Oh yea...

I neglected to mention that we're in Utah....
So that explains the lack of blog posts! We're
here for my sister in laws wedding - which is
in a couple of days.

This could be a short... or long post. We'll
see how things go :]

So we left HI on Friday night. We flew out
at 8:50pm... for a nice overnight flight to
LAX.Dmitri got his own seat, since he's almost 3,
so that was kind of nice. It was only his
second flight, in his own seat. Well, third, if
we count his first flight to HI... when he was
4 months old.
Anywhos... so when we boarded the flight,
Daniel and I stuck Dmitri in the middle. But
before take off, the flight attendant told me
he had to be by the window. I had never
heard of this... and my last flight, he was in
the middle... but whateves.
So we switched him, and off we went!Oh - I should also mention the weird moments
on our flight. Like as we were taking off, a
girl jumps out of her seat, and over two people,
and runs to the bathroom. It was kind of obvious
she had to throw up... and apparently it was
bad... because the flight attendant checked out
the bathroom, after the girl was done, and then
locked it, so no one could use it. Blah!
So after the girl was done, she goes to sit back
in her seat. The flight attendant went to check
on her, and asks if she's okay. The girl says,
"Oh yea, I'm totally fine!" But in a tone, like
the flight attendant was totally crazy for asking
her that.
Found out later, that her friend made her drink
5 beers before the flight. Obviously they didn't
sit well....The flight was pretty smooth. We didn't get our
in flight movie {'True Grit' - which is an odd
airplane pick, in my opinion}, because the tv's
wouldn't work. So I passed the time by playing
Sudoku - because I can't sleep on planes. Daniel
slept on and off... and Dmitri slept the whole flight.
Our seats were in the very back of the plane,
so it wasn't particularly quiet.

So even though I couldn't sleep, I was fairly
entertained.
There was a 6 month pregnant lady, that was
complaining about odd pains, and she's lose color
in her face. So that was interesting. She didn't
deliver... but apparently was lacking proper food,
and enough water.

Also, while I was playing Sudoku, there was a
guy that passed my seat, to use the bathroom.
Well I could feel him, standing behind me. I glance
back, and he's in the middle of the aisle, doing
yoga. Not just a pose here or there... 10 minutes
of yoga. He was distracting me, when his little
head would pop up and down. That's dedication...

But yea. Just an odd flight. The pilot also decided
not to tell anyone we were landing, until about 5
minutes before the plane landed. Like the flight
attendants didn't even know.
But luckily, all these oddities, made for a fast
flight. So I was grateful for that!

Oh yea, and Dmitri's favorite parts of the flight
are taking off, and landing. Just like me. When
we were taking off, he'd laugh every time his
belly dropped and tickled. Something tells me
he's going to love a good roller coaster!

So we landed at LAX, and had a 3 hour layover.
It was good though, because Dmitri got to run
around, and get some energy out, for our next
flight.
When we first got there, there was a brother
and sister that Dmitri played with. After they
left, there were 3 brothers that Dmitri played
with. Then, after they left, there was a 7 year
old boy that Dmitri played with. So it worked
out lovely for us!!
I love that Dmitri has no problem going up to
kids he doesn't know, and asking them to play.
He had so much fun!

So while we waited, there was something going
on outside the window of our terminal.
There was a group of Navy guys practicing
for something. I asked Daniel what it was, and
he said they were waiting for a casket. Oh. So
we sat and watched - while more and more people
came. Army guys, more Navy and some representatives
from LAX. Then, the family of the fallen solider came,
and that just broke my heart.
After everyone was in place, the plane came and
landed, and they pulled his casket off the plane,
to give it to the family. The guy was a Lieutenant
Junior, in the Navy - and had a 1 year old boy. Which
just broke my heart even more.
But it was really interesting to see, and he was given
a good ceremony.
{while the were still getting ready}
When I turned around, there were a ton of people
watching with me. Which meant Daniel didn't get
to see much, because he was watching bags, and
Dmitri. So I felt bad, and should have let him stand
in my spot :[

Soon after that, we boarded our flight to Las Vegas.
When the flight attendants were passing out drinks,
one flight attendant mentioned Keith Urban. I thought
she was talking about the Australian guys sitting behind
us, but not long after that, I look up and see someone
coming out of the bathroom. It was Keith Urban!! Ahh!!
Love him! I kept trying to get a good look at him, and
snap a pic, but people kept getting in my way.
Towards the end of the flight, Dmitri had to pee {YES!}
So I asked if it was too late to go {because we were about
to land}. The flight attendant said no. Then I asked if we
could use the bathroom in the front of the plane {I didn't
know if it was the special first class bathroom}, and he
said yes. So I took Dmitri, and headed to the front. Right
when we got behind Keith Urban's seat... the other flight
attendant told me someone had just gone into that bathroom.
Curses! So we had to go all the way to the back, and I missed
another glance at him. Yes... that makes me sound like a
crazy fan... but whateves :PSo when we landed, I had my phone ready, to snap a
pic. But he's sneaky! He stood up, and ducked, with his
sunglasses and hat on, and was out of the plane. I did
get a so so pic though. Oh, and he was sitting in the
first class section - not in coach :}So we landed in Vegas, and were met by our friends, Mike,
Jennie and Sophie!
They were in Vegas for work, and to visit Mike's sister,
so that worked out for us! We had bought our tickets kind
of late, and it was cheaper to fly into Vegas... So we met
with them, then made a quick detour to their nephews
football game. Dmitri got to jump in the bounce house there,
so he was very happy! After that, we headed to Salt Lake.They had an awesome rental car! It was huge - and perfect!
Of course the kids slept most the drive, and watched movies
in between naps. So they were awesome little travelers!

Once we got to SLC, we had to pick up our rental car. Daniel
thought it was at the airport, but it was actually a little
further away. At that point, Dmitri was just done. He had
been so good through the flights and drive... so coming up
on hour 23 of traveling - he was just done.
So getting him back into his seat, to go to Papa and Grandma's
house was a struggle. But we made it! Oh - and he had NO
potty accidents! He did awesome!!

So waking up on Sunday, we slept in until 1pm. I guess
that's what happens when you don't sleep for more than
24 hours, and there's a 4 hour time difference. But it was
good.
After we woke up, we headed up to Silver Lake, were
there was still a lot of snow, and played up there for a bit!
We didn't have any gloves... so Dmitri wasn't too happy
about how cold the snow made his hands - but he pressed
on.
{the lake is the whole open space in front of Dmitri... so it's a little covered}
And it was a little bright...When he saw all the snow, he asked us where Santa
Clause was... and had an eye out for him, the whole time
we were there :}
Dmitri got to make his first snowman with daddy, and
he loved throwing snowballs! He didn't like falling in the
snow though... or how cold his hands got. But otherwise
he had fun, and the snow was perfect for playing in!After snow, we headed to Grandma Mary's house. We
hung out for a bit, and Dmitri got to play with some of
his aunts and uncles.

Monday... we slept in again. Blah! Then headed up to
visit Mike and Jennie. We also stopped at Nelson's on
the way up... cause they have super yummy shakes!
So we had lunch there, and then went to Mike and Jennie's.I tried to get Daniel, to recreate this pic {at Nelson's}
from 4 years ago. I didn't show him the pic till after... so
this is what I got.Close enough! And ignore the Myspace stars... I was
into that 4 years ago... Blah! :P

Dmitri always has fun playing with Sophie - and they
were so cute! They're a good balance, because he didn't
mind playing with Care Bears and the baby stroller,
and she didn't mind playing cars with him. So fun!

Tuesday, my sister Cassie came over, and visited
with us. Dmitri loves all his aunties - so she tired him
out by chasing him around.
Then, that night we headed to Daniel's mom's house
for a family dinner. Which of course meant more fun
playing with cousins!!! All this fun family time, is something
we definitely miss about living in Utah! He seriously
had so much fun, running around Grandma's backyard.

I love this picture!He asked cousin Cedric to push him down the slideSo yesterday {Weds} we woke up early, and drove
Daniel and Dmitri to meet up with Grandpa Craig.
They were going fishing - Dmitri's first time too. It
was a boys thing... so I stayed home - and worried
from time to time, about Dmitri falling in the water...
I did meet up with my friend Haley, and little Miss
Olive! So that helped keep my mind off fishing dangers!

Ready to go!
We went to Target, then Chick Fil A for lunch. Two
musts when we get together! I missed having Dmitri
with me, and he didn't get to see his friend Olive - but
I know we'll see them again before we leave, so we'll
make up for it!

Daniel and Dmitri didn't get back until almost 7:30!
They went fishing about 3 hours away, and Dmitri
slept during both the drives.
They also didn't catch any fish... but Dmitri will tell
you, that they went fishing for trout. So bummer they
didn't catch anything. But Daniel said Dmitri had so
much fun - and loved hanging out with Grandpa and
Grandpa's friend Larry.
He also liked splashing in the puddles... with his
froggy boots...
Hehe and I love this pic of him, following Grandpa - with his fishing pole :)
So.... Dmitri got to experience another first, while
fishing with Grandpa. I wasn't supposed to find out,
but Daniel was kind of proud... Dmitri got to shoot
his first gun. Not a big one, just a 22... and Daniel held
the gun, while Dmitri pulled the trigger. Daniel was
proud that Dmitri hit the can. So, yay Dmitri?
Can't say I was all that surprised - because I know
Grandpa Craig! But I also know how Daniel is, and
he practices good gun safety. Blah.

So they got home late, I then Daniel and I went to
go see the new Pirates - in 3D. So that was pretty cool!

And now it's Thursday... and we have a pre-wedding
dinner to go to tonight. So that should be fun!

Okay - I think I'm caught up!! And it did end up being
a long post... :]
Playing with Uncle Isaac - at Grandma Mary's house.
LOVE this blossoms!

'Uncle' Larry and Dimy
Randoms, before we left HI.
He fell asleep in my bed, while watching Toy Story.
He was wearing his Woody shirt... and had his boots
next to him.
Pretty self explanatory... :}
We had a meeting at church, a few nights before we
left. This lady was waiting for her sister to get out, and
she was giving Dmitri candy from her purse. So he was
showing her that he ate his last one... and moved on to
the next... :}