ready for surgery and with in a couple of hours we were heading in for the c-section and at 10:38 a.m. Dylan was born. He is perfectly healthy and so far such a good and snugly baby. I only had to stay in the hospital for 48 hours so I am home and feeling great. We are just enjoying the new little guy.

He is so content and reminds us so much of Gracie, he just has more hair than she had.
Gracie is a adjusting to being a big sister. She has been taking care of her animals and dolls. She is not sure when he cries and covers her ears. If he cries for a long time she goes and shuts herself in her room. I keep telling her she will get use to it. She is so worried about him she keeps bringing him toys and makes sure he is always content.

Our little snuggle bug. We are just enjoying him and we just can't believe he is real and here. We were glad to have Nana and Grandpa here, but it did interrupt their vacation. I will post some pictures from that real soon. We tried to make sure they still had a good time. Deven still took them diving in the shark cage we will be posting pictures soon.