Cocoa Beach Day....

It was the kind of vacation that when someone says the word, "Vacation" you picture in your mind. Sand. Sun. Ocean. Nothing to do but do nothing.

Liv was a little hesitant about the sand but loved the water.  She also loved sucking on shells until her father intervened and saved her from shell bringing diseases...

We played frisbee on the beach, laid on the beach, laughed at Liv trying to crawl on sand and soaked up the sun.

The trips of all trips...

I loved looking in the review mirror and seeing the two humans I love most and are literally mirror images of each other.  We drove 8 hours to Orlando where we had no idea what was waiting.  We thought we were just going to hang out with Aunt Eveleen and Uncle David.  Instead we arrived at the most loving fun 5 star all inclusive Babich vacation of our lives...

We ate food like we were sultans, played golf, laughed, relaxed by the pool and enjoyed every milisecond.

Vacation brain.

We found a exceptional bagel shop and enjoyed breakfast with the Myrtle beach natives...

 The best part about vacation is having vacation brain. Vacation brain means if something sounds fun that is within the commandments, you do it. If something sounds good to eat, you eat it. I think somehow I believe that things eaten on vacation magically don't make you gain weight.  Evidence A: Krispy Kreme doughnuts.  How could we not stop? Duh.

I love doughnuts. Deeply. I love vacation even deeper.

Myrtle Beach

Last year I wanted to go on a romantic cruise for our first year anniversary.  Instead, we opted for a much more expensive room on the third floor of American Fork Hospital chewing on ice wearing a seductive hospital gown and had the ultimate anniversary present...Liv.  G had a week of vacation so we decided to call this our anniversary trip and met mom and dad in Myrtle Beach on our way to Orlando and ate the best shrimp that has ever entered my mouth in 28 years of seafood consumption.

It rained the entire weekend so we enjoyed eating out at delicious restaurants, playing games and talking.

Movie Late Night...

So On March 1, 2012 I basically felt like I went in a time machine and went back to singlehood hang out with friends and go to movie phase.  You know. The phase where you never go outside without mascara, take your phone with you into the bathroom in case the current boy you have a crush on sends a text and stay up all night with room mates analyzing and discussing everything which is actually nothing.  Tara and I made a plan and after putting the kids to bed we escaped.  Even though it started at 9:35 we felt like it was 2 am as we drove to the movie theater doing something completely atypical.  We were shocked at how much the movie cost and even more at how much a coke was.  We made sure to drink every swallow since it was average about .75 cents per sip. 

It felt so funny to leave her mini van parked in the driveway and have an empty carseat where Liv always sucks on her animal crackers and squawks like a parrot from the back seat. We brought strawberry ring pops and enjoyed the quintessential chick flick that came out oh so appropriately on Valentines Day.

I owe this woman my Bluefield sanity.  Although it felt fun to be child free and momentarily back in singlehood glory; it was much better to not just get to watch a chick flick with a good friend but come home to a real live husband who is much better than Channing Tatum any day.

Monday in Ohio...

 Monday morning was G's interview.  This is a live shot moments before the interview of him telling me that we don't need to take a picture of him. I think he's so handsome. I have for almost a decade now.  Anyway, moving off G's hotness and onto the day.  G was going to be dazzling the physicians until 2 pm so Liv and I had the day to ourselves in a state we knew nothing about.  So, Liv, a lot of animal cookies, the GPS and I headed off for a spontaneous day in Ohio.

The hospital is close to Kirtland so Liv and I spent the majority of the day on the tour with some fantastic wrinkled consecrated missionaries and loved every second, even though Liv pulled down the curtains in the school of the prophets obliterating the reverent mood during the most important spiritual part of the tour.

 Liv and I with Emma Smith's china (Liv's facial expression adequately reflects her feelings at this point in the tour):

Liv in a quiet moment of meditation by the barley contemplating the sacrifice of the early Saints:

The Whitney home's "Keeping Room".  Ann Whitney called this the "keeping room" because it is where she kept her children close to her and kept them close to the Lord by having scripture study here.  It's like a kitchen/living/dining/scripture room.  I decided I definitely want to have a "keeping room" in my home someday.

Liv was so overcome by the tour that she had to take a rest to process it all,  as I drove around exploring the land of milk and honey.  We decided to take advantage of being Bluefield free by going to my favorite restaurant Texas Roadhouse. 

 You are never too young for your first exposure to Texas Roadhouse rolls and cinnabutter.  Liv was thrilled with her experience. It will not be her last. . 

We justified the celebration because Cleveland had concluded the interview by offering Garrett a position.  When I asked Liv how she felt about moving out of Bluefield she responded:

I feel the same way.  Ironically G was offered a interview in Denver so he is going next week to interview there before we make any decisions.  We feel like blessing hogs.  We are so excited and so grateful.  Please standby for any incoming revelation and big decisions to be made....

The exodus...

I felt a parallel kinship to the story of the Israelites in bondage being led to the promised land as we made a weekend exodus to Ohio for Garrett to have an interview at Cleveland for next years residency.  It was thrilling to see civilization again as we entered the booming Metropolis wonderland after 6 hours.  Those hours felt long to my ADD personality so I was worried how Liv would do strapped into her carseat but she pulled through like a champ.  She probably has childhood diabetes from all the animal crackers and apple juice we gave her to keep her content but thanks to Fuzzy Bee and Friends, we made it:

I thought we should take advantage of the "pet exercise area" at a rest stop and Liv (our pet) appreciated it.

(Please note how the similarity between Liv and G's hair, personally I don't see much of a difference.  I feel like a weird Mexican out of place foster mom in this picture, no one would believe that I gave birth to the child on the left who is a smaller female replica of the husband on the right)

We stayed at a members house who is a resident as well and soaked in all the sights and sounds of our new promised land....