Fun, Fun, Fun in the SUN

We just got back from SUNNY ST. GEORGE!

(Back to the blah-y weather of Northern Utah- yuck)

We're about to turn around and head back down to the sunshine!

My brother Hunter has a high school baseball tournament in St. George every year at this time and my family always makes a fun trip out of it. We have been looking forward to it for months! We stayed at our time-share house in Washington for almost a full week. Drake & I went down on Wednesday with my mom, dad, sister Katelyn, her friend Taylie, and sister Hannah. Hunter came down with the baseball team on Thursday. Rob & Kenzie came down on Friday night after Rob got done working for the week. And Staci & Ty came on Saturday. There was a lot of coming and going since lots of people had work or school, but we're so glad everyone was able to make it at some time. Drake & I stayed until Tuesday with my mom. 

We had the greatest time soaking up some much-needed Vitamin D and only wish that the sun would have followed us home!

Of course, our first day there, the gals HAD to hit the outlets and we came home with some great deals.

Lots of loot- most of it for Drake who had zero summer clothes.

 Pizza Factory- yum!

 Drake learned how to dip while at dinner and it was hilarious! 

He was pounding his breadstick into the plate as hard as possible and then he would just suck all the alfredo sauce off of it. We were rolling!

Our main purpose for this vacation was watching Hunter play baseball. They won their first 2 games and lost the last 2 games. Hunts was happy with the way he played though. We really enjoyed watching him pitch! Great way to start off the baseball season. Hunts pitching-

 The weather was GORGEOUS!

It was sunny all day long, but never got too hot. We planted ourselves on the steps and enjoyed the games while soaking up as much sun as possible. Aww...heaven!

 

There was a cement sidewalk in front of the bleachers which worked out great so that Drake was able to run around back and forth in front of us while we watched the game.

We brought Drake's ball with us and he threw it and chased after it over and over again. 

Grandpa played ball with him too-

What was hilarious was the reaction he expected to get every time he threw his ball. 

Whenever he does anything, he always expects people to clap for him.

So he would throw his ball and then start clapping and look up into the crowd with a big cheesy grin on his face and everyone would clap for him and laugh.

He is such a funny little guy!

He sometimes provided more entertainment for us then the game did!

All the girls were such a huge help with Drake that I hardly did anything for him during the games.

Katie chased him everywhere cause she wanted to. He is so very loved!

He sat up on the bleachers with us too and read books and played with his toys.

Look at that cute face!

One of my favorite things to do in St. George is get Cold Stone ice cream and eat it outside at the plaza nearby. 

Drake instantly found the fountain (loves water!) and thought it was the coolest thing ever.

This was about 9:30 at night after dinner and Drake was so hyper. He was running around the fountain, clapping, and saying "hello, hello, hello".

Grandpa taught Drake how to throw money into the fountain.

Saturday morning at Hunter's third baseball game. We hadn't seen Daddy since Wednesday and were so happy to have him down in St. George with us!

 Saturday afternoon at Hunter's last game. 

Cute sister and friends watching Hunter play baseball.

During the game, Grandpa taught Drake how to throw rocks.

That was kind of the theme of this trip- teaching Drake how to throw things.

He threw the ball everywhere at the games and around at the house. He threw coins into the fountain. And then threw lots of rocks.

 Hunter and his best buddy after the final game of the tournament. Way to go Hunts!

 This next picture is a fun memory.

After the game, we went to Iggy's as a family. Drake just recently learned how to say "hot" so Hunter was showing Drake the fire-pit outside of the restaurant and teaching Drake that it was "hot". 

Drake would reach down close to the fire and say "hot" and Hunter would pull him back really fast. Drake would laugh and laugh.

I think this picture is so cute because you can tell that Drake gets no attention at all! Look at everyone laughing at him! 

A beautiful Sunday morning brought more Rock-throwing!!! Drake's new favorite activity!

 Outside of Olive Garden

 All the family minus dad (taking the picture)at Olive Garden. We are getting so large!

 Happy 22nd birthday Staci!!!

 Rob thinks its hilarious to tell Drake to wash his hair while eating. This is what results- 

 Pool Time!

Drake hasn't been in a pool since he was 8 months so it was a completely different experience taking him swimming. He really loved the water at first- splashing and getting everyone wet, and throwing his ball everywhere. Then, he got cold and wanted to get out.

Sunday night, everyone left for home except Staci, Ty, Mom, Hannah, Drake & I.

 Aunt Staci loves Drake so much and always misses him when she is away.

He loved spending the next 2 days with her in St. George. 

We did lots of shopping, swimming, eating out, and relaxing!

 I've said this time after time before, but Drake is such a great baby!

Vacations are hard on little kiddos- busy days, little naps, scattered eating, and late nights.

Drake is awesome though. He always just goes with the flow and is usually just as happy as can be. 

He absolutely loves his grandma and grandpa and aunts and uncle. He gets so excited to see them and loves to play with them.

This trip was wonderful. So great to spend time with our family. So thankful to my parents for inviting us and paying for most everything for us! We loved the sunshine and all the time we were able to spend outside. Everything was just fantastic, except the part where we had to come home. :(

And here's a precious picture to end this long post...

Grandpa holding his little buddy while watching his son play baseball, his all-time favorite sport. Priceless.