Our little family is back together again!

Ok the week, I had this one line typed in from sometime during the chaos: I think I miss Isaac most at bedtime😩

We got home and Tanner promptly figured out how to climb out of his crib so even with Isaac here bedtime (and specifically nap time) is no picnic.

We started out the day Saturday at Home Depot day...and I quickly decided its a lot more fun when Isaac does all the work and I just tag along and take pictures. Good Heavens! It was quite a project keeping these two busy bodies building and painting.
We got Grama out of the house and had a little picnic on the red rocks while these two ran around.

And we finally got picture of Tanner smiling -kind of-on the horse! Actually he quite like it when he could hold on to Colt.

Above was Tanner cashing in on some Poppa time. And below I got a picture from my Cann Man. It was so good for my mom heart. Dang I missed him.

 

Popsicle's at Poppa's...cuz its what we do. However Tanner thinks EVERY SINGLE TIME he walks into the laundry room he should get a Popsicle. Just ask him. He stands at the freezer door and yells "Pop Pop Pop" He says something else with it -that I'm sure means sicle in his mind, but it doesn't sound close. But the communication is CLEAR. Ha

Then there's my Colt Buddy--just winning points with Grama

 

 

He loved helping Grampa on the tractor and was pretty proud of himself running the bucket! 

 

Tanner's pick'n right up on the Poppa's helper stuff too! I quit taken pictures of Colt on the horse cuz I figured they all look the same, but then I had way more pics of Tanner. Oh well.

 

I don't know what Tanner was feeding Sugar which time but he's in cahoots with that dog...I caught him crawled under the table trying share with her multiple times! (And no remote or computer is safe with that little guy around!)

We went and said Hi to Aunt Kay and Great Grandma Cottam again, Tanner was pretty excited there was a motorcycle in the garage. They are pretty much his favorite thing. And he talked Uncle Steve into reading him and Elmo story.

And then Tuesday it was time to head back. We were SO SO SO ready to see our Dad and Cann Man but it was a little tough to leave too. I kept oscillating between oh I should have planned better and well we did the best we could. Shrug. I knew we were helpful, maybe we could've done more. But oh well. I do think Grama is making progress though so that is good!
Between when we flew out and flew back TSA started checking tablets too. So I hummed and ha'd about whether I even wanted them in the carry on stuff because I would have to dig them out for security (twice) and we were flying through the night anyway so hopefully we'd be sleeping-yeah right-  (AND I can't complain about TSA at all because I ran into the nicest TSA workers in STL but it was still a decision) Grama voted just to take them and I was sooo glad, they saved me.
Oh man I think documenting the flight back could be a post itself. But here we go:  We got on the shuttle about 8:45--Colt went right to sleep. He really was a great traveler for me, I was so grateful because its usually not his thing. Tanner, no way. No sleep in sight. So much for my nap on the shuttle. We got into the Las Vegas valley and he was really fighting it so at that point I was just trying to keep him awake. We were driving by the strip and I turned my head just looking for Mandalay Bay where the shooting was and whatever. Whoops...Tanner OUT. Great. 10 minute power nap for the monster. Oh well. Tablets and movies for the win...

...almost. As we were boarded we were just about to step on the plane and Tanner started coughing. Coughing coughing coughing. I didn't think much of it there wasn't much I could do, I had a little water with me but I thought I'd get it for him when we sat down. So we step on the plan I say to Colt "look buddy it's the pilot, he's going to fly us back to see daddy and Cannon" when all of the sudden Mr Coughing PUKES ALL OVER. All over him, all over me, and all over the floor. The pilot ducks into the cockpit for cover, the flight attendant hands me napkins and told Colt where to stand out of the way. Oh it was a disaster! I set Tanner down in the front mini bathroom (where he puked again) and tried to wipe up the floor. Strip him down. I only had diaper bag clothes for Colt, I knew that when I put them in I figured Tanner could wear them in a pinch but I really didn't think we'd need them. Ha. Thankfully I had a diaper bag shirt for me too (cuz Colton puked all over in a plane once too and I learned then to put extra clothes for me in too) but it was at the very bottom of the bag and I had a shirt layered over one of those "shade" shirts so I just stripped my top layer off in front of a loaded plane. Not exactly my style but I was trying to get the puke off me quick before it soaked in!! So we get cleaned up ish and work our way back to our seats and there's 3 empty seats in front of us but while I was dealing with the mess I swear they had said over the intercom they expected a full flight. So instead of just piling in the empty seats we crawled in past the gal and sat in our assigned seats. We sit down and Colt says Mom! I can smell it! Ummm sorry...so we wrestled and fight and whatever while the rest of the flight tries to sleep. Twice the man behind me taps me on the shoulder and tells me to go sit in the next row where there were 3 empty seats. "So my child can have his own seat" Tanner is NOT a good lap child, he just wants his own seat like his brother. I didn't want to wake the lady next to me -who had ear phones and was oblivious-finally the second time the guy behind tapped I woke her up threw the boys blankets over the seats and we moved--we left all our junk (including my phone back there)
We survived.

And even slept the last 45 min of the flight.

A nice guy from Little Valley traveling with four kids of his own (and his wife and they were bigger kids  so they woke up and walked off) carried Tanner off the plane for me. He would have taken Colt but I told him he would scream so it wasn't worth it. Anyway he's carrying Tanner down the airport when Tanner starts to cough both kids are awake at this point so I told Colt he HAD to walk and grabbed Tanner explaining he'd puked when coughing earlier. (As if anyone on that flight had missed it.) His wife said it's okay he'd been puked on before but I insisted I take him back. So the nice man carried my bag. I'm telling you--fellow travelers are the best!

Well as we were walking down the airport with our new friends Colt started freaking out wanting to stop then wanting milk. With a 5 hour layover I figured we were in no hurry so I got my bag bag and we stopped. Then we went on a milk hunt. We waited 20 min in line at Starbucks for a $3 cup of milk (cuz they were the ONLY airport store with milk) that Colt then wouldn't drink because it had ice in it. Have mercy! We finally made it to our luggage where we got out some pants that actually fit Tanner (left him in Colts shirt though) and goofed around bungee cording the car seats to the suitcase so we could get around easier. We had to recheck in to ride the puddle jumper so we got up to the Cape Air place and waited the 20 min for them to open. More winning with tablet time. 

Then--Horrible news. 

We could take the car seats but we had to take them to the gate with us cuz bla bla bla (whatever her excuse was it was stupid and didn't make any sense)  so she checked our bag but not out car seats... which just really left me with a ridiculously big load--without any rolling wheels now-- and 2 kids that had been up all but 45 min of the night. Great. Thanks lady. 

So we made our way back down to security again. A TSA lady asked if she could help me. I said thanks but I'm just headed right there and nodded ahead. She said "Well, that's where I'm headed" and took the car seats out of my hands. Then she turned around and said "actually, follow me" and walked us to the front of the security line. Then she ask one of the workers what he was doing to which he answered he was just waiting to help her out. She said good and instructed him to take the car seats to the gate for me when I got through security. So nice! And with a little more tablet magic Tanner accidentally blinked and his eyes stayed shut the whole layover!! Pretty sure the last time the little monster slept in my arms was back when he nursed!

We weren't totally out of the woods because of those stupid car seats--they counted as luggage we weren't supposed to leave unattended 🙄 so we couldn't go over to the play area, which was really close to our gate, we did leave them twice for bathroom runs-and it was fine, but good heck! Again so thankful for the tablets and cartoons downloaded on them. They were a lifesaver for me AND Colt.

And then there was our first Cape Air experience...puddle jumper!! Over documented but I'm telling you...you step on on to that baby the first time and...wonder if it will be the last!!

I asked Colt if he was going to fall asleep--he said "maybe" but I'm pretty sure he was gone before take off! Take off was a little bumpy and had me sweating. But floating along the clouds was pretty cool!!

Landing was awesome. The picture doesn't do it justice cuz you can't see the little lights all along the runway but I figured the fact the other guy had his phone out too was evidence it was awesome😉

And we made it home to Kirksville!!! Its far away but we love this little town. Our much anticipated reunion with dad at the airport...well we had to wait about 2 minutes because he wasn't there yet but it was REALLY REALLY GOOD to see him when he came. We went right to the school to check Cannon out for the rest of the day!!! I didn't get a picture but it was SO SO SO GOOD to see him and hug my Big little boy. Oh I missed him. I tried really really hard to never say "I miss you" on the phone, and just focus on hey-are you having fun with dad, and playing with your friends after school and so on.  But the truth was dangit I missed him! (and Colt would say it for me) After he hugged me he piled in the car and THIS is my FAVORITE pic of the whole week!!!

He hugged Tan in the car seat too. We were so glad to be able to go, but it was SO So good to be back together as a family too.
Other than getting home the only news on the week was the no nap crib climbing monster! This one the second day after I'd moved the drawers away and he couldn't use them to step on...he threw anything and everything within reach and stood just like this yelling. It wasn't like I gave in easy-it was an hour and a half!!!...I thought he'd sleep when we went down to get Cannon...wrong. He did finally crash when I went to pick up the babysitter. Thank Heaven.

Then we did the murder mystery thing (already posted about) last night. It was fun but it really was a little too close to when we got back. I don't feel recovered yet! Oh well.
Until next week...hopefully Friday, I seem to be making a habit of this Saturday thing...

I have tons to blog-of course-but I'm so tired, I don't think I've recovered from the overnight flight yet. And tonight Isaac and I went on a date to a murder mystery dinner with some friends. It was fun but I definitely should have blogged earlier in the day, it turned into a long night. So... more tomorrow 

And here we are--Anna and Kristoff from the movie Frozen which neither of us have seen. Pretty sure it's the one and only time I've ever dressed up like "a princess" ha! And I need to work on my princess hair 🙄 😂 oh well

We got in about 10:30 last Friday, I finished up the last blog post last Saturday morning and then it was conference time. We love conference! I'd done "fun bags" in advance for Cannon but we were just kind of trying to wing it here. I brought a few things with us to limp us through the first session, they pretty much slept through the second session and then we hit the dollar store Saturday evening to be ready for Sunday. But we are happy to report that Percy pulled the conference express--even at Gramas!

I'm probably going to get in trouble for the above pic, I know its not super flattering of Grama--in her nightgown and all but it was too cute Colt "helping" her go for a walk. They are buddies. I don't know how much help we are but I'm glad we came. We ALL know that I'm no nurse--but I've even helped with the drains the last few days (gag-puke-hurl) We're good at getting fresh water and things, and we're good for conversation that is hopefully a distraction but not much else. Healing is just taking time...lots of time. We're able to do little things that help Grampa too though--like drive her over to the Dr. or feed his cows in the mornings so that's been good. The boys make big messes but I know they brighten Grama's day too so its  a good thing (them being here, not the messes, those drive her crazy) --especially when we feel so helpless to help. Progress is slow, but I do think we've seen some progress in the week we've been here. Peaks and Valley's but a lot of valleys. Its been a long LONG month for her. Her original surgery was A MONTH ago. WOW.  Both times (I finally learned after the 2nd time) I left a sleeping (tired exhausted should  have slept for HOURS) Tanner with sick Grama to "tend" I got a picture back like the one below...whoops sorry Grama I didn't REALLY think I was leaving you tending.

Back to Sunday (this post kind of jumps all over instead of being in chronological order. ) Ky Kami and the girls came down for the afternoon session. Seriously one of the hardest parts of leaving Cannon was knowing we would get to see his cousins but he wouldn't. 

Pillow fights with Grampa!

And Feed Yard fun. 

Sooo Tanner thought he really liked the horses...maybe not. But Colt was all about it.

Tanner's happy place involves a steering wheel! He prefers the tractor--but not when its actually running-then its too noisy. 

When I talked to Cannon Saturday night all he cared about was who he had slept through on the afternoon session of conference, because he wanted to open the fun bags. When he told me he only had 3 left for the next day I had to laugh. Saturday was loaded but...not that much. Isaac's not one to police that kind of thing like I would. ha, oh well. Sunday night Cannon chatted and chatted. He talked to my mom WAAAAY more than he ever does when we Facetime on a regular Sunday night. I was a little worried about him, I felt like he was really really missing us. But by time Monday hit and he was back in the routine of school I think he was fine. He got to sit in the teachers desk on Monday-he was excited to tell us about that. His name had been drawn for being good or something like that. He loved going home with his friends after school. Tuesday the Lego's I had sent him got there. He LOVED that. And couldn't hardly be bothered with saying Hi to me.  Grama sent him some too, they got there Wednesday, and I was getting a little worried that he was getting too spoiled and going to want me to leave again so he would get lots of goodies again. I hope not! (They were supposed to send pictures of what he'd built but I'm telling you it is out of sight out of mind with those two, which is why Cannon is fine even though we're gone.) Colt misses Cannon though! Thursday we didn't hear from them at all. That wasn't good for me! Not only did I not hear from him Thursday I had sent 2 or 3 emails and  5 or 6 texts over the last few days that  had gotten no response. It kills me! So I called in the morning, they'd missed the bus and we're hurrying to get breakfast gone and get to school. But at least I got to say Hi, I love you, and hear their voices. So today Isaac called just randomly because he had a few minutes. FINALLY, Thank You. And we called Cannon after school and talked until the phone when dead. Really Colt just told him about the "prize" we'd bought him (as if he needs any more but hey it was a dollar at the DI) but Cannon spent the whole 40 minutes begging to see it. I wouldn't give in, so basically it was annoying...but at least we got to see and chat with our brother. 

So that's whats going on in Kirksville, back here we're helping Grampa feed. (I swear we brought more than 1 shirt for Colt but you'd never know it for all the pics of that green one. He wears it any chance he gets.)

Well you can see he sleeps in it too--so that's part of why there's so many pics of it, it crosses into the next day. He was pretty proud of the bed he'd make for he stuffed animals. And below there's my little mozarts.

Tuesday morning we drew pictures and wrote a note and put them in the mail for Cannon, when I wanted a picture I got the face pulling...and monkey see monkey do of course.

After we dropped Grama off at the Dr. we went down and said Hello to Great Grandma Cottam. Grama Kay has lots of fun toys the boys always like to play with. Little Stinker Colt wouldn't give Grandma a love, but Tanner is awesome about that right now. He'll just go trotting right over to whoever you say to give a love.

Look at this little guy going to share his milk with me, what a pal. And you wouldn't think we would make cookies at Grama's house when she can't eat anything like that but she was worried about Grampa not having any treats around and he's been taking care or her so well I think it was her little way of taking care of him. So we did. We just do what we're told ;)

Tanner at the feed yard...fearless little twerp. He just kept going. I had to scramble to get him down. (But of course a little delay was worth it for me to get a picture.) And then Tanner when his brother gets to ride with Grampa and go to Home Depot and he doesn't...YIKES...

 

Love'n their stuffed Animals! And Grampa took us to Paula's. Yum!

The boy have figured out the shower at Grama and Granpa's is pretty fun. Mean old mom wouldn't let Tanner play with it first thing in the morning. I'm so mean, always ruining his plans.

I had to pull the couch out away from the wall because somebody just thought it was a perfect ladder to get to where he wanted to be. I'm telling you this kid--he'll keep ya on you're toes. He's kind of a pistol! And little Mr Pistol turned 18 months on Thursday!! Look out nursery, we're legal now!!

Because I ended up bringing sick kids to tend sick grama, we've been using a little of Uncle Steve's "Magic Water" aka colloidal silver to aid in the getting better process. My mom's been sold on it for years...I'm kinda like yada yada... But then Uncle Steve was telling me all about how its microbial and whatever at the end of the day I said I'll try it. And Tanner's cough was significantly looser the next day. SO I said Okay. I don't feel like a full on disciple yet but I'm willing to try it. (Totally fits in with living in Osteopathic land right?!) But I said I can't be rationing the tiny bit of it that I have, so I took the boys up and he taught us how to make it (and hooked us up with some of the equipment and another bottle for here) But I LOVED taking my boys us there, he reminds me SO MUCH of my Grandpa Cottam that it was like taking my kids to play at my Grandpas. It was fun. And it was fun to see all of Aunt Sher's projects and talk primary with her too.
Tonight Ky and Kami stopped by on their way to Vegas and the kids got to play. They had a blast. I purposely didn't take any pictures so I wouldn't want to blog them because I already had a ton but sufficed to stay--they had fun.
We miss Cannon and Isaac. Its not a normal trip, but there is still so much good and so much fun. We're having a good time even if its not under the best circumstances and not all fun and games!

Until next week!