Surprise!

We just got home from a crazy and amazing weekend in Utah. With help from some dear friends, we were able to book a last minute flight to Utah to see Ben's parents before they leave for their LDS mission in Santiago, Chile.
Although well worth it, our trip started out quite rocky. Our flight was delayed due to weather and we ended up stuck in the Minneapolis airport. Thanks to a kind security guard, we scrounged up some delta blankets and "lost baggage" kits. Needless to say, we were up all night (this shot is at 1 am and notice the bright lights? I'm pretending to be asleep for effect)

We finally arrived Thursday morning. We wrapped Levi's carseat in wrapping paper, ran the doorbell and got out the video camera. We told Dayton that if Gammie cried, that was ok. She did. They were so excited and so were we. We made it for the setting apart with Elder L. Tom Perry and Walter Ganzolez at the Church Administration Building. It was an amazing and special experience.
Added bonus: we got to see this guy! Elder Scottie King! The King's received permission to pick him up from the MTC for the setting apart and since we didn't get to wish him luck, we were so excited! He brought his extra tag for Dayton and Levi to wear.

We packed in as much as we could in 4 1/2 days. On Friday we went camping.

Dayton was treated like a prince by his cousins Amelia and Julia Oberg. They brought him food, entertained him, even carried him. The little guy's never had it so good!

Does it get anymore beautiful than this (besides in real life)?

Then there was the zip line. When we asked Dayton if he wanted to go on it he said "Yay! Zip line!" So, my barely-2 year old was hoisted up on a platform and sent a-flying (harnessed by Ben). He loved it and did it again.

Then there was the pool. I guess Dayton found his daring side this weekend. He jumped off the side, the diving board and went down the slide OVER and OVER. He laughed when he got his face wet. First thing he said Sunday was, "lets go swimming mom".

Here's little Miss Ellie, soon to be a Chillean local. We will miss Aunt Ellie.

We also decided to bless our sweet Levi on Sunday. Levi wore Ben's blessing outfit and was blessed prior to the King's speaking.It was a beautiful blessing and we love our little Levi Wallace King!

We spent most of the trip with Ben's side of the family since we may not see them for a while, but Dayton did go fishing with "Grandpa Clingo" (which he was still telling me about this morning) and we got the chance to spend time with "Gramma Clingo", Ashley, Brooke, Rachelle, Trevor, and Luke. It was fun seeing them and we're excited for Gramma and Grandpa Clingo to come to Buffalo!

Finally, we got to see 2 of our 3 pregnant sisters! Good luck Jessica, then Alisha (the missing one), then Shari! Cousins, cousins, cousins!

What a wonderful weekend. We're so lucky to have such a great family and to be so blessed. We love you and will miss you Papa, Gammie, and Ellie!

Getting a job in Myrtle Beach . . .

So as to not shock anyone, we are not moving to Myrtle Beach. However, when Dayton went to the Doctor this week, his pediatrician asked us if we knew where we were moving. Before I had the chance, Dayton quickly responded, "We're gonna get a job in Myrrrrr-tle Beach". You never know . . .

So, as it goes without saying, Dayton LOVED our little excursion (as did the rest of us!). We just can't stay away from the beach for too long. The drive down was long (about 14 hours), but we split it into 2 days and the boys were awesome (with the help of DVDs and Twizzlers)! Dayton loved "jumping the BIG PAPA waves", building sandcastles, and swimming in the "pirate boat". Levi was a champ and loved lying on a towel under the umbrella, or, as most 2-months do, sleeping!

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Below: Family picture by the fake red rock- a reminder of home

Levi's Myrtle Beach Mother's Day Shirt

This trip gave Ben, who has been soooo busy, the chance to hang out with Levi. I think they bonded.

As Dayton put it, "climbing the tallest tower"

The hotel we stayed at had free bowling, which we didn't think we'd use until it got cold and windy one day. Dayton enjoyed kicking and pushing his ball down the lane, and as for me, I haven't bowled FOREVER, but on the second round I met my goals: break 100 and beat Ben!

Levi was all smiles in the bowling ally- I think he liked the lights

Thank goodness for the double-jogger! When the boys got tired, we put them in this and went on walks. It was great in the sand!

Here's the new boardwalk, which just opened

In the mornings, we saw lots of washed up jelly fish. They are a lot prettier in an aquariam!

And finally, we went to the Pelicans triple A baseball game. Dayton fell in love. It was kids' night and he got a hot dog, chocolate milk, and chips- all of which he still talks about. He also got right into the heckling with some of the nearby fans and would yell whatever they yelled.


AND NOW . . . Look who's 2!!!

I can't below our little baby is a big 2-year-old. We love Dayton! He's always teasing, talking, and smiling. He loves to play any sport and has recently become quite the singer. His favorite song right now is "Sing, sing, sing. Dayton loves to sing . . ." and then he changes it to versions such as "golf, golf, golf", "fish, fish, fish". He is adorable, is a great big brother, and we are lucky to have him in our home!

As you know, Dayton is a sports FANATIC- if you can call a 2-year-old that. For his birthday he got his very own glove which he has brought with him everywhere since. We forgot the camera, but we also took him to the Bison's baseball game. He made friends with all our neighbors, had the mascot sign his glove, and cheered on Buffalo.

Dayton and Annie share the same birthday, so for the second year in a row, they blew out their candles together.

Happy birthday Dayton!

One month goes by fast, especially when you don't want it to. I've really loved having another baby and after knowing how fast everything has gone with Dayton, I just want Levi to stay little as long as he can. But aside from the sentiment, to catch up, here's some of our favorite pics.

The life of "big brother" hasn't been too traumatic for Dayton . . . yet. He likes to hold and kiss Levi, plus, there's all this new stuff lying around just waiting to be gotten into. Dayton has adopted Levi's bouncer as his personal little recliner. We often find him with the vibration blaring, relaxing with a sippy cup listening to musical lullabies.

Here is our little man at 3 1/2 weeks, giving his first attempts at smiling, which I, of course, have not been able to capture successfully. This is my closet candid shot yet.
And as for sleep, I think we're finally catching up . . .

I was so tired one afternoon, so I turned on cartoons and fell asleep next to Levi on the couch. When I woke up an hour later, Dayton was cuddled up by us. See the gap in the pic below? That was me. I managed to slither out and take this picture. They slept here for another two hours!

Oh, and finally, a belated Happy Easter to you all!