Literally "Labor" Day Weekend

 Last year for Labor Day weekend we started a tradition with the Smith Family that we would go down to Moab every year over Labor Day weekend. This year we were able to have all day Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Unlike last year we only had Saturday, Sunday and half Monday. So we were all really excited to have a 4 day vacation.

Thursday night after we all got off work we met at the Smith Home and caravanned to Moab. We got there about midnight and after unloading the cars we all crashed in our beds.

Friday morning after breakfast we all headed out for a hike to Corona Arch. It's about a mile hike in. So we thought it would be a nice short and easy hike for the boys and our pregnant sister in law.

Cy enjoyed being in the kid carrier. Occasionally he would fuss because he was hot. So we would spray water on him and that seemed to do the trick.

Ryker was enjoying climbing on the rocks and using Andrew's walking stick.

 It is such a pretty view once you reach the top. It's neat too because Bowtie and Corona Arch are right by each other.

 We stopped in the shade to cool down and have our packed lunches. You can tell by Ryker's sweaty head and red face that it was rather a hot hike. But aren't those 2 little faces the cutest things you have ever seen?

 Once cooling off we went closer to the Corona Arch to check it out. The pictures don't give this Arch any justice. It is so amazing up close. I'm so surprised that it doesn't just fall over. About 4 1/2 years ago Jesse and I hiked this same hike when we had gone down to Moab for our 2 year anniversary. So it was fun being there this time with our 2 boys.

 Boys being boys... Jesse and Ryker were searching for lizards. It was cute watching them work together and get excited when they would turn over a rock and find one.

 Our next hike was up Milcreek. This one was really fun because we got to hike in the stream. It made for a much cooler hike too. Ryker just loved it too.

 If you stayed on the trail it wound back and forth across the creek. You could also hike in the creek the whole way (which is what we did on the way back).

 At the top there was a little waterfall and a small pool where we all were able to cool down and enjoy they neat surroundings....

 ...while little Cy took a nap in the carrier.

 We thought the waterfall would make for a good picture, so we all took turns taking pictures with our little families.

That night Andrew and Emily treated us to a yummy dinner and we all retired to bed. About 5:00 in the morning I got up to use the restroom and get myself a drink of water. Heidi found me in the kitchen and told me that Emily had had contractions in the middle of the night and they were at the Moab Hospital where they gave her some medicine to stop her labor. She was only 36 weeks and I'm pretty sure she didn't want to have her baby in Moab.

As soon as Dad, Andrew and Emily got back to the condo (5:30am) they packed up their things, ate breakfast, packed a lunch, and they left for Salt Lake City.

Originally the plan for Saturday was to go on a bike ride. Mom and Emily were planning on staying behind with the boys with the rest of us went. So with the recent change of plans, Mom just stayed behind with the boys while Jesse and I went on the bike ride. We were all thinking that Emily would go home and get some rest and little Sterling can cook for 4 more weeks inside her tummy.

The bike ride that we went on was the Moab Brands trails. There are 4 or 5 trails that are all connected together. We rode on Circle O and Rockin' A. Our total mileage was just under 12 miles.

 This was my 2nd mountain bike experience, and can I say it was MUCH better than the first. Last year's bike ride wasn't too much fun.I thought I was going to die (it didn't help that I was pregnant either). So I am glad that this year was a fun experience for me. It makes me want to get into it more and be awesome like Jesse. I loved riding on the slick rock. I guess it's just so fun because you can't really do that anywhere else. Moab is just cool like that.

When we got back from our bike ride, Jesse and I had lunch and were able to relax until we had heard from Dad that Emily went back to the hospital. Her contractions had started back up again. Dad told us that she was dilated to a 4 and she was about to get her epidural. We were feeling shocked. First of all this baby was going to be 4 weeks early, and second we were going to have to go home too.

So we packed up all the food and baggage and headed to Salt Lake. It was a bitter-sweet moment. Bitter because we had 2 more days paid to stay in Moab. Sweet because we were going to meet our first nephew and the boys first cousin. 

We arrived at Jordon Valley Hospital around 10pm. Sterling Roark Smith was born at 8:34pm and weighed 7lbs 3oz. Since he was considered a premature baby he was instantly taken to the NICU where they figured out that he really wasn't a preemie. I guess Emily wasn't exactly sure of her last period and the ultrasound due date was showing that Sterling was measuring bigger. The nurses in the NICU also noticed that Sterling had the lines on his feet which doesn't happen until a baby is about 38 weeks.

When we arrived at the hospital little Sterling was in the Well Baby room so we weren't able to meet him that night. But we got to see Andrew and Emily though. Emily looked like she was feeling great.

Sunday night Jesse and I went to visit again. And this time we got the chance to meet our first nephew. Jesse is officially "UNCLE JESSE".

Mike and Heidi watched our boys for us while we went to visit. Apparently children are not aloud in the room unless they are siblings of the baby. So they will have to meet him another time.

(Just a little side note; Sterling was born on Cy's 6 month birthday. So they both will have each other's un-birthdays. I thought that was cool.)

Today, being Monday, Jesse and I and the boys have had a comfortable day at home doing a whole lot of nothing. haha

So a funny weekend we had. A tip to our family for future vacations... Don't take a pregnant woman to Moab over "LABOR" Day weekend.