You say Good-bye and I say Hello

Hola! We arrived in Paraguay safe and sound yesterday afternoon and honestly, we are not too excited to be done with vacation. Luckily today was a holiday which is helping us ease back into our regularly scheduled program.

Before we returned home we finished our last week in Utah. With the wedding completed and the girls finally transitioned to the time zone and new people, it was a great week. Monday was Mackenzie's birthday and Tuesday we spent the day with Hammond family. Wednesday was all about being outside. Scott unfortunately woke up with a headache so he missed out on the morning activity of Hiking the G! Mackenzie was too little so Kiersten went off with her brother's family and Finley in tow. It was a pretty easy hike and very fun. Later that day we went on a zip-lining tour of Provo Canyon and luckily Scott was feeling better so he joined us. That night we dined at Brick Oven, a Provo establishment. While I think my pizza is better the root beer is the real star of the joint. 

Her first hike!

The view of the valley.

Celebratory popsicle after the hike.

First time zip-lining and it was awesome!

Mackenzie climbed up and fell asleep on Daddy before dinner.

She wanted the pizza too so she began eating the menu.

Thursday we had to say goodbye to cousin Ashlyn. She and Mackenzie were thick as thieves for the past week. We hope they continue their friendship when they reunite in almost a year (yikes!). Most of the morning was spent rearranging furniture and books at the Hammond homestead. Since these grandparents have moved to Ashford, the house will be sold and affairs need to be put in order. Items have been claimed and the house is being staged. It's the end of an era but we're trying not to be too sad about it.

Friday was our last full day in America. We started by going on another hike but this time Scott and Mackenzie joined us. We went up to the Battle Creek Waterfall. We did some needed clothes shopping and ate a final meal with Uncle Brenton at Cubby's. Then we visited Kiersten's grandparents one last time this trip. We ate dinner at Chili's with K's parents then put the girls to bed. We did some packing then went on a much needed date. We drove up the canyon to Sundance for a Full Moon Lift Ride. It was much colder than June should be and we forgot a blanket so we snuggled close for the almost hour ride up and back. It was one of the best dates we've had in a while.

It was a beautiful day for a hike with the girls.

M found a little tunnel!

We made it!

Mackenzie did great on her first official hike. She walked more than half the time.

Sharing a story at Ashford.

The date started at Macey's for a Kong Cone. We went with the Ultimate Kong,
a pound of ice cream. This is my, "What were we thinking?!" face.

Super fun date at our favorite Ski Resort.

Saturday was travel day but still a half day in Utah which we spent doing more packing and cleaning the house. We left early for one last meal at The Purple Turtle and let Mackenzie play at a park. Our first flight to Houston was 2.5 hours. A quick layover and we were on our way to Sao Paulo, 10 hours. The girls fell asleep quickly and we watched Captain Marvel then "slept" as well. No business class this time around. Another quick layover in Brazil and then the short 2 hour plus ride to Asuncion. We made it home, relaxed, watched the USA v. Chile Women's World Cup match then called it a day.

Using our "new" double stroller and we loved having contained kids. Made the quick connections easier to navigate.

"Adios, America!"

Today, after a great night's sleep by all, we played in the morning, Scott went to work to start his catching up and didn't do much else. Tomorrow the real "fun" begins.

The Mackenzie Update:

• We are surprised by how much she remembers about being home. In the past, three weeks away was a lifetime to her. But on this return to Paraguay she remembers all our normal routines.

  

  The humidity has returned her missing curls.

• We did a birthday interview with her and when asked what she wanted to be or do when she got big like Mommy and Daddy (in other words, what do you want to be/do when you grow up?) she said she wants to "eat breakfast and play with bunnies".
• She is learning how to count to 20 in English and she was helping Scott count eggs and continued to 11! She's never done that without help!

  

  Loved capturing all her car naps.

• We were playing the piano one last time at Great-Grandma Hammond's and she jumped on the three black keys together and said, "It's E-I-E-I-O!" And darned if she wasn't playing a song by ear. At three!

The Finley Report:

• Finally back to our happy, smiley baby.
• She tolerates Mackenzie holding her more and more. She actually can carry her with a parent close behind. Finley just loves getting a hug from her big sister.

  

  Hiding in Mackenzie's "house".

• She definitely grew. She looks bigger in her high chair than when we left.
• Speaking of bigger, she transitioned into 6-9 month clothing! And size 3 diapers at night. She wet through all her clothes 4 nights in a row so perhaps a bigger diaper will help with that.

So we are back home and are staring down one more year and change. We still don't know what our future holds; overseas or back to America. It's always a little rough returning from vacation so our goal is to hit the ground running and have some more Paraguayan adventures before our time is up. Thanks and see you next week!