Temporary Relocation Voyage/Shenanigans

If you haven't heard, our family unit has been ripped apart for the last 3 weeks due to a rotation for school which I chose to complete in the greater Idaho Falls metro area. I'm currently an unpaid slave at Walgreen's learning a great deal about retail pharmacy. You may be aware that Idaho and Georgia are over 2000 miles apart, which implies travel between the 2 topographically unrelated states. Azure and I spent 4 days together as nomads, consuming stale sandwiches and warding off scurvy with citrus.

Day 1:

Savannah to St. Louis

Crossed the towering Appalachians. Chattanooga looks interesting. Kentucky was exactly as I imagined it, minus the baseball bats. Crossed fingers through entire state of Illinois in fear of being pulled over by socialist Illini. Visited "The Hill" in St. Louis, a little Italy that won my heart and my stomach. Drove by St. Louis Temple. Azure slept soundly upon placement in pack and/or play.

Day 2:

St. Louis to Omaha

Went to Community of Christ Temple in Independence, MO. Reminded me of the BYU museum of art. (there was a lot of art) The spiral ceiling "took my breath away" (cue Berlin). Museum was highlight of temple, had window from Kirtland temple, door from Liberty Jail, more interesting old things. Proceeded to LDS visitors center. Spotted Utahns, denim shorts, socks and sandals, minivans. Azure played in a miniature cabin. Meandered to Church of Christ Temple Lot. Spoke to Church of Christ Apostle for ~1/2 hour. Examined THE lot.

Next went to Liberty Jail. Azure spazzed out.

Next was Far West Temple site, then Adam-Ondi-Ahman

Completed day by driving to Omaha. Azure learns that if she yells "I pooped!" that I will stop the car and get her out of her car seat, poop or not. Azure is given 5 string cheeses, no poop, no stops.

Day 3:

Omaha to Rapid City

After stopping in Sioux Falls for a toxic Subway meatball sub, I opened the car door, which was nearly removed by a gust of cold, dry wind. A bitter welcome back to my natal half of the continent. Stopped at The Corn Palace. Did not eat corn. Did buy clearance post cards.

Yawned across the plains to The Badlands, bad indeed:

Left badness, went to world famous Wall Drug

Azure was ultimately terrified by a large mechanical Tyrannosaurus Rex, although not in this video:

Experienced further "cold" in Rapid City.

Day 4:

Rapid City to Victor

In true fatherly cheap form, we drove by Mt Rushmore without wasting $10 to park the car slightly closer to the chiseled granite.

Drove through Custer State Park, reveled in buffalo and wild burros

Wyoming is very boring and very big. Was happy to see these (cloudy Tetons=almost there):

Arrived at brother Jon's residence in Victor and bathed/harassed chickens

Day 5:

Victor to Idaho Falls

Since we've been here Azure has assisted in daily tasks, ie feeding Rock-E

Mastering grandpa's heavy machinery

A very enjoyable trip thus far. I've appreciated the one-on-one time with my child, whom I normally interact with for <20%> of the day. We look forward to Deanna's arrival tomorrow and the reunion of team Jensen.

Azure Turns 2!

Hard to believe that Azure is 2 today. She's in Idaho with Daddy and Grandma and Grandpa, while mommy has been filming for the Generations Project. Then I leave for Girls Camp on Tuesday. We'll finally be reunited on Saturday after 2.5 weeks!

We've been asking Azure what she wants for her birthday and she has kept saying, "A baby." She already has a few dolls and we didn't want to get her another one. So, we decided to get her a real baby. Azure's sibling will arrive about 7 months after her birthday, the last week of January! I'm 9 weeks and have been sick since week 3. This time around has been a little better then last but, only by a little bit. Thanks to Zofran I haven't thrown up more than 2 times a day.

I had an ultrasound before I left, and was able to see the baby's tiny heart beating. Such a miracle, and such a relief. In spite of the sickness we're so excited to have another baby, and are looking forward to Azure's role as a big sister.

We'll celebrate Azure's birthday on the 4th of July with my parents, Charles' parents, and all his brothers, their wives, and children. It will be so fun to have everyone together. I am grateful for the love of my family. Happy Father's Day Charlie and happy birthday Cubby!

Bubbles at Forsyth Park

A few weeks ago we took a trip to Forsyth Park and blew bubbles. Fun times!

Why I love keeping a journal...

"Yummy. Cake. Soo good!"

The title of this post is a direct quote from Azure. She doesn't have cake very often, so when she does she gets pretty dang excited about it. So excited that she dramatically says, "Yummy. Cake. Soo good!" I love it :)

Yesterday one of Azure's good friends had a birthday party. Yummy cake was involved.And also dressing up like princesses...Dancing...

Hugging...

And posing...
We all had a great time, myself included. Little girls are so much fun! I can't believe our little cubby will be celebrating her own 2nd birthday in just 2 weeks from today!

She already had her 2 yr check up this week and was 24 lbs and 35.5 inches long. She's still our long and lean girl.

Hair

Azure has recently decided she doesn't like to take naps anymore. She will pull off her bed sheet, pull her pants and diaper off, and scream till we come get her out. One day after pulling off her crib bed sheet, she decided to actually sleep. Note that her crib mattress, like most crib mattresses are plastic. This is what happens when you sleep on a plastic mattress in the hot, humid south:

The sweat was dripping down her neck. This is why we don't pull our sheets off Azure!

This is after a bath, sweat free. Her hair is getting long :)
Thanks for all the suggestions for cute shirts. I'm putting my wardrobe together for my week of filming, in just 2 weeks! For those of you who don't know what the Generations Project is, here's the post about it. Charles and Azure leave next week for the cross country trek from GA to ID. Let's hope all of Azure's "fujis" (movies) and "DDDs" (DVDs) will entertain her enough.