tour life.

we unpacked our suitcases and put them in storage as fast as you can say lightening.  

we are finally back to where we call home after traveling since november.  don't get me wrong, traveling is one of my favorite things, but there is just something so wonderful about your own bed and space (even if our 'space' is a tiny one bedroom apartment. its our space). we were able to spend lots of time in utah with family and friends for thanksgiving and the new year, but for all of december we were on tour in d.c., toronto, and connecticut. 

each of these places now hold a special place in my heart. i love making memories in new places with my little family. washington d.c. was a dream for my history loving soul, and i always love exploring great cities and all they have to offer. toronto is still a favorite. we went there here, but it was fun to go back in the winter during the holidays. and connecticut ... was different... being in a casino out in the middle of nowhere. we made the best of it and focused on service and giving for christmas, and honestly,  it is now one of my favorite christmas' to remember. i feel extremely grateful to be able to have these experiences all while doing what i love (dancing) and having the people i love most with me (minus our dog child, but he was in the best care and surrounded by lots of human love and doggy love, so it eased my heart a little). 

now for a massive photo dump of some of our adventures. 

"Whatever you are, be a good one" A.L.

Hello toronto 

First snow

Christmas market was our fave. 

Toronto's aquarium is legit. 

My backstage love. 

Date night (while the babe sleeps)

Our favorite Canadians 

Tiniest plane I've been on. River was loving it. 

My dears. 

Christmas shopping at 2am. Cheese and crackers. Diet coke. Sugar cookies. Success. 

Merry Christmas from Connecticut 

Mystic. 

Blurry, but I kinda like it.

So much history in this old town. 

 

Hey santa. 

My heart belongs to them. 

The tour life. 

Now on to 2015. 

Xo

Pow wow

We celebrated river's first birthday a week early with family and friends up in Utah. We couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather. Fall in Utah is simply the best. We had an Indian pow wow for our brave little one in the mountains with the fall leaves, a river, a campfire, and a teepee to top it off. We had an ice cream bar with teepees, s'mores and hot coco. The kids played ring-around-the-arrow and had a bow & arrow feather shoot off. We all put on our indian headdresses and pow-wow-ed around the fire. It was a night to be remembered.   

Thanks to all for coming and making river's birthday so special. 

Xo

Brave little ONE

My little indian is one years old today! I can't believe it. Last night I found myself going through all of his newborn pictures and holding back those tears. 

Just one year ago today I was holding you in my arms for the first time...all 7 pounds of you, and nothing can describe that single moment. It is only felt. Also, nothing could have prepared me for this first year and now it has seemed to vanish before my eyes. I look back thinking how tiny you were. Now you are walking around on your own two feet...not wanting to hold my hand. 

But really, it feels like River has been apart of my life for a very long time. We are connected. Always have been. We are soulmates. Eternal. 

It's amazing to watch him grow and learn and experience all of this world every single day. I feel extremely grateful to be this boy's mama. He is teaching me more than I him. My wish to you my darling boy, is that you find your own unique talents and purpose in this life, and experience much love and happiness along the way. 

I love you my brave little one! 

Happy birthday! 

Xo

The tour life.

We started our tour in Atlantic city. The beach was our backyard. Literally. So we tried to really take advantage of that for the two weeks we were there. Its safe to say we were on the beach every single day minus maybe two. It was heaven. I'm telling you, river fits in so well at the beach we will have to live on one. Not for me, but for him;) And with that, I will leave you with a massive photo dump of our days at the beach, since half my phone pics are now full of them. 

      Little shark is ready for shark week

   Getting buried in the sand is so funny. 

Beach naps are much better than regular naps. 

                    Our little tribe.

Beach bummin at it's best. 

We already miss the beach. 

Xo

Travel month.

August has come and gone. Just like that. It has been quite the travel month going from utah to jersey to new york to ohio to chicago and then back to utah and we will eventually be ending in vegas. Whew. I am so grateful the husband could come the entire time as well. I don't know what I would do without him pretty much every.single.day. I am also grateful to our friend for taking such good care of mowgli while we are off touring. It doesn't get any easier leaving that boy behind, but it does ease my mind knowing he is in such good hands and with his two very best dog friends nonetheless. 

With that said, this month has been amazing, even with a few hiccups along the way. River has been a dream traveler even when our fight got delayed 8 hours, we got put on stand by, and then the airline lost all of our luggage (see what I mean by a few hiccups). We have been in taxis, trains, planes, boats, and cars. You name it. I read up on a lot of 'traveling with baby' forums and I wanted to share some that have really helped me. So...I used to think that keeping river up and trying to get him to sleep on the plane was a good idea, but I quickly learned (from a long flight from London) that a well rested, happy baby is much better to travel with. Sleeping is key to a happy river, so if you can give your babe a good morning nap or afternoon nap before your flight...let them take it! Also, I fed river on take off and landing, or I gave him some water in a bottle or let him suck his binki...that sucking motion is important for their little ears to pop. I bought some new books and toys just for the plane. I brought lots of little snacks and an iPad (we don't usually use the iPad, but I downloaded a couple apps for entertainment when worse comes to worst). Pack enough diapers and wipes and a change of clothes for those unexpected blowouts.  I also definitely brought Lysol spray and disinfectant wipes since river is at the prime age of touching everything and putting it in his mouth, and because I am slightly OCD. Ha. Other than that remember to breathe and just roll with whatever happens.

 Travel days can be stressful...but they can also be very easy if we just choose to let them. I was determined to have a calm flight going out...I was so calm that I made us miss our connecting flight. Oops. The husband was like, "let's hurry, we are boarding!" And I was all like, "it's fine. Relax." As I slowly walked river and I over to our gate just as they shut the doors for good. But guess what, we jumped on the next flight we could and it all seemed to work out. sorry about that one husband;) 

You realize how many other families there are traveling with babies when you are in that group too. Be patient with your little one and have fun. If you're calm and happy so are they:) 

Safe travels. 

Xo