Ritz Bitz Newz: Colorado

A Continuation of our awesome trip....

Day 8 -

Jason flew home that morning so he could go back to work.
Mid morning Harrison all the sudden asked, "Hey, where's dad?" When I told him that daddy had gone back home he started to cry.

Mt. Hood from the air as Jason flew into Portland.
Home Sweet Home

I took the kids and went over to meet Kristin with her kids at one of their pools. We had so much fun that morning. I did realize quickly how much more difficult the rest of vacation was going to be without Jason around to help. Kristin is 8 months pregnant and I had a nursing baby. Between us we had 8 kids running all over....well, just 7 running around while I was holding the 8th. It was a tad stressful.

At one point I was sitting on the edge of the 1 foot deep kiddie pool nursing Theo. Bennett was standing in the middle, and feeling very uncomfortable. He wouldn't even take a step, or play with any toys. I got distracted for a second by another kid in the big, deep pool. When I look back at Bennett he was under water. He had lost his balance and couldn't get his head above water. I ran into the pool and grabbed him. I had Theo in my other arm, and my naked chest hanging out. Obviously when it comes to being modest or saving my child I choose the latter. It was a terrifying experience. Needless to say, Bennett didn't stray so much as an inch away from me the rest of the time we were there.

Harrison had fun in the kiddie pool too. 1 foot deep is not too deep for him, like it is Bennett. It was perfect for Harrison, as he is just learning how to swim. He was practicing holding his breath, and seeing if he could make it from one end to the other. He went up to another mom sitting on the edge and said, "Hello, I'm Harrison! I sure am learning how to swim." Then he dove under the water and swam to the other side. Then, he looked up at me and said, "Mom, clap when I come up every time, OK?" After that every time he came up above water I had to clap for him, or he'd get mad at me.

After swimming we went to Isaac's house to get changed and have lunch.
Jake showed up in the Living Room dressed as Harry Potter. He was waving his wand around and casting spells. This was funny, I had to take a picture because Lily who is a complete Harry Potter Know-It-All, was just laying there reading while correcting all of Jake's spells. He got really into it when he realized how useful her knowledge is. He started asking her for all kinds of spells. She was kind of reminding me of Hermione Granger at this point.

After casting spells Lily gave Jake and Jimmer a horsey ride.

It didn't last too long, but it did help create lots of giggles.

Kristin and I fed the kids lunch at home, then took them to the nice, new Chuck E. Cheese close to their house. Because they had all eaten, we just had to buy tokens and watch them play. It was awesome! The kids had a blast. I was happy to be in the air conditioning, and get a break from swimming.

Lily found these glasses at Isaac's house, and wore them for days after. She was nice enough to share them with Bennett. He really liked them.

So glad that Paige came with us too.

Maxwell had a blast playing ski-ball.

Harrison on a fun Horse/Game/Ride.

The kids were sacked out after. Bennett fell asleep on Paige, while the others had a fun time watching her play her video games. I didn't let them play any video games while on vacation, so they were thrilled to at least get to watch Paige play video games.

Day - 9
The next day Jackson flew in. That morning I took the kids to see Hugo with the boys. We met Kris and her boys there. It was a $1 movie. We loved it!!! I can't wait to see it again with Jason. I was seriously so surprised at how much I loved it! Even Max told me, "Mom, I loved it so much that I cried."
When we got back Jackson was there waiting for us. My kids were thrilled to see Uncle Jack!
We LOVE him!
Jackson coolly admitted that he mostly bought the plane ticket just because he wanted to meet Theo.

I think Theo likes him back.

Day - 10
The next day was the Fourth of July!!!
Sadly, because of the wildfires in the Denver area, all fireworks and hometown parades were cancelled. The day felt like any other day to us. We relaxed, went swimming and had a barbecue.
That morning my dad and Isaac left super early to go fishing. I was sleeping at Isaac's house, and watched all our kids that morning because Kristin had to work. I had a very funny morning with Jake especially. I wrote a special journal entry all about him so that I can read it to him and everyone at his wedding. That kid cracks me up!

At about 9am Jackson, Paige and Mom showed up to make French Toast and stuff for breakfast. The kids and I were all thrilled!

We then drove to my parent's place to go swimming. I noticed that Jake and Harrison were comparing silly faces in the back. Harry has finally met his match!

Jackson put Bennett's swimsuit on for him. When he turned around we saw this.

Obviously Jackson needs to get more practice dressing a two year old.

Harrison took this of Bennett before swimming.

Jake, Max and Jimmer in the pool and Harrison in the chair watching them play.

The little boys had a blast with their cousins.

Bennett kept picking these flowers out by the pool.

Grandma and Theo in the pool.

Theo in another one of Glenn's old baby outfits.

Kristin made this yummy Red, White and Blue Berry Trifle for our Fourth of July barbecue. It was the most festive part of our day! Thanks Kris!!! It was delicious!

That night we had a rockin' game night. We played "Pound Pound" with Jackson, and also taught Lily. She is officially now an Alldredge. I brought Italian Soda stuff with me from Oregon, so every night during movies and games we could have some blackberry soda's. Isaac loved it!

Day - 11
Jackson flew home this evening.
Earlier in the day I had gone to Hobby Lobby for the first time ever! I was so excited! My two partners had a list of stuff I was supposed to find there for our Gourmet Club event we are hosting in November. Sadly I didn't find anything worth buying. That might be because I was in there with Max, Harry, Bennett and Theo. Worse kids ever to take into a craft store! The funny thing is that Harrison found a Mermaid Coloring book for himself. He chose to get that rather than waiting to buy the Star Wars one for him I had promised for the trip home. He said it's because this one had dream girls in it.

Harrison told me, "Mom, I don't really like Buzz anymore.... BUT I sure do like his outfit!!!"

Most of my day was spent doing laundry and trying to gather all our stuff left between the two houses, and load up the van.

Day 12 -

We woke up super early, and said good bye to my parents. I was glad to be starting our journey home, but so sad to leave them. The kids did great on this travel day. They slept for the first couple hours, and the older kids were so helpful with the younger kids.

We stopped at Little America in Wyoming for lunch. I used to stop there when I was younger. I grew up out East and in the Midwest, so when we would drive to Utah to visit family in the Summer we would stop at Little America. I had to stop there this time, and treat the kids to an ice cream cone.

We had a party when we crossed the border into Utah!

We got to Grandma Ritz's house at about 3 PM. The kids were thrilled to get there! She has an awesome Grandma house! Also, Uncle Loren lives there, whom my children adore.

Grandma couldn't wait to get her hands on Theo. He rewarded her with lots of smiles.

Bennett was so happy to be here!

Max playing in Grandma's quilt shop.
Jason's mom is a professional quilter. She has a shop out behind her house. My children have been playing in there for years. She has toys and crafts just for them so they can play while she sews.

Theo napping in Grandma's chair.
I love this sight. Him napping amongst all her sewing, and the quilt that she is working on. Also, he is wrapped in a blanket that she made him.

Next door is Jason's oldest brother and his family. They have TEN children, so my kids have lots to do when we visit.

Day 13 -

I woke up the next morning to find my children at work in Grandma's kitchen. I was so NOT surprised!
She had them each working on a project. Lily has been working on a quilt the last several visits. Glenn, Max and Harrison worked on personalized pillow cases on this visit. Harrison didn't get his finished, and will finish it on our next visit.

Glenn, Max and Harry were each given a panel of fabric with special markers to create a picture that was then sewn into a pillow case.
Here is Max working on his. The boys each got to go "shopping" in Grandma's fabric shop, help cut, sew and iron their pillowcases.

Max with his finished product.

Glenn working on his pillowcase.

Grandma took a break in the middle of the projects to take us out to lunch for our birthday's. Since we live so far away she doesn't get to take the kids out on their actual birthdays.

The kids spent most of the day playing with their cousins next door.
Here is Glenn with Hunter. He was born a month after Glenn, and was 6 weeks early. I have a picture of them as newborns in which Glenn is the huge one. Things have changed.

Bennett, Hannah, Kimberly and Theo

Kimberly holding Theo. She is a few weeks younger than Maxwell.

Lily was so happy to have some girls to play with.

Max and Kimberly

Cory and Heidi's yard is like a park to my kids.

Harrison and Caden. Caden was born the day after Harrison, and was also a preemie. He's caught up to Harrison now.

Lily, Kimberly and Harrison.

All of Cory and Heidi's family came over that evening for dessert, and a visit. I was bummed that we didn't have more time.

Day 14 -

We woke up early to drive home to Oregon!!!!!
Our daddy was so happy to see us!
The kids did great, and we made great time.

Driving along the Columbia River headed into the Gorge.

Max bringing in a suitcase.

A Continuation of our awesome trip....

Day 7 -

We caught Achilles the Cat sleeping in Bennett's bed. Bennett didn't mind at all. Not only did Bennett kiss Achilles, but the horsey did too.

This picture of Achilles "hugging" Bennett's Chipmunk Eleanor may or may not have been staged by the Paigester.

After Bennett got dressed for church he cuddled in bed while I fed Theo. Achilles joined us.

Lots of kisses were passed.

Harrison came in like this to tell me that he was an Indian Princess. Max, his father, was the Chief.
I asked him to get dressed for church, he said, "NO."
That's just how Sunday's are, whether we are on vacation or not.

I took the boys in with my mom to try and wake Paige up for church.
Bennett brought his horsey.

Paige woke up, undressed Theo, and got him to giggle and smile for her.
That's a good way to wake up.

In our religion we do not do infant baptism or christening.
Infants are brought forth before the congregation, held in a circle of Priesthood holders, and given a name and a blessing. I am so blessed to have a husband who holds the Priesthood, and has given our children many Priesthood blessings over the years, starting with their infant name and blessing in church.

I would have preferred to do it in our own ward (congregation), but my father and brother, who also hold the Priesthood, couldn't make it up here. Since we were already going down there it made sense to do it in my parents ward so my dad and brother could be in the circle. My dad has been in the circle for all six of my kids.

Theo all ready for his blessing.
This is the same outfit that Glenn wore for his blessing. This was a full circle moment for me since Glenn became a teenager just 2 days before this. Theo is even wearing the same little shoes that all my boys wore on their blessing day's.
A friend of mine crocheted this beautiful blanket for him. Thanks Allyson.

This time I sneaked in a picture before church started.
Lily holding Theo, about to be blessed.

After church we went to Isaac's house for a birthday/blessing dinner.
My mom made Glenn an awesome birthday cake. Paige helped.

For dinner we had sesame chili chicken with gingered watermelon salsa, curried basmati rice, strawberry spinach salad and homemade bread.

I prepped the chicken and Isaac grilled it, I also made the rice. My mom made the cake and the watermelon salsa, and Kristin made the salad and bread. It was amazing how SO good it all tasted together considering we had several people chipping in.

The birthday boy eating his yummy dinner.

The cake was layers of ice cream sandwiches, cool whip, M&M's and chocolate syrup.
My mom found the idea on Pinterest. It was delicious, and a huge hit with everyone.

My six awesome kids...
with Isaac making a Jean Dujardin face in the background. (That's the actor from The Artist. I couldn't watch that movie without thinking it was my brother the whole time.)